Named after the legendary Olympic sprinter who grew up in nearby Oakville, Jesse Owens State Park sprawls across 5,735 acres of Morgan County’s rolling Appalachian foothills. This is one of Ohio’s larger and lesser-known state parks — a genuine escape from crowds, where wooded ridges, open meadows, and quiet hollows reward visitors who seek solitude over spectacle.

The park’s terrain is defined by southeastern Ohio’s unglaciated hill country, with steep ravines and mixed hardwood forests that blaze with color from mid-October through early November. Hiking trails wind through oak-hickory woodlands and along creek bottoms, offering a mix of moderate and challenging terrain. Hunting is a major draw here, with thousands of acres open for deer, turkey, and small game in season. Fishing, mountain biking, and horseback riding round out the warm-weather activities.

Spring wildflower season — typically late April through May — transforms the forest floor into a carpet of trillium, bloodroot, and Virginia bluebells, making it one of the best times to visit. Summer brings lush canopy cover and cooler temperatures in the shaded valleys compared to Ohio’s flatter regions.

Morgan County sits at the edge of Wayne National Forest, so visitors can easily extend their trip into adjacent public lands for even more backcountry exploration. The park is about 75 miles southeast of Columbus, making it reachable for a long weekend without feeling like a well-trodden day-trip destination. Come here when you want quiet woods and real space to roam.

Explore Nearby

• Scenic Olentangy Heritage Corridor — Scenic Byway in Ohio
• Covered Bridge Scenic Byway — Scenic Byway in Ohio
• Wayne National Forest — National Forest in Ohio
• Erskine Covered Bridge — Covered Bridge in Pennsylvania
• Fry Family Park — Dark Sky Site in Ohio