Muskingum County is located in the Unglaciated Allegheny Plateau. The major watercourse is the Muskingum River, which flows south to the Ohio River across the center of the county. The Licking River joins the Muskingum at the county seat, Zanesville. The north central part, and the SE corner of the county was strip mined and has been mostly reclaimed. (see Muskingum River Watershed)

Places to visit

• The Wilds is a 10,000 acre property of reclaimed strip mine that is operated by the Columbus Zoo. Although most of it is closed to public access, there are some open areas. 40 species have been observed.

• Appalachian Hills Wildlife Area is a 54,525-acre open for public access located in portions of Muskingum, Morgan and Noble counties. 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. 36 odonate species have been observed, but it has not received much observation attention, and additional species likely remain to be found. Much of the area lacks cell coverage, and there are no facilities.

• Dresden River Park provides access to the western shore. River access is also available south of Dresden along the Muskingum Recreation Trail.

• Muskingum River Water Trail guide from ODNR.  Map showing river access points, parks, and facilities. River access points are also located at Ellis, Zanesville, and Philo.

County Observation Activity

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