 Photo Courtesy John Kelley
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Facilities and Activities:
| General | Land, acres | 1862 | | | Water, acres | 2 | | | Nearby Wildlife Area, acres | 900 | | Day-Use | Hunting | yes | | | Hiking Trail, miles | 5 | | | Picnicking | yes | | | Picnic Shelters, # | 2 | | | Mountain Bike Trails, miles | 17 | | | Bridle Trails, miles | 17 | | Camping | Primative, # | 15 | | | Pets Permitted | yes | | | Horsemen Campsites, # | 5 | | Winter | Cross-Country Skiing | yes |
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State Park Link:
Great Seal State Park
Nearby Parks:
Ross County Lake State Wildlife Area
Hopewell Culture National Historical Park
Story Mound State Memorial
Adena State Memorial
Scioto Trail State Forest
Scioto River Canal Lands Access State Wildlife Area
Scioto Trail State Park
Logan Elm State Memorial
Tar Hollow State Forest
Tar Hollow State Park
Tarlton State Park
Seip Mound State Memorial
Leo Petroglyph State Memorial
Pike Lake State Park
Deer Creek State Park
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| State Park Contact Information: |
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Great Seal State Park
635 Rocky Road
Chillicothe, Ohio 45601-9478
Phone: 740-887-4818
Reservations: 866-644-6727
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Area Accommodations
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Photography: add your photos
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| State Park Reservations: |
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Reservations: 
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| State Park Overview: |
| Great Seal State Park is dedicated to the wilderness spirit of Ohio. The history of the Shawnee nation and Ohio's early statehood is centered in these rugged hills. Challenging trails take visitors to scenic vistas of distant ridgetops and the Scioto Valley below. These very hills are depicted on the Great Seal of the State of Ohio, from which the park gets its name. |
| Nature of the Area: |
| Ancient history is recorded in the sandstone hills that comprise Great Seal State Park. It lies upon the Appalachian escarpment, a line of hills stretching across Ohio's mid section which outline the edge of the Appalachian plateau in the state. North and west of the line are glaciated plains while south and east rugged hills extend to the foothills of the mountains. This definition is obvious from the trails in the park where one can see Columbus on a clear day to the north and unbroken forested ridges to the south.
These sharply etched ridges harbor a fine stand of hardwoods. Due to the underlying rock strata, one unexpectedly finds chestnut oaks on the slopes and sugar maples on the crests of the hills where the opposite are more common. Spring wildflowers are abundant in the moist coves, while papaws and persimmons entice wildlife in autumn. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
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sweet disc golf
get out and play disc golf!!
(name not given)
21-Oct-2008
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Good Area - that could be better
We went to do some walking in this area. There are a number of positives, the disc golf if you are into that looks very interesting. Trails are marked well, once you find them. This area is very nice to get out and take in some fresh air with family or friends.
(name not given)
20-Jul-2009
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Great Place
Holes are challenging like no place else.
(name not given)
12-Sep-2009
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| Camping: |
| A 15-site campground offers pressurized water, vault latrines and a shelterhouse. The campground is scenically located adjacent to Sugarloaf Mountain, offering a view of the Scioto Valley below. Campers with pets are permitted. |
| Trails: |
| Twenty miles of trails are available to both hikers and horsemen. The terrain varies from steep to gently rolling. It is advised that horses and hikers be well conditioned for these trails. The Sugarloaf Mountain Trail (yellow), 2.1 miles, climbs through dense maple-dominated forests to the crest of Sugarloaf. This loop is short and rises almost 500 feet in less than a quarter mile.
Shawnee Ridge Trail (blue), 7.8 miles, comprises Bald Hill, Sand Hills and parts of Rocky Knob. Several steep sections are part of this forested trail.
Mt. Ives Trail (orange), 6.4 miles, winds along Mt. Ives and provides several scenic vistas. The trail is strenuous.
Three hiking trails (Grouse Rock, Spring Run and Picnic Loop) are available. The Spring Run Trail may be used for cross-country skiing when weather conditions permit. |
| Picnicking: |
| A scenic picnic area offers water, latrines, playground equipment and shelterhouse. The shelterhouse is available on a first-come, first-served basis. |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| Hunting is permitted in designated areas. A valid Ohio hunting license is required. |
| History of the Area: |
| Great Seal State Park is located just north of the town of Chillicothe where the history of Ohio and the culture of the Indian shroud the land. In the mid to late 1700s, the Scioto River Valley was the home of the Shawnee. Three Shawnee towns, all named Chillicothe, were located just below the hills that comprise Great Seal State Park. North of here was the intersection of five major Indian trails. The Scioto River was utilized by the Shawnee as their primary means of transportation from one village to another. The great Shawnee warrior Tecumseh was born north of here near what is now Circleville. Not far from the park is where Logan, chief of the Mingoes, gave his most eloquent speech ending his vengeance against the white settlers for murdering all his relatives.
The first settlers came to the area in the 1790s. In 1796, General Nathaniel Massie, a well-known surveyor and woodsman, organized the settlement of the Scioto Valley by laying out on his own land the beautiful town of Chillicothe. Chillicothe was the first capital of the new state of Ohio from 1803 to 1810. (The capital was moved to Zanesville from 1811 to 1812 and then back to Chillicothe until it was permanently moved to Columbus in 1816.)
The park takes its name from the state emblem, "The Great Seal of the State of Ohio." The famous seal depicts a sheaf of wheat representing Ohio's agricultural strength and a bundle of seventeen arrows shows Ohio to be the 17th state to enter the Union. The mountains and rising sun signify that Ohio was one of the first states west of the Alleghenies. The Scioto River flows between Mount Logan and the cultivated fields in the foreground. The design is said to have been the cooperative inspiration of Thomas Worthington, "Father of Ohio Statehood;" Edward Tiffin, the first governor; and William Creighton, first secretary of state. After an all-night meeting at "Adena," the magnificent estate of Worthington, they viewed the sun rising over Mt. Logan and the hills of what is now Great Seal State Park thus inspiring the scene of the Great Seal of the State of Ohio. |
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| Area Accommodations |
| Cottages and Cabins | |  | Tranquil Retreat Cabins - South Bloomingville, OH
Let nature entertain you! Whether you are sitting in the Hot Tub, OR relaxing on one of our log beds, OR just listening to the rippling stream, Or exploring the small cave on the property, NATURE SURROUNDS YOU!
Web Site: http://www.tranquilretreatcabins.com |
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...vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental, etc read more.... |
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| Local Visitor Information Web Sites |
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| Related Links: |
| On the Great Hopewell Road - Ancient Civilizations of the Americas - Webring This site is owned by: Joe Knapp Random Site List Sites. On the Great Hopewell Road by Joseph M. Knapp August 21, 1998 "These walls proceed south... | | Horse & Mule Trail Guide USA: Trails, Campgrounds, Overnight in Ohio - This page is for the state of Ohio and is a subpage of Horse Mule Trail Guide USA. ... Council, Inc. Submitted by: Pam Weber Click here Great Seal State Park Chillocothe: Great Seal has a day use parking ... | | Bikexchange Fall '98 Feature: Cyclists' Heaven In "The Heart of It All" - Toledo author celebrates the diverse terrain, neat B&B's, and downright pleasantry in and around three prime Ohio bicycling locales. | | Ohio - State Search List: AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HA ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY. Ohio. ... | | Offering residential, commercial, lots/land, multi-family real estate - Buying or selling a home? Kear Realty, Inc. serving since 1950, Chillicothe, Ross county, Ohio area. Please Call 740-774-1123. | | Travel Hounds Hotel Reservation Search - Hampton Inn & Suites Chillicothe 100 North Plaza Boulevard Chillicothe, OH US 45601. Return to Hotel List | Book This Hotel! Location Description. The hotel is located 1 mile from historical... |
| Area Attractions: |
| Nearby are Scioto Trail State Park which is located south of Chillicothe off State Route 23, Lake White State Park which is located near Waverly on State Route 220, and Tar Hollow State Park and State Forest which are located off State Route 327 near the Ross-Hocking-Vinton county lines. ODNR Division of Wildlife manages Ross Lake Wildlife Area off Lick Run Road. The area provides many recreational opportunities including hunting, fishing, boating, hiking, nature study and bird watching.
The famous outdoor historical drama, Tecumseh, is presented late June through early September at Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheater bordering the park.
The Ross County Historical Society at 45 W. Fifth Street in Chillicothe features exhibits of pioneer crafts, firearms, furniture, toys and clothing. An admission fee is charged. The museum is open March through November.
One mile north of Chillicothe on State Route 104 is the Hopewell Culture National Historical Park. The area is a prehistoric Indian complex of 23 burial mounds. A museum, visitor's center and exposed burial mound are open daily. |
| Area Campgrounds | | | | Area Fishing Related Businesses | | Bill's Bait House
4308 State Route 220
Waverly, OH
(740) 947-2542
| Bait & Tackle
381 N High St
Chillicothe, OH
(740) 774-1985
| Scott's Bait & Tackel
1030 S Court St
Circleville, OH
(740) 474-8898
| D & K Bait & Tackle Dealers
288 W Hydell Rd
Chillicothe, OH
(740) 772-1836
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| Directions: |
| From Cleveland, Ohio: Take I-71 South to I-270 West to U.S. 23 South (Circleville Exit)Travel South on 23, through Circleville 17 miles to Delano Exit. Follow signs to Park Entrance.
From Columbus, Ohio: Take U.S. 23 South through Circleville 17 miles to Delano ExitFollow signs to the park, which is located three miles East off of U.S. 23.
From Cincinnati, Ohio: U.S. 50 East to Chillicothe. Take U.S. 23 North to State Route 159Turn right on Delano Road, follow signs to the Park, which is located 2 miles North of Chillicothe.
From Toledo, Ohio:Take U.S. 23 to Columbus to I-270. Take I-270 West to U.S. 23 exit. Go South through Circleville 17 miles to Delano RoadExit. Follow the signs to the Park.
From Chillicothe, Ohio:Take State Route 159 North to Delano Road, turn right and go to the Marietta Road intersection; turn right to the Park Entrance. |
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