It is pretty easy to distinguish a fan of the Wayne National Forest. They’ll be the only one who gets more excited and happy as April 15 approaches, as opposed to madly trying to finish their taxes.

The reason for their glee is that the date also marks the opening of the Wayne National Forest Ironton district’s trails to ATVs, walkers and horses.

“We’ve had folks out clearing the trails and getting everything cleared up,” Ironton District Ranger Gloria Chrismer said. “They’re looking really good. We didn’t have too bad of a winter and they’re in good shape.”

The district is home to more than 46 miles of off-road trails for all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles in the Hanging Rock and Pine Creek areas; more than 40 miles of equestrian and mountain bike trails; plus more than 35 miles of hiking trails.

The trails close every year from Dec. 15 until April 15 to allow for maintenance and upkeep, as well as keeping forest damage to a minimum during the wetter winter and early spring months.

Assistant ranger John Brown said that this year the work — as well as some extra funding — has paid off in spades.

“Actually, the trails are in excellent shape,” Brown said. “We put about $116,000 last fall, and that’s just in the Hanging Rock area.”

Brown has seen these improvements first-hand, riding the trails searching for downed trees to remove.

“There are very few ruts, a lot of the surface is in stone so it’s a lot harder now and holding up to traffic quite a bit better,” Brown said.

Hikers and bikers will also be able to answer the call of nature more conveniently, with several new bathrooms installed around the park.

Chrismer said that there may not be any big changes along the trail now, but some could be in the pipeline.

“We’re doing some planning, trying to figure out where to put some new trails, but we’re not that far along in the process,” Chrismer said.

Nature and environmental programs will also begin this month at Ohio University Southern campus’s Nature Center, located by the Vesuvius Iron Furnace ruins next to the dam at Lake Vesuvius.

Campsites around Lake Vesuvius will open May 1st, later than usual, because of some maintenance delays. More information on WNF recreation opportunities is available by calling (740) 534-6500.