Zaleski State Forest in southeast Ohio is a rugged expanse that challenges and rewards backpackers looking to escape into a landscape fiercely shaped by nature and history. Stretching over 28,000 acres, this forest offers a network of ridges, valleys, and historical remnants that push hikers off beaten paths and into deeply quiet woods. You'll trace rocky ridgelines where the trees lean into the wind, and cross streams daring you to keep pace. The terrain demands respect: expect sections of loose rock, steep climbs, and underfoot roots, all soaked in the scent of damp earth and pine.

The standout experience here is the Zaleski Backpack Trail, an 18-mile loop weaving through dense hardwoods, quiet hollows, and past sandstone cliffs. Along the way, you’ll stumble on old stone ruins from long-gone iron furnaces and abandoned farmsteads — artifacts of a land once fiercely worked by settlers, now reclaimed by forest. Campsites are well spaced but remote, each offering a shielded quietness that invites you to settle in and listen to the forest’s slow evening rhythm.

Plan your trip with efficient hydration in mind — water sources can be scarce, especially in summer's heat. Durable, broken-in boots are a must to handle the rocky, uneven footing. Spring and fall offer cooler temperatures, ideal for tackling steep ridges without the sun pushing down too hard. Early starts pay off, as morning light illuminates the high canopy and wildlife begins its morning rituals.

Be ready for a hike that doesn’t just move you through space but invites you into a dialogue with a wilderness that remains fiercely itself: indifferent, demanding, and quietly beautiful. Adventure here is about patience, respect, and steady steps. With practical preparation, Zaleski emerges as a rewarding challenge for anyone eager to explore Ohio’s less-trodden wilds.