Dean State Forest

Welcome to Dean State Forest located in the hills of southern Ohio near Dean.

Forest History: Dean State Forest is one of the oldest State Forests in Ohio. Before the land became a State Forest it was mostly used for agricultural purposes by Dutch and Irish farmers who migrated from Pennsylvania. By the turn of the 20th century the landscape bared many scars from agriculture, logging, and even the Cincinnati, Hamilton, and Dayton Railroad. The State of Ohio purchased the land in 1916 and worked hard over the years with the help of the Civilian Conservation Corps to reforest and restore the landscape.

Wildlife: Dean State Forest helps protect the home of numerous wild critters including deer, raccoons, squirrels, rabbits, foxes, and wild turkeys. Please treat their home with respect.

For the lover of the outdoors Dean State Forest boasts over 20 miles of multipurpose trails that connect up with the neighboring Wayne National Forest. Come on out and have a blast!