The Shawshank Trail
An Adventure in the Movies
Story & Photos by Matt Bayman
The Shawshank Redemption is one of the most popular movies of all time, so it’s no surprise that its filming locations in and around Mansfield, Ohio (about two hours from Miami County), have become tourist destinations for fans.
After years of receiving calls and inquiries about the location of different filming sites, in 2008 the Richland County Visitor's Bureau, now known as Destination Mansfield, created a self-guided tour for fans called The Shawshank Trail.
The Trail features 16 filming locations that can be explored at any time of year at your own pace. Stops include Mansfield, Ashland, Upper Sandusky, Malabar Farm State Park and even the final filming location in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Most Ohio visitors choose to spend a full day or weekend exploring the Ohio sites.
The Ohio State Reformatory, known as Shawshank Prison in the film, remains the major highlight of the Trail and is the only stop that charges admission. Tours are offered year-round. From April 1 through Oct. 31, the prison is open daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Weekend hours are extended from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays from June 1 through Sept. 1. During the winter season, the prison is generally open Thursday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Self-guided tours allow visitors to explore the prison at their own pace and include access to exhibits detailing the site's prison history, Hollywood connections and paranormal lore. Admission for self-guided tours is currently $30 for adults, with a $5 discount available for students, seniors age 55 and older, and military members and veterans. Children age 6 and younger receive free admission. Audio guides are available for an additional fee.
Inside the prison, which has been featured in several other productions, including Air Force One and Tango & Cash, visitors can see Warden Norton's office, the Parole Board room, Brooks' hotel room, exhibits dedicated to the movie, and areas associated with Andy Dufresne's daring escape.
Regardless of whether you're a fan of The Shawshank Redemption, a tour of this massive castle-like structure is worth the drive alone. It contains the world's tallest freestanding steel cell block, featuring six tiers, 12 ranges and approximately 600 cells. The prison also hosts ghost hunts, paranormal events, festivals, concerts and the popular Escape From Blood Prison haunted attraction each fall.
After visiting the prison, head into historic downtown Mansfield to see several additional filming sites, including the Brewer Hotel, the pawn shop window where Red purchases his compass, Brooks' Bench and other locations marked along the Trail. Downtown Mansfield also offers restaurants, shopping and attractions beyond the movie connection.
After Mansfield, head toward Malabar Farm State Park, where the movie's opening scene was filmed and where the famous Shawshank Oak Tree once stood. The tree, damaged by storms in 2011 and 2016, has since been removed. Today, visitors can safely view the location from Malabar Farm property across the road, although the former tree site itself remains private property.
As with downtown Mansfield, Malabar Farm is worth visiting on its own merits, as are nearby Mohican State Park and Mohican State Forest.
Nearby are additional Trail stops, including the "Road to Buxton," where Red searches for the oak tree, and the location of Red's bus ride following his release from prison.
The Trail also includes sites in Ashland and Upper Sandusky. Visitors can see the Maine National Bank, the Wyandot County Courthouse used during Andy's trial, and the Shawshank Woodshop.
Along the Trail, fans will also find Shawshank-themed souvenirs, specialty foods and businesses embracing the film's enduring popularity.
To learn more about The Shawshank Trail, download a brochure or view all 16 filming locations, visit shawshanktrail.com. For information about Escape From Blood Prison and other seasonal events, visit bloodprison.com. Additional tours, events and activities at the Ohio State Reformatory can be found at mrps.org.
Mansfield is approximately 130 miles from most of Miami County. For a scenic drive, take Ohio Route 47 east from Sidney to Waldo, then follow Waldo-Fulton Road to U.S. Route 42 north into Mansfield. Travelers can also take Interstate 75 north to U.S. Route 30 east and visit the Upper Sandusky filming locations before arriving in Mansfield.
Enjoy!
Escape From Blood Prison
Each fall, the Ohio State Reformatory transforms into Escape From Blood Prison, one of Ohio’s most intense haunted house attractions. Set inside the same historic prison used in The Shawshank Redemption, the event turns the massive, castle-like structure into a 45-minute, actor-driven scare experience featuring elaborate sets, live performers and immersive storytelling.
The haunted house typically runs from late September through October, with evening hours on select nights (generally 7 p.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and shorter Sunday hours). Guests move in timed groups through multiple sections of the prison, including cell blocks, underground corridors and themed horror zones.
Admission generally ranges from about $25 to $80 depending on ticket type, with options for expedited entry that reduce wait times. Standard and fast-pass tickets are available online in advance, and sellouts are common during peak October weekends.
Now ranked among the nation’s top haunted attractions, Blood Prison draws tens of thousands of visitors each season. The experience is known for its high production value, intense scares, and the unique setting inside one of America’s most famous historic prisons.
In addition to the haunted house, the Ohio State Reformatory also hosts daytime tours, paranormal events, and seasonal programming throughout the year.
