Need a getaway?
Shawnee Lodge and Conference Center is a great getaway for couples, friends, or families who want to experience the outdoors and enjoy lodging with amenities. There are so many things to do at Shawnee Lodge for all ages.
Shawnee State Park is located within the 63,000 acres of Shawnee State Forest, the largest of the state forests in Ohio. The state forests and wooded hills in Ohio’s Appalachian mountains were the former hunting grounds of the Shawnee Indians. This area is sometimes referred to as the “Little Smokies of Ohio”
The hardwood forest is home to wildflowers and an assortment of various plants and animals including wild turkey, raccoons, and white-tailed deer.
Shawnee State Park is operated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and is one of the 75 state parks in Ohio.
Thanks again to Great Ohio Lodges for hosting my visit. All opinions are my own.
My husband and I enjoyed exploring the area for the first time during an overnight stay at one of the cabins on site. We brought our e-bikes to tour the property and also went on several hiking trails during our visit.
Our visit was during the shoulder season (I.e. the travel period between peak season and off-season) which explains the bare trees and empty outdoor swimming pool in my pictures.
During the summer months, you can experience the boating and the beach.
Lodging Options at Shawnee State Park Lodge
The lodge rooms are very convenient for guests who want to be close to all of the amenities and common areas within the lodge. There is a business center and meeting rooms for adult groups and conferences.
There are 75 guest rooms at Shawnee Lodge and each room has a private balcony.
The lodge rooms are equipped with satellite television, free wifi access, a mini-refrigerator, and a bathtub.
Accommodation Options at Shawnee Lodge
Guest rooms can sleep between 2-4 people and offer room options with a king bed or two double beds. If you have 6 guests there are also rooms with 2 double beds and 2 bunk beds available.
Are there ADA Lodging Options at Shawnee Lodge?
Shawnee Lodge has 5 accessible lodge rooms and 3 accessible cabins.
Cabin rentals at Shawnee Lodge
The cabin rentals at Shawnee Lodge are the perfect place to stay if you want more of a glamping experience with electric service as a couples getaway or for a family adventure.
We opted to stay in a cabin during our stay and it exceeded my expectations. The cabins have flush toilets, a shower, and a full kitchen.
The comfortable lodgings are perfect for guests who want a little more privacy but still want to be close to everything. The lodge is a short drive or within a short walk of the family cottages.
I also really liked that the cabins use a plastic card for entry instead of a regular key to unlock the front door.
How Many Family Cabins are there at Shawnee Lodge?
There are 25 family cabins at Shawnee Park that have two bedrooms and can sleep up to six people.
You can enjoy the natural environment outside and then enjoy the modern amenities inside your cabin. The cabins are a great option for multiple families who want to be near each other.
If you want to make your own meals during your stay you can easily do that in the complete kitchen. It’s equipped with all of the basics including a coffee pot, toaster, microwave, oven range, refrigerator, dishes, and pots and pans.
The cabin had a flat-screen tv in each bedroom and above the gas log fireplace in the living room. All of the linens and towels are provided for guests staying in the cabins.
The second bedroom can sleep 4 to 5 people.
If you stay in a cabin during the colder months you’ll appreciate the gas log fireplace that’s operational from October 1st- March 31st.
Cabin guests can dine inside on the kitchen table, the picnic table on the screened-in porch, or outside at the picnic table near the fire ring.
There is also a charcoal grill for guests to cook outdoors.
Swimming at Shawnee Lodge
Shawnee Lodge has both an outdoor pool open from Memorial Day to Labor Day and an indoor pool open year-round.
If you visit during the off-season the indoor pool is heated and there is also a hot tub. The hot tub is a nice way to unwind after a long day of outdoor adventures.
Swimming is also permitted at the public beaches for both Turkey Creek Lake and Roosevelt Lake.
Camping at Shawnee State Park
The campground has shower houses and 86 sites with electric hookups. There are two camping cottages with limited furnishings at Shawnee State Park. Guests have to provide their own linens and bedding.
Recreation Near Shawnee Lodge
- Picnic areas
- Fishing on Turkey Creek Lake
- Archery range
Outdoor Recreation at Shawnee Lodge and Shawnee State Park
Guests have access to an array of activities during their stay at Shawnee Lodge. You can appreciate the rugged beauty of the area with a range of vacation attractions.
- Black Bear disc golf
- Shuffleboard courts
- Tennis courts
- Miles of adjacent hiking trails
- Mountain bike trails (bike rentals are not provided)
- Miles of bridle trails
- Playground
- Tennis court
- Basketball court
- Beach, lake, river
- Fishing
- Boating and sailing
Additional Amenities at Shawnee Lodge
- Game Room
- Gift Shop
- Fitness Centre
If you enjoy golfing there is an 18-hole “Shawnee” course at the Shawnee State Park Golf Course facility in Friendship, Ohio.
Activities at Shawnee State Forest
- Hunting (check the park website for details)
- Fishing
- Explore 8,000 acres of wilderness area
- Hiking – The Backpack Trail is 46.4 miles and the Dayhike Trail is 11 miles.
Dining Options at Shawnee Lodge
There is an on-site restaurant at Shawnee Lodge where you can enjoy meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The tables by the window are very popular in the elegant dining room during meal times.
Reservations for Smokehouse restaurant, formerly O-Hee-Yuh Restaurant, aren’t required but they are recommended, especially if you have a large party.
During our visit, we tried the ribs and the pulled pork sandwich with a side of mac n’ cheese.
I would also recommend saving room for their salted caramel pretzel that comes topped with whip cream and ice cream.
Tecumseh Lounge is another dining option that’s open a little later; it’s known for their drinks of the week and pizza menu.
Where is Shawnee Lodge and Conference Center Located?
Shawnee Lodge is located at 4404 State Route 125, West Portsmouth, OH.
There is no entrance fee into Shawnee State Park and guests can enjoy free parking in the large parking lot. The phone number for the Shawnee Lodge is (800) 282-7275.
Explore Portsmouth Ohio
Portsmouth, Ohio is 15 miles /22 minutes from Shawnee Lodge. The city sits along the banks of the Ohio River near the mouth of the Scioto River.
Downtown Portsmouth is a great option if you want a glimpse of the local city life. You’ll find lots of local antique shops and restaurants in the area. The Scioto Ribber and The Portsmouth Brewing Co. are two very popular options.
Make sure that you also check out the incredible murals along the flood wall while you’re downtown.
Nearby Attractions
Horseback riding with Ben’s Happy Trails
Shawnee State Park Nature Center
More Great Ohio Lodges to Add to Your List
How many of these Ohio State Park lodges have you stayed at?
