|
| Activity |
Facilities |
Quantity |
Fees |
| Resource |
Land,
acres |
8420 |
 |
|
Water,
acres |
2160 |
|
|
Nearby
Wildlife Area |
yes |
|
| Day-Use
Activities |
Fishing |
yes |
|
|
Hunting |
yes |
|
|
Hiking
Trail, miles |
85 |
|
|
Bridle
Trails, miles |
55 |
|
|
Backpack
Trails, miles |
46 |
|
|
Mountain
Bike Trail, miles |
5 |
|
|
Picnicking |
yes |
|
|
Picnic
Shelters, # |
5 |
|
|
Swimming
Beach, feet |
1200 |
|
|
Beach
Vending |
yes |
|
|
Summer
Nature Program |
yes |
|
| Boating |
Boating
Limits |
UNL |
|
|
Launch
Ramps, # |
5 |
|
| Winter
Recreation |
Sledding |
yes |
|
|
Ice
Skating |
yes |
|
|
Ice
Fishing |
yes |
|
|
Cross-Country
Skiing |
yes |
|
| Camping |
Campsites,
# |
416 |
|
|
Campsites
with Elec., # |
416 |
|
|
Pet
Area |
yes |
|
|
Campground
Beach |
yes |
|
|
Showers |
yes |
|
|
Flush
Toilets |
yes |
|
|
Dumpstation |
yes |
|
|
Horseman's
Campsites, # |
17 |
|
|
Rent-A-Camp
Sites, # |
6 |
|
|
Rent-A-RV,
units |
6 |
|
|
Backcountry
Sites |
4 |
|
One of Ohio's largest state parks, 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.
Nature of the Area
Clermont County's rolling hills and meandering river valleys provide a
colorful backdrop for spacious East Fork State Park. Shaped by the forces
of the Illinoian and Wisconsinan glaciers, the East Fork region is
characterized by beautiful hill country scenery and is noted for the
occurrence of remnant prairie habitats. Illinoian glacial deposits are not
common in Ohio but can be observed at East Fork and the surrounding area.
East Fork's diverse landscape includes dry-forested hills, rocky cascades,
abandoned farmlands, thickly grown floodplains, marshy grasslands and
swamp forests. This diversity lends well to an abundance of plant and
animal life. Woodlands are composed of beech, sugar maple, red and white
oak, shagbark hickory, and wild black cherry. The swamp forests contain
silver maple, American elm, sycamore, and black gum. The meadows and
remnant prairies contain big bluestem grass and purple coneflower among
others.
Animals of the area include eastern plains garter snake, fence lizard, red
fox, deer, raccoon, Canada geese, song sparrow, eastern meadowlark, and
the barn swallow.
History of the Area
The Little Miami River basin in which East Fork State Park is situated has
been home to many generations of man, dating back to nearly 3,000 years
ago. Moundbuilders, the Adena and Hopewell Indians, occupied this area.
The mound near Elklick Road is thought to have been built by the Adena.
The Erie Indians also lived here much later, though by 1655 this nation
was completely destroyed by the powerful Iroquois. The area was virtually
uninhabited through the remainder of the 17th century.
As the new state of Ohio began to be settled in the early 19th century,
the East Fork region attracted settlers from the east. Grist mills,
sawmills, blacksmith shops, tanneries and stagecoach depots were among the
early commercial activities.
In 1869, two gold mines operated in the vicinity. One mine was located
near Elklick and consisted of a flume for washing gravel containing flakes
of gold. The mine near Twin Bridges tunnelled underground to reach gold
deposits encased in bedrock.
Not far from the present park office, the "Old Bethel Church" on
Elklick Road dates from 1867. It occupies the site of a log church built
about 1807 by Reverend John Collins. Some of the hand-hewn timbers secured
with wooden pegs and hand-forged nails used to construct the 1818 church
are still present in the existing church.
More recently, the area has taken on a new appearance due to the creation
of East Fork Reservoir in 1978. As part of the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers flood control program, East Fork Lake and the surrounding region
comprise one of southwestern Ohio's largest recreational areas.
Camping
East Fork has one of the largest camping areas in the state with 416
sites. The campground offers electrical hookups, showers, drinking water,
camper's beach, flush toilets and boat ramps. Pets are permitted in
designated areas. A 17-site horsemen's camp is available as well. Six
Rent-A-Camp units consisting of a tent, dining fly, cooler, cook stove and
other equipment can be rented during the summer months. Six Rent-A-RV
units are also available.
Sponsor:
Indian Creek Camping
Resort
Tents to BIG RIGS welcome - stay by the day, week, month or year.
Ultra modern restrooms and showers. Security gates, coin-op
laundries and heated pools. Adult and Family Heated Pools. Farones
Restaurant and Step Above Lounge Full Service Bar with
entertainment and more Geneva on the Lake, OHIO
Ratings and Affiliations: Woodall's 5W / 5W Trailer Life 9 / 10 / 10
Wheeler's ***** / Ohio Campground Owners - National ARVC Year Round
Dates of operation |
Trails
For the hiker and backpacker, the 12-mile Backpack Trail tranverses many
scenic park areas. In addition, the 37-mile Steven Newman Worldwalker
Perimeter Trail circles the park and is available for hikers, backpackers,
and horsemen. Four primitive campsites are located along these trails.
Permits for their use are available through the park office. For those
less adventuresome, shorter trails are easily accessible. A 5-mile
mountain bike trail begins just west of the park entrance on S.R. 125.
Boating
Those who enjoy water sports will find East Fork Lake very accommodating.
There are 2,160 acres of water and unlimited horsepower boating with
access available at five launch ramps.
Hunting and Fishing
The lake offers quality fishing with excellent catches of largemouth and
smallmouth bass, bluegill, and crappie. For the sport fisherman, East Fork
is stocked with the Hybrid Striper. Hunting is permitted in designated
areas only. Valid Ohio hunting and fishing licenses are required.
Picnicking
Picnic areas with tables, grills and drinking water are located around the
park. Two picnic shelters are available on a first-come, first-served
basis.
Swimming
A 1,200-foot swimming beach with a concession and picnic area provides the
perfect setting for a fun family outing.
Expanded Information
East Fork State Park is leased from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District at William H. Harsha
Lake provides plenty of information to make your visit more enjoyable.
Area Attractions
Overlooking the Ohio River, the town of Point Pleasant is birthplace of
President Ulysses S. Grant. The one-room cottage where the 18th President
of the United States was born is located at U.S. 52 and S.R. 232 just
south of East Fork.
Stonelick State Park is located to the north of East Fork at S.R. 727 and
133. Camping, fishing, hiking and swimming are just a few of the
activities available at Stonelick.
East Fork's close proximity to the city of Cincinnati makes it easy to
combine the best of the outdoor life with the many activities available in
the "Queen City." Major sporting events, fine dining, shopping,
many cultural events and festivities invite the park's visitors to spend a
day in this bustling urban area. For more information, contact the
Clermont County Convention and Visitors Bureau at (513) 753-7211.
Directions
From Cleveland, Ohio:
I-71 South to I-275 East at Cincinnati. I-275 East East to Exit #63 (
State Route 32), East- Batavia (Campground) or Exit #65, Beechmont Avenue
East- Amelia ( Day Use) Come East 11 miles and follow signs.
From Columbus, Ohio:
I-71 South to I-275 East at Cincinnati. I-275 East to Exit 63 (State Route
32), East- Batavia (Campground) or Exit #65, Beechmont Avenue East- Amelia
(Day Use), come East 11 miles and follow the signs.
From Cincinnati, Ohio:
From Downtown: take I-471 South into Kentucky to I-275 East. I-275 East to
Exit #65, Beechmont Avenue East - Amelia ( Day Use) or Exit #63
From Toledo, Ohio:
I-75 South to I-275 East at Cincinnati. I-275 East to Exit #63 ( State
Route 32), East- Batavia (Campground) or Exit #65, Beechmont Avenue East-
Amelia ( Day Use) Come East 11 miles and follow signs.
From Lexington, KY:
I-75 North, to I-275 East (Near Erlanger, KY) to Exit #65, S.R. 125 -
Beechmont Avenue East- Amelia ( Day Use) or Exit 63, S.R. 32 - East
Batavai (campground). Come East 11 miles and follow signs.
|
