Whiskey Run
Photo: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)- 1.3 mi
- round trip
- 500 ft
- climb
- 846 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Aug–Oct
- best months
Is Whiskey Run open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Wayne National Forest. It doesn't name Whiskey Run, so check the source for the area it covers.
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 · Wayne National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Whiskey Run is a short, easy out-and-back hike in the Ironton Ranger District of Wayne National Forest in Ohio, about 1.3 miles long with a total elevation gain of about 500 feet. The trail starts at roughly 700 feet and reaches a high point of about 850 feet before returning to the starting level. The climb is rolling, and the steepest stretch comes about halfway through, with a grade of about 19 percent. The trail is on natural surface and is not accessible. Bikes and horses are not allowed. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Waterloo put May highs around 75°F and October highs around 68°F, with September and October seeing the fewest wet days of the year. The hike takes about half an hour, and the trail is open year-round. Oak Hill Campground is just 0.3 miles away, and Old Beach and Black Oak Trail are both within about 0.4 miles. Climbers can find The Dam Wall about 0.6 miles off.
Best time to go · Aug–Oct
Best time to visit Whiskey Run
Best months: August–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
41° / 20°
13 wet
Feb
45° / 22°
12 wet
Mar
54° / 29°
13 wet
Apr
67° / 38°
13 wet
May
75° / 49°
15 wet
Jun
83° / 57°
13 wet
Jul
86° / 62°
12 wet
Aug
85° / 60°
11 wet
Sep
79° / 52°
10 wet
Oct
68° / 40°
10 wet
Nov
55° / 30°
11 wet
Dec
45° / 25°
13 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Waterloo, OH, 10.2 mi away at 625 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
Photo: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)Old Beach
Next door
1.20-mile out-and-back trail in Ohio with 310 ft gain.
Photo: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)Lake Shore
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7.40-mile out-and-back trail in Ohio with 1,915 ft elevation gain.
Photo: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)Power Line Trail
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7.9-mile out-and-back hike in Ohio with 1,218 ft elevation gain
Black Oak Trail
Next door
Black Oak Trail is a 0.30-mile point-to-point trail in Ohio with 114 ft of elevation gain.
Photo: 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.
Photo: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)Copperhead Trail
~10 min drive
5.42-mile out-and-back hike in Ohio with 1,134 ft elevation gain
Rock House Trail
Next door
0.39-mile point-to-point trail in Ohio with 50 ft gain and 177 ft loss.
Photo: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)Vesuvius Main Loop
~2 min drive
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Photo: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)Wolcot Trail
~16 min drive
6.22-mile out-and-back trail in Ohio with 1,257 ft elevation gain/loss
Photo: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)Scarlet Oak Trail
Next door
Scarlet Oak Trail is a 0.41-mile point-to-point trail in Ohio with 237 feet of elevation gain.