Ohio state parks
Legislators over the years have set aside some of Ohio's more scenic areas for public use. The parks are scattered all over the state to give access to all. To the north, the Parks around Lake Erie have some of the best beaches and camping areas. Many have boat launches. Inland, most are in forest areas and offer outstanding amenities to campers, picnickers, boaters and horseback riders.
If you are visiting Ohio, visiting any of the parks may be a great choice at reasonable cost. All parks are open to the public and basic admission to all parks is free. Facility fees vary from park to park, but all are very affordable.
Ohio has approximately 57 state parks that provide places to sleep. Some provide year-round camping, showers, swimming, boat rental, bike rental, horse camps, sport fishing and a variety of other activities. Some of those that provide a place to sleep are listed below.
Greater Cincinnati
- π Caesar Creek State Park (Northeast corner of Warren County, I-71 exit 45, Route 73 west, southeast of Dayton.). 285 campsites, electrical hook-ups. The campground offers showers, flush toilets, pet camping, horseman's camp with 30 sites, two camper cabins, one cedar cabin, 2,830-acre lake, unlimited horsepower, boating, water skiing, five launch ramps, forty-three miles of hiking trails, men, thirty-one miles of bridle trail, horsemen's camp, five-mile mountain bike trail, 3.5 -mile novice trail, hunting, fishing, picnic areas, tables, grills, drinking water, nine picnic shelters, day lodge, a meeting room, kitchen, outdoor tables, grills, 1,300-foot beach, concession area, changing booths, nature center, naturalist programs year round, pioneer village with 15 historic buildings depicting life in early 1800s. Playground equipment, basketball court, games and sports equipment.
- π East Fork State Park (Clermont County. 25 miles east of Cincinnati and south of SR 32, off of Route 133.). 384 electric campsites, 5 full-hookup sites, showers, flush toilets, drinking water, camper's beach, boat ramp, pet camping, 4 spacious Cedar Cabins, 4 camper cabins, horsemen's camp. Backpacker trail, 10 miles of scenic areas, 20-mile round trip. 32-mile perimeter trail circles the park, for hikers, backpackers, and horsemen. Four primitive campsites are these trails. 5-mile mountain bike trail. 2,160 acres of water, unlimited horsepower boating, six launch ramps. Hunting, fishing, picnic areas, tables, grills, drinking water, two picnic shelters, swimming, 1,200-foot beach, change booths, restrooms, vending area, mini-golf course, bike rental, basketball, horseshoe courts, and playgrounds.
- π Stonelick State Park (Clermont County, northeast of Cincinnati south of Route 28 on Route 133.). 114 campsites 108 electric, showers, flush toilets camp store, laundry facilities, pet camping, Deluxe 14' x 20' camper cabin, launch ramp, hunting, fishing, beach, picnicking, tables, grills, two picnic shelters, five miles of hiking trails, volleyball, basketball courts, horseshoe pits, playground equipment, bike and boat rental, and a basketball court.
Greater Columbus
- π Alum Creek State Park, Delaware County, 3615 S. Old State Road, Delaware. 289 family campsites acres of water, 289 campsites, volleyball courts, beach, basketball, horseshoe courts, and playground equipment. Four acre dog park with water access, forty miles of horse/hiking trails along the lakeshore, primitive camping for horsepeople, two mountain bike trails, 3,387 acre lake with unlimited horsepower, hunting, fishing, picnic areas, tables, grills, restrooms, 3,000-foot beach, changing area and concession stand.
- π Delaware State Park, Delaware County, 5202 U.S. 23 North, Delaware (About 20 miles North of Columbus of SR 23.), β +1-740-369-2761. 211 electric sites suitable for tents or trailers. Flush toilets, showers, laundry facilities and a dump station. Boat launch, beach, fishing.
Miami - Scioto basins
- π A.W. Marion State Park, Pickaway County, 7317 Warner-Huffer Road, Circleville. 58 wooded camp sites, tent and trailer camping, 145 acres of water restocked with largemouth bass, muskellunge, bluegill and channel catfish., boat launch ramps and public docks, excellent squirrel hunting.
- π Buck Creek State Park (Clark County, northeast of Springfield and north of exit 59 on SR 41.). 111 campsites, 89 have electricity, showers, pet camping, boat camping, 26 family cottages, two bedrooms, bath, shower, living room, trundle bed, complete kitchen, dining area, screened porch, gas log fireplaces, and air conditioning. 2,120-acre lake, four-lane launch ramp, marina, fuel, snack bar, bait shop and seasonal dock rental. Hunting, fishing, swimming, 2,400-foot sand beach, picnic areas, tables, grills, two picnic shelters. 7.5 miles of hiking trails, bird watching, scenic 7.5-mile bridle trail is open to snowmobiling, bike rentals, campers' beach, volleyball, basketball courts, tetherball, horseshoe pits, shuffleboard and playground equipment.
- π Cowan Lake State Park (Clinton County, south of Wilmington, west of SR 68 on SR 350.). 237 electric campsites, 17 non-electric sites, are wheelchair accessible, showerhouse, flush toilets, laundry facilities, dump station, camper's beach, boat launch ramp, commissary, pet camping. 27 cottages, heated, air-conditioned, two private bedrooms, rollaway beds, bath, shower, furnished living area, complete kitchen, dining area, screened porch, linens, towels, cooking, eating utensils are provided. Two premium cottages, gas fireplaces, wooden decks, gas cooking grills. Boats with a ten horsepower limite permitted, marina, concession, boat, canoe and motor rental, fishing and picnic supplies. Launch ramps, fuel, dock rentals, sailing, hunting, fishing. Public beach, bathhouse, showers, snack bar, picnicking, tables, grills, shelterhouse, dance pavilion, one-mile mountain bike trail, four miles of hiking trails, bike rentals, boat rentals, basketball, volleyball, and miniature golf course.
- π Deer Creek State Park and Resort Lodge (southwest Pickaway County, west of Circleville, northwest of Route 22 on Route 207.). 3,100 acre retreat. Lodge: 110 guest rooms, indoor, outdoor pools, sauna, whirlpool, exercise room, restaurant, lounge, and meeting rooms. Cottages: 25 cottages, two bedrooms, bath, shower, living room, sofa bed, complete kitchen, dining area and screened porch. Camping: 227 electric campsites, showers, flush toilets, pet camping, Five Rent-A-Camp units, horsemen's camp with primitive overnight facilities, area for youth groups. Unlimited horsepower boating, 1,277-acre Deer Creek reservoir, two launch ramps, marina, fuel, boat rental and seasonal dock rentals. 1,700-foot swimming beach, concession area, changing booths, boat-swim area, picnicking, nine miles of hiking trails, fourteen miles of bridle trails, fitness trail, 350-acre, 18-hole public golf course, fitness center, volleyball, basketball courts, horseshoe pits, playground, miniature golf, bicycles may be rented, volleyball, basketball courts, playgrounds, baseball field, and tennis courts for lodge guests.
- π Great Seal State Park, Ross County, 635 Rocky Rd., Chillicothe. 15-site campground, pressurized water, vault latrines, playground, shelterhouse, pet camping, shelterhouse, horse camp, twenty-two miles of trails, hunting, playground equipment, disc golf course, volleyball, basketball, horseshoe court.
- π Hueston Woods State Park and Resort Lodge (Southwest corner of Preble County, northwest corner of Butler County, north of Oxford. North of SR 27 on Route 732.). Located in Butler and Preble counties, nearly 3,000 acres. Lodge: 96-rooms, dining room, snack bar, gift shop, meeting rooms, lounge, indoor, outdoor swimming pools, game room, and lighted tennis court. Cottages: 25 cottages, two bedrooms, bath, kitchen, living room, screened porch. Two Premium Cottages. Ten Efficiency Cottages. All cottages have cooking, eating utensils, towels, and bedding. Camping: 252 campsites, electrical outlets, showers, flush toilets, laundry, trailer waste station, 236 non-electric campsites, with vault-type latrines. Three camper cabins, built-in bunks, air conditioning, and an outdoor gas grill, 28 horseman campsites and pet camping. 10 miles of hiking trails, 18 miles of bridle trails, 12 miles for mountain biking. 18-hole, 7,005-yard, par 72 golf course, driving ranges open from March until November. Acton Lake, boating, launch ramps, public docks, fishing pier, 1,500-foot swimming beach, concession stand, bathhouse, volleyball court, horseshoes, miniature golf, playground, basketball court, Nature Center, fossil hunts and playground.
- π Indian Lake State Park, Logan County, 12774 State Route 235 N, Lakeview. 441 campsites suitable for tents/trailers. Beach, boat ramp, boat docks, 5,800-acre lake, unlimited horsepower boating, seasonal naturalist program, playgrounds, miniature golf, basketball, volleyball, bicycle and boat rental.
- π John Bryan State Park (northern Greene County, east of Dayton, south of Springfield and north of Xenia. Route 68 to CR 343 east.). Camping: 10 electric campsites, 50 non-electric sites, picnic tables, fire rings, latrines, drinking water, pet camping, 100-person group camp, two Adirondack shelters, fishing, hunting, four picnic areas, shelterhouse, tables, grills, drinking water. Nine trails, mountain bikes are permitted on 6.5 miles of multi-use trail, wheelchair accessible trails. Rock climbing and rappelling area.
- π Kiser Lake State Park (north Champaign County, east of Sidney on Route 235.). 10 electric campsites, 108 non-electric sites, picnic tables, fire rings, group camp, sailing, motors not permitted, launch ramp, public docks, two boat rentals, fishing, hunting, 5.1 of hiking trails, seven miles of horse trails, 600-foot swimming beach, refreshment stand, scuba diving is permitted, volleyball court, playground, horseshoe court, and Nature Center.
- π Lake Loramie State Park, Shelby County, 4401 Ft. Loramie Swanders Rd., Minster. 161 campsites with electrical hookups, may are staded waterfront sites, showers, flush toilets, boat tie-ups, unlimited horsepower boat motors, dock rentals, launch ramps, fishing, hunting, eight miles of trail and a 600-foot sandy beach.
- π Paint Creek State Park (western Ross County, between Chillicothe and Hillsboro, north of SR 50.). 183 electric campsites, 14 electric premium campsites, hot showers, flush toilets, laundry facilities, two Deluxe camper Cabins, with beds, TV and VCR, microwave, refrigerator, gas grill, and gas fireplace. Pet camping, primitive horseman's camp, unlimited horsepower boating, launch ramps, boat rentals, fuel, seasonal dock rentals, hunting, or fishing, swimming, 1,000-foot sand beach, bathhouse, restrooms and changing booths. Picnic areas, tables, grills and a reservable picnic shelter. Four hiking trails, .75 miles to 2.5 miles, 25 miles of bridle trails, 14 miles of mountain bike trails. Nature center, miniature golf, games, sports equipment, basketball, volleyball, and rock climbing permitted.
- π Pike Lake State Park (Pike County, southwest of Chillicothe on Route 41.). Camping: 80 sites with electricity, latrines, tables, fire rings, camp commissary, pet camping. Cottages: 12 standard cottages, 12 family cottages, heated, air-conditioned, two bedrooms, bath with shower, living room, with hide-a-bed, gas log fireplace, kitchen/dining area, screened porch, dishes, kitchen utensils, linens, a group lodge offers kitchen facilities, two baths, sleeping accommodations for 16 people. 13-acre lake, sand beach, changing areas, showers, vending machines, boating, non-powered watercraft and boats with electric motors only, rowboats, canoes and pedal boats are available for rent, playgrounds, basketball courts, horseshoes, disc golf, six miles of hiking trails, the Lake White State Park and Paint Creek State Park are adjacent and have several miles of bridle trails.
- π Rocky Fork State Park (Highland County, east of Hillsboro and southwest of Chillicothe north of Route 124.). 230 campsites, showers, flush toilets, laundry facilities, camp store and campers' beach. Electric available at 89 campsites, an additional 45 campsites offer full-service hookups, 62 premium lakeside non-electric campsites, pet camping, launch ramp, tie-ups, recreation barn also may be rented with meeting space, restrooms, showers, modified kitchen. Unlimited horsepower, sixteen boat launching ramps, rental docks, boat camping, three marinas, fuel, docking space, modern restaurant, boat rentals, snack bar, two large beaches, swimming, changing booths, bathhouses, boat/swim area, fishing, hunting, .5 mile hiking trail, excellent birdwatching, A two-mile mountain bike trail, volleyball, playground equipment, miniature golf course, tetherball, basketball court, horseshoe pits, games, sporting equipment, and a nature center.
- π Scioto Trail State Park (Ross County, south of Chillicothe east of Route 23 on CR 372). 55 campsites, 40 with electricity, latrines, water, fire rings, picnic tables are provided. A secluded hike-in camp near Stewart Lake has 18 non-electric sites. Two rustic camper cabins are available. Fishing, hunting, twelve miles of hiking trails, 17 miles of bridle trails, nature center, basketball, horseshoe courts, playground, games and sporting equipment to registered campers, basketball, horseshoe courts and volleyball court.
- π Shawnee State Park and Resort Lodge (Scioto County, west of Portsmouth on Route 125.). Shawnee State Park is located in the 63,000-acre Shawnee State Forest. Lodge: fifty guest rooms, elegant dining room, meeting rooms, indoor, outdoor pools, game room, sauna, jacuzzi, tennis, basketball and shuffleboard courts. Cottages: 25 family, two bedrooms, bath, shower, living room, double-wide rollaway bed, complete kitchen, microwave, telephone, dining area, screened porch, charcoal grill. Two premium cottages offer Jacuzzis. Lodge facilities are open to cottage guests. Camping: 107 campsites, electric hookups, waste disposal, heated shower houses, flush toilets, laundry facilities, pet camping, 38 campsite horsemen's campground with latrines, near Bear Lake. 75 miles of bridle trails, several nature trails, one to two miles in length. Swimming and golf.
- π Tar Hollow State Park (east part of Ross County, east of Chillicothe, at 16396 Tar Hollow Road, Laurelville). 71 sites with electrical hookups, 11 non-electric sites, 12 walk-in sites, and 5 primitive sites along a backpack trail. Equipped with showers, laundry facilities, pit latrines and a dump station. The beach is close by. Boating with electric motors only, permitted on the 15-acre Pine Lake, which is suited to canoes and rowboats.
Northeast Ohio
- π Beaver Creek State Park, Columbiana County, 12021 Echo Dell Road, East Liverpool. 53 non-electric camp sites, horseman's camp, Little Beaver Creek canoe trips, fishing, sixteen miles of hiking trails and two mountain biking technical trails.
- π Findley State Park, southern Lorain County, 25381 State Route 58, Wellington. 272 non-electric camp sites, fully stocked camp store, sand volleyball, basketball court, two horseshoe pits, 93-acre lake, two launch ramps, canoes, rowboats, paddleboats and ten miles of hiking trails.
- π Geneva State Park, Ashtabula County, 4499 Padanarum Road, Geneva. A full facility campground with electricity, showers and flush toilets. Deluxe Cedar Cabins on the Lake Erie lakefront, six-lane boat ramp, canteen, concession area, 383 docks, three miles of multi-use trails, 300-foot guarded swimming beach and Geneva Lake Resort Lodge and Conference Center.
- π Guilford Lake State Park, Columbiana County, 6835 East Lake Road, Lisbon. On the west fork of the Little Beaver Creek, 41 electric camp sites, play area, fishing dock, drinking water, showers, flush toilets, picnic tables, fire-rings, launching ramps, seasonal dock rentals, 600-foot public swimming beach, bathhouse, changing booths, showers, volleyball, basketball courts, horseshoe pits.
- π Mosquito Lake State Park, Trumbull County, 1439 State Route 305, Cortland. 234 campsites, 218 have electrical hookups, boat launching area, unlimited horsepower boating on 7,850-acre lake, fishing, hunting, several hiking trails, ten miles of bridle trails, snowmobilers access to 14 miles of shoreline and 15 miles of wooded trails, mountain biking is permitted on 5 miles of multiple-use trail, basketball, volleyball, horseshoe courts and 600-foot beach.
- π Portage Lakes State Park, Summit County, 5031 Manchester Rd., Akron. 74 non-electric campsites, 400 horsepower limit on lake, 8 boat launch ramps, boat rentals, fishing, hunting, beach, five miles of hiking trails, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, basketball court, hunting waterfowl in designated areas.
- π Punderson State Park, Geauga County, 11755 Kinsman Rd., Newbury. Natural lake, resort manor house, family cottages, golf course, winter sports park, sledding, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, 196-site campground, showerhouses, flush toilets, electricity, pet camping, twenty-six cottages, manor house features a dining room, meeting rooms, outdoor, indoor swimming pools, championship-rated, 18-hole public golf course, pro shop, boat rentals, fishing, fourteen miles of hiking trails, tennis court, volleyball, basketball courts and cross country ski trails
- π Pymatuning State Park, . 6260 Pymatuning Lake Rd., Andover (Ashtabula County on the north part of the border of Ohio and Pennsylvania). Twenty-six family cottages, thirty-two standard cottages, beach, 331 camping sites have electric hookups, 21 sites are non-electric, nature center, basketball, volleyball courts, playgrounds, 14,000 acre lake, five boat-launch ramps, fishing, hunting, two miles of well marked trails, ice skating, ice boating, ice fishing and cross-country skiing.
- π West Branch State Park, Portage County 5708 Esworthy Road, Ravenna. 29 full service camping sites, 155 camping sites with 50-amp electric hook-ups, 14 non-electric sites, heated showers, flush toilets, laundry facilities, 700-foot sand beach, showerhouse, change booth, snack bar, year-round fishing, hunting, 2,650 acres lake, twelve miles of hiking trails, twenty miles of bridle trails, horse camp, playground and volleyball court
Northwest Ohio
- π Harrison Lake State Park, Fulton County, 26246 Harrison Lake Road, Fayette. 175 campsites, 150 have electric hook-ups, showers, flush toilets, two Rent-A-Yurt units, non-powered watercraft, fishing, 3.5-mile hiking trail, volleyball, basketball courts, horseshoe pits, swimming, fishing, and canoeing.
- π Mary Jane Thurston State Park (Henry County, northeast of McClure at 1-466 State Route 65, on the Maumee River.). 35 non-electric campsites, twenty miles of open water for boating, two launch ramps, marina, fishing, hunting, one-mile portion of the Buckeye Trail, six miles of trails in the North Turkeyfoot Area, backpacking, horseback riding or mountain biking.
- π Van Buren State Park (Northern Hancock County, north of Findlay, east of Van Buren at 12259 Township Rd. 218.). 27 non-electric sites, tables, fire rings, pit latrines, drinking water, playground, outdoor amphitheater, horseshoe pit, hiking, multi-purpose trail, nature center, lake, pet camping, horsemanβs camp with 33 non-electric campsites, fishing, hunting, fishing, hunting, volleyball courts and horseshoe pits.
Ohio Erie shore west
- π East Harbor State Park (Northeast part of Ottawa County on the north part of Catawba Island, off of Route 163, on the shores of Lake Erie.). 365 electric sites, 205 non-electric sites, showers, flush toilets, dump station, launch ramp, camp store, pet camping, two Rent-A-RV units on full-service sites, two deluxe camper cabins, dock rentals, restaurant, marina, fishing, hunting, 7-mile trail, volleyball, basketball, horseshoe courts, playground equipment and a 1,500-foot sand beach.
- π Kelleys Island State Park (Erie County on Kelleys Island). 45 non-electric, 82 electric sites, showers, flush toilets, volleyball court, six miles of hiking trails, North Pond Nature Preserve, North Shore Nature Preserve, picnic areas, a picnic shelter, launch ramps, fishing, 100-foot swimming beach and hunting. Kelleys Island can be reached by ferry from Sandusky or Marblehead Peninsula.
- π Maumee Bay State Park and Resort Lodge (Lucas County, east of Toledo, and northeast of Oregon on the shores of Lake Erie, five miles south of the Michigan state line and 20 miles south of the Ontario, Canada border in Lake Erie.). Resort lodge with racquetball courts, game room, saunas, whirlpools, indoor, outdoor pools, conference and meeting rooms, dining room, lounge, and a snack bar. Resort cottages. 252 campsites, showerhouses, flush toilets, electricity, playground equipment, fishing, three Rent-A-Camp units, Rent-A-Yurt, five miles of asphalt trails, bird feeding, cross-country skiing, winter nature walks, ice skating, sledding, 32-slip marina, 57-acre inland lake, sailing, canoeing, canoes, paddle boats, row boats, and sailboats are available for rent, two sand beaches, concession area, changing booths, amphitheater, 18-hole "Scottish Links" style golf course, pro-shop, nature center, butterfly gardens, bike rental, a basketball court, horseshoe pits, bike rental, basketball and volleyball courts.
- π Middle Bass Island State Park (Ottawa County, on Middle Bass Island south of Pelee Island and north of Catawba Island Ferries are available from Catawba Island or Marblehead.). 20-site primitive campground, no drinking water or electric, 50 boat slips, 25 with electric hook-up, 20 tie-ups, showers and flush toilets.
- π South Bass Island State Park (Ottawa County on South Bass Island, southwest of Pelee Island and northeast of Catawba Island Ferries are available from Port Clinton or Marblehead.). 125 non-electric sites, 10 full service sites, flush toilets, showers, pet camping, four cabents, two picnic shelters, picnic areas, launch ramp, fishing pier and small stone beach.
- π Catawba Island State Park. A small state park on the lake at Catawba Island.
Southeast Ohio
- π Barkcamp State Park (Belmont County, south of I-70, exit 208, off of SR 147 at Belmont Lake, about 20 miles west of the West Virginia/Ohio State lines.). 125 electrified campsites, hot showers, tables, firerings, two wheelchair accessible sites, 25-site horseman's camp, horse washing station, accessible mounting ramp, pet camping, two deluxe Camper Cabins, boats with electric motors only, boat tie-ups, launch ramp, boat rentals, fishing, hunting, 700-foot beach, seven picnic areas, tables, grills, water, latrines, picnic shelterhouses, miles of hiking trails and a barn with naturalist activities and historical displays.
- π Blue Rock State Park (southeastern Muskingum County, southeast of Zanesville off of Route 60.). 94 non-electric campsites, pet camping, latrines, picnic tables, water, dump station, fire rings, showers, beach, bathhouse, three camper cabins, camp store, 15-acre lake, fishing, hunting, several miles of hiking trails, horsemen - 26 miles of bridle trails, volleyball, basketball courts, horseshoe pit, playground, all adjacent to the 4,573 acres, Blue Rock State Forest.
- π Burr Oak State Park and Resort Lodge (Athens County, north of Glouster and east/adjacent to the Wayne National Forest off of Route 13.). A variety of overnight accommodations, lodge, cottages and campground. Lodge: Sixty guest rooms, five meeting rooms, a dining room, full-service lounge, gift shop, swimming beach, tennis courts, playground equipment, boat launch ramp and indoor pool. Cottages: 30 family cottages, air conditioning, cable TV, sleeps six people, bath/shower, living room, complete kitchen, dining area, screened porch. Linens, towels, cooking, eating utensils are furnished. Camping: 100 non-electric campsites, showers, flush toilets, twenty one primitive sites, pet camping. Fishing, hunting, swimming, beach, bathhouse, showers, changing booths, snack bar, twenty-eight miles of hiking trails, Burr Oak Backpack Trail, horseshoe court and playground.
- π Dillon State Park (northwest Muskingum County, northwest of Zanesville on Route 146.). Cottages 29 family cottages, air conditioning, cable television, gas heat, two bedrooms, bath, living room, all-electric kitchen, dining area, screened porch, linens, towels, kitchen utensils furnished. Camping: 195 campsites, 183 have electric, flush toilets, showers, dump station, commissary, laundromat. Boating, unlimited horsepower, two boat ramps, one hundred 20 and 24 foot docks for rent, nightly docks, 1,360-foot swimming beach, fishing, hunting, lighted trap and skeet fields with high, low, and combination houses, 100-yard rifle range, 25-yard pistol range with firing line shelter, restrooms and meeting space and 15 miles of wooded bridle trails.
- π Forked Run State Park (east Meigs County, south of the Bellville Dam on the Ohio River and north of Long Bottom on Route 124.). 80 campsites with 50-amp electric, 71 non-electric sites, showers, pet camping, three camper cabins, ten horsepower limit on boat motors, three launch ramps, Ohio River Access, access launch ramps, boat tie-ups, restrooms, 400-foot sand beach, three hiking trails, disc golf course, miniature golf course, volleyball, horseshoes, tetherball, and playgrounds.
- π Hocking Hills State Park (Hocking Hills) (Hocking County, south of Gibsonville on Route 374.). Cottages: 40 gas-heated, air-conditioned cottages, two bedrooms, bath, shower, living room, gas-burning fireplace, microwave, complete kitchen, dining area and screened porch. Camping: 159 electric sites, with electric, 13 non-electric sites, heated showers, flush toilets, laundry facility, camp store, swimming pool, playgrounds, volleyball court, horse shoe pit. Dining Lodge (Seasonal): restaurant, meeting rooms, TV lounge, game room, snack bar, outside swimming pool, there are no sleeping facilities at the lodge. Other amenities: miles of trail, picnicking, recess caves, Old Man's Cave and Ash Cave.
- π Jackson Lake State Park (southern Jackson County, west of Oak Hill on Route 93.). 34 electric campsites, beach, pet camping, ten-horsepower limit, launch ramps, boat rentals, fishing, volleyball courts, playground equipment, horseshoe pits, and shelter houses.
- π Jefferson Lake State Park, Jefferson County, 501 Twp. Rd. 261A, Richmond. 97 non-electric camp sites, latrines, water fountains, picnic tables, fire rings, public beach, bathhouse, showers, toilets, fishing, hunting, volleyball, basketball courts, horseshoe pits, eighteen miles of multiple-use trails through the park for hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers, any season.
- π Lake Alma State Park (southeastern tip of Vinton County, northeast of Wellston on Route 93, adjacent to part of the Wayne National Forest). 72 wooded campsites with electrical hookups, eleven non-electric sites, pet camping, pit latrines, tables, fire rings, drinking water, boat launch ramp for non-powered boats, fishing, 3.5 miles of trail, 1-mile paved walkway/bicycle path, three picnic shelters, two public beaches, change booths, beach, concession, boat and bicycle rentals, volleyball, basketball courts, and a playground.
- π Lake Hope State Park (eastern Vinton County, qpprox. 20 miles west of Athens). Lake Hope State Park is entirely within the 26,824-acre Zaleski State Forest and adjacent to part of the Wayne National Forest. Dining lodge: destroyed by fire 2006. Being rebuilt. Cottages: 72 cottages, all cottages have linens, towels, complete kitchens, microwave ovens, heat, air conditioning, outdoor grills and fire rings. Camping: 219-site campground, heated showerhouses, pit latrines, waste disposal, laundry facilities, picnic tables, fire rings, forty-six sites have electric hookups, pet camping, three Rent-A-Camp units, one camper-cabin, one Rent-A-Tepee. Boats with electric motors only, 120 acre lake, canoes, kayaks, and rowboats, available for rent. Swimming beach, beachhouse, sun deck, restrooms, concession building, fishing, hunting, seventeen miles of hiking trails, 21-mile backpack trail with primitive campsites, thirty-three miles of bridle trail and 23-mile singletrack bike trail.
- π Muskingum River State Park, 1390 Ellis Dam Rd (Muskingum County, near Zanesville, at Ellis Campground). At Lock 11, there are 20 campsites off State Route 60 and County Road 49, water, picnic tables, fire rings, pet camping, there are eight boaters-only, primitive campsites at Lock #5. Boats with unlimited horsepower motors, house boats, pontoon boats, canoes and rowboats travel the river. Public launch ramps, at Locks 4, 5, 6 and 11, private ramps located near Locks 2, 7 and 10. Picnic tables, grills, latrines, drinking water and ten locks on the river.
- π Salt Fork State Park and Resort Lodge (northern Guernsey County, southeast of Cambridge. Exit 47 off of I-77 to Route 22 East. to Route 285 North). Lodge: 148 guest rooms, dining room, coffee shop, snack bar, gift shop, lounge and lobby areas, indoor game area, meeting rooms, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, sauna, tennis, volleyball, basketball, shuffleboard courts, 400-foot swimming beach, boat launching and docking facilities. Cottages: Thirty-seven two-bedroom cottages, fully furnished living and dining areas, kitchen, cooking and eating utensils, bath, shower, screened porch. Seventeen chalet cottages, gas log fireplaces and hot tubs, available year-round. Camping: 192 sites with electricity, twenty full-service campsites offer sewer and water hookups, heated shower houses, flush toilets, dump station, a separate beach, boat launching and docking facilities for campers. Pet camping. Other amenities: 18-hole golf course,golf shop, snack bar, driving range and putting green. Fishing, hunting, 2,500-foot beach, bathhouse, showers, lockers, toilets and snack bar, two marinas, 469 rental docks, comfort stations, gasoline fuel stations, parking facilities, concession areas, variety of rental boats.
- π Strouds Run State Park (Athens County, east of Athens, on Route 690, inside of Wayne National Forest on Dow Lake.). 75 non-electric campsites, picnic tables and fire rings, pet camping, three Rent-A-Camp sites, boating, fishing, hunting, fifteen miles of hiking trails, birdwatching, nature study, 8-1/2 mile bridle trail, 900-foot sand beach, change booths, drinking water, restrooms, scuba diving with proper equipment, picnic tables, cooking grates, three shelterhouses, basketball court, playground equipment, boat rentals, volleyball court and another playground.
- π Wolf Run State Park (Noble County, south of Cambridge east of I-77 exit 28.). 71 electric and 67 non-electric campsites located on the south shore of the lake. Showers, laundry facilities, fire rings. A 20-site primitive fly-in camping area on north side of the lake, within walking distance of the 4,700-foot runway at Noble County Airport. Hunting, fishing, a 3-mile section of the Buckeye Trail, half-mile loop trail at the nature center, 1.5-mile Lakeview Trail, swimming beach, basketball hoop, playground equipment, games, sporting equipment for registered campers.
West Central Ohio
- π Grand Lake St. Marys (Mercer County, west of Wapakoneta and south of Route 29.). 204 campsites, 166 are equipped with electricity. Facilities include flush toilets, laundry, showers, pet camping, swimming beach, boat launch, boat docks/tie-ups, five air-conditioned Camper Cabins, two spacious Cedar Cabins, naturalist scheduled programs, movies, Friday through Sunday night, boats have no limits on horsepower, seven launch ramps, fuel, boat rentals, seasonal dock rentals are available, wildlife refuge, fishing, hunting, 90 seasonal duck blinds, two public swimming beaches, camp store, games, bike and canoe rentals, miniature golf course, basketball, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits and playground equipment.
- π Malabar Farm State Park, Ashland County, 4050 Bromfield Road, Lucas. 15 Primitive campsites and over 12 miles of back-country trails.The original Bromfield home is now a 19-bed hostel.
- π Mohican State Park and Lodge (Southern Ashland County). Lodge: 96 air-conditioned rooms, private balcony, color television. The lodge has private meeting, banquet rooms, dining room, sauna, gift shop, lounge, olympic-size indoor and outdoor pools. Cabins: Twenty-five two-bedroom family cottages, heated, utensils, towels, bed linens and blankets Camping: 120 campsites, electricity, fire rings, picnic tables, full service hookups available at 33 campsites. The main campground has showers, flush toilets, dump station. Hemlock Grove campground has 24 non-electric sites, pit latrines, tables and fire rings. Two camper cabins, equipped with bunk, double beds, a mini refrigerator and fan, can be rented. Other aminities: 13 miles of trails, forest, two waterfalls, scenic wooden bridge and lake.
- π Mt. Gilead State Park, Morrow County, 4119 State Route 95, Mount Gilead. 59 camp sites yearound with electrical hookups, two small lakes, double volleyball court, horseshoe pits and playground.
Note
The mailing address and actual location of these parks may be two different locations: For more detailed information on these and other Ohio State Parks, contact the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Stay safe
During hunting season, wear brightly-colored clothing if you go into the woods.
If you are backpacking, biking or any off-road adventure, register with the Park Office. Make sure you call or visit on the way out. It only makes sense, you may get lost, or break something. Cell phones may not work in these areas.
Go next
- Wayne National Forest - Ohio's only national forest.
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park - Ohio's only national park.
- Ohio Prehistoric Sites - Indian mounds and other archaeological sites in Ohio
- Hocking Hills State Park