Ohio · Hiking

Scenic River

8.1 mi
round trip
1,803 ft
climb
1,119 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr, Jun–Oct
best months

Is Scenic River open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Athens Ranger District. It doesn't name Scenic River, 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.

Scenic River is an out-and-back hike in the Athens Ranger District of Wayne National Forest in Ohio, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is 8.1 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 1,803 feet, and it is rated hard. The route starts and ends at the Scenic River Trailhead on C.R. 9, and it is open year-round. The trail is natural-surfaced and not accessible. Bikes are allowed, but horses are not. The climb is steepest at about 2.9 miles in, where the grade reaches 25 percent. The high point is 1,119 feet, and the low point is 605 feet. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Newport, about 6 miles away, show May highs around 74°F and September highs around 78°F, with September also seeing the fewest wet days of the year. Several other spots sit close by. Bell Ridge Boulders is about 0.4 miles away, and the Green Wood Trail is about 0.5 miles away. Leith Run Campground is about 2.3 miles away, and Hune Bridge is about 4.6 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Apr, Jun–Oct

    Best time to visit Scenic River

    Best months: April and 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

      39° / 22°

      14 wet

    2. Feb

      43° / 23°

      12 wet

    3. Mar

      53° / 30°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      66° / 39°

      12 wet

    5. May

      74° / 50°

      13 wet

    6. Jun

      81° / 59°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      84° / 64°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      83° / 62°

      9 wet

    9. Sep

      78° / 55°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      67° / 43°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      54° / 33°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      44° / 27°

      13 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Newport, OH, 6.1 mi away at 676 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Green Wood LoopPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

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Leith Run Gazebo TrailPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

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