Go to Lake Metroparks website for more information at http://www.lakemetroparks.com/HTML/NatureParks/chapinforest.html

How to get there  (Directions)

Rt. 306 Entrance: Take I-90 to Rt. 306 south for about 3 miles to the park entrance located on the right (west) 
side of the road.

Hobart Road Entrance: Take I-90 to Rt. 306 south for 3.5 miles to Chardon Road (Rt 6) and turn right (west) for
 one mile to Hobart Road. Turn right (north) for almost l/2 mile to the park entrance located on the right 
(east) side of the road.



The 390 acres of land that constitute Chapin Forest Reservation offer trails to wander through a mature woodland.
 Enjoy walking beneath the branches of beech, maple, oak, tulip and hemlock trees. To protect this beautiful setting
 from logging, Frederic H. Chapin purchased the property in 1949 and donated it to the State of Ohio. Under a lease 
agreement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry, Lake Metroparks manages Chapin Forest
 Reservation.

Chapin Forest is known for its distinctive rock formations as well as its majestic forests. The ledges, or rocky
 outcroppings of Sharon conglomerate, were formed about 300 million years ago, long before glaciers slid across 
northern Ohio. To protect the fragile vegetation and for safety reasons, access to the ledges area is restricted
 to guided walks, which are regularly offered throughout the year.

Sandstone from Quarry Pond and the adjacent stream bed were part of a stone quarry that operated during the 1800s.
 Berea sandstone from this site supplied the foundations for many local buildings, including the Kirtland Temple, 
which was completed in 1836.

Chapin Forest has also served as a study site. During the late 1950s, the Ohio Division of Forestry and Reclamation 
began using Chapin Forest as a research site to determine the growth rates of trees for possible commercial timber
 production.

One of the best scenic overlooks in Lake County is found along Lucky Stone Loop hiking trail. On a clear day, you
 can see Lake Erie and the Cleveland skyline, 18 miles away. Part of the Buckeye Trail, a continuous hiking trail
 throughout Ohio, passes through Chapin Forest. Blue paint blazes on some trees mark the Buckeye Trail.

Pine Lodge Ski Center Chapin Forest features a cross-country ski center complete with ski rental equipment and lessons,
 groomed ski trails, snowshoe rentals, fireplace, accessible restrooms and concessions. Pine Lodge Ski Center is 
open during the winter months, weather-permitting, from approximately November 15 to March 15. For more information,
 call Pine Lodge staff [winter months only] at (440) 256-3810 or Lake Metroparks Registration Offices at (440) 358-7275.

Park amenities include four picnic areas and pavilions with grills; drinking water; restrooms; hiking trails; snowshoe 
and cross-country ski rentals, lessons and groomed trails; playground; pond fishing; ball/game fields; and
 limited bridle trails. A 1 mile loop Parcourse Trail (featuring 20 exercise stations) was added to
 Chapin Forest in 1977, and was considered to be the latest European (Swiss) fad at that time.