About the Trails

Great Seal State Park has twenty two miles of trails that vary from gently rolling to steep. It is located just east of US 23, north of Chillicothe. The park name is derived from the hills which appear in the Great Seal of Ohio. Hence, this is hilly terrain and some trails are strenuous. Dogs are permitted. Horses and mountain bikes are permitted on the seventeen miles of multiple use trails.

???	Grouse Rock - 1 mile loop. Gently rolling terrain.
???	Mt. Ives - 6.4 miles, orange blazes. This strenuous trail winds along Mt. Ives and offers some scenic views. Multiple use trail.
???	Picnic Loop - 1.1 mile, red blazes. Gently rolling terrain. A stretch of gravel just south of the parking lot.
???	Shawnee Ridge - 7.8 miles, blue blazes. This trail has several steep sections as it traverses Bald Hill, Sand Hill, and Rocky Knob. Multiple use trail. Several connectors near the picnic area make this trail difficult to follow at the north end.
???	Spring Run - 3.4 miles. This gently rolling trail is also suitable for cross country skiing.
	Sugarloaf Mountain - 2.1 mile loop, yellow blazes. A strenuous trail, this loop rises nearly 500 feet in less than a quarter mile leading to the crest of Sugarloaf. Some steep areas are covered in loose sand and sandstone rock and may be slippery when dry. Multiple use trail.

Trails marked ??? have not yet been evaluated for barefoot suitability. The overall rating is based on the trails we have hiked.

How to Get There

From Columbus take US 23 south. About 17 miles south of Circleville turn left (east) on Delano Road.

From Chillicothe take US 23 north. Turn right (east) on Delano Road.

Follow Delano Road about 3 miles, turn right at the sign (south) and go about 3/4 mile to the park entrance on the left. There are two parking lots with picnic tables. There are rest rooms and water.

The Ohio State Parks division has a page on Great Seal State Park.

© 2008 by Greg Morgan. All rights reserved.
26-JAN-08