CALENDAR

ON NO TH HT E E

BY NORA MCKEOWN Cooped up? Stay active (and safe) this autumn by visiting these Backdrop-approved parks and trails.

HOCKING HILLS

Hiking in Hocking Hills is a rite of passage for outdoorsy OU students. The state park offers many different trails of varying difficulty in its seven different hiking areas, and it is open from dusk to dawn all year. Take a virtual tour of some of their trails on their website before you head out there yourself! Renting a cabin or pitching a tent in their campsite is also worthwhile.

BAILEY’S TRAIL SYSTEM IN CHAUNCEY

This trail system has 14 miles of trails currently available to hikers, runners or bikers to explore. The trailhead can be found at the Chauncey-Dover Community Park. Stay tuned, because there are a total of 88 miles of trails planned that are in the process of being opened.

STROUDS RUN STATE PARK

Hike, fish, camp or rent a boat at Strouds Run State Park, which is about a 15-minute drive from OU’s campus. There are hilly trails open and boats are available to rent on weekends between 11 a.m. and one hour before dark. Strouds offers kayaks, canoes, pontoon boats or paddle boards for rent.

Sells Park

Sells Park is located on Avon Street off of East State Street across from the Athens Community Center and connects to the trails at Strouds Run State Park. For a shorter hike, Sells is a great place to visit. There is a small pond and a few short trails open to the public. Visit the city of Athens website for a map of the trails available.