Hillview offers relaxation in nature, living history

(Sentinel photo by Luke Widbin) Along with camping, fishing, hiking and swimming, a herd of elk can also be seen at Hillview Recreational Area. This elk is the bull in the herd. [Click to enlarge]

This is the fourth story in a series of places to have summer fun in Plymouth County.

For more than 30 years, Hillview Recreation Area has been a nice getaway for those who want to escape into nature and relax.

Whether it is camping, fishing, hiking, swimming or just spending a day with the family, Hillview, about 1 mile west of Hinton, has something for everyone to enjoy -- including observing the county's resident elk herd.

"The elk are a living history piece," said Victoria Shamblen, Plymouth County naturalist. "About 150 years ago, elk would have lived in this area."

Currently, the herd has one bull, four cows, two 1 year olds, and two born this year, totaling nine elk.

"They're a big draw to visitors," Shamblen said. "People like to come out and watch them."

The elk have been the calling card of Hillview Recreational Area since 2001 and can be observed from benches or by standing against the fence they're enclosed in.

Hillview also offers three campgrounds: Deer Ridge, Bur Oak and Beaver Creek.

Deer Ridge is the most modern camp site, with electricity and running water. It also has bathrooms and showers, along with two cabins that sleep six comfortably.

Bur Oak sits on the south side of the park, with electric hook-ups, but no running water.

Beaver Creek is a rustic campground down by the park's pond, where you can enjoy a true camping experience.

Camp sights are available on a first come, first serve basis, but cabins can be reserved in advance. The picnic shelter, a free venue for events such as family reunions, is also first come, first serve.

There are two play areas, as well four or five hiking trails that wind throughout Hillview's forested areas to keep families entertained.

"I like to walk the trails," Shamblen said. "I especially like to wander off the path onto deer trails. There is so much out there you wouldn't normally see by sticking to the main path."

While hiking, wild grapes, mulberries, raspberries, cacti and much more can be observed or eaten -- as long as you know what is edible, Shamblen said.

Hillview Recreation Area is also the hub of outdoor activities for the Plymouth County Conservation Department.

"Every summer for the past three years, we do nature camps for children of all ages," Shamblen said.

The camps usually run from the beginning of June through mid-July.

Still available to register for this summer is the Hunter's Education Camp July 15-16 for 11 to 15 year olds.

There are also plans to build an Education Conservation Opportunities (ECO) Center on a grassy lot overlooking the elk pen. The building will serve as a meeting center and a place for environmental education.

Kelsie's Thoughts: I really enjoyed everything that Hillview had to offer. The elk were very interesting to see and the trails were fun to walk on, but watch out for poison ivy! I think that Hillview would be an exciting place to have a weekend get away with friend or family.

Luke's Thoughts: All of the trails make Hillview Recreation Area a very nice place to relax and explore nature. It's also a neat place to go swimming or fishing. The campgrounds look very nice, and with legitimate playgrounds for children, everyone will be entertained. The elk definitely are a big draw and a fun attraction. Most of them like to lie down decently close to the fence, so most of the time you don't have to look far.