Burr Oak State Park is a day-trip detour east of the Hocking Hills core: a 664-acre lake in the Sunday Creek valley, surrounded by foothill country, with trails that range from a half-mile storybook walk to a 22-mile loop around the water. If you have already done the gorges and want long miles without waterfall crowds, this is one of the better options. All trail data below comes from ODNR.
Where it sits and how big it is
Burr Oak State Park lies in Athens and Morgan counties, mostly in Morgan, and borders Wayne National Forest, according to a standard reference. ODNR describes the setting as the Sunday Creek valley in the foothills of the Appalachians. The reference lists the park at 2,593 acres, with the lake covering 664 acres. The nearest town is Glouster.
ODNR does not give a drive time from Hocking Hills, so check your map app before you commit. Treat it as a full-day outing rather than a quick add-on to a gorge morning.
The trail list, as ODNR publishes it
| Trail | Length | ODNR difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeview Trail (includes South Shore Trail) | 22 miles | Moderate to difficult | Yellow blazes; circles the lake |
| Backpacking Trail | 18 miles | Not listed | Combines parts of Ravine, Lakeview and Camp trails; trailhead at the Nature Center |
| Ravine Trail | 1.5 miles one way | Moderate | |
| Buckeye Loop | 1.7 miles | Moderate | Trailhead at the Nature Center |
| Campground Trail | 1 mile | Moderate | |
| Chipmunk Trail | 0.4 mile | Moderate | |
| Tanager Trail | 0.4 mile | Moderate | |
| Storybook Trail | 0.5 mile | Easy | Children's story segments |
Bridle trails are listed separately: the Red/Camp/Red loop at 5.2 miles and the Blue loop at 1.8 miles. Treat the foot trails and bridle trails as separate networks and follow the signs.
Choose your day by mileage
If you have a couple of hours
Pair the 1.7-mile Buckeye Loop from the Nature Center with the short Storybook Trail, which ODNR rates easy and which has story segments and a free Little Library. That adds up to a gentle family outing. The Ravine Trail is one-way at 1.5 miles, so plan on a return or a shuttle.
If you have a full day
The Lakeview Trail circles the lake at 22 miles with moderate-to-difficult terrain, which is too long for most day hikers to finish in one go. Consider doing a section. ODNR lists yellow blazes for the Lakeview Trail, so follow those, note where you can leave the trail, and set a turnaround time before you start. Turning back late is the usual mistake on a long loop. ODNR notes that the backpacking trail uses parts of Ravine, Lakeview and Camp trails, so these segments are already linked.
If you want an overnight
The 18-mile backpacking trail begins at the Nature Center. ODNR says it has primitive sites and drinking water at several points, and that nearly 13 of its 18 miles are part of the Buckeye Trail. That is a useful detail if you have already hiked the Buckeye Trail near Hocking Hills. See our Buckeye Trail guide, and compare it with the Zaleski Backpack Trail if you are choosing a first overnight.
What you will see
ODNR lists oaks and hickories with spring wildflowers, including violets, Dutchman's breeches, trillium, bloodroot and hepatica, and good fall color. Wildlife includes white-tailed deer, ruffed grouse, box turtles and wild turkey, and bald eagles, great blue herons and waterfowl on the lake. If you want to practice naming trees in winter, our winter tree guide works well on an oak-hickory slope.
There is also history: the park's story includes the former coal town of Santoy, where ODNR says a 1924 fire destroyed the coal tipple, the second mine closed in 1927 and the last 19 voters left in November 1931. Only the church remains. The lake was created in 1950 by the Tom Jenkins Dam, a Corps of Engineers flood control project, and the park was dedicated in 1952.
Facilities and practical notes
- Hours: The park is open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. The office is open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at (740) 767-3570. Nature Center hours vary, so call first.
- Lodge: Burr Oak Lodge has guest rooms, vacation cabins and a restaurant. It is handy if you want to hike and eat in one place.
- Beach: The public beach is about 500 feet long. No pets are allowed on it, and BeachGuard water-quality alerts run Memorial Day to Labor Day.
- Hunting: Hunting is permitted on adjacent wildlife areas and in Wayne National Forest. Check season dates before a fall or winter hike.
- Extras: ODNR lists an 18-hole disc golf course near the Nature Center with no fee, and an archery range near the campground that allows field points only.
- On the water: Motors on the lake are limited to 10 horsepower or less, with larger motors at idle speed, so it stays calm enough for paddlers.
- Winter: ODNR notes sledding and ice fishing under proper conditions.
- Dogs: ODNR's page does not state a general pet policy beyond the beach, so ask the office.
How it compares with other Hocking-area parks
Lake Hope is the other lake-centered neighbor we cover, in the Lake Hope trails guide and the case for Lake Hope. Clear Creek Metro Park is another nearby option. See our Clear Creek guide. Compared with the Hocking Hills gorge trails, Burr Oak offers mileage over drama: there is no Old Man's Cave here, but there is room to walk for hours.
Bottom line
Burr Oak works as a long-miles day or a Buckeye Trail overnight. Plan the day by distance, call the Nature Center for hours, and give yourself time for the drive. For the gorge trails, use the main park. For a quiet lake-and-ridge walk, this is a worthy detour. For other options farther from the main trailheads, see our under-visited trails guide.
Gorges one day, lake the next
A cabin near the Hocking Hills trails keeps the main park close and gives you a starting point for day trips like this one.
Find a Cabin Near the Trails →Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Lakeview Trail at Burr Oak State Park?
ODNR lists the Lakeview Trail, which includes the South Shore Trail, as a 22-mile yellow-blazed loop around the lake, rated moderate to difficult.
Does the Buckeye Trail go through Burr Oak State Park?
ODNR says nearly 13 of the 18 miles of the park's Backpacking Trail are part of the Buckeye Trail. The backpacking trail starts at the Nature Center.
What is the best short hike at Burr Oak?
ODNR lists the Buckeye Loop at 1.7 miles from the Nature Center and the half-mile Storybook Trail as an easy walk with children's story segments. Call the Nature Center for hours.
How big is Burr Oak Lake?
ODNR lists Burr Oak Lake at 664 acres. It was created in 1950 by the Tom Jenkins Dam.
Can I bring my dog to the beach at Burr Oak?
No. ODNR says pets are not allowed on the public beach. The page does not state a general pet policy for the trails, so ask the park office before you go.