The Loudonville area in Ohio is a natural wonderland of activities, from Mohican Indian festivals to canoeing, river tubing and kayaking, trail riding, fly fishing and wildlife spotting in marshlands and nature preserves. It's low-key, high adventure and most activities are family-friendly, with new things to learn and lots of exercise in the fresh air.
Trail Rides on Horseback
Five minutes outside downtown Loudonville, a 250-acre site provides horseback riding trails along the Lake Fork River and the Mohican River. The 90-minute trail ride runs parallel to the riverbank, through spring-fed streams and up through Jacob's Pass to overlook Ohio. Along the trail you can spot whitetail deer, blue herons, minks, foxes and eagles, and you'll ride through a primitive white pine and hemlock forest. The 90-minute ride is $49.95 plus tax per rider as of June 2010.
Canoe Camping
Mohican Adventures supplies a signature activity of the Loudonville area with canoe trips that range from a few hours to two days. The two-day trip covers 22 miles---the trip is broken into two easy stages with primitive overnight camping and transport back to your car at the end of the journey. Trips are booked throughout spring, summer and fall on weekends. The cost for the two-day trip is $49 per person, with a 2-person minimum charge per canoe, as of June 2010.
Mohican Indian Pow-Wow
The Annual Great Mohican Indian Pow-Wow on the Mohican Reservation Festival Grounds on Wally Road in Loudonville takes place over two weekends, one in July and again in September, rain or shine. The culture-fest features warrior, eagle and hoop dancers, flute making and traditional flute-playing, dance and drum competitions, tomahawk throwing, cultural life demonstrations of traditional homes and activities, storytelling, pottery, feather and leather working, flint knapping, Native American Indian food and more. Adults $8 admission; children $4 as of June 2010. Discounts available.
Marsh Birding
The Killbruck Marsh Wildlife Area is one of Ohio's largest marshlands and the spring migration of songbirds and waterfowl attracts birders from all over. Bring your waders and binoculars and add blue-winged teal, Canada goose, mallard, wood duck, black duck, canvasback, bald eagle, great blue heron, American kestrel, osprey, red-tailed hawk, northern harrier, turkey vulture, screech owls, sandhill cranes, peregrine falcons and more to your life bird list. Follow the old B&O Railroad track, a four-mile trail through the middle of the area, to see a variety of habitats.
Fly Fishing, Camping Optional
Anglers love the fly fishing in Mohican State Park, off Route 3 in Loudonville. The Mohican River's Clear Fork Branch, five scenic and fish-filled miles, serves up brown trout, smallmouth bass, white crappie and bluegill. The waters below Pleasant Hill Dam are a favorite haunt of saugeye. If a day trip isn't enough for you to land the big one, camping is available throughout the park. Book early if you have limited dates to be gone fishing because the park is packed all summer.
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