Anyone who has traveled through Mohican Country on Wally Road amidst swirling dust and gravel pinging off the floorboards is in for a surprise, and a much smoother ride, on their next visit. Wally Road in Knox County finally received an asphalt surface in 2017, decades after the vision of locals opened the area’s natural beauty to camping, canoeing, horse-back riding and other outdoor activities. The road’s resurfacing has done away with a long-standing complaint of visitors, who had to deal with the dust and mud of a gravel road while en route to their favorite Mohican destinations. Bill Conrad, a Wally Road resident, proponent of development of the Mohican area and member of the Wally Road Scenic Byway Association, said that the road’s old gravel surface was a turn off to visitors for years. “The road was always a deterrent, no one would send (tourists) down Wally Road because of the gravel and dust,” Conrad said. This was harmful to the county in terms of lost tourism revenues, Conrad said, and to the businesses that line the road. Conrad said the businesses along the road were developed by individuals “with vision.” Their vision has led to Wally Road being the largest outdoor recreational complex in Ohio, Conrad said. In addition to camping, water craft recreation and equestrian opportunities, Conrad said Wally Road has seen restoration of historic properties and hosts several festivals a year. Wally Road is a designated scenic byway, running parallel to the Mohican River. The byway and the many campgrounds and canoe liveries that line it have been hailed as Ohio’s largest outdoor recreational complex. The area is home to the annual Great Mohican Pow-Wow and Mohican Bluegrass Festival. Wally Road passes through the 4,525-acre Mohican State Memorial Forest and 1,110-acre Mohican State Park. The area was sculpted 12,000 years ago by glacial activity, and has been appreciated for its natural beauty for generations. The Walhonding Valley Railroad once ran through the area, and passengers appreciated the scenery as the trains wound through the hills. There are several restored structures and other points of historic interest along the byway and in the Mohican parks. The Mohican River offers fishing and boating. On land, the area has miles of hiking trails, picnic areas, and a mountain bike trial. Naturalist programs are offered throughout the summer. Whether you explore Mohican Country on water, on foot, by bike or through the air — every view is breathtaking and connected to nature. Tree Frog Canopy Tours offers exhilarating 2 1/2 hour tours of the area on dual-cable zipline bring guests through seven ziplines, two sky bridges and two rapel areas. A true “must” for thrill-seekers, the fastest clocked speed is 51 miles per hour. Tree Frog Canopy Tours is located at 21899 Wall Road. No visit to Mohican Country would be complete without a stay in an authentic treehouse. The Mohicans offers six treehouses — four of which were designed by treehouse designer Pete Nelson of “Treehouse Masters” on the Discovery Channel. Treehouses sleep two to four guests but larger groups can stay in one of four cabins that will house eight to 15 guests. The Mohicans is a favorite venue for brides as well as corporate retreats. Owners Laura and Kevin Mooney take pride in their approach to sustainability with use of solar power, reuse and repurposing of building materials and local sourcing of fresh foods, when available. The Wally Road Scenic Byway is located off Ohio 3 south of Loudonville, or off Ohio 514 north of Danville from the Knox County Amish Gateway.