Campbell Hill - Member Hike
| Hike Name: | Campbell Hill |
|---|---|
| Country: | United States |
| State: | Ohio |
| Nearby Town: | Bellefontaine |
| Rating: |  |
| Directions: | From Columbus, Ohio, take I-270 towards the northwest quadrant. Take exit 17B to merge onto OH-161 W/US-33 W and continue to follow US-33 W for approximately 40 miles. Take the exit toward East Sandusky Avenue, and turn right at the end of the exit. The entrance to the Ohio Hi-Point Career Center will be approximately ¼-mile up the road on the right. |
| Total Hike Distance: | 0.40 miles |
| Hike Difficulty: | Easy |
| Permit Required: | No |
| Hike Type: | In & Out, Backtrack Hike |
| Hike Starts/Ends: | Parking Area |
| Trails Used: | Not Applicable |
| Backcountry Campsites: | No |
| Backcountry Water Sources: | None |
| Management: | Other |
| Contact Information: | Ohio Hi-Point Career Center 2280 State Route 540 Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311 Phone: (937) 599-3010 http://www.ohp.k12.oh.us/ |
| Best Season: | Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall |
| Users: | Hikers |
| Road Conditions: | Primary Paved Roads |
| Hike Summary: | Campbell Hill is the highest point in Ohio at 1,550 feet. It is named after Charles D. Campbell who owned the land from 1896 to 1937. In 1937, Campbell sold the hill and surrounding land to August Wagner, who was the original brewer of Augustiner and Gambrinus beers. The Wagner family later deeded the land to the federal government in 1950, and in 1951, the government established the 664th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron on the hill as part of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) where it operated until 1969. Currently, the property, including the summit, is occupied by the Ohio Hi-Point Career Center, and is supposedly open to visitors Monday through Saturday. The high point can be reached by car when the main entrance gate is open to traffic. However, it is my understanding the main gate is typically closed on Sundays and outside of normal business hours. Nonetheless, there is also a small personnel gate near the main entrance gate, which is supposedly typically left open, and this was indeed the case during our visit on Memorial day (i.e. the main gate was closed because no one was on site, but the small personnel gate was open). If you plan on traveling to the site on a Sunday or outside of normal business hours, it is probably a good idea to call in advance to check on the status of the personnel gate. Parking in one of the spots adjacent to one of the out buildings located outside the main fence and walking through the personnel gate to gain the summit results in a roundtrip distance of just under ½ mile. The hike and summit are unexceptional in most regards, but if you’re looking to say you’ve stood at the highest point in Ohio, it might be worth the trip (although, it might be easier to justify if you’re already in the area, and have some extra time on your hands). There is a small registration box located at the summit, which contains blank certificates that can be filled out and taken with you to document your experience (see photos at left). |
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