Most Unique and Scenic Ohio State Parks

A.W. Marion State Park

Admission is Free 
Open daily dawn to dusk
Location: On Warner-Huffer Road, just north of U.S. Route 22, east of Circleville, Ohio
Phone: 740-869-3124 

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 but unique park offers a variety of recreational activities while maintaining a quiet atmosphere of natural serenity. A wooded camp area with 58 sites offers tent and trailer camping from late March through early November. Twenty-nine sites have electricity. Hargus Lake provides 145 acres of water, boat launching ramps and public docks. Rentals are available from the concession on the northwest side of the lake. Electric motors only are permitted. The Hargus Lake Trail offers five miles of scenic pleasure, providing access to the entire shoreline of the lake. Beginning at the campground, the Squawroot Nature Trail offers the hiking enthusiast one mile of scenic terrain. The trail is self-guided with directional signs and takes visitors to fourteen points of interest. These scenic trails are open for year-round use.
 

Beaver Creek State Park

Admission is Free 
Open daily dawn to dusk
Location: On Echo Dell Road, off State Route 7, north of East Liverpool, Ohio
Phone: 330-385-3091 

Beaver Creek State Park, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, is one of Ohio's most scenic parks. The park includes Little Beaver Creek, a state and national wild and scenic river, and acres of forest wilderness. The rich history of the area invites visitors to explore Gaston's Mill, pioneer village and abandoned canal locks. The campground is scenically located high above Little Beaver Creek and offers large shaded sites. The 53 non-electric sites have tables, fire rings, pit latrines and a dump station. Pet camping is permitted on designated sites. Two Rent-A-Tepee units come equipped with a cooler, storage containers, sleeping pads, and lantern. A group camp area can accommodate organized groups up to 125 people. A horseman's camp offers primitive camping with water, latrines and tie-ups. Little Beaver Creek offers one of the most enjoyable canoe trips in the state of Ohio. Swift currents and breathtaking scenery are highlights of a trip through the Little Beaver Creek gorge. The creek is navigable by canoe or rubber raft only. Hikers will find several beautiful waterfalls by exploring the many tributary streams. A short trail from the campground to Oak Tree Point gives an excellent panorama of the scenic valley. Approximately sixteen miles of hiking trails take the visitor to historic canal locks and through a steep walled gorge. Hikers will find several beautiful waterfalls by exploring the many tributary streams. A short trail from the campground to Oak Tree Point gives an excellent panorama of the scenic valley.
 

Indian Lake State Park

Admission is Free 
Open daily dawn to dusk
Location: On State Route 235, just east of Lakeview, Ohio
Phone: 937-843-2717 

Indian Lake offers a diversity of water-related recreational opportunities. Boating, fishing, skiing and camping are highlights of this multi-use park. There are 441 family campsites suitable for tents or trailers on the northwest section of the lakeshore. The scenic campground offers electric hookups for most sites, heated showerhouses, flush toilets, laundry facility and camp commissary. A beach, boat ramp and boat docks are provided for exclusive camper use. Twenty boat camping spaces are also available. Three Deluxe Camper Cabins furnished with convertible futon bunks and sofa, microwave, refrigerator and outdoor gas grill may be reserved. These sites do not accommodate tents. One Rent-A-RV travel trailer equipped with a queen size bed and two twin beds is available. Other amenities include A/C, refrigerator, gas stove, microwave, TV/VCR and coffeemaker. The 5,800-acre lake offers unlimited horsepower boating and features four boat ramps and boat docks for rental. Skiing is popular in the open zone area. Indian Lake is the only inland lake in Ohio with lighted buoys for night navigation. The Cherokee Trail, a 3-mile easy walk through brushy habitat, is located west of the camp. The Pew Island Trail, a 1-mile path, encircles Pew Island. Access is available to Pew Island from a causeway. This trail affords a spectacular view of Indian Lake. A paved bikeway is located on the West Bank between Old Field Beach and Lakeview Harbor. The bikeway is 3 miles long. Walkers and joggers are welcome to use the bikeway.
 

Muskingum River Parkway
 

Park Office Hours 8-5 M-F 
7924 Cutler Lake Road, Blue Rock, OH 
Phone Park Office 740-674-4794

Camping area is located at Lock #11. There are 20 campsites off State Route 60 and County Road 49 in Muskingum County. Pay phones, latrines, water, picnic tables and fire rings are provided in the camping areas.
Enjoy fishing along the Muskingum River, but not on lock walls. A valid Ohio fishing license is required.
 

South Bass Island State Park

Admission is Free 
Open daily dawn to dusk
Location: In Lake Erie, on South Bass Island, off Port Clinton, Ohio shore
Phone:419-797-4530 

Limestone cliffs, historic wineries, crystal caverns and a shimmering Great Lake greet visitors to the Lake Erie Islands state parks. These state parks offer unique island retreats with an atmosphere both festive and casual. Fishing, boating and swimming can be enjoyed at each park. The family campground at South Bass Island State Park features 125 non-electric sites, and 10 full service sites with electric, water and sewer hook-ups. The campground offers flush toilets, showers, and a dump station. A youth group camp is available by reservation for organized groups. Four cabents, combining the best features of a cabin and tent, and the Rustic Cabin are available for weekly rental from Memorial Day to the last weekend in September. Two picnic shelters, picnic areas, launch ramp, fishing pier and small stone beach area are also available. South Bass Island is accessible by ferry from Port Clinton or Catawba Island.

Wolf Run State Park

Admission is Free 
Open daily dawn to dusk
Location: On State Route 215, north of Caldwell, Ohio
Phone: 740-732-5035 

The rugged hills of southeastern Ohio provide the setting for Wolf Run State Park. The scenic woodlands and cool, clean waters of the park offer visitors a quiet retreat in this remote area of the state. A family campground with 71 electric and 67 non-electric sites is located on the south shore of the lake. Showers and laundry facilities are provided. A walk-in group area with fire rings is available for use by organized youth groups on a reservation basis. A 20-site primitive fly-in camping area is located on the north side of the lake. The area is within walking distance of the 4,700-foot runway at the Noble County Airport. Picnic tables, fire rings and latrines are provided. Boats with motors of up to 10 horsepower are permitted on Wolf Run Lake. A launching ramp and tie-ups are available on the south side of the lake, easily accessible from State Route 215. A 3-mile section of the Buckeye Trail passes along the west side of the lake. A half-mile loop trail begins at the nature center providing opportunities for nature study and wildlife observation. The 1.5-mile Lakeview Trail skirts the lake, providing a pleasant walk from the campground to the beach.