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Monday 8am - 4pm Tuesday 8am - 4pm Wednesday 8am - 4pm Thursday 8am - 4pm Friday 8am - 4pm

Knox County Park District

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Knox County Park District

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Our purpose is to acquire, conserve, protect, and manage Knox County's natural & historical resources while preserving the rural character of the county. Mt.

Knox County Park District protects, manages and maintains over 1,000 acres of land throughout the county including seven natural park areas (Wolf Run, Hellbender Preserve, Honey Run Waterfall, Honey Run Highlands, Indianfield Bluffs, Thayer Ridge and Bat Nest Road), several access points along the beautiful Kokosing and Mohican rivers, the Mount Vernon access to the Kokosing Gap Trail and numerous scenic hiking trails. In addition, there are several area bike trails, and the Park District offers free educational and recreational opportunities during the year to delight your senses and rekindle your spirit. Travel the Gateway to Amish Country Scenic Byway along US 62 and SR 514 as you visit our parks and trails. Be sure to check periodically for upcoming events. Park Etiquette:
All natural features - plants, wildlife, geologic specimens and historic artifacts belong to the citizens of Knox County and are not to be collected, distrubed, harmed, or defaced in any manner. Camping is not permitted; vehicles (including ATV's and UV's) and bicycles are permitted only in parking areas; Dogs or other pets must be leashed at all times (except at the dog park) and must be under owner control. Pet owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets; Use of alcohol and/or illegal drugs is strictly prohibited! Park/Access addresses:

*Wolf Run Regional Park…..17621 Yauger Rd. Vernon, Ohio 43050

*Hellbender Preserve…..23316 Coshocton Rd. Howard, Ohio 43028

*Honey Run Waterfall…..10855 Hazel Dell Rd. Howard, Ohio 43028

*Honey Run Highlands…..10816 Millersburg Rd. Howard, Ohio 43028

*Idianfield Bluffs Park…..10855 Sapp Rd. Howard, Ohio 43028

*Thayer Ridge Park…..7077 Thayer Rd. Vernon, Ohio 43050

*Bat Nest Road Area/Riley Chapel Road Access…..10300 Riley Chapel Rd. Walhonding, Ohio 43843

*Pipesville Road Access…..12059 Pipesville Rd. Howard, Ohio 43028

*Millwood Access…..11640 Bridge St. Howard, Ohio 43028

*Greer Landing Access…..20389 Brinkhaven Rd. Glenmont, Ohio 20389

*Big Run Road Access…..8921 Big Run Rd. Gambier, Ohio 43022

*Kokosing Gap Canoe Access…..17812 Lower Gambier Rd. Vernon, Ohio 43050

Kokosing Gap Trail Access Areas:

-500 Mount Vernon Ave. Vernon, Ohio 43050

-9943 Laymon Rd. Gambier, Ohio 43022

-297 Duff St. Gambier, Ohio 43022

-22500 Stull Rd. Gambier, Ohio 43022

-10921 Killduff Rd. Gambier, Ohio 43022

-23316 Coshocton Rd. Howard, Ohio 43028

-715 Trail Dr. Danville, Ohio 43014

Mohican Valley Trail Access Areas:

-402 East St. Danville, Ohio 43014

-27825 Buckeye Rd. Danville, Ohio 43014

-15700 Tiger Valley Rd. Danville, Ohio 43014

*Mohican Valley Trail & Water Trail…..16606 Hunter Rd. Brinkhaven, Ohio 43006

Heart of Ohio Trail Access Areas:

-7760 Thayer Rd. Vernon, Ohio 43050

-7180 Simmons Church Rd. Centerburg, Ohio 43011

-59 Johnsville Rd. Centerburg, Ohio 43011

*Kokosing Water Trail (BFEC)…..10115 Laymon Rd. Gambier, Ohio 43022

11/02/2026

Volunteers needed!

10/28/2026

The Mohican Valley Bridge of Dreams...making dreams come true!

Congratulations to the happy couple!

If you are planning a wedding or other event and want to inquire about using one of our locations for the venue, please contact us at 740-392-7275 or [email protected]

10/27/2026

Another dangerous hanger bites the dust! Operations managers Cliff, Vic, and Dan made the Riley Chapel access to the Kokosing River a safer place by removing a fallen tree caught in the branches of other trees. Thanks, guys, for a job well done!

10/26/2026

The Woodlands is the 41st Ohio forest to be inducted into the Old-Growth Forest Network and is the 2nd forest in Knox County to be given this honor. In 2018, Knox Woods State Nature Preserve, which is accessed through Wolf Run Regional Park and managed by KCPD, was inducted as the 12th forest on the Ohio registry. Many thanks to the good folks from the Old-Growth Forest Network who conveyed the distinction, and to all of our friends from the community who attended the induction ceremony and hike on Saturday.

Photos courtesy of Andrew Champlin

10/26/2026

Good morning from Wolf Run Regional Park!

Photo credit: Victor Lindsey

10/22/2026

Donny, Cindy, and Kathy along with their valiant steeds have done it again! The Thayer Ridge Equestrian Trail is much improved since their visit a few days ago, and we thank them so much for the good work. Enjoy these photos and videos!

10/21/2026

Join us as we celebrate the induction of The Woodlands into the Old-Growth Forest Network this Saturday, October 24 from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.!

This forest is approximately 50 acres of exceptional old-growth, located within our 165-acre nature preserve that features highly mature black oak, white oak, black cherry, shagbark hickory, sugar maple, red maple, beech, and pine.

The hike will be on a natural surface path on fairly even terrain. Please wear hiking shoes, and bring your own water bottle for the one-hour hike after a brief ceremony at the pavilion.

Photo credit: Lisa Bowers

10/20/2026

If you missed the Devil's Backbone hike this year, our friends Ray and Pat Heithaus submitted snapshots of the beauty along the way.

10/20/2026

The Devil's Backbone hike was a great event last Sunday and the weather cooperated nicely.

Well over two hundred people took advantage of the beautiful day to join us at the Hike-and-Learn event at the Devil's Backbone on Sunday. Special thanks to our partners at the Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County and the Knox County Park District who promoted the event and took care of most of the logistics. Thanks to the Chase family who opened their property to the public for the event. Thanks to David Greer for putting it all together and for sharing his knowledge with those who hiked the trails. Thanks to the volunteers who kept guests well-informed, hydrated, and full of trail mix. And thanks to everyone who came and joined us.

10/19/2026

Address

117 East High Street, Suite 253
Mount Vernon, OH
43050

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 4pm
Tuesday	8am - 4pm
Wednesday	8am - 4pm
Thursday	8am - 4pm
Friday	8am - 4pm

Website

http://www.knoxcountyparks.org/index.html

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