ODNR Division of Forestry Blue Rock State Forest

Map of State Forests and District Office Contact

Land Management Program

State Forest Certification

Pathways to Participation

Dispute Resolution

State Forest Recreation and General Visitation/Policy Information

Horse Camps and Bridle Trails

History of Ohio State Forests

State Forest Work Plans 


Our mission is to promote and apply management for the sustainable use of Ohio's private and public forest lands.


State Forest Program Administrators


Division of Forestry
2045 Morse Rd.
Building H1.
Columbus, OH 43229

forestry logo

Blue Rock State Forest

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26
miles
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State Park located within Blue Rock, Fire tower

6665 Cutler Lake Rd.
Blue Rock, Ohio 43720-9740
740-674-4035

Directions to forest

Total acres: 4,578
County: Muskingum county

Brochure with map (pdf)

Link to trail closure information

Public Recreational Areas near Blue Rock State Forest
Use ODNR's Recreational Areas by County Map to locate State Parks, Nature Preserves, Boating Areas, and public hunting and fishing areas near Blue Rock State Forest.

Additional Information
On June 27, 1998 a tornado struck areas of Blue Rock State Forest.
History of Ohio’s State Forests officially began in 1916, but its roots go back much further. READ MORE>
AUDIO SEGMENTS
AUDIO: Blue Rock State Forest (Windows format)
AUDIO: Firewood Alert

Blue Rock State Forest Notes
The 4,578-acre Blue Rock State Forest, located 12 miles southeast of Zanesville is accessed primarily via State Route 60 and Culter Lake Road.

Most of the marginally productive farmland was originally acquired by the federal government during the 1930s under the Resettlement Administration. Surface ownership was later transferred to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' Division of Forestry while the federal government retained three-fourths interest in the oil and gas rights. Subsequent reforestration and the application of forest management and protection practices have transformed low quality farmland into one of Ohio's most beautiful and productive forests.

In 1949, management of Cutler Lake and the adjoining recreation facilities was transferred to the Division of Parks and Recreation.

General Forest Rules

  • Blue Rock State Forest is open to visitors between the hours of 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. daily.
  • Motor vehicles are restricted to roads open to public traffic. Forest roads have a speed limit of 30 mph. Vehicles may not be parked where traffic or access to division service roads is obstructed
  • Horseback riding is permitted only along roads or on designated bridle trails.
  • Camping and building of fires is prohibited.
  • Disturbance, defacement or destruction of any property, material, natural feature or vegetation is prohibited. Berries, nuts and mushrooms may be gathered and removed from state forest land.
  • Hunting and fishing are permitted within Blue Rock State Forest as regulated by the Division of Wildlife. Shooting is prohibited within 400 feet of any building, facility or recreation area and from or across any road or driveway. Discharge of any firearm is not permitted except during lawful hunting.
  • General visitation guidelines