Between Columbus And Cincinnati Is An Underrated Ohio Lakefacet State Park With Camping, Swimming, And Mountaineering

When exploring the favored Ohio state parks like Hocking Hills and Salt Fork, you’ll want to find time for detours alongside the best way. Sure, these iconic websites are must-visits, however you will not need to miss the hidden gems like Pike Lake State Park. This underrated lakeside vacation spot covers solely 587 acres of area — sufficiently small to stay off-the-beaten-path, however giant sufficient to offer quite a lot of actions. Waterfront recreation is a serious draw for guests — with a 13-acre lake calling your identify, the park makes for a stunning escape. 

Pike Lake State Park lets you immerse your self within the nice outdoor — one visitor claimed that the “beautiful state park” is “definitely one of my favorite places around to unwind.” Its lush oak and hickory forest presents scenic hikes, with a number of trails taking you to totally different components of the park. When the solar is blazing, you possibly can cool off by taking a dip within the lake — the sandy seashore is good for lounging after a refreshing swim. If you had enjoyable in your nature getaway, do not head again house but — the park offers you the possibility to spend the night time beneath the celebrities. 

While tenting, mountain climbing, and swimming are causes sufficient to go to Pike Lake, there are extra leisure choices to select from. Boaters and anglers can have interaction of their favourite pastimes, disc golf is a pleasant solution to get some low-impact train, and you’ll all the time make time to play basketball on the court docket. Even wintertime guests have issues to do — when there’s sufficient snow blanketing the land, coast down the icy paths on a sled. Since the state park is located between Columbus and Cincinnati,  you possibly can simply make the drive from both metropolis. The drive from Columbus is about 1.5 hours, whereas Cincinnati is barely farther at practically two hours away. 

Similar to Wolf Run State Park, which solely Ohio locals find out about, Pike Lake is a hideaway that few vacationers ever discover. Camping right here is a chance to reconnect with nature, the place you will be surrounded by a tranquil lake and leafy foliage. Located on the southern a part of the lake, the pet-friendly campground boasts 79 spots that it’s essential to reserve beforehand — one in every of them is ADA-accessible. Campers can make the most of facilities like a dump station, a number of graywater disposals, a seasonal showerhouse, restrooms, and consuming water. Make positive to convey every part you want for a solo tenting journey — however in the event you do run low on provides, there is a camp retailer obtainable. Groups of as much as 50 can go for a primitive tenting expertise on the designated website.

Those preferring to remain beneath a roof can ebook one of many park’s cabins. There are 5 summer-only fundamental cabins, with area for 4 friends (a full-sized mattress and a bunk mattress). These include a toilet, kitchen, and lounge, however it’s essential to present your individual linens. Ten year-round most well-liked cabins sleep as much as six (excluding the ADA-accessible cabin, which accommodates 5) and have upgrades like a gas-log hearth, screened porch, and linens. All cabins have heating and air-con, and three are pet-friendly.

For household gatherings or bigger teams, there’s additionally a lodge that may maintain as much as 16 friends in two bedrooms and a further sleeping space. Here, friends have entry to 2 loos, a lounge, a kitchen, and a porch. You’ll come throughout a number of picnic areas with grills all through the park’s grounds, in addition to three shelters.

Pike Lake could also be small, however the seashore space makes up for it. It’s a comfy stretch of sand, good for basking within the solar — one Tripadvisor reviewer talked about the water being clear, too. You haven’t got to fret in regards to the sand, both, because the seashore supplies showers for rinsing off and altering services earlier than you permit.

With an Ohio fishing license, you possibly can seek for your catch of the day. Cast from shore or enterprise out on the water with a small boat (electrical motors solely, 4.5 hp-equivalent maximum). It’s a great place for a leisurely kayak or pedal boat journey. You’ll discover leases on the park, and there are a number of launch factors. As for what you will be reeling in, anticipate to catch bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass, and bullhead.

Don’t overlook to place your mountain climbing footwear to make use of. Start out with a average hike alongside the Lake Rim, Mitchell Ridge, and Buckeye Trail. This mixture of shorter paths, as described on AllTrails, is a 2.2-mile loop that circles the lake after which continues deep into the forest. Those looking for a extra strenuous expertise can deal with the Pike Lake Road Loop. This route takes you on a 7.9-mile journey with an elevation achieve of 1,210 toes — put aside 4 hours to hike its entirety. While the trail is dog-friendly, the path is open to horseback riders, too — so hold your pup restrained always. If Pike Lake hasn’t glad your outside spirit, drive half-hour west to a different gorgeous lake state park, Rocky Fork, for extra boating, fishing, and tenting.