|
| Activity |
Facilities |
Quantity |
| Resource |
Land, acres |
1232 |
 |
Water, acres |
117 |
| Day-Use Activities |
Fishing |
yes |
|
Hunting |
yes |
|
Hiking Trail,
miles |
4 |
|
Bridle Trails,
miles |
24 |
|
Picnicking |
yes |
|
Picnic Shelters |
3 |
|
Swimming Beach,
feet |
700 |
|
Nature Center |
yes |
|
Summer Nature
Programs |
yes |
| Boating |
Boat Limits |
EMO |
|
Seasonal Dock
Rental, # |
yes |
|
Launch Ramps |
1 |
| Winter
Recreation |
Sledding |
yes |
|
Snowmobiling |
yes |
|
Ice Skating |
yes |
|
Cross-Country
Skiing |
yes |
|
Ice Fishing |
yes |
|
Ice Boating |
yes |
| Camping |
Campsites,
# |
150 |
|
Campsites
with Elec., # |
150 |
|
Rent-A-Camp,
# |
3 |
|
Pets
Permitted |
yes |
|
Showers |
yes |
|
Flush
Toilets |
yes |
|
Dumpstation |
yes |
|
Group Camp,
capacity |
15 |
|
Camper
Cabins |
2 |
|
Horsemen
Campsites, # |
25 |
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 park.
Nature of the Area
The sandstone hills of the Barkcamp region are part of
the Appalachian highlands which envelop the southeastern part of Ohio. In
the sandstone bedrock can be found layers of coal which were formed by
decaying swamp vegetation millions of years ago during the Pennsylvanian
geologic period. Barkcamp State Park lies in the heart of the coal-mining
region of Ohio.
The hills and valleys of the area are clothed with a second-growth forest.
Today, southeastern Ohio is one of the most extensively forested in Ohio,
and only a few areas remain which suggest the magnificence of these
original forests.
The woodlands of Barkcamp support a variety of plant and animal life. The
observant visitor may find a wealth of woodland wildflowers including wild
geranium, hepatica, bloodroot and spring beauties. The woodlands explode
with flowering dogwood and redbud blossoms in spring.
Songbirds, squirrels, skunk, opossum, raccoon, white-tailed deer and the
wild turkey take up residence in the park's varying habitats.
History of the Area
This area was first inhabited by the Moundbuilders,
then later by Wyandots, Delaware and Shawnee. Belmont County was one of
the earliest areas settled in Ohio, and the scene of several bloody
conflicts between settlers and Indians. Prior to the Treaty of Greenville
of 1795, the nearby Ohio River was the accepted boundary between Indians
to the north and settlers to the south of the river. Conflicts arose as
land-hungry settlers began encroaching on Indian lands. The celebrated
Indian fighter, Lewis Wetzel, was often through this region. Wetzel
instigated many of the conflicts as Indians were the object of his mortal
hate. A large boulder near the park's Antique Barn bears an inscription
carved by Wetzel.
The Society of Friends (Quakers) established the first church in the area.
Benjamin Lundy, a Quaker who lived in St. Clairsville, became known as the
"Father of Abolitionism." He formed an anti-slavery society here
in 1815 called the Union Humane Society. At one point, there were 120
miles of the Underground Railroad in Belmont County. Lundy helped produce
the abolitionist paper, The Philanthropist at nearby Mt. Pleasant.
As years passed, coal was discovered and became the foundation of the
area's economy. Belmont County is now the state's leading producer of coal
with an estimated 5,668 million tons of coal available below the earth's
surface.
Land acquisition began for the park in 1955, and a dam was completed in
1963 resulting in the 117-acre Belmont Lake. The park derives its unusual
name from Barkcamp Creek, the former site of a logging camp where logs
were stripped of their bark in preparation for delivery to the mill.
Camping
Barkcamp offers 150 electrified campsites in sunny and
shaded areas. The campground features hot showers, tables, firerings, two
wheelchair accessible sites and a dump station. A group camp that
accommodates 15 sites is available for organized groups by reservation. In
addition, a horseman's camp with 25 sites is available. Five Rent-A-Camp
units consisting of a tent, dining canopy, cooler, cookstove and other
equipment can be rented during the summer months by reservation. Pet
camping is permitted on designated sites.
 Boating
Boats with electric motors only are permitted on
Belmont Lake. Seasonal boat tie-ups are available. A launch ramp provides
access to the lake.
Fishing and Hunting
Anglers will enjoy good catches of bass, blue gill,
crappie and trout. A wheelchair accessible area allows all persons to test
their skill at fishing. Hunting is permitted in designated areas. Squirrel
hunting is popular here. A valid Ohio fishing and/or hunting license is
required.
Swimming
A 700-foot beach provides enjoyment for swimmers and
sunbathers.
Picnicking
Seven picnic areas are scenically located around the
park. Each area provides tables, grills, water and latrines. A picnic
shelterhouse is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Trails and Interpretive Area
Miles of hiking trails invite visitors to enjoy the
solitude of the forest. The Lakeview Trail, Woodchuck Nature Trail,
Hawthorn Trail and Hawk Trail lead to natural treasures and provide
opportunities for nature study, birdwatching and wildlife observation.
Barkcamp's bridle trail meanders along the entire lakeshore affording a
pleasant day's ride. A special paved trail winds through the pioneer
village, enters the adjoining mature woodlands and provides access to the
Antique Barn. Interpretive signs are placed along the route explaining the
cultural and natural history of the park.
In the camp area, a bit of American history is preserved. The Antique Barn
was built in the 1800s by Solomon Bentley, an orchardman of renown. One
variety of apple that he marketed was the "Bentley Sweet." The
barn is now home to summer naturalist activities and historical displays.
A resurrected log cabin and other pioneer structures near the barn take
visitors back to an even earlier era.
Area Attractions
The rich history of the Barkcamp area can be
experienced at the Belmont
County Museum on State Route 800 in Barnesville. This spectacular
Romanesque-style mansion was built in 1888 and has 26 rooms. The museum
houses a quilt collection, a collection of antique farm implements and
many other interesting relics of the "Gay 90's" period. The
museum is open May through October.
The Friends Meeting
House, operated by the Ohio Historical Society and located in Mount
Pleasant, is a restored meeting place of early Quakers. Built in 1914, it
was one of the largest in the United States.
Dysart
Woods, a state nature preserve managed by Ohio University, preserves a
50-acre tract of virgin oak forest. It is the largest known remnant of the
original southeastern Ohio forest. Many of the trees are over 300 years
old, more than four feet in diameter and more than 140 feet tall. Dysart
Woods is south of the park off State Route 147. |
