Hours: 8 a.m.-Sunset (?), Daily
Kipton Reservation is the former site of a reservoir (Kipton Reservoir) which once served as the City of Oberlin’s water supply. The now largely dry basin is grown over and ringed with forest. Kipton’s primitive trail system is a favorite for horseback riding. Facilities at Kipton include a simple gravel parking lot, portable toilet, small shelter, and grill.
Activities
Hiking Trail
Picnic Shelter (available on a first come, first serve basis)
Click or tap to view a PDF Trail Map
Trail Map
This 2.2-mile loop trail is an extremely primitive trail and is most commonly used for horseback riding. Traditional hikers also enjoy this trail because it is unimproved and travels through the thick woods and over the Vermilion River numerous times. The difficulty of this hiking trail would be considered moderate.
Length: 2.2-mile loop trail
Surface: Natural
Park Features & History
Kipton Reservoir was constructed in 1887 by damming the Brighton Camden Ditch, a tributary of the East Branch Vermilion River. The reservoir served as Oberlin’s water supply until 1905 and it was at about this same time that Oberlin launched an effort to reforest portions of the site. They did so, at least in part, by establishing many single species stands. The chosen trees included a mix of native and non-native species including white pine, catalpa, ash, red oak, black locust, larch, and Norway spruce.
Hours
8 a.m.-Sunset
Daily