AEP’s commitment to the environment involves restoring and protecting resources
not only for their ecological benefit, but also to make available outdoor recreation
opportunities for its customers and neighbors. Blessed with an abundance of land
and water, AEP has developed and is pleased to offer an array of outdoor recreation
venues to the public.
AEP’s 17 hydroelectric
facilities in Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana and Michigan generate
more than 800 megawatts of electricity. The company publishes
hourly information on water levels and flows for water recreation enthusiasts.
One of American Electric Power's best-known symbols of environmental stewardship is the company's 34,000-acre reclamation project known as ReCreation Land. The area is located five miles Northeast of McConnelsville, Ohio in Morgan, Muskingum and Noble counties. This award-winning project has been built on land that was once strip mined for its rich coal deposits. Through vigorous reclamation efforts, which include planting OVER 63 million trees and creating more than 350 lakes and ponds and nearly 380 campsites, AEP has turned this former mining territory into a vibrant outdoor recreation area. There is an Equine Trail area, Mountain bike trails and the Buckeye Trail within this multi use area. Recreational User's permit required. Map
The Avondale Wildlife Area is a 4,919 acre public hunting and fishing area located five miles Southwest of Zanesville, Ohio in Perry and Muskingum counties. In 2007, AEP was recognized for the 50 year partnership between AEP and the ODNR Division of Wildlife. The area is walk-in only with 122 lakes for fishing. No Camping-Recreational- User's permit required. Map
The Conesville Coal Lands is a 14,639 acre public hunting and fishing area located five miles Southeast of Coshocton, Ohio in Coshocton and Muskingum counties. The area provides over 100 lakes and ponds for fishing and an Equine Trail Area. No Camping-Recreational-User's permit required. Map
The Poston Plant Lands is a 2, 240 acre public hunting area which lies in the Northwestern portion of Athens County near Athens, Ohio. The area is situated in the hilly unglaciated Allegheny Plateau and consists primarily of rounded ridges, steep slopes and narrow ravines. This area has no lakes or ponds for fishing. No Camping Recreational-User’s permit required. Map
The Gavin Wildlife Area is a 6,685 acre public hunting and fishing area located in Gallia and Meigs counties near Rutland, Ohio. The area is mostly set up for hunting although they are some small ponds and streams. No Camping-Recreational-User's permit required. Map
The Lewis County WMA is a 1,161 acre is a public hunting and fishing area is located in the Northeastern part of Kentucky between Garrison and Southshore. The area consists of leased crop ground, forest and shrub-land while numerous swales and low areas provide wetlands for wildlife. The Ohio River borders the area to the north. The area is a partnership with AEP and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife. It is also known for being the home of Kentucky’s record typical deer and also leads the state in the number of Boone and Crockett deer produced in modern times. No camping - Map
The Fairbanks Fish and Wildlife area is an 8,026 acre public hunting and fishing area located West of Fairbanks, Indiana in Sullivan county. The area consists of small woodlots surrounded by large crop fields for hunting. Although the area has a few ponds, there is 7 miles of fishing on the Wabash River. The area is a partnership with AEP and Indiana Fish and Wildlife. A permit is not required for this area but recreational users must sign in daily at the main check station. No Camping - Map
The Smith Mountain Lake area is approximately 5,000 acre public hunting and fishing area located on one of the region’s most beautiful and most prominent geologic features at the southeast end of AEP Smith Mountain Lake in Bedford and Pittsylvania counties near Roanoke, Virginia. The mountain area is covered with trees with lake access for fishing. This multi-use area is a partnership between AEP and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Primitive camping is available near the lake. A permit is not required for this area. Map
The Wilds was opened to the
public in 1994 and spans nearly 10,000 acres of reclaimed, surface-mined land--a
gift from American Electric Power. Thousands of acres have been developed and divided
into large sections where African, Asian, and North American species are managed.
