Bear-Corn Plunge
Photo: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)- 1.2 mi
- round trip
- 297 ft
- climb
- 920 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Jun–Oct
- best months
Is Bear-Corn Plunge open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Athens Ranger District. It doesn't name Bear-Corn Plunge, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).
Greendale Connector, Greendale, Kacklemacker Loop, Bobcat trails Closure
Agency closure covering Athens Ranger District · Order 09-14-01-26-02 · USFS · Athens Ranger District
Lake Vesuvius Area Closure Public Health and Safety
Agency closure covering Wayne National Forest · USFS · Wayne National Forest
Timbre Ridge Lake Closure
Agency alert covering Wayne National Forest · Order 09-14-25-01 · USFS · Wayne National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Athens Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Bear-Corn Plunge is a short, easy out-and-back hike in the Athens Ranger District of Wayne National Forest in Ohio, about 1.2 miles long with a total elevation gain of 297 feet. The trail starts at roughly 760 feet and reaches a high point of 920 feet before returning to the starting level. The steepest stretch comes early, with a grade of about 18% at the first 0.1 mile. The trail is on natural surface and is open year-round. Bikes are allowed, but horses are not, and the route is not accessible. The nearest town is Athens, and the trail sits within the Forest Service's Athens Ranger District. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Athens run to highs around 72°F in May and 76°F in September, with September also seeing the fewest wet days of the year. Several other hikes start close by, including Bobcat Romp at 0.1 mile and Nebo Spirit at 0.3 mile. Sunday Creek, about 5.5 miles away, offers canoeing, and Burr Oak Campground, about 9 miles out, is the closest place to camp.
Best time to go · Jun–Oct
Best time to visit Bear-Corn Plunge
Best months: June–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.
Jan
38° / 22°
13 wet
Feb
42° / 23°
11 wet
Mar
52° / 30°
12 wet
Apr
65° / 40°
13 wet
May
72° / 50°
13 wet
Jun
80° / 59°
12 wet
Jul
82° / 63°
11 wet
Aug
81° / 61°
10 wet
Sep
76° / 54°
9 wet
Oct
65° / 42°
10 wet
Nov
53° / 32°
11 wet
Dec
43° / 27°
13 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Athens Ou, OH, 7.5 mi away at 684 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
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