Pickaway County: River Trails, Nature and History

Canal Park is located on the Scioto River in Pickaway County and preserves historic features of the Ohio–Erie Canal. Two trails here differ considerably in length: the Towpath Trail is two miles long, while the Scioto River Trail is 0.3 miles long. The park is also a stop on the Ohio & Erie Canal Southern Descent Heritage Trail. If you choose trails by length, this makes it easy to distinguish the shorter Scioto River Trail from the longer Towpath Trail.

Trails Between Canal History and a Railroad Line

The Pickaway Trail also connects a trail route with history: it follows the former Penn Central railroad line. About two miles have been cleared so far; the first, 1.5-mile section between Canal Road and S.R. 104 is paved. Since the length of the route depends on future construction, it is a good idea to check the latest status before setting out.

The Roundtown Trail is an approximately 1.5-mile paved trail between the Pickaway County YMCA and Ohio Christian University in Circleville. It is suitable for biking, running, walking, and rollerblading. The two trails’ surface descriptions are defined differently: for the Roundtown Trail, the description applies to the entire trail, while for the Pickaway Trail, it refers to the first section. This lets you use the available route information to guide your planning.

Natural Areas and Seasonal Differences

Metzger Preserve covers 52 acres of prairie and woodland and provides access to Deer Creek. Activities suited to the area include picnicking, hiking, fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. Slate Run Metro Park has more than seven miles of trails through woods and meadows and along Slate Run. Wetlands, fields, and woodland shape the landscape at Stage’s Pond State Nature Preserve; these habitats support a diverse range of species.

Stage’s Pond serves as a resting place for migrating waterfowl in spring and fall. The preserve’s trail network includes 3.5 miles of Boundary, Waterfowl, and White Oak trails. The seasons give this place a special character: while trail lengths and names help with orientation, its role as a resting place is specifically associated with spring and fall.

A.W. Marion State Park combines rolling woodlands and quiet waters with forested areas, plains, and prairie. In Pickaway County, Big Darby Creek is designated a Scenic River at both the state and national levels. At Mackey Ford State Wildlife Area, the Scioto River forms the western boundary; an old feeder canal forms the eastern boundary and once belonged to the Ohio-and-Erie Canal system.

Memorials, Museums, and Architecture

Logan Elm State Memorial Park commemorates a speech from 1774 attributed to Chief Logan of the Seneca and Cayuga tribes. Visitors can see historic monuments and plaques on a walk through the park. A driving tour of the Mounds of Pickaway County is provided by the Pickaway County Historical Society and is open to visitors.

When first explored in the late 1890s, the Snake Den Mound Group was described as a group of seven mounds. That description included extended and disarticulated skeletal remains, cremations, and stone-slab graves. Some mounds were built of yellow clay, while others were made of stones containing boulders, fossils, concretions, and burned rock.

The Ted Lewis Museum in Circleville preserves the legacy of jazz musician and entertainer Ted Lewis. Exhibits include memorabilia, photographs, musical instruments, and personal items. Ohio’s Small Town Museum displays artifacts, photographs, and memorabilia related to the history of Ashville and the surrounding communities.

The area’s architectural history also offers specific dates: George W. Gregg began building the Gregg-Crites Octagon House in 1855 and completed it in 1856. St. Philip’s Episcopal Church was founded in 1817; its current church building dates to 1866. The Clarke May Museum is housed in a square brick home built in several stages between the 1840s and the early 1850s.

Season and Getting Around

The Circleville Pumpkin Show takes place every year from the third Wednesday in October through the following Saturday. If you want to plan your trip around the event, check the specific dates for that year. As a general guide for driving, Pickaway County is about 25 to 30 minutes south of Columbus on US-23. The wider region also includes Chillicothe and the Hocking Hills region.

Discover more destinations: Circleville, Stark, Guernsey, Putnam County, Hocking County, Ottawa County, Ross County, Mahoning.

To the main travel overview: Ohio.