Ohio · Hiking

Red Dog

Red DogPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)
5.3 mi
round trip
1,007 ft
climb
867 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Oct
best months

Is Red Dog open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Athens Ranger District. It doesn't name Red Dog, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Athens Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Red Dog is a moderate hike in the Athens Ranger District of Wayne National Forest in southeastern Ohio, about half a mile from the town of Morristown. The trail is an out-and-back of about 5.3 miles, with a one-way elevation gain of 218 feet. The route starts at roughly 848 feet and reaches a high point of 867 feet, with the steepest stretch at about 1.3 miles in, where the grade reaches 12 percent. Bikes are allowed on the natural-surface trail, but horses are not. The trail is not accessible. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Athens show May highs around 72°F and September highs around 76°F, with September also seeing the fewest wet days of the year. Several other trails sit close by, including Nebo Spirit about 0.3 miles away and Bear-Corn Plunge and Bobcat Romp each about 0.6 miles away. For fishing, the Athens Ranger District - Athens Area is about 2.7 miles off.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Oct

    Best time to visit Red Dog

    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.

    1. Jan

      38° / 22°

      13 wet

    2. Feb

      42° / 23°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      52° / 30°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      65° / 40°

      13 wet

    5. May

      72° / 50°

      13 wet

    6. Jun

      80° / 59°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      82° / 63°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      81° / 61°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      76° / 54°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      65° / 42°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      53° / 32°

      11 wet

    12. Dec

      43° / 27°

      13 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Athens Ou, OH, 6.9 mi away at 684 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Nebo SpiritPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Nebo Spirit

Next door

10.45-mile out-and-back trail in Ohio with 1,070 ft elevation gain.

Bear-Corn PlungePhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Bear-Corn Plunge

Next door

Bear-Corn Plunge is a 1.18-mile out-and-back trail in Ohio with 299 feet of elevation gain.

Blue DevilPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Blue Devil

~2 min drive

5.33-mile out-and-back trail in Ohio with 761 ft elevation gain.

Tipple TopPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Tipple Top

~3 min drive

8.88-mile out-and-back trail in Ohio with 611 ft elevation gain.

Bobcat RompPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Bobcat Romp

~1 min drive

1.33-mile out-and-back trail in Ohio with 398 ft elevation gain.

Lost MarblesPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Lost Marbles

~2 min drive

3.56-mile out-and-back trail in Ohio with 579 ft elevation gain.

Pig IronPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Pig Iron

~3 min drive

14.32-mile out-and-back trail in Ohio with 943 ft elevation gain.

Tanager TwistPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Tanager Twist

~2 min drive

1.45-mile out-and-back trail in Ohio with 500 ft elevation gain.

Corps TourPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Corps Tour

~4 min drive

3.54-mile out-and-back trail in Ohio with 435 ft elevation gain.

Wild TurkeyPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Wild Turkey

~4 min drive

9.59-mile out-and-back trail in Ohio with 991 feet of elevation gain.