Ohio · Hiking

Backpack Side Trail

0.7 mi
round trip
447 ft
climb
1,005 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Backpack Side Trail is a short, easy hike in Shawnee State Park in southern Ohio, managed by the State Department of Natural Resources. The trail is about 0.66 miles long and rises roughly 217 feet from its starting point, which sits at about 784 feet. The full out-and-back route covers about 1.3 miles with a total climb of 447 feet, and the steepest stretch comes early on, around 0.16 miles in, with a grade of about 21%. 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 September highs around 81°F, while July and August average about 87°F. Several other trails start close by. Lake Trail is about 0.1 mile away, Knighton Nature Trail about 0.3 mile, and Shawnee Day Hike Trail and Beach Trail each about 0.5 mile.

  • 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, 14.6 mi away at 568 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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