April 24, 2026

(McCONNELSVILLE, Ohio)— Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Director Mary Mertz celebrated the opening of two recreation sites aimed at providing a deeper connection to Ohio’s great outdoors in the Appalachian region.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony commemorated the opening of the Appalachian Hills Wildlife Area Visitor Center and a new campground and cabins at nearby Jesse Owens State Park.

“The new visitor center, cabins, and campground in the Appalachian Hills Wildlife Area and Jesse Owens State Park will be great new resources for those who love exploring the great outdoors while also supporting the greater community through increased tourism and economic activity,” said Governor DeWine. 

The Appalachian Hills Wildlife Area contains 54,525 acres of land in Guernsey, Morgan, Muskingum, and Noble counties. The property is reclaimed mining land previously owned by AEP. The majority of the acreage was transferred to the state under the DeWine administration. 

The visitor center is a two-story timber building that highlights the history of the Appalachian region and features floor-to-ceiling windows for the very best views of the area. Inside, a topographic map shows the terrain of unglaciated Ohio, highlighting the region’s unmatched recreation potential. Interactive and educational displays showcase the region’s history, including its wildlife, forests, and the ongoing efforts to restore and conserve the land.

Outside, visitors can walk along a 360-degree scenic ramp and observation deck to view wildlife – including the area’s bison herd – from above. A covered, open-air deck offers the best views of this spectacular large mammal, a native species that was once found in the wild across Ohio. While bison no longer roam freely in the wild, the Appalachian Hills herd is a symbol of conservation.

“We really want this new visitor center and the cabins to provide people with the ability to experience Appalachia in the most authentic way possible,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “Being at the visitor center or the cabins is a unique experience because there is so much land here to explore. From wide open fields and forests to small lakes, there are so many ways to be immersed in Ohio’s great outdoors.”

The nearby Jesse Owens State Park now features 10 newly constructed cabins showcasing three distinct architectural styles inspired by renowned American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Blending thoughtful design with the park’s natural surroundings, the cabins provide a modern retreat in a landscape transformed from former mining land into a thriving outdoor destination.

Each 900-square-foot cabin accommodates up to six guests and includes two bedrooms — a primary bedroom with a queen-sized bed and a secondary bedroom with twin bunk beds and a full-sized bed. Cabin rentals are $240 per night with a two-night minimum stay. Three cabins are fully ADA compliant to ensure a comfortable stay for guests of all abilities, and two cabins are pet-friendly, allowing more families to bring their four-legged companions.

Other improvements at the park include the new Big Muskie Campground, which has been expanded to include 50 full-hookup R/V sites, a modern shower house, new playground, and an on-site camp store offering essential camping and hunting supplies. Along with these new improvements, ODNR also completed the installation of a regional waterline and a wastewater treatment plant.

The hills of this region offer some of the Buckeye State’s finest natural resources and recreation, and the new visitor center at Appalachian Hills Wildlife Area is an excellent launch point for adventures in unglaciated Ohio. Within these acres are woodlands, grasslands, and hundreds of ponds and streams. Bass fishing, deer and turkey hunting, and birding are top attractions.