This 304-acre wildlife area is located in central Carroll County, 2.5 miles northwest of Carrollton and 1.0 mile southeast of New Harrisburg on Bacon Road (County Road 24). The area lies in the unglaciated foothills of the Allegheny Plateau hill region of Ohio.

The topography is best described as gently to moderately rolling. The soils are mostly well drained and of medium productivity. Second-growth hardwoods occupy 80 percent of the area.

This wildlife area was originally part of the adjacent Harrison Hills Campground and was originally slated for development as campsites. Most of the wildlife area was purchased from the county in 2000. Carroll County retained timber rights and selectively cut timber in the wildlife area in 2001. Presently the area is primarily wooded, although 15 percent is in a brushy or open habitat. The woodland consists of mainly mixed oak, hickory, cherry, and maple of mostly mature size trees. The land slopes moderately towards a small stream known as “Valley Run” by the local residents. This stream flows through a narrow bottomland dominated by young walnut and ash trees.

Valley Run Wildlife Area Trail
This Valley Run Wildlife Area remains largely undeveloped except for several dirt roads throughout the interior that remain as evidence of past logging operations. These roads allow excellent hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities for the public.

The trail marked on the wildlife area map begins at the parking area on Bacon Road and parallels the creek for a little over half a mile making a total hike of 1.25 miles.