Nearly 165,000 acres of forest and 3.7 square miles of open water shape Pike County. The Scioto River runs through the county from north to south. Those choosing between water activities, forests and regional history will find a variety of options here, from Lake White and trails in Pike State Forest to places whose stories are reflected in the landscape and collections.
Lake and river: different ways to explore
Lake White State Park offers opportunities for boating, paddling and fishing. Lake White covers 337 acres, and motorboats of any horsepower are permitted. Both the lake’s size and the range of activities mentioned are part of its appeal.
Another way to explore the water is at Pike Lake State Park: its 13-acre lake was dug by hand by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. While Lake White stands out for its water sports and motorboat rules, Pike Lake tells the story of the work that created its lake.
The Scioto River also offers a different perspective on the water. Adventures on the River offers kayak tours on the Scioto River in Pike County. If you’re planning a tour, check current booking details separately.
Forest trails and regional reach
Pike State Forest has 33 miles of bridle trails and hiking trails on the Buckeye Trail. The Sinking-Spring section offers another perspective on the trail: it runs through Pike County as well as Highland and Adams counties. Along with the trails in Pike State Forest, this highlights the cross-county reach of this named section.
Traces of history
Mound Cemetery near Piketon is home to the largest burial mound in Pike County. Canal Park offers another connection to the region’s history: it lies along the route of the former Ohio-Erie Canal and includes a shelter, a playground and a veterans’ memorial.
At the Railroad Museum in Bristol Village, the model railroad exhibit has an outdoor extension with tracks and running trains. You can also explore the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant online. Publicly accessible materials include photos, interviews with current and former employees, and old newsletters dating from the early 1950s onward. The date range refers to the newsletters.
Local life and event dates
An Old Order Mennonite community lives and works in and around the rural community of Cynthiana. Along the narrow, two-lane country roads are shops that attract many visitors from Ohio and beyond. This look at the area adds insights into a local community and the visitors drawn to its shops to the nature and history themes.
Recurring events also give your visit a time frame. The Pike County Fair has been held during the first week of August for more than 100 years. The SamJam Bluegrass Festival is an annual five-day event held in the days leading up to Labor Day at the Pike County Fairgrounds in Piketon. The Lake White Boat Parade takes place on Independence Day at Lake White State Park. If you’re planning your trip around one of these dates, check the current dates for the year; for SamJam, confirm the lineup as well.
Explore more destinations: Piketon, Mercer County, Wyandot County, Huron County, Auglaize County, Fayette County, Gallia County, Lawrence.
For the main travel overview: Ohio.
