Info:

  • On the OH-PA border
  • Popular vacation spot in the area
  • Has cabins to rent

Where is this located? (OH): Ashtabula County near Andover|(PA): Crawford County

The Way There

It was a sunny, warm-ish day with a calm drive. I drove mainly through side streets and finally drove over the long bridge with the lake surrounding me. I parked at a shelter near the trail I wanted to go on but could not find the entrance so I drove back over the bridge and in a parking space just off the road. This was the entrance (one of two I believe) to the Tamarack trail.

What I Did

Because I had two other state parks to go to that day I was only here (unfortunately) for a short time. I got out of the car and felt a slight chill in the breeze and STILL decided to bring my iced coffee with me. My fingers I’m sure were upset with me. That breeze also blew in the smell of campfire which brought me to a woodsy, camp-y vibe. I loved it. In the Tamarack trail you are allowed to hunt in that area so be observant of orange-vests and gunshot sounds. Nothing really to be worried about.

The trail started off with just woods and nothing really in sight but sooner or later you’ll be able to see some houses. A couple minutes into my hike and I came across a bridge. The angle I got with the bridge against the fall leaves and trees with a river/mini-stream flowing under the bridge looked something parallel to a Thomas Kinkade painting. My pictures can’t compare to what my eyes see. Soon, another wooden bridge just like it came into view. It wasn’t as pretty as the first one.

I heard a deep voice speaking in the distance going in and out at times and I was confused where it was coming from lol. Eventually, I found him!

Just before I got to the trail sign, there the mysterious voice was: sitting on a rock, with a rifle, talking into a camera. He saw me and stopped talking. He smiled and explained how he was videoing for his YouTube channel. Funny how I was also videoing for mine haha. I passed him and started to walk towards the part of the trail to see the lake. It was light blue and peaceful. There were some boats out.

I later went across a long, uneven bridge over grass and a stream. Quite pleasant.

Then, there was a small platform to see the lake. It was so beautiful, in my opinion, because of the stillness. There were two ducks sitting still on the water off in the distance. There was no sound and no movement.

After that came the end of my hike. I wish I could have been here longer but next time I may just rent a cabin and enjoy the quietness.

Here’s some little info on the trail: