Ohio · Hiking

Backpack Side Trail

0.8 mi
one way
134 ft
climb
760 ft
high point
Point to point
route
Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Backpack Side Trail is a short, easy hike in Shawnee State Forest in southern Ohio, managed by the State Department of Natural Resources. The trail is about 0.8 miles long, with a one-way climb of 134 feet from a low point of 619 feet to a high of 760 feet. The steepest stretch comes at about 0.4 miles in, with a grade of 16 percent. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Lucasville show May highs around 76°F and October highs near 69°F, while July and August average about 87°F. Several other trails sit within a short drive. Lookout Trail is about a mile away, and Hobey Hollow Bridle Trail and Turkey Creek Nature Center Trail are each roughly 1.4 miles off. For an overnight stay, Bear Lake Horse Camp is about 3.5 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit Backpack Side Trail

    Best months: April–June and September–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      41° / 22°

    2. Feb

      45° / 23°

    3. Mar

      55° / 30°

    4. Apr

      67° / 39°

    5. May

      76° / 51°

    6. Jun

      83° / 59°

    7. Jul

      87° / 63°

    8. Aug

      87° / 62°

    9. Sep

      81° / 55°

    10. Oct

      69° / 42°

    11. Nov

      56° / 33°

    12. Dec

      45° / 27°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Lucasville, OH, 13.7 mi away at 568 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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