Morgan County is located in the Unglaciated Allegheny Plateau and Appalachian mixed mesophytic forest ecoregions. The Muskingum River flows through the center of the county from north to south (see Rivers of Morgan County). Much of the NE corner of the county was strip mined and has been mostly reclaimed.

Places to visit

• Appalachian Hills Wildlife Area is a 54,525-acre open for public access. Located in portions of Muskingum, Noble and Morgan counties, it surrounds Jesse Owens Wildlife Area. The terrain, dissected by numerous small streams, is rolling to rugged. Much of the land that has been subjected to various forms of mining and is in various stages of restoration. It consists of 68 percent forestland, 27 percent grassland/open land and 5 percent wetlands and ponds. As a result of surface mining, the area is dotted with hundreds of artificial ponds and small lakes. 45 odonate species have been observed, and with only 530 observations, its likely that additional species remain to be found. Much of the area lacks cell coverage, and outside of several toilets in Jesse Owens State Park, there are no facilities.

• Burr Oak State Park is a 2,600 acre park with a 664 acre lake.

• The Muskingum River can be accessed at Eagleport, McConnelsville, Stockport, Beverly, Lowell and Devola (see Muskingum River State Park). Muskingum River Water Trail guide from ODNR (river access points, parks, and facilities).

County Observation Activity

This graph shows the total number of odonata observations for the county in blue, with the average for all Ohio counties in orange. The season is divided into 10 or 11 day segments by Month – basically early-month, mid-month, and late-month.