Ohio State Parks
Named after Ohio's first director of the Department of Natural Resources, the rolling woodlands and quiet waters of A.W. Marion State Park offer visitors a welcome escape from the rigors of everyday life. This small (309 acres) but unique park offers a variety of recreational activities while maintaining a quiet atmosphere of natural serenity.
Belmont County's rugged hills provide the backdrop for picturesque Barkcamp State Park. In addition to fine recreational facilities, visitors will enjoy the mature woodlands, open meadows, scenic lake and abundant wildlife of this secluded 1,005-acre park.
Rugged hills and rich green forests provide the backdrop to Blue Rock State Park. Escape to nature's solitude, and enjoy the diverse flora and fauna of this scenic 322-acre state park. *NOTE: A dam rehabilitation project, due to be complete in summer 2018, is affecting lake access and cabin availability at the park.
Buckeye Lake, constructed as a canal feeder lake in 1826, is Ohio's oldest state park. The park has long been a popular vacation spot and today offers endless water-related recreational opportunities including swimming, skiing, boating and fishing.
Caesar Creek State Park is highlighted by clear blue waters, scattered woodlands, meadows and steep ravines. The 3,741-acre park offers some of the finest outdoor recreation in southwest Ohio including boating, hiking, camping and fishing. A new harbormaster facility (opened spring 2016) includes 112 leased docks as well as 12 transient docks for overnight stays. The building includes a retail area, concessions, public restrooms and seating area and water fountain. Showers and laundry facilities are available to dock leaseholders.
Cowan Lake State Park offers a peaceful setting replete with scenic inlets laden with the American Lotus water lily. Swimming, fishing, sailing and canoeing are popular on the lake. Meandering trails through mature woodlands complement the natural features of this scenic 1,075-acre park.
Dense woodlands, expansive meadows and a shimmering 1,300-acre reservoir blend to create Delaware State Park. Once home to the Delaware Indians, this 1,686-acre recreational area offers camping, swimming, boating, fishing and wildlife viewing for outdoor enthusiasts.
One of Ohio's largest state parks, 4,870-acre East Fork offers a great diversity of recreational opportunities and natural history only 25 miles from Cincinnati. The park's terrain includes both rugged hills and open meadows, setting the stage for a wonderful getaway.
Once a state forest, 838-acre Findley State Park is heavily wooded with stately pines and various hardwoods. The scenic hiking trails allow nature lovers to view spectacular wildflowers and observe wildlife. The fields, forests and quiet waters offer a peaceful refuge for visitors.
Located on Ohio's northeastern shoreline, 698-acre Geneva State Park reflects the character and charisma of Lake Erie. The shimmering expanse of the lake lures vacationers who enjoy fishing and boating. Swimmers rejoice in the beautiful sand beach while nature enthusiasts retreat to the park's freshwater marshes and estuaries associated with the lake. Overnight accommodations include a Lodge, deluxe ceder cabins and family campground.
Great Seal State Park is located just north of the town of Chillicothe and dedicated to the wilderness spirit of Ohio. The history of the Shawnee nation and Ohio's early statehood is centered in these rugged hills. Challenging trails through the 1,862-acre park take visitors to scenic vistas of distant ridgetops and the Scioto Valley below. These very hills are depicted on the Great Seal of the State of Ohio, from which the park gets its name. First depicted in 1803, the seal was often reconfigured until the present image was sanctioned by the Ohio General Assemble in 1967 and modified in 1996. In 1803, the law prescribed the sheaf of wheat to represent Ohio’s agricultural roots and the bundle of seventeen arrows to symbolize Ohio’s place as the seventeenth state in the Union. The range of hills seen in the background of the seal, include Mount Logan, as viewed from Thomas Worthington’s estate, Adena, now a state memorial.
In the midst of endless fields of corn and soybeans stands 142-acre Harrison Lake State Park--a green island of scenic woodlands in a rich agricultural region. Harrison Lake is popular for swimming, fishing, camping and canoeing.
Hocking Hills provides a variety of recreational opportunities in a splendid natural setting. The 2,356-acre park has towering cliffs, waterfalls and deep hemlock-shaded gorges to lure the hiker and naturalist and serve as a backdrop to popular facilities and accommodations.
525-acre Independence Dam State Park is situated along the banks of the beautiful Maumee River. The river is ideal for boating, fishing or a scenic canoe trip. As of July 2017, tent camping is available on a walk-in basis.
Although relatively small, 106-acre Jackson Lake State Park boasts some of the most scenic country in Ohio. The park's serene lake is a focal point for excellent fishing and provides the ideal setting for a peaceful retreat.
John Bryan is the most scenic state park in western Ohio. The 752-acre park contains a remarkable limestone gorge cut by the Little Miami River which is designated as a state and national scenic river. A portion of the gorge itself is designated as a national natural landmark.
The quiet and relaxing atmosphere of Kiser Lake State Park makes it a favorite Ohio getaway. 531 acres of rolling wooded hills and diverse wetlands add to the beauty of this scenic 396-acre lake known for its clean, clear waters.
Located in southeastern Ohio, the 2,983-acre Lake Hope State Park is a natural paradise. The entire park lies with the 28,614-acre Zaleski State Forest in the valley of Big Sandy Run. It is a rugged, heavily forested region traversed by steep gorges and narrow ridges with remnants of abandoned mining and iron producing industries. This eye-catching scenery offers many opportunities for photographers, hikers and historians to enjoy. in the valley of Big Sandy Run. It is a rugged, heavily forested region traversed by steep gorges and narrow ridges.
One of the original canal feeder lakes, 407-acre Lake Loramie State Park offers visitors a quiet retreat in rural Ohio. Swim from the sandy beach, hike along the old canal towpath, stay a night in a shaded campsite or boat the lazy waters of 843-acre Lake Loramie.
Picturesque Lake White is nestled between the ridges of southern Ohio's rugged hills. Water sports enthusiasts can enjoy swimming, boating, water skiing and fishing at this scenic 92-acre park.
Lying within the vast Darby Plains of Ohio, 76-acre Madison Lake State Park is small and peaceful. The 106-acre lake attracts anglers and offers excellent sailing, rowing and canoeing opportunities.
Marblehead Lighthouse is one of Lake Erie's best known and most-photographed landmarks. Marblehead Lighthouse rests on the Marblehead Peninsula, a rocky headland of Columbus Limestone that juts into Lake Erie. (“Marblehead” means “marble headland,” because limestone is sometimes incorrectly called marble.) The grounds surrounding the lighthouse offer excellent picnicking and views of Lake Erie, Sandusky Bay, Kelleys Island and South Bass Island.
Maumee Bay State Park offers 1,336 acres of not only the finest of recreational facilities in the Midwest, but also a unique natural environment created by the convergence of the land and Lake Erie. The lodge, cottages and golf course are nestled among the scenic meadows, wet woods and lush marshes teeming with wildlife. The balance of recreational facilities with the natural world gives visitors a diverse experience in a coastal environment.
1,110-acre Mohican State Park and the adjacent 4,525-acre state forest are outstanding in their beauty and offer limitless opportunities for visitors to explore one of Ohio's most unique natural regions. The striking Clear Fork Gorge, hemlock forest and scenic Mohican River offer a wilderness experience while the resort lodge and cabins provide luxurious accommodations overlooking Pleasant Hill Lake.
Mt. Gilead State Park is a quiet, small 181-acre park centrally located in the state of Ohio. Picnicking, fishing and hiking can be enjoyed year-round at this beautiful location.
Although a small park, 167-acre Nelson-Kennedy Ledges provides a thrilling experience to visitors with its rugged cliffs and diverse plant life typical of a more northern climate. A day-use park, Nelson-Kennedy Ledges is popular for picnicking and hiking.
This 1.5-acre park, the smallest in Ohio's state park system, is a companion to South Bass Island State Park. It offers facilities for boaters and picnickers and scenic panoramic views close to the heart of Put-in-Bay. Get there early to watch the sunrise!
587-acre Pike Lake State Park is located in the midst of the scenic wooded hills of southern Ohio. The small 13-acre lake and surrounding state forest contribute to the park's rustic charm.
741-acre Punderson State Park with its 150-acre natural lake, resort manor house, family cabins, golf course and scenic campground, provides many recreational opportunities for visitors. Punderson is also Ohio's premier winter sports park. Sledding, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing are all at their best.
Quail Hollow is a 701-acre landscape of rolling meadows, marshes, and pine and deciduous woods surrounding a 40-room manor. Scenic woodland trails, gardens and the house offer a variety of natural and cultural experiences for visitors.
The landscape of rural Guernsey County appears as a patchwork of forested hills, open meadows and misty valleys threaded by numerous streams. At the heart of this region is Salt Fork State Park, encompassing the woodlands and fields flanking Salt Fork Reservoir. As Ohio's largest state park, Salt Fork boasts 17,229-acres of recreational facilities to suit nearly every taste.
Located in the Appalachian foothills near the banks of the Ohio River, 1,095-acre Shawnee State Park is nestled in the 63,000-acre Shawnee State Forest. Once the hunting grounds of the Shawnee Indians, the region is one of the most picturesque in the state, featuring erosion-carved valleys and wooded hills. The rugged beauty of the area has earned it the nickname "The Little Smokies."
Tucked away in the rolling highlands of southwest Ohio, 1,058-acre Stonelick State Park offers a quiet retreat for visitors. The still waters of the lake and stately woodlands provide the setting for a host of outdoor recreational pursuits.
The meadows, woodlots and still waters of 2,384-acre Sycamore State Park offer an oasis of natural features in the midst of expansive farmland. Sycamore provides the perfect setting for picnicking, hiking, fishing and horseback riding.
The 355 acres of swamps and marshlands of Tinkers Creek State Park harbor a variety of natural wonders. Herons, ducks, geese and beaver can be found in the spring-fed waters, while cattail, buttonbush and swamp white oak line the shores of this beautiful park.
Located in Portage County, West Branch State Park's large 2,650-acre lake with its many forks and coves is extremely popular with fishermen, boaters and swimmers. Situated on the glaciated plateau of northeastern Ohio, the park's 5,379-acres of meadows and woodlots provide an excellent backdrop for camping, hiking and horseback riding. The West Branch area contains numerous bogs filled with buttonbush, alder, skunk cabbage and swamp white oak. Another natural feature of the park is the stand of beech-maple forest. These woodlands harbor a variety of plant and animal life.
The rugged hills of southeastern Ohio provide the setting for Wolf Run State Park. 1,046 acres of scenic woodlands and cool, clean waters of the park offer visitors a quiet retreat in this remote area of the state.
