Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is located in Morrow County near the village of Lexington. Its permanent road racing circuit has two main configurations: 2.4 miles with 15 turns and 2.258 miles with 13 turns. The layouts differ in both length and number of turns—a concrete starting point if you want motorsports to shape your stay.
Motorsports and Driving Courses
The course hosts racing series such as IndyCar, the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, as well as other club events. The two configurations give the track program different forms: the longer layout also has two more turns. So if you’re interested in motorsports, there’s more here than just a name on the event calendar; the facility itself offers two clearly distinct layouts.
The Mid-Ohio School offers professional driving and motorcycle courses for participants of all experience levels. This means there are courses for people looking to gain driving experience, in addition to the racing events. Deciding whether you’d prefer to focus on an event or a course is a helpful first step in planning.
Trails and Natural Areas
Mt. Gilead State Park has a total of 6.5 miles of trails. These include a two-mile multipurpose trail for hikers and horseback riders. Picnicking, fishing and hiking are also possible there year-round. The combination of a designated multipurpose trail and several year-round activities offers concrete options if you’d like to include time in nature in your stay.
Flying Squirrel Preserve has more than four miles of scenic trails through woods, ravines and ponds. Fishing is also possible, but subject to a specific condition: it is permitted in the designated area of the north pond on a catch-and-release basis. This makes it easier to choose the kind of nature experience you’re looking for: several activities are explicitly available year-round at the state park, while the preserve features varied landscapes and a specifically designated fishing opportunity.
Gleason Family Nature Preserve offers another perspective on the region’s natural environment. Beaver-induced backwater flooding affected almost 20 acres of previously wet woodland there in 2017. This increased the diversity of aquatic plants and animals. According to a preliminary assessment, the preserve’s plant and animal life is relatively healthy.
Local History in Morrow County
The county’s building history also offers concrete points of interest. The Morrow County Courthouse was designed by David Auld and built in 1854. In Mount Gilead stands the Cross House, built in 1829. It is the last of five timber-frame houses from that period still standing in the village. Special events and celebrations were held there; the house was open for tours by appointment.
The Victory Shaft stands in Mount Gilead’s North Square. The Morrow County Historical Society History Center is located at the southwest corner of the square. If you’d like to visit the History Center, check its seasonal opening hours in advance. This makes it possible to explore local history through specific buildings and a prominent monument, without needing to combine these destinations into a set walking tour.
Getting Around and Finding Accommodation
For regional orientation: Interstate 71 runs from Morrow County’s southern border through its eastern edge. The Interstate 71 corridor in the county has two highway interchanges, which connect Morrow County with places including Cleveland and Louisville. This is a helpful geographic reference point when planning your stay.
The destinations and activities described here offer concrete starting points for your plans.
Discover more destinations: Mount Gilead, Williams, Carroll, Van Wert, Mercer County, Delaware County, Henry, Muskingum.
For the broader travel overview: Ohio.
