Contact Us

The Wayne has three offices to serve visitors. 

Office hours are 8 - 4:30 Monday through 

Friday. 

Athens Ranger District

13700 U.S. Hwy 33

Nelsonville, OH 45764

Phone: 740-753-0101

Marietta Unit Office

27515 State Route 7

Marietta, OH 45750

Phone: 740-373-9055

Ironton Ranger District

6518 State Route 93

Pedro, OH 45659

Phone: 740-534-6500

Federal relay system for the deaf and hearing 

impaired: 1-800-877-8339

website: www.fs.usda.gov/wayne

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USDA is an equal 

opportunity provider 

and employer.

Viewing Ohio’s 

Wildlife

These are only a few of the 80 identified sites scattered across Ohio. Watchable Wildlife is a national 

program with sites identified in most states.

Butterflies

The Wayne has a checklist of butterflies found on 

the Forest. For avid lepidopterist - the butterfly list 

can be found on the Wayne website or picked up at 

our offices. 

Symmes Creek Trail

This 6 mile trail near Gallipolis traverses a variety 

of forest types. Along this trail you’ll find scenic 

overlooks, large rock outcrops, and natural wetlands. Spend a leisurely day in this scenic area 

watching birds, upland wildlife and rock dwelling 

creatures in the rock outcrops. 

 Unit: Ironton

Wayne National Forest

Nature Viewing

Forest

Service

FS-R9-034

05/2015
Nature Watch on the Wayne NF

Opportunities abound for enjoying nature on the 

Wayne National Forest. Nature Watch programs 

are for people to experience wildlife, fish, flowers, 

and autumn colors in their natural settings; promote

recreational viewing opportunities; facilitate learning

about the environment; and to promote conservation

efforts and wise use of natural resources.

v Watchable Wildlife

Several areas on the Forest offer unique opportunities to view wildlife in their natural homes. Part of 

the excitement lies in the uncertainty of what you 

might see. Unlike more predictable opportunities 

to view wildlife, these sites are homes to diverse 

species, any of which you might encounter during 

your visit. To improve your chances, walk quietly 

and slowly, walk into the wind, come early in the 

morning, or late afternoon, and be patient. 

The abundance of wildlife on the Wayne is impressive: almost 50 species of mammals, over 150 

bird species, and dozens of reptilian, amphibian 

and fish species, and we’re finding more species 

all the time. Finding these animals is part of the 

adventure.

The Forest is a collage of ecosystems. Each ecosystem is unique in the types of animals who make 

their home there. There are five watchable wildlife 

sites identified to showcase some of these habitat 

types. Bring your binoculars and your camera, and 

tread softly to view the real owners of the Wayne 

National Forest. Each of the five sites are identified

by the unit of the Wayne National Forest where 

they are located. 

In addition to these sites, we recommend the 

Hocking Valley Birding Trail which is covered in 

a separate brochure.

Wildcat Hollow Trail

This 17-mile trail (map below) traverses upland 

forests, stream bottoms, pine plantations, and 

meadows. White-tailed deer, wild turkeys, forest 

songbirds and numerous reptiles and amphibians 

are likely to be seen along its route. Wildflowers 

are abundant during spring and summer, and autumn colors are vibrant. Bird watchers be sure and 

bring your binoculars. Unit: Athens

Leith Run

This site along the Ohio River is the place to see 

wetland wildlife. The area has two observation 

decks, one offering a panoramic view of the Ohio 

River and the other overlooking the backwaters of 

Leith Run. There are several trails in the vicinity

which also provide a variety of wildlife viewing 

opportunities. A trail also climbs the hills to the 

bluffs overlooking the Ohio River. Fall colors 

from this spot are spectacular. This tranquil site 

along the bustling Ohio River is a place where 

wildlife, especially birds, seem to congregate. 

 Unit: Marietta

Lake Vesuvius

This large lake (shown at right) nestled in the 

wooded hills is encircled by over 25 miles of hiking trails. These trails travel through some of the 

most striking landscapes that Ohio has to offer 

with a variety of vegetation, rock outcrops, and 

many species of wildlife. Camping, picnicking, 

or fishing make this an enjoyable place to spend 

a weekend. Woodland songbirds, deer, beaver, 

and turkey are commonly seen. Soaring above the 

lakes or perched in shoreline trees you may also 

see hawks and osprey. Unit: Ironton
Why Leaves Change Color.

Most people suppose fall frosts are responsible for the color change 

in trees, but this is not the case. Many years the leaves change colors long before we have a frost.

Trees change color as a result of chemical processes. All during 

spring and summer a green pigment in the leaves, called chlorophyll, absorbs energy from the sunlight and uses it to transform 

carbon dioxide and water to carbohydrates. Along with the green 

pigment, the leaves also contain yellow and orange pigments. Most 

of the year these pigments are masked by the greater amount of 

green chlorophyll. But in the fall, partly because of changes in the 

period of daylight and changes in temperature, the green pigment 

breaks down; the green color fades; and the yellowish colors become visible.

Ironton Fall Foliage Tour

Tour is approximately 

64 miles long.
At the same time, other chemical changes occur causing the 

formation of additional pigments that vary from yellow to 

red to blue. These pigments are 

responsible for the reddish and 

purplish fall colors of leaves, 

such as dogwoods and sumacs. 

Others give the sugar maple its brilliant orange or fiery red and 

yellow. The various colors result from different amounts of the 

pigments in various tree species during the fall season. 

Fall weather conditions favoring the formation of brilliant red colors are warm, sunny days with cool nights of temperatures below 

45 degrees. Sugars are made in the leaves during the daytime, but 

cool nights prevent the sugars from moving from the leaves. The 

red pigment is formed from the trapped sugars. The degree of color may vary from tree to tree. Leaves directly exposed to the sun 

may turn red, while those on the shady side of the same tree, or on 

other trees, may be yellow. Depending on weather conditions, the 

colors on one tree can vary from year to year. 

Color changes are not the only changes taking place in the leaves 

in autumn. A layer of cells are laid down at the base of the leaf 

stalk to gradually sever the leaf. The layer also acts as a healing 

scar once the leaf drops. The oaks and a few other species may 

keep their dead leaves until growth starts in the spring.

The leaves still provide a function to nature even after they’ve 

fallen. Leaves contain relatively large amounts of valuable elements, which when decomposed return to the soil.

Driving Tours

Come enjoy a pleasant day viewing the fall colors on the Wayne 

National Forest. We have proposed routes on each of the three 

units, primarily on hard surface roads. They follows major ridges 

and offer panoramic views of the countryside. 

The Wayne has many recreational opportunities. We hope you’ll 

enjoy the fall colors and visit the Forest often.