Beaver Creek State Park

Beaver Creek State Park

12021 Echo Dell Road East Liverpool, Ohio 43920

Official Website
Beaver Creek State Park map

Tips for Birding

Nestled in the sandstone hills of eastern Ohio, the park is comprised of various habitats including bottomlands, a gorge, forests, and The Little Beaver Creek, a state and national Wild and Scenic River.

Steep walls, rock cliffs, and gentle rapids characterize it. Stream banks and gorges are lined with many delicate wildflowers and provide nesting sites for many species of birds. There are conifer groves, stands of Canada yew, yellow and black birch, and hemlocks.

In Calcuta go north on Saint Clair Avenue (CR-428) toward OH-170. Continue to follow CR-428. .2 miles. Turn left onto Calcutta-Smith Ferry Road (CR-430) and go .4 miles. Turn right onto Bell School Road (Township Hwy 1131) for 2.9 miles. Turn right onto Echo Dell Road( Township Hwy 929) for 1.3 miles. End at 12021 Echo Dell Road, East Liverpool, Ohio 43920.

Open year-round, from dawn until dusk.

Little Beaver Creek has Ohio’s largest population of the endangered Hellbender Salamander.

The vast Beaver Creek State Park and Forest stretches along the tributaries of the Little Beaver Creek Wild and Scenic River. This area is nestled in rugged sandstone cliffs, cascading streams, and many hemlock-laden hillsides and gorges. In May 2007, the lower portion of the Little Beaver Creek Watershed was dedicated as one of Audubon Ohio’s Important Bird Areas. At the state park are a restored operating grist mill and a historic village. Remnants of the Sandy and Beaver Canal can be seen here and throughout the county. A visit to The Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center, when in the area, is a must! There are over three hundred mounted birds and mammals on display, on weekends, May thru October.

Birds of Interest

There have been 23 species of warbler recorded here in summer. The highlight species of this area is the Common Merganser, of which, at least seven families with young were found this past season. Black-throated Blue Warblers are seen and heard, but nesting has not been confirmed. Swainson’s Warbler has been reported three times in the past several years, but no confirmation. In the late 1960’s they were reported from these same locations. In July 2009, a male Blackburnian Warbler was in the pines at the Beaver Creek State Park Campground. Golden-crowned Kinglets nest east of the Pancake Bridge near Sheepskin Hollow State Nature Preserve. Some of the other birds found in this Ohio hotspot are Blue-headed Vireo, Winter Wren, Hermit Thrush, Summer Tanager, Purple Finch, and the following warblers: Northern Parula, Magnolia, Black-throated Green, Pine, Prairie, Cerulean, Worm-eating, Ovenbird, and Kentucky, just to name a few.
Winter
(Late Winter) Nesting Great Horned Owls.
Spring
Migrant warblers. Nesting Great Blue Herons.
Summer
Nesting Warbling Vireos, Baltimore Orioles, Belted Kingfishers, Pileated Woodpeckers, Acadian Flycatchers, Yellow-throated Vireos, Cerulean Warblers, Ovenbirds, Louisiana Waterthrushes, Kentucky Warblers and Scarlet Tanagers.
Fall
Migrating waterfowl.

About this Location

Beaver Creek State Park is nestled in the sandstone hills of eastern Ohio. The park is comprised of various habitats including bottomlands, a gorge, forests, and Little Beaver Creek, a state and national wild and scenic river. The valley of Little Beaver is characterized by steep walls, high rock cliffs, and numerous gentle rapids. Geologically, the valley of Little Beaver is extremely unique, being the only stream valley in the United States yet described, in which evidence of all four major glaciations is found.

The flora of the park contains several interesting and unusual species, some of which are more commonly found in northern regions. Canada yew, yellow and black birch, hemlock, and mountain laurel can be found in the deep stream valley. The stream banks are lined with delicate wildflowers including jewelweed, hepatica, violets, and spring beauties.

Many types of wildlife find the park’s varying habitats inviting. Red fox, skunk, raccoon, and white-tailed deer are commonly seen while the elusive wild turkey is making a comeback in the area. Recently, sightings of black bear have become more frequent.

Notable Trails

Beaver Creek State Park Trails
Lower Vondergreen Trail – 3.25 miles – Moderate
Upper Vondergreen Trail – 1 mile – Moderate
The Lower Vondergreen Trail is 3.25 miles one way from Gaston Mills to the Primitive Group Camp, 6.5 miles round trip. You can make the hike shorter by hiking from Gaston Mills to Gretchens Lock (about 5.5 miles round trip) or by hiking out on the upper trail to the junction and returning on the lower trail (2 miles). To access this trail from the park office, walk across the bridge that goes over Little Beaver Creek. The Lower Vondergreen trailhead us immediately to your right. In wet weather or for variety, the Upper Vondergreen trailhead is 50 yards further up the road. You can take the Upper Vondergreen Trail hiking out and return on the Lower Vondergreen Trail if conditions permit.

After the trail junction of the upper and lower trails, the gorge narrows, and rocky cliff walls tower above the trail. You’ll soon reach Grey’s Lock, a lock that was part of the Sandy and Beaver Canal. After the lock you’ll make a short climb and then almost immediately descend, losing the elevation you gained. You’ll cross over a creek after the descent and intersect with a Bridle Trail. The trail continues to follow Little Beaver Creek downstream, passing Gretchens Lock and finishing at the Primitive Group Campsites. You can choose your point of turnaround based on the length of hike you desire.

If you have two vehicles, you could park one at each end of the trail.

Other trails at Beaver Creek State Park include:
Fitness Trail – .5 mile – Easy
Salamander Trail – .4 mile – Easy
Logan’s Loop Trail – .5 mile – Easy
Nature Center Trail – .2 mile – Easy
Overlook Trail – .3 mile – Easy
Oak Hill Trail – 1 mile – Moderate
Pine Ridge Trail – .5 mile – Easy
Fisherman’s Trail – .5 mile – Easy
Dogwood/Campground Trail – 2 miles – Moderate

Twenty-three miles of bridle trails provide access for horses and riders through the valley.

The Dogwood, Pine Ridge, and Vondergreen trails on the north side of Little Beaver Creek are part of the extensive North Country Trail system.

Features

  • Restrooms on site

Content from Official Website, Ohio Ornithological Society, and Bob Lane