Thanks to its lush forests and meandering waterways, Morgan County is a natural haven. The Muskingum River Parkway is listed on the National Register of Historic Places because its 10 hand-operated locks were an engineering achievement that helped open Ohio and the Midwest to development. Four locks are in Morgan County and accessible for up-close viewing. These locks are still in operation and available for boaters today. Burr Oak State Park is a fisherman’s delight with bass, bluegill, crappie, and catfish swimming in the 664-acre lake. Boats with small motors are permitted or you can bring a chair and fish from the shoreline. The swimming beach includes a sand volleyball court and picnic area, and the nearby disc golf course allows for some friendly competition. Hiking trails offer several short options or hikers can circle the entire lake on the 18-mile backpack trail. Northeast of Burr Oak, the Wolf Creek Wildlife Area has nearly 4,000 acres of woodland, rolling fields, and small wetlands. Public fishing spots and a shooting and archery range make it a popular destination for sportspeople. Continuing northeast, Jesse Owens State Park is a beautiful example of former mining areas being reclaimed by nature. When the Central Ohio Coal Company (an AEP subsidiary) began mining the area in the 1940s, the rich topsoil was removed and held in storage. When mining ended, the original topsoil was returned and used to rehabilitate the land with manmade contours and ponds. The addition of vegetation and 63 million trees resulted in a wildlife habitat that is home to an increasing number of bird and wild animal species.
