Land for sale in Perry County, Ohio

Local land guide

Make a day - or a whole weekend - of it in Perry County

Perry County is one of those places where the scenery seems to change around every bend. Around Somerset, you will find open farm country, historic streets and broad country views. Head south toward New Lexington, Corning, Shawnee and New Straitsville, and the landscape folds into wooded hills, creeks and quiet hollows. That variety is a big part of the fun of looking for land here. One tract may feel like a future country homesite, while the next feels made for weekends in the woods. Give yourself time to enjoy the drive and compare the setting, terrain, access and personality of each property.

Tecumseh Lake in Shawnee is our pick for an easygoing outdoor break. Walk the short loop, watch for birds, cast a line or bring a canoe or kayak for a quiet paddle. The water is wrapped in the wooded Wayne National Forest landscape, so even a quick picnic feels like a proper escape.

The Stone Church trail system offers a more rugged Wayne National Forest outing nearby. Its forest roads and multi-use trails are especially appealing to hikers and equestrians who enjoy a quieter backcountry experience. Carry the current Forest Service map, check trail notices and remember that public forest boundaries and neighboring private land are not the same thing.

Perry State Forest is the county's big outdoor playground. Designated APV riding, horseback riding, wildlife watching and public hunting and fishing give adventure-minded visitors plenty of choices under current ODNR rules. We love the wonderfully rumpled terrain, but this is a place to bring the right gear, download the current map and check seasonal regulations before setting out.

Clouse Lake Wildlife Area adds another peaceful fishing and wildlife-watching option. Anglers and hunters should consult current ODNR seasons, licenses, maps and site rules, while everyone else can simply appreciate another quiet piece of public countryside.

New Lexington Reservoir is a lovely local alternative when you want water without a major park itinerary. The 36-acre lake north of town is a relaxed place to fish and slow the day down. Pair it with lunch in New Lexington and you have an easy half-day plan around a property visit.

Northern Perry County reaches the Buckeye Lake region, where boating, fishing, paddling and shoreline views create a very different county experience. Buckeye Lake State Park and the public canoe and kayak launch near Thornville are especially useful when you are touring Somerset-area properties, although they should never be assumed close to every Perry County tract.

History lovers should put Glenford Fort Preserve on the list. The ancient hilltop earthwork connects Perry County to a story that began long before its villages and mines. Access is permit-controlled rather than casual walk-in recreation, so contact Perry Soil and Water Conservation District and review the current regulations before visiting.

Shawnee itself is worth slowing down for. The village's historic streets, Appalachian architecture and creative energy make it feel like a genuine discovery. The beautifully revived Tecumseh Theater hosts concerts, theater, youth programs and local-history events, while Destination Shawnee and Ohio's Winding Road Marketplace help visitors discover local art, stories and community happenings.

In Somerset, the Perry County Museum brings natural history and county history together in a friendly seasonal stop. The Somerset Artists Co-Op is our pick when you would rather make something: its classes and studios celebrate pottery, glass, painting, jewelry and other regional creativity. Add a stroll around the historic village square and the outing feels wonderfully unhurried.

Rendville Art Works and Studio brings another creative stop to the southern part of the county. The tiny village has an outsized place in Ohio's African American history, and the studio gives visitors a warm reason to experience Rendville rather than simply passing the sign.

Property tours have a way of making everyone hungry. In New Lexington, The Pizza Place has big hometown personality and walls filled with memorabilia from the Robert Redford movie Brubaker, when the restaurant appeared as Pinky's. We would absolutely order the famous onion loaf with horseradish dip and call it essential road-trip research.

Dodson's on Broadway is the cozy, practical choice for home-cooked favorites, all-day breakfast, lunch, dinner and house-made desserts. Cafe Grind, Stan's Bake Shop and other local stops give you still more excuses to linger in New Lexington instead of rushing back to the highway.

Perry County knows how to celebrate its roots. The Perry County Fair fills summer with agriculture, youth projects, rides and community pride. Memorial Day weekend brings New Straitsville's Moonshine Festival, a spirited celebration of Appalachian and Prohibition-era history. Fall means handcrafted art, food and bluegrass beneath the trees at Thornville's Backwoods Fest. Shawnee's recurring community evenings, farmers markets and arts events add smaller reasons to return throughout the year.

When it is time to visit the land, use the GPS directions on the Countrytyme listing because new rural addresses do not always behave perfectly in every navigation app. Open the interactive property map on your phone while you walk, and review the survey, access, utilities, restrictions and available documents for that specific tract. Then leave yourself an extra hour or two. Perry County rewards people who take the scenic route.

Plan current stops, hours and events with Discover Perry County at https://discoverperrycounty.com/. Check state-park, state-forest, hunting and fishing information at https://ohiodnr.gov/. Review Wayne National Forest maps and current trail notices at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/wayne.