Ohio · Hiking

Balancing Rock

Balancing RockPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)
1.1 mi
loop
58 ft
climb
737 ft
high point
Loop
route
Apr–Oct
best months

Is Balancing Rock open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Wayne National Forest. It doesn't name Balancing Rock, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Wayne National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Balancing Rock is an easy loop hike on the Ironton Ranger District of Wayne National Forest in southern Ohio, about 1 mile from the district's boundaries. The route is short, with a total elevation gain of about 58 feet and a total loss of about 144 feet, and it starts near 675 feet. The trail is natural-surface and not accessible, and bikes are not allowed. The loop begins with a gentle climb, rising to a high point of about 737 feet before the route descends. The steepest stretch is at about 0.06 miles in, with a grade of about 7 percent. The hike takes roughly half an hour to complete. The most comfortable times to go are late spring and early fall. Typical averages from the nearby Ashland, KY weather station show May highs around 75°F and September highs around 78°F. Winter is much colder, with January highs near 40°F. The Hidden Boulder climbing area is just 0.1 mile away. Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area and the Vesuvius Backpack Trail are both within a mile. Iron Ridge Campground is about 1.2 miles off.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Oct

    Best time to visit Balancing Rock

    Best months: April–October. 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

      40° / 23°

      12 wet

    2. Feb

      44° / 24°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      54° / 31°

      13 wet

    4. Apr

      67° / 41°

      12 wet

    5. May

      75° / 51°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      82° / 61°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      85° / 65°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      84° / 63°

      9 wet

    9. Sep

      78° / 56°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      67° / 43°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      54° / 32°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      44° / 27°

      12 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Ashland, KY, 9.9 mi away at 560 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Vesuvius Backpack TrailPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Vesuvius Backpack Trail

~1 min drive

Challenging 14.46-mile point-to-point backpack route through southeastern Ohio.

Scarlet Oak TrailPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Scarlet Oak Trail

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Copperhead TrailPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Copperhead Trail

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HIKE

Michael Tygart Trail

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Lake ShorePhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Lake Shore

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Old BeachPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Old Beach

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Power Line TrailPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

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Vesuvius Main LoopPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

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Hungry Hollow ConnectorPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Hungry Hollow Connector

~2 min drive

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Wolcot TrailPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Wolcot Trail

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