When you’re in college and taking multiple classes at once and still trying to juggle any potential student jobs and social lives, things can sometimes get stressful or overwhelming at times. It’s important to take some time to yourself and get out in nature to decompress, and what better place to do just that in than Athens?
While Hocking Hills or even Wayne National Forest get a ton of attention and are popular choices for Athens residents and beyond, Strouds Run State Park is large, sprawling, and scenic, offering a variety of year-round activities that anyone can take part in. And the best part is that it’s right in Athens County and only a short 15-minute drive from campus. Here are some of our favorite activities offered at Strouds Run that anyone can take part in to relax and decompress from the routine of everyday life.
Hiking Trails
Sometimes it’s nice to get lost in the woods. Not literally lost, because that would be terrifying, but Strouds Run State Park offers a whopping total of fifteen miles of hiking trails to wander around through and find yourself amongst the swaying trees year-round. Trees are a well-known natural noise barrier and they’re perfect for contemplative, meditative walks through the woods when you need to take some time to unwind from day-to-day life.
With fifteen miles of trails, it’s easy to switch things up routinely and try different trails and discover new, favorite areas around the park to walk through. The trails are open year-round, so whether you want a snowy walk on a winter day or to see the flowers and trees just starting to come back during the spring, the walking trails at Strouds Run are a must.
Swimming
One of the main attractions of Strouds Run during the summer is the sand beach alongside the lake. The beach is open almost all day, from sunrise to sunset, and is a great place to hang out around during the weekend with a group of friends while having some drinks or playing games out in the sun. And what sorts more relaxing than a beach day with some close friends?
Put on your best bathing suit and go swimming in the lake right along the beach—the waters are open for everyone looking to take a dip, and Strouds Run even allows park-goers to scuba dive further in the lake—with the right sort of equipment and accompaniment, of course.
Sledding & skiing
When it’s the dead of winter, it can be hard to get out and find things to do outdoors. Thankfully, Strouds Run State Park still offers a good deal of fun no matter the season.
During the wintertime, visitors are able to go both sledding and cross-country skiing in the park when there’s enough snow on the ground. If you’re the outdoorsy type, skiing is a great way get out and stay active in winter when there’s not a ton else to do outside, and the park has plenty of trails to practice on even for newcomers to the sport. If skiing isn’t your thing, sledding is, of course, a time-honored winter tradition that practically anyone can take part in to get outside and enjoy the fresh snowfall on the ground.
If you’re looking to get out and explore around the Athens area, Strouds Run State Park should absolutely be at the top of your list—once you go, you’ll want to keep coming back for all that it offers year in and year out.