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Ohio
27

Ohio State Parks

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USA Parks
Ohio
Southeast Ohio Region
Wolf Run State Park
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Wolf Run State Park © Gene Shirk
Wolf Run State Park © Gene Shirk
Wolf Run State Park © Gene Shirk
Wolf Run State Park © Gene Shirk
Wolf Run State Park © Gene Shirk
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WOLF RUN STATE PARK
WOLF RUN STATE PARK
16170 Wolf Run Rd
Caldwell, Ohio   43724
(lat:39.7928 lon:-81.5394) map location

Phone: (740) 732-5035
Reservations: 866-644-6727
The rugged hills of southeastern Ohio provide the setting for Wolf Run State Park. The scenic woodlands and cool, clean waters of the park offer visitors a quiet retreat in this remote area of the state.
Nature of the Area
Wolf Run State Park s nestled in the heart of the unglaciated Appalachian Plateau of southeastern Ohio. The hills in the park region remained untouched by the glacial advances that passed over much of the state more than 12,000 years ago.

Nevertheless, meltwaters from the vast sheets of ice helped to permanently alter the topography of the area. Stream flow was greatly increased, hastening the cutting of valleys and creating the rugged terrain so prevalent today. The predominant bedrock in the Wolf Run region is sandstone deposited during the Pennsylvanian period, with alternating layers of coal.

The Wolf Run area has been dramatically changed since the settlement of man. The original forests soon fell to the ax and were replaced with farms and villages. Fortunately, much of the forest has regrown and now covers 70 percent of the region. This second growth forest is mixed mesophytic, meaning that dominance is shared by a large number of tree species. White and red oak, tuliptree, sugar maple, beech, wild black cherry and white ash are frequent members of this forest type. Mixed mesophytic forests are renowned for their plant diversity including ferns, clubmosses, mosses, algae, fungi and lichens. These forests are in some ways the most ecologically exciting in the state. Deer, gray squirrels, raccoons, skunks, weasels, bats, black rat snakes, box turtles, wild turkey, ruffed grouse and great horned owls are among the many animals that make this area their home.
History of the Area
Wolf Run State Park is located near the town of Caldwell in Noble County, the last of the 88 counties formed within Ohio. In 1795, the Treaty of Greenville was signed ending the Indian threat in this part of Ohio paving the way for settlement. The first settlers to the area were New Englanders travelling by way of Marietta, Ohio up the valley of Duck Creek from the Ohio River into what is now Noble County.

Agriculture, livestock and profitable industries_born of the many mineral resources of the area_provided a living for the settlers. Coal, iron ore, building stone, petroleum and salt were plentiful. Oil was accidently discovered near Caldwell in 1814 when Robert McKee began drilling a well to obtain brine. At the depth of 475 feet, a crevice was struck containing oil. At first considered a nuisance, the true value of the oil was eventually realized and derricks soon lined the valley of Duck Creek. Oil prices declined drastically during the Civil War bringing an end to major drilling efforts in the area.

Land acquisition for the park began in 1963. Construction of the dam and spillway for the lake was complete in 1966 as part of the West Fork Duck Creek Watershed Project. The 1,338-acre facility including the 220-acre lake was officially dedicated as a state park in 1968. The park received its name from the Wolf family, the first to settle in the area.
Passes
Ohio does not have an annual pass and does not charge entrance fees to state parks.
FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW
GeneralLand, acres1,046
 Water, acres220
Day-UseFishingyes
 Huntingyes
 Hiking Trail, miles6
 Picnickingyes
 Picnic Shelters, #1
 Swimming Beach, feet200
BoatingBoating Limits10
 Seasonal Dock Rental19
 Launch Ramps, #1
CampingPrimitive, #67
 Electric Sites, #71
 Pets Permittedyes
 Dumpstationyes
 Showersyes
 Youth Group Camp, capacity150
WinterSleddingyes
 Cross-Country Skiingyes
 Fly-In Campsites, #20
Camping
A family campground with 138 non-electric sites is located on the south shore of the lake. Showers and laundry facilities are provided. A walk-in group area with fire rings is available for use by organized youth groups on a reservation basis.

A 20-site primitive fly-in camping area is located on the north side of the lake. The area is within walking distance of the 4,700-foot runway at the Noble County Airport. Picnic tables, fire rings and latrines are provided.
Nearby Accommodations
businesss listing main photo
Timberline Cabins - Cambridge, OH
Cottages and Cabins
Situated at the heart of Salt Fork Lake, our cabins all offer privacy and seclusion,with hot tubs, decks, grills, private bonfire pits and beautiful rock wood burning fireplaces. All cabins are extremely clean, well furnished and equipped. Wonderful for all occasions. Hunters are welcome at our cabins
18.6 miles from park*
Swimming
A public swimming beach is located on the south side of the lake and provides restrooms and changing booths. The beach is open during daylight hours only.

Scuba diving is also permitted in the lake, except within the beach area. Proper equipment and marking of the diving area are required. Diving alone is prohibited.
Boating
Boats with motors of up to 10 horsepower are permitted on Wolf Run Lake. A launching ramp and tie-ups are available on the south side of the lake, easily accessible from State Route 215.


Location
Wolf Run State Park is located near Cambridge, Zanesville

Picnicking
Picnic areas are located in scenic areas of the park. A shelterhouse is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Trails
A 3-mile section of the Buckeye Trail passes along the west side of the lake. A half-mile loop trail begins at the nature center providing opportunities for nature study and wildlife observation.
Area Attractions
A memorial to the U.S.S. Shenandoah, a navy dirigible which crashed in the area in 1925, is located off State Route 821.

Salt Fork State Park to the north via I-77 offers a lodge, cabins, golf course, camping, boating, fishing, hiking and picnicking. Blue Rock State Park to the west offers camping, fishing, hiking and picnicking.

Seneca Lake of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District is also north via I-77 on State Route 313. Facilities for camping, boating, fishing and picnicking are provided.

The Guernsey County Historical Society Museum in Cambridge is open Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Memorial Day through October. The Cambridge City Park features an original covered bridge and has picnicking and other recreational opportunities.

Ohio Power Company lands lie west of the park and offer hunting, fishing and camping opportunities for those with a permit.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
September 9 Fabulous place for the family by Rob Wassem
park review stars; one to five My mom and dad took us to this lake camping as kids and the three of us (brothers) had an absolute blast - fishing, swimming, hiking, etc....awesome memories!
August 21 #1 Camp Ground
park review stars; one to five We go to Wolf Run atleast once a year. Very clean and the Rangers are very friendly. Lots are spaced apart nicely and there are are many places to fish from the shore or a boat ramp if you take your own boat. Very nice....never gets old!
June 7 Our favorite place to go camping. by Jeff and Missie Rake, Marietta
park review stars; one to five Wolf Run is a beautiful place to go camping with friends and family. It is a very clean campground. Plenty of things for kids to do. Just a wonderful place.
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Area Campgrounds
Seneca Lake Park
22172 Park Road
Senecaville, OH
740-685-6013
Area Accommodations (over 20 miles away)
businesss listing main photo
Cottages and Cabins
Trickle Creek offers luxury cabins in Hocking Hills. The cabins are situated on nearly 236 acres of secluded cabin rentals in the deep wooded ravines in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Hocking County, Ohio.
54.3 miles from park*
businesss listing main photo
Hidden Cave Cabin - Rockbridge, OH
Cottages and Cabins
Hidden Cave Cabin is an authentic log cabin with 2 bedrooms in a private wooded setting. It is located on one of the most scenic drives in Hocking Hills and just 3.6 miles to Rock House and less than 10 miles to Conkle's Hollow and Old Man's Cave.
59 miles from park*
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
16170 Wolf Run Road, Caldwell, Ohio 43724-9503

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Ohio
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Ohio State Parks

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