Hickory Shores Wildlife Preserve. Kayak, fish, hike, bike trail & wineries.

Hickory Shores
Scenic waters, private shorelines adjoining 5-mile-long Lake Roaming Rock


In 1955 when my family bought our 180-acre farm, there were Shagbark Hickory trees lining both shores of a rock-filled stream. Years later the 550-acre Lake Roaming Shores was created from damming our stream and Hickory Shores became the wildlife-filled headwaters. Bald Eagles, foxes, river otters, ospreys, beaver and deer are frequent visitors to our farm along with other water birds and wildlife.
Recreational opportunities are plentiful including fishing in the headwaters and also our 1/2-acre pond, paddle boarding, canoeing and kayaking. The 50-mile Western Reserve paved hike and bike trail is 1 1/2 miles away and other adjoining roads create unlimited quiet country rides and walks. in 2023 we added a 3/4-mile wooded trail along the shores of the waters with lookouts and 27 numbered stops. A printed interpretive guide is provided to guests. Benches along the way provide quiet spots to rest or picnic. Approximately 2.50 miles of well-maintained trails are located at Hickory Shores.
Hickory Shores is a great base camp to visit 32 wineries in Ashtabula County, with the closest located 8 miles away. We are centrally located to many others within a 20-mile radius. Many of the wineries offer entertainment and food with local musicians and bands often scheduled to play.
Nineteen covered bridges dot the landscape of Ashtabula County. The longest covered bridge in the United States is in our county as well as the shortest, just spanning 18 feet. The shortest, West Liberty Bridge in Geneva, was actually built by my husband Jack and his carpentry class at the Ashtabula County Vocational School (now called A-Tech).
Both Lake Erie and Lake Pymatuning are short drives from Hickory Shores and provide additional recreational opportunities for boating, swimming, fishing, and sightseeing. Spectacular sunsets, a quiet country paved road, campfires, stargazing and Amish buggies passing by await your visit to Hickory Shores. In season our visitors often share in the bounty of our blueberry and raspberry patches, apple orchard, or vegetable harvest. Snowy winters provide opportunities for cross country skiing, snowshoeing or hiking on our farm trails or utilizing groomed trails at Girdled Road Reservation in Hambden Township (19 mile drive).

Hickory Shores Farmhouse
Our 2150 square foot home has 2 full baths, 5 sleeping areas (4 bedrooms, and a sunroom with foldout couch). It is very family oriented with many sitting and eating areas both inside and out. Two spacious, covered porches provide relaxing outdoor living even in inclement weather. Rental price allows 6 overnight guests with an allowance for 2 extra guests at an additional cost per person.

Essentials:
High speed wireless internet. Strong wi-fi signal and wi-fi extender so entire house is covered by a signal.
Strong cell service (we use Verizon)
Bed Linens and bath/hand towels
Beach towels (limited number)
Heating upstairs and downstairs with adjustable thermostats
Window A/C units in 3 main bedrooms and in rear common room/kitchen area
Spring Water available
Handicap ramp into farmhouse with grab bars in showers

Kitchen:
Gas stovetop and convection oven
Microwave
Large refrigerator/freezer
Keurig coffee maker, drip coffee maker with starter filters, French Press, coffee grinder. Sugar and creamer provided along with a selection of teas and starter Keurig cartridges.
Dishes and utensils-service for 12+
Toddler dishes and eating utensils in Sunroom hutch
Well stocked with cooking/baking utensils. A blender, juicer, crockpot, food processor, toaster and toaster oven are all available.
Pantry items include assorted spices in rack, salt, pepper, foil, napkins, sugar, and creamer.
Two-zoned temperature wine fridge
Weber propane grill and grill tools

Bathrooms:
The main bedroom has a newly constructed bathroom attached with shower and double vanity sinks. A central downstairs shared bathroom includes a tub with shower, vanity and laundry closet with washer and dryer. Hickory Shores operates on a septic system so no items except toilet paper are to be flushed.
Hair dryer
Toilet Paper
Basic soaps including body wash, shampoo and conditioner
Bath and hand towels

Outside:
Firepit with redwood chairs and tables, conveniently located behind farmhouse. This is a wonderful spot to view the spectacular sunsets we often see at Hickory Shores!
Firewood provided
Covered tent area with glass dining table and 6 cushioned chairs; solar lighting
Two covered porches surrounding the farmhouse with cushioned furniture and outside seating.
Tree swing located in side yard
Raft with seats and table on main waterfront. Raft makes a great launch site for kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards
Additional raft with seating and table at farm pond. (swimming is at own risk and no lifeguard is on duty)
Outdoor games available include cornhole, horseshoes, bocce ball, volleyball, basketball, ring toss, frisbee, croquet, and yard Yahtzee

Entertainment:
Two flat screen TVs (One in each common area). Internet Roku on each TV and instructions provided for use
Games-Assorted board games in basket in sleeping den plus more in sunroom closet
Books-Adult and children's reading books are plentiful at Hickory Shores

Laundry:
Washing machine and dryer in first floor shared bathroom
Laundry detergent and dryer sheets provided
Clothes drying rack available
Steam iron and ironing board
Laundry baskets are provided in bedrooms

Baby and Toddler:
Please note that Hickory Shores farmhouse is not baby or childproof. Please supervise babies and toddlers at all times

Safety and Security:
Smoke detectors
Carbon Monoxide Detector
Fire Extinguisher
Exterior Lighting
First Aid Kit
Fire and emergency contact: 911
Outside security cameras on both porches by entrances

Parking:
Designated parking area for 2 vehicles on side yard near mailbox. Additional spacious vehicle parking across the road. Please do not block main drives but park in marked areas only.

Boating and Fishing:
2 sit-on-top tandem kayaks and 2 canoes are available for guest use. Paddles are provided and an assortment of life jackets. We also have available a 4-5 person pedal boat with a canopy top. We encourage guests to bring personal life jackets if available, (especially children's sizes)
Lifejackets must be worn at all times when boating or paddleboarding and a liability waiver must be signed by all boaters or parents for minors.
We do not provide paddleboards, but guests may bring their own.
Paddlers may continue into Lake Roaming Rock. State of Ohio registration is required on all boats using the lake. Because it is a private lake, the shores, beaches, and pools are not for use by guests of Hickory Shores. Both shores south of the RT 6 bridge, however, are owned by Hickory Shores and open to guests for fishing or hiking. These shores adjoin approximately 6 /10s of a mile of navigable waters running through the property.
Fishing can be done at both the 1/2-acre farm pond and in the headwaters of the 550-acre lake (state license required for those 16 and older). We do not allow fishing from swim rafts.

Biking and Hiking:
Several convenient entrances to the 50-mile paved Western Reserve Greenway biking and hiking trail are located near Hickory Shores. The closest is 1 1/2 miles away on Rt 6. A quieter ride via Dodge and Dodgeville roads is 2 1/2 miles away or the Calendar Road entrance is located at 3 1/2 miles.
We have brochures and maps available in the farmhouse detailing the bike trail, local wineries and the numerous covered bridges in the area. As avid bicyclists, we can offer many routes utilizing both the trail and local country roads, with wineries and bridges as destinations.
Hickory Shores has a network of well-maintained and marked hiking trails. The Hickory Shores Interpretive trail, combined with an optional loop, is 3/4 of a mile long. There is an interpretive guide available describing 27 marked stops. Two other trails, the Pond Loop (.83 miles) and the Rainbow Falls to Sunshine Falls Loop (.69 miles) provide options for family strolls. These trails supply many stream vistas and opportunities to view wildlife. Bald Eagle, foxes, deer, river otters, ground hogs, waterfowl and songbirds have all been spotted along these trails.
There are maps with detailed directions for each of these 3 loops. These trails have been designed with enough width to snowshoe and cross-country ski. If visiting Hickory Shores in winter, we can also offer information on local parks with groomed trails for both skate and classic skiing.