Pickaway County: Nature, Trails and History
Accommodation in Pickaway County
Pickaway County combines river landscapes and trails through prairie and forest with a remarkable historical density. Along the Scioto River, Canal Park preserves historic elements of the Ohio–Erie Canal. At the same time, several trails and natural areas invite you to shape your stay in very different ways: with short stretches along the water, longer hikes, bike rides or cultural discoveries. If you are looking for a vacation rental or vacation home, it is therefore worth first deciding on the focus you want for your trip.
Rivers, Trails and Natural Areas
Canal Park includes the two-mile Towpath Trail and the 0.3-mile Scioto River Trail. It is also a stop along the Ohio & Erie Canal Southern Descent Heritage Trail. Those interested in the history of transportation routes will therefore find a direct connection here to the landscape’s former use. The Pickaway Trail follows the former Penn Central railroad corridor. About two miles are currently cleared; the first 1.5-mile section between Canal Road and S.R. 104 is paved.
The Roundtown Trail accommodates various forms of recreation: The approximately 1.5-mile paved trail runs between the Pickaway County YMCA and Ohio Christian University in Circleville and is suitable for cycling, running, walking and roller-skating. Metzger Preserve offers 52 acres of prairie and forest areas, as well as access to Deer Creek. There, you can picnic, hike, fish, canoe and kayak. Deer Creek River is also accessible for paddling from the parking area south of the dam.
The larger landscape settings also differ. A.W. Marion State Park features hilly forest areas and tranquil waters, and also includes woodlands, plains and prairie. Slate Run Metro Park has more than seven miles of hiking trails through forests and meadows and along Slate Run. At Stage’s Pond State Nature Preserve, 3.5 miles of trails lead along the Boundary, Waterfowl and White Oak trails. Wetlands, fields and forests support a diverse range of species there; in spring and fall, Stage’s Pond serves as a resting place for migrating waterfowl.
Big Darby Creek is designated as a Scenic River at both the state and national levels in Pickaway County. Mackey Ford State Wildlife Area borders the Scioto River on its western edge and is bounded to the east by an old feeder canal that once belonged to the Ohio-and-Erie Canal system. These varied settings give you the opportunity to switch between water, trails, open areas and forest depending on your plans for the day.
History, Museums and Special Events
Logan Elm State Memorial Park commemorates a speech from 1774 attributed to Chief Logan of the Seneca and Cayuga tribes. On a walk through the park, you can see historic monuments and memorial plaques. In Circleville, the Ted Lewis Museum preserves the legacy of jazz musician and entertainer Ted Lewis. The exhibits include memorabilia, photographs, musical instruments and personal belongings. For a cultural focus during your trip, you can also visit the Circleville page.
Ohio’s Small Town Museum, with artifacts, photographs and memorabilia related to the history of Ashville and the surrounding communities, offers further insights, as does the self-guided driving tour of the Mounds of Pickaway County provided by the Pickaway County Historical Society. When it was first explored in the late 1890s, the Snake Den Mound Group was described as a group of seven mounds. Some mounds were built from yellow clay, while others were made of stones containing boulders, fossils, concretions and burned rock.
Historic buildings are also part of the county’s character. The Gregg-Crites Octagon House was begun by George W. Gregg and completed in 1856, after construction had started in 1855. St. Philip’s Episcopal Church was founded in 1817; its current church building was constructed in 1866. The Clarke May Museum is housed in a square brick building constructed in several phases between the 1840s and the early 1850s. In September 2026, self-guided flashlight tours were offered at the Gregg-Crites Octagon House, allowing guests to explore the historic home at their own pace.
Choosing the Right Base
When nature, recreation and culture come together in your travel group, you can organize your accommodation search around the type of daily rhythm you want. Trails along the water, natural areas and paddling opportunities favor an active stay; museums, historic buildings and events in Circleville or Ashville offer different focal points. The Ashville Community Market at Ashville Park features local vendors, live music, produce, arts and crafts, food trucks and family-friendly activities. The Circleville Pumpkin Show takes place every year from the third Wednesday in October through the following Saturday.
Pickaway County is located along U.S. 23, about 25 to 30 minutes south of Columbus. Chillicothe and the Hocking Hills region are within convenient driving distance. This regional setting can help you determine the desired mix of nature experiences, historic sites and other excursion destinations when searching for a vacation rental or vacation home.
For the broader travel overview: Ohio.
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