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Reviews for Shawnee State Forest
(click on name for more information)
Portsmouth, OH

Overall TRAIL RATING with 12 votes:
Overall CAMP RATING with 11 votes:
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Individual Reviews

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One of our favorite places to ride, too bad it a little far drive,but we make it a nice time. Rhode from the Ohio river to the campground in the wilderness area beautiful ride, from on top you could see the river. look forward to it again.
Reviewed by: John on 1/17/2012 12:49:01 PM
 Experience: Intermediate Ride Date: 10/29/2010 Hometown: Johnstown, OH

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Ilive in this forest. The trails are now well marked for any new riders to the region. You will love these trails for the wildlife and views. Great riding. Camping is not bad for primitive. You can spend two to three days riding all the trails. Week days you may not see any one else on the trails. Weekends and holidays campgrounds may be full, but you may only see a few riders out on the trail with you. When you come here you have come to God's Country.
Reviewed by: Outlaw lady 3 on 5/1/2010 11:26:41 AM
 Experience: Expert Ride Date: 4/22/2010 Hometown: Otway, OH

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I have been riding in the Shawnee Trails for about 40yrs and Ive started the third generation. Someone said to me that it was Quarter horse people that had been giving the bad reviews. I dont think so, there are so few of them. All of us enjoy a good time and it has been rough at times but it is very pleasent these days. I was run in to twice Momerial day and not even an excuse me but,Im not letting a few bad people run me off.I would say 99% of the people have good ole southern hospitalty.
Reviewed by: home towner on 9/7/2009 1:01:33 PM
 Experience: Intermediate Ride Date: 1/1/2004 Hometown: southern ohio, OH

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We are local (Scioto Co. and ahve camped and ridden at Shawnee the past two years and like the campsites & trails. The Ohio Horse council has done a great job with tie ups & rest areas along the trails. Water could be a problem in dry weather if you don't want to haul it from Bear Lake. But all in all we've like the trails & camping there. I wouldn't recomend the trails for unshod horses & as for difficulty -- guess that depends on what you're use to .
Reviewed by: Dixie's mom on 8/18/2009 9:13:15 PM
 Experience: Not Specified Ride Date: 1/1/2004 Hometown: Minford, OH

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Love to ride the trails in Shawnee Forest. The Ohio Horseman's Counsil does a fine job maintaining things and providing tie rings. The trails are easily accessible, scenic & somewhat challenging. While staying in Bear Lake, you'll need a generator, unless you like the primitive style. Otherwise, Ben's Happy Trails offers rooms & cabins w/all the ammenities. It's a fun, friendly, family atmosphere & a great place to meet new friends.
Reviewed by: Cowgirl139 on 7/6/2009 8:13:59 AM
 Experience: Expert Ride Date: 7/4/2009 Hometown: Southern Ohio, OH

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great place to ride ,rangers do an outstanding job. as for the horse that died it had only been ridden four about 4hrs, I no the horse well, I no the owner well, the horse was in great shape , things like that unfortunatly happen.The horse will be missed by every one who had been lucky enough to see it travel. Shawnee is a great place, I will be back often
Reviewed by: scott michael on 5/26/2009 7:20:25 AM
 Experience: Expert Ride Date: 5/25/2009 Hometown: seaman, OH

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Our family has always enjoyed shawnee, the families first visit was approx. 45 years ago,and now working on the 4th generation of the family (trying to) enjoy the experience. Our family ranges from young children to senior citizens. On memorial day weekend of '09 the entire family felt intimadated, scared, and threatened by those who do not obey the rules (which were clearly posted and not once enforced), we witnessed deliberate abuse and neglect of to many horses, we even witnessed one road sun up to late evening when it died in the creek, and was left there for approx. 15 hours (the next day) before it was hauled off. No place is worth having to witness and be subject to, to enjoy the trails (which are great). No forest officer was seen the first 3 days we were there, when they did finally roll through it was morning (before everything really started). If you enjoy drunk, rude, self centered idiots who deliberatly abuse horses, and carry on all day and half the night (after the park is considered closed) this is the place for you.
Reviewed by: witnessed to much on 5/24/2009 11:48:00 AM
 Experience: Expert Ride Date: 5/23/2009 Hometown: , OH

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I have lived in the area my whole life and now live in cincinnati. I wouldn't chage a thing. Even the drinking. Everyone minds their own business and are not hurting anyone by having their own version of a good time. If you want a more quiet place to stay I wouldn't reccomend it, but I think the trails are awesome and so are the "regulars". Ben Thompson also has campsites, but you still have people riding around at all hours of the night. Overall If you go on a non-holiday off season you wont typically have any of these "problems" but the trails are always nice.
Reviewed by: Laura on 5/12/2009 5:49:34 PM
 Experience: Expert Ride Date: 1/1/2004 Hometown: Otway, OH

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I was only in Shawnee for a day ride, so I haven't experienced all of the trails yet. We did Conley's Run, Snake Hollow and Pigeon Roost. The trails were in good shape - thumbs up to the Ohio Horseman's Council for recent work they did to clear several large trees that fell over the winter. Very few muddy areas. For the most part, the ground was dry and in good condition. Shawnee does have some hills that seem to go on forever, so it might be a challenge for an out-of-shape horse. The trails are a nice width, and Pigeon Roost (though it was an easy ride) offered some beautiful views of the surrounding country. I have heard that the horseman's area has a reputation for getting a little wild during busy holiday weekends, but since I visited on a weekday in March, no one else was in the park. This is definitely a place I am looking forward to visiting again!
Reviewed by: Audrey on 3/25/2009 11:45:02 AM
 Experience: Expert Ride Date: 3/24/2009 Hometown: Cincinnati, OH

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Good trails although some gravel road riding is necessary between trails. Road traffic was not a concern but shoes may be required. We did not experience any of the drinking problems noted in other reviews.
Reviewed by: Ken on 6/11/2007 6:39:25 PM
 Experience: Not Specified Ride Date: 6/11/2007 Hometown: Aberdeen, OH

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love to ride on your trails but the last couple of times there.s been a lot of beer drinking and late night noise. I am the chief of police in greenup ky and i have got on people before my wife and my son come with me to get away. We have been staying at bens because of the late night activite. But we realy like to ride there. I have six other freinds who ride there to but dont stay because of this. I think you need to step up patrol on the week end
Reviewed by: Roger L Russell on 7/14/2006 10:19:49 AM
 Experience: Expert Ride Date: 7/14/2006 Hometown: Worthington , KY

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Quite an experience. We were there just before the 4th of July. Trails were great, campground is split in 2 by camp road, where locals ran horses back and forth all day and night. Lots of drinking going on. Not a great family place. Ok during the week, but not on weekends.
Reviewed by: Patti on 10/11/2005 8:36:23 PM
 Experience: Expert Ride Date: 7/1/2005 Hometown: W. Farmington, OH

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Love this place! Horse should be in shape.Alot of up and down riding.I love steep hills!
Reviewed by: Vivian on 5/25/2004 9:58:20 AM
 Experience: Expert Ride Date: Hometown: Johnsville, OH