Spring is beautiful for so many reasons. The flowers are fragrant and there is beauty in their color, trees don new leaves, and animals awaken as the earth seems to come to life again. It is the season of new beginnings and a great time to create new habits for better health. Spending time in nature reduces stress and increases fitness levels. The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) manages 54,000 acres for public use; 16,000 acres of water surface and 38,000 acres of land cover 20% of the State of Ohio. The lakes and their surrounding lands offer some of the best recreational areas in the state for hunters, anglers, boaters, swimmers and hikers – or for someone who just wants to kick back and relax while enjoying the beautiful scenery and wildlife.
Lakes are a great place to soak in the beauty of nature whether from the shore, or floating on a boat. Atwood, Charles Mill, Clendening, Leesville, Piedmont, Pleasant Hill, Seneca and Tappan Lakes are all managed by the MWCD. They are available for public use and offer enough variety to accommodate a variety of interests. Clendening, Leesville and Piedmont lakes are known for peace and quiet, undeveloped shorelines and excellent fishing. The horsepower limit is low, keeping the water calm and the fish biting. Pleasant Hill, Seneca and Tappan lakes are great for those looking to take a leisurely boat ride or crank up the speed with horsepower limits of 399 or greater. Atwood and Charles Mill lakes are most popular with sail boating enthusiasts and for leisurely cruises.
Trails are a great place to feel fully surrounded by nature to see and learn about wildlife. Whether you are interested in a leisurely stroll or heading out for miles, trails are an important amenity the MWCD is continuously working to improve and are available for public access at all of the MWCD facilities. The Buckeye Trail, which winds around the State of Ohio for nearly 1,444 miles, is headquartered near the shores of Tappan Lake in Harrison County. If heading out on horseback is more your speed, nearly 88 miles of horse trail connecting Pleasant Hill Lake Park to Malabar Farm State Park and Mohican State forest is suitable for riders with all levels of experience. The park’s primitive equine camping area offers campsites large enough to accommodate both truck and trailer and highline is available for the horses. A newly constructed trail at Atwood Lake Park provides better access for park guests and soon will include a bridge spanning a portion of the lake.
amping and Cabins allow you to experience the true beauty of nature where campfire stories can be shared with friends and family under the stars and the sound of chirping birds can be heard when you awaken. Ranging from full hook-up to primitive campsites or fully-equipped vacation cabins to the basic camper cabins, the MWCD facilities are equipped to meet the needs of the guests. More information and online reservations are available at www.mwcd.org.
Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District Spring
