Lake Logan State Park: Short Walks, Lake Access and Birding Near Hocking Hills
Lake Logan is not a gorge park and does not pretend to be. It is a quiet lake with short trails, open water and wide views, and that makes it a useful half-day on a Hocking trip.
Most people drive past Lake Logan on their way to Old Man's Cave and never stop. That is understandable. There are no gorges here, no recess caves and no waterfalls. But if you want an easy walk with open sky, a picnic table by the water or a morning with binoculars, Lake Logan earns a spot on a Hocking Hills trip. It just needs honest expectations.
What Lake Logan is (and isn't)
ODNR describes a lake of about 400 acres in the Appalachian foothills of Hocking County, operated from the Hocking Hills State Park office. The lake was developed in 1955 for recreation and was originally called Hocking Lake. It was renamed Lake Logan, in part to avoid confusion with Hocking Hills State Park.
The landscape is different from the gorges. The local Athens Conservancy points out that the sandstone layer that forms the famous cliffs lies below lake level here. What you get instead is rolling oak and hickory forest around a long lake, which ODNR describes as part of Ohio's oldest landscape, the unglaciated plateau.
Lake Logan is a lake park with short trails. If you want a two- or three-hour hike, go to the gorges or the state forest. If you want a 30-minute walk, a picnic and some birds, Lake Logan is a good fit.
The walking options
| Walk | Length | What it's like |
|---|---|---|
| Buckeye Trail section | About 1.25 miles in the park | Runs through the northwest end of the park toward Hocking State Forest; blue blazes |
| Pine Vista Trail | Short loop; the ODNR map lists 0.5 mile, a local guide says about a mile | Circles a hilltop across Lake Logan Road from the beach; views over the lake |
| Shoreline and picnic areas | Varies | Six picnic areas with parking; easy strolls on grass and pavement |
The Buckeye Trail section
The statewide Buckeye Trail passes through Lake Logan for about 1.25 miles, per ODNR, heading toward Hocking State Forest. This is the most "trail-like" walking in the park. You can walk a piece of it out and back. For the bigger picture of how the Buckeye Trail threads through the region, see our Buckeye Trail guide.
Pine Vista Trail
A short loop that circles a hilltop directly across Lake Logan Road from the beach. Sources disagree slightly on the length. The ODNR park map lists half a mile, while a local guide calls it about a mile. Either way, it is a short walk with a climb at the start and views over the water through the trees, best in late fall and winter when the leaves are down.
Shoreline strolling
ODNR lists six picnic areas with large parking lots around the lake, most with grills and restrooms. These make easy, flat places to walk along the water, especially for anyone who cannot handle gorge stairs. The local conservancy also notes four fishing piers, one built for accessibility.
Lake access and the beach
- Beach: a 527-foot public beach on the north shore on Lake Logan Road, with restrooms. ODNR lists it as open year-round and free. No lifeguards are on duty.
- Boating: motors up to 10 horsepower are allowed, with a 10 mph speed limit. Paddling and sailing are popular. There are two boat ramps off Lake Logan Road.
- Rentals: ODNR notes that the Lake Logan Marina rents canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, pedal boats and pontoons in spring, summer and fall.
- Fishing: bluegill, crappie, bass, muskie and catfish, per ODNR. An Ohio license is required for anyone 16 and older.
- Winter fun: the Athens Conservancy lists two sledding areas, which is worth knowing on a snowy cabin trip with kids.
Birding, including in winter
ODNR calls Lake Logan an excellent birding spot. It names red-tailed hawks, barn owls, pileated woodpeckers and scarlet tanagers, plus waterfowl during spring and fall migration. Not every species on that list is around in every season, so what you see on a January morning will differ from a June one.
In winter, a lake is worth checking for one simple reason: open water attracts birds that the forested gorges do not. How much you see depends on ice. In a mild spell, scan any open water near the dam end and picnic areas. In a deep freeze, focus on the wooded edges and hilltop instead.
Go early or late in the day when light is low and birds are active. Bring binoculars and stay in the car at windy overlooks to use it as a blind. Our winter birding guide covers what to look for on the gorge trails, which pair well with a lake stop.
Hours and hunting
ODNR lists park hours as 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. That differs from the gorge trails at Hocking Hills State Park, which close half an hour after sunset. Still, plan to be off the trails by dark in winter.
Hunting is part of Lake Logan's public land use. ODNR lists fox, squirrel, raccoon, rabbit, deer, waterfowl, turkey and ruffed grouse as species hunted in season, and the local conservancy says hunting is generally allowed in the western half of the park. The ODNR hunting map bars shooting within 400 feet of nature trails, picnic areas, parking lots and beaches. During deer gun season, wear orange on any trail walk. Check the current hunting map for the exact open areas.
How Lake Logan fits a Hocking Hills trip
Lake Logan sits just outside the town of Logan. The Athens Conservancy describes reaching the dam end from US-33 at the State Route 664 exit, then Lake Logan Road (County Road 3). That puts it on the way between US-33 and the main park for many visitors. Ways to use it:
- Arrival-day leg stretch. After the drive, a short walk and a picnic before checking in.
- Recovery day. After a big Gatewood Trail day, an easy shoreline stroll and Pine Vista loop.
- Mixed-ability groups. Flat lakeside paths and picnic areas suit people who cannot do stairs.
- Birding morning. Binoculars and coffee at the water before heading to the gorges at midday.
- Snow day. Sledding hills and an easy walk when gorge stairs are too icy.
For more low-key trails around town, see trails near Logan and Rockbridge cabins.
Bottom line
- Expect short walks, not a hiking destination
- Walk the Buckeye Trail section and the Pine Vista loop
- Use the picnic areas and beach for flat, easy strolls
- Bring binoculars, especially in migration and on mild winter days
- Wear orange on trails during deer gun season
- Pair it with a gorge hike, or use it as a rest-day stop
Frequently asked questions
Are there hiking trails at Lake Logan State Park?
Yes, but they are short. ODNR notes a 1.25-mile section of the Buckeye Trail through the northwest end of the park, and the park map shows the short Pine Vista Trail on a hilltop across from the beach. Think of Lake Logan as a walking stop, not a full hiking day.
Does Lake Logan have caves or waterfalls like Hocking Hills?
No. The local Athens Conservancy notes that the sandstone that forms the famous gorges lies below the lake level here, so Lake Logan has no comparable rock formations.
Is the Lake Logan beach open in winter?
ODNR says the 527-foot public beach on the north shore is open year-round and free, with restrooms. There are no lifeguards in any season.
Can you see birds at Lake Logan in winter?
ODNR describes the park as an excellent birding spot and notes waterfowl during spring and fall migration. Winter sightings depend on how much of the lake is open water, so bring binoculars and scan any ice-free areas.
Is there hunting at Lake Logan State Park?
Yes, in season and in designated areas. ODNR lists deer, waterfowl, turkey and small game among the species, and the hunting map bars shooting within 400 feet of trails, picnic areas, parking lots and beaches.
Sources and verification
- ODNR: Lake Logan State Park (lake size, trails, beach, birding, hours, history)
- ODNR: Lake Logan State Park map (PDF)
- Athens Conservancy: Lake Logan State Park (piers, sledding, directions, geology)
- Heart of Hocking: Lake Logan State Park (Pine Vista Trail)
- ODNR: Lake Logan hunting map (PDF)
Rules, hours and conditions change. Confirm with the managing agency before you go.