The Mohican area of Ohio is one of the state’s most beautiful regions. We try to visit whenever we are in the area, maybe stopping for a bite to eat at the Malabar Farm Restaurant. Here is an article I wrote for an online magazine for which I formerly served as editor. Enjoy!
Ohio’s Mohican State Park is the state’s most visited destination for canoeing and also home to a large campground and a full-service resort with a lodge. Mohican features miles of hiking opportunities and the nearby Mohican State Forest also has bridle trails that are popular with horsemen.
The state park is located in scenic Loudonville, Ohio, near Mansfield, which is about halfway between Cleveland and Columbus. Loudonville, a popular vacation spot, is also home to many other campgrounds and canoe liveries.
Mohican State Park Features
- 1,110 Acres including 5 miles of riverfront with fishing
- 13 miles of hiking trails and a nature center
- 25 2-bedroom year-round cottages
- Campground featuring 151 electric and 35 non-electric sites
- Lodge with 96 rooms and a restaurant, lounge, and indoor and outdoor pools
A Canadian Gorge in Central Ohio
Clear Fork Gorge is at the heart of the Mohican area’s beautiful scenery. A piece of Canada left in Ohio by the retreating glaciers of the last ice age, the gorge is marked by towering hemlocks and white pines more typical of Ontario than Ohio.
The stunning view of Mohican State Park’s Clear Fork Gorge.
The Clear Fork of the Mohican flows through the gorge providing opportunities for fishing or simply gazing at the photogenic stream. Clear Fork Gorge was designated as a Registered National Natural Landmark by the National Park System.
Hitting Mohican’s Hiking Trails
The hiking trails at Mohican are all centered around the gorge area. The Lyons Falls Trail features scenic views of both Lyons Falls, “Little” and “Big”, while the Hemlock Trail is a more difficult journey along the gorge’s northern rim.
The Pleasant Hill Trail follows a pathway to Pleasant Hill Dam, but unfortunately it doesn’t follow all the way to Mohican’s resort lodge, which is only conveniently reachable by car. Other hiking trails wind themselves in and around the campground area.
Outdoor Activities Abound in Loudonville
In addition to hiking trails, Mohican also provides miles of trails for both horse riding and mountain biking. Many of these trails are located in the adjacent Mohican State Forest, which also includes bridle facilities.
The Clear Fork is Ohio’s top canoeing destination and the Loudonville area has a host of canoe liveries to serve that purpose. Fishing is also popular at the state park, both in the river and in Pleasant Hill Lake.
Steam rises off of the Clear Fork of Ohio’s Mohican River.
No visit to Mohican would be complete without checking out the scenic overlook from the southern rim of the Clear Fork Gorge. It is a stunning view, especially when the leaves of fall are in full-color. A nearby fire tower also provides a breathtaking view of the gorge and surrounding areas.
A Rustic Lodge Remembers Bromfield
Mohican State Park also features a full-service resort lodge with 96 guest rooms, a restaurant and lounge, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and a gift shop. The resort features basketball, tennis and shuffleboard courts for guests who prefer those kind of outdoor activities.
Bromfield’s Restaurant, named for Ohio writer and naturalist, Louis Bromfield, serves a quality family meal typical of the other Ohio State Park resorts. The lounge Boxer’s, named after Bromfield’s favorite dog breed, is a perfect place to wind down after a day of hiking the Clear Fork Gorge. Bromfield’s Malabar Farm State Park, Ohio’s only state park that is also a working farm, is another local destination worthy of a visit during one’s stay at Mohican.
Visit Mohican Country Today
Clear Fork Gorge is truly a underrated scenic treasure right in the heart of Ohio. Mohican State Park is the perfect way to experience this natural delight. The park and resort have all the amenities to support any type of family vacation: from roughing it in a tent around a fire, to a fine dinner and comfortable room at the Mohican Resort.
The surrounding Loudonville area has vacation options to fit any budget and taste. It is a worthy vacation destination at any time of the year.
The following book is highly recommended for anyone interested in visiting Ohio State Parks. We love our copy!
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