Wolf Run SP

Wolf Run SP

16170 Wolf Run Road Caldwell, Ohio 43724

Official Website
Wolf Run State Park map

Also, see all the hotspots at:
Noble County Birding Drive

About this Location

Wolf Run State Park is nestled in the heart of the unglaciated Appalachian Plateau of southeastern Ohio. The hills in the park region remained untouched by the glacial advances that passed over much of the state more than 12,000 years ago. Nevertheless, meltwaters from the vast sheets of ice helped to permanently alter the topography of the area. Stream flow was greatly increased, hastening the cutting of valleys and creating the rugged terrain so prevalent today. The predominant bedrock in the Wolf Run region is sandstone deposited during the Pennsylvanian period, with alternating layers of coal.

The Wolf Run area has been dramatically changed since settlement in the 1800s. The original forests soon fell to the ax and were replaced with farms and villages. Fortunately, much of the forest has regrown and now covers 70% of the region. This second-growth forest is mixed mesophytic, meaning that dominance is shared by a large number of tree species. White and red oak, tuliptree, sugar maple, beech, wild black cherry, and white ash are frequent members of this forest type. Mixed mesophytic forests are renowned for their plant diversity including ferns, clubmosses, mosses, algae, fungi, and lichens. These forests are in some ways the most ecologically exciting in the state. Deer, gray squirrels, raccoons, skunks, weasels, bats, black rat snakes, box turtles, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, and great horned owls are among the many animals that make this area their home.

Notable Trails

Wolf Run State Park Trails
There are 3 trails at Wolf Run State Park which are available to birders.
A 3.5-mile section of the Buckeye Trail passes along the west side of the lake.
A .5-mile loop trail begins at the Nature Center, providing opportunities for nature study and wildlife observation.
The 1.5-mile Lakeview Trail skirts the lake, providing a pleasant walk from the campground to the beach.

There is a description and map of the Buckeye Trail hike in the Hiking Project website.

Features

  • Restrooms on site

Content from Official Website