Ohio · Hiking

Wild Turkey

Wild TurkeyPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)
9.6 mi
round trip
1,296 ft
climb
952 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Oct
best months

Is Wild Turkey open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Wild Turkey is a 9.6-mile out-and-back hike on natural trail surface in the Athens Ranger District of Wayne National Forest in southeastern Ohio. The trail climbs from about 704 feet to a high point of 952 feet, with the steepest stretch at mile 2.9, where the grade reaches 12 percent. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is rated hard. Bikes are allowed, but horses and accessible access are not. The trail is open year round, and the nearest town is Athens, about 7 miles away. Fall is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Athens run to highs around 76°F in September and 65°F in October, with lows in the low 40s and the fewest wet days of the year. Several other hikes sit close by, including Pig Iron at half a mile and Tipple Top at 0.7 miles. For anglers, the Athens Ranger District - Athens Area lake fishing is about a mile away, and the Hocking River offers river fishing roughly 7 miles out.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Oct

    Best time to visit Wild Turkey

    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, 7.4 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

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

Pig Iron

Next door

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

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

Corps Tour

~1 min drive

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

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

Salt Works Trail

~1 min drive

2.50-mile out-and-back trail in Ohio with 169 ft of elevation gain.

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

Tipple Top

~1 min drive

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

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

Lost Marbles

~1 min drive

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

Knights LaborPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Knights Labor

~2 min drive

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The UndergroundPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

The Underground

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

Blue Devil

~2 min drive

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Holler CollarPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Holler Collar

~2 min drive

2.79-mile loop trail in Ohio with 914 ft elevation gain.

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

Nebo Spirit

~4 min drive

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