Located on the Scioto River, Canal Park preserves historic elements of the Ohio–Erie Canal. Two trails give the park a distinctive layout: the Towpath Trail is two miles long, and the Scioto River Trail is 0.3 miles long. The park is also a stop on the Ohio & Erie Canal Southern Descent Heritage Trail. Here, the river landscape and the canal’s history come together, offering a concrete starting point for getting to know Pickaway County through its trails and historic traces.
Trails with a History of Their Own
The Pickaway Trail also connects the present with the past: it follows the former Penn Central rail line. About two miles are currently cleared. Its first section, 1.5 miles between Canal Road and S.R. 104, is paved; the scope is related to future construction work. This distinguishes the currently cleared route from the section specifically described as paved.
The Roundtown Trail is an approximately 1.5-mile paved route between the Pickaway County YMCA and Ohio Christian University in Circleville. Cycling, running, walking, and roller skating are among the activities suited to the trail. Its stated length, surface, and endpoints make it a clearly defined way to combine exercise with time outdoors.
Water, Woods, and Open Habitats
Metzger Preserve encompasses 52 acres of prairie and woodland and provides access to Deer Creek. Activities listed there include picnicking, hiking, fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. Paddlers heading to Deer Creek River will find a designated access point at the parking lot south of the dam. In Pickaway County, Big Darby Creek is designated as a state and national Scenic River.
A.W. Marion State Park combines rolling woodlands and tranquil waters with forest, plains, and prairie. Mackey Ford State Wildlife Area offers a different landscape: it borders the Scioto River to the west and is bounded to the east by an old feeder canal that once belonged to the Ohio and Erie Canal system. These two waterways also speak to different chapters in the history of the landscape and the canal.
At Stage’s Pond State Nature Preserve, wetlands, fields, and woodlands support a diverse range of species. In spring and fall, the area serves as a resting place for migratory waterfowl. Visitors can explore a total of 3.5 miles of trails, including the Boundary, Waterfowl, and White-Oak Trails. The seasonal birdlife and the named trails offer different points of interest: one follows the rhythms of migration, while the other gives the exploration specific trail names.
Slate Run Metro Park offers more than seven miles of hiking trails. They pass through woods and meadows and along Slate Run. At Logan Elm State Memorial Park, visitors can see historic monuments and memorial plaques on a self-guided tour. Here, the landscape also becomes part of the story: a speech from 1774 is attributed to Chief Logan of the Seneca and Cayuga tribes.
History in Museums and Buildings
When it was first investigated in the late 1890s, the Snake Den Mound Group was described as a group of seven mounds. The description from that time mentions extended and disarticulated skeletal remains, cremations, and stone cist graves. The construction materials also differ: some mounds were built from yellow clay, while others were made of stones that included erratics, fossils, concretions, and burned rock. A driving tour provided by the Pickaway County Historical Society visits the Mounds of Pickaway County.
Architecture can be read through specific construction dates. George W. Gregg began building the Octagon House in 1855; it was completed in 1856. The square brick house of the Clarke May Museum was built in several phases between the 1840s and the early 1850s. St. Philip’s Episcopal Church was founded in 1817; its current church building dates to 1866. The founding, start of construction, and completion are different historical dates.
In Circleville, the Ted Lewis Museum preserves the legacy of jazz musician and entertainer Ted Lewis. Its exhibits include memorabilia, photographs, musical instruments, and personal belongings. Ohio’s Small Town Museum displays artifacts, photographs, and memorabilia related to the history of Ashville and surrounding communities. For a visit focused on culture and regional history, these collections offer a different perspective from the trails and landscapes of the county.
An Annual Event in Circleville
The Circleville Pumpkin Show takes place every year from the third Wednesday in October through the following Saturday. Check the event dates before your trip. That way, you can plan your visit around this recurring event without assuming a specific event day.
Discover more destinations: Circleville, Allen, Geauga County, Van Wert, Wyandot County, Marion County, Wood and Brown County.
Return to the main travel overview: Ohio.
