Birding Drives are routes for birding trips which can be accomplished in one day, stopping to walk and bird at various eBird hotspots. For each birding drive, a Google map is provided with the route and suggested stops at eBird hotspots. You may save the link to the Google map on your smartphone or tablet, or print a copy on paper to take with you. Links are provided with information about each eBird hotspot. Follow those links for more information about birding each location.
Mohican Birding Drive
Click on the hotspot names below to view the page about that hotspot.
This Birding Drive explores eBird hotspots in Ashland County in Mohican State Park and Mohican State Forest. When you submit checklists here you help to add to the data about birds in this region of Ohio.
Loudonville, Ohio 44842
From I-71, take Exit 173 to OH-39 east. Follow OH-39 east for 3.4 miles. Turn right onto Lucas Perrysville Road and drive 2.7 miles. Turn right onto OH-603 south and drive 2.7 miles. Turn right onto OH-95 west and go 1.1 miles. Turn left onto Pleasant Hill Road and drive 2.2 miles. Turn right onto McCurdy Road and follow for .7 mile. Turn left onto Goon Road and follow for 2.1 miles. Arrive at the Mohican State Park Lodge and Conference Center.
The trails at Mohican State Park offer plenty of opportunities to appreciate the beauty of nature while getting a good dose of exercise. The park offers 13 miles of hiking trails and an additional 32 miles can be found in the adjacent Mohican-Memorial State Forest. These trails are also perfect for hiking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing during the winter.
Between Mohican State Park and Mohican Memorial State Forest, explorers looking to venture by foot will find a variety of one- and two-mile hiking trails that vary by degree of difficulty. For beautiful views of the lake, follow the Pleasant Hill Trail. To finish at the scenic wooden bridge, follow the Hemlock Gorge Trail.
Loudonville, Ohio 44842
From the Mohican State Park Lodge, drive east on Goon Road for 1.5 miles. Turn left onto County Road 3006 and drive .9 mile. Arrive at the Pleasant Hill Dam.
The Pleasant Hill Dam provides views of birds on Pleasant Hill Lake as well as on the river side of the dam.
If you have time for a hike, the Lyons Falls Trail can be combined with the Pleasant Hill Trail to form a circle hike. You can begin this hike either at the Pleasant Hill Dam or at the Covered Bridge.
Pleasant Hill Trail is an easy walk from the Pleasant Hill Dam to the Covered Bridge along the Mohican River. This is a good area to see Louisiana Waterthrush and other warblers during the summer. If you do this hike from the Covered Bridge you can avoid climbing down and back up the dam embankment.
The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) owns Pleasant Hill Lake. The lake was constructed in 1938 by damming the Clear Fork Branch of the Mohican River. The lake was originally constructed primarily for flood control in the Muskingum River watershed. Today, recreation is one of the biggest public benefits. The ODNR Division of Wildlife manages the lake under an agreement to provide public fishing and hunting.
Perrysville, Ohio 44864
From Pleasant Hill Dam, drive east on County Road 3006 for .4 mile. Turn right to stay on County Road 3006 and go .8 mile. Turn right on County Road 939 and go .4 mile. The Discovery Forest is on the right.
A 2-mile educational trail that weaves it’s way through a previous clear cut, a selective cut, and other Forest Management techniques. The trail is easy for all ages and great for the kids.
Loudonville, Ohio 44842
From the Discovery Forest, drive south on County Road 939 for .2 mile. Turn right on Park Road and go 1 mile. The Covered Bridge is on the left. Spend some time birding the area around the bridge and picnic area. You can drive through the campground at times when there are not a lot of campers.
If you have time for a hike, the Lyons Falls Trail can be combined with the Pleasant Hill Trail to form a circle hike. You can begin this hike either at the Pleasant Hill Dam or at the Covered Bridge.
Pleasant Hill Trail is an easy walk from the Pleasant Hill Dam to the Covered Bridge along the Mohican River. This is a good area to see Louisiana Waterthrush and other warblers during the summer. If you do this hike out and back from the Covered Bridge you can avoid climbing down and back up the dam embankment.
Another hike which begins at the Covered Bridge is the Hemlock Gorge Trail which follows the Mohican River from the end of the camping area east of the Covered Bridge. This is a good place to look for nesting warblers during the summer. Both Worm-eating and Hooded warblers have been found in this area.
The Covered Bridge is the oldest and most recognizable sight of Mohican. Drive through and visit the area around the bridge, which includes several trailheads, picnic area, and river access.
Loudonville, Ohio 44842
From the Covered Bridge, drive southwest on Park Road for 3.1 miles. Make a slight right and arrive at the Gorge Overlook.
The Gorge Overlook is a national Natural Scenic Landmark designated by the National Park Service. Enjoy the view from 2 Overlook areas over the 400-foot gorge.
The Overlook Shelter is located in the most popular scenic area of the park. This shelter does not have electricity and has a pit latrine nearby. The shelter can hold 50 people comfortably.