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Harrison Lake State Park
Route #1
Fayette, OH 43521
(419) 237-2593
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| Activity |
Facilities |
Quantity |
Fees |
| Resource |
Land,
acres |
142 |
 |
|
Water,
acres |
105 |
|
| Activities |
Fishing |
yes |
|
|
Hiking
Trail, miles |
4.2 |
|
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Picnicking |
yes |
|
|
Picnic
Shelters, # |
2 |
|
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Swimming
Beach, feet |
150 |
|
|
Nature
Center |
yes |
|
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Summer
Nature Programs |
yes |
|
| Boating |
Boating
Limits |
EMO |
|
|
Launch
Ramps, # |
1 |
|
| Winter
Rec |
Sledding |
yes |
|
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Cross-Country
Skiing |
yes |
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Ice
Fishing |
yes |
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| Camping |
Campsites,
# |
199 |
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Campsites
with Elec., # |
144 |
|
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Pets
Permitted |
yes |
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Showers |
yes |
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Flush
Toilets |
yes |
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Dumpstation |
yes |
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Youth
Group Camp, capacity |
50 |
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Rent-A-Camp
sites, # |
3 |
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In the midst of endless field of corn and soybeans
stands 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.
Nature of the Area
The area comprising Harrison Lake State Park was at one
time part of a vast wetland. This mysterious area contained towering
trees, soggy black soil and was a haven for the swamp rattlesnake (or
massassauga, as it is also known). Very little remains of that once great
swamp, but the park still harbors unique natural features associated with
wetlands.
Great blue herons and common egrets can be sighted at the lake's shallow
western end. Numerous songbirds inhabit the park's meadows and woodlands
such as the vesper sparrow, common yellowthroat and brown thrasher.
Several species of reptiles and amphibians find the park's habitat
suitable. Box turtles, painted turtles, garter snakes, green frogs and
American toads are found here. Small mammals such as red fox, raccoon,
skunk and the uncommon thirteen-lined ground squirrel are frequently seen.
History of the Area
Originally, Lake Erie was much larger than it is
today--stretching from western New York to Fort Wayne, Indiana. The
Harrison Lake region was at that time under the waters of Lake Erie. As
Lake Erie receded to its present size, the area formerly under water
reverted to swamplands. This swamp (120 miles long and 30 to 40 miles
wide) became known as the Great Black Swamp due to the color of the soil
and dark shade beneath the giant trees.
 For many years, the
swamp was a tremendous barrier to western settlement. Most settlers
avoided the area, traveling around the swamp via Lake Erie to reach
southern Michigan. The Ottawa Indians settled only near the well-drained
lands beside the Maumee River and its tributaries. The swamp was the last
area to be settled in Ohio. It served as a reservation for Indians until
they were forced out in 1842. It was not until the development of soil
drainage techniques in the 1850s that large numbers of settlers moved
here.
Even today, northwestern Ohio remains one of the most sparsely populated
regions of the state, although it is one of Ohio's richest agricultural
regions.
In 1836, the United States Congress and the Ohio Legislature finally
settled a 10-year argument with the state of Michigan as to the location
of the Ohio-Michigan border. For years, both states claimed ownership of a
strip of land 11 miles wide that extended from the mouth of the Maumee
River near Toledo to the Ohio border with Indiana. Today's Ohio-Michigan
boundary is the one agreed upon in 1836. Had Congress favored Michigan's
claim in that year, Harrison Lake State Park may have become a Michigan
State Park!
In 1941, a dam over Mill Creek was completed and Harrison Lake was
created. The lake and surrounding area were maintained primarily for
hunting and fishing purposes until 1950 when Harrison Lake was established
as a state park and development for additional recreational usage began.
Camping
The campground at Harrison Lake has 193 campsites of
which 126 have electricity. The campground features showers, flush
toilets, a dump station and sites designated for campers with pets. A
group camp area with a 50-person capacity is available for organized youth
groups on a reservation basis. Three Rent-A-Camp sites consisting of a
tent, sheltered picnic table, cooler, cookstove and other equipment can be
rented during the summer months by reservation.
Boating
Non-powered watercraft and boats with electric motors
only are permitted on the lake. A launch ramp provides access to the lake.
Fishing
Good catches of largemouth and smallmouth bass,
crappie, bluegill, bullhead catfish, northern pike and carp can be taken
from Harrison Lake. A valid Ohio fishing license is required.
Swimming
A fine swimming beach provides recreation for swimmers
and sunbathers.
Picnicking
Several quiet picnic areas are located in scenic areas
of the park. Two shelter houses are available on a first-come,
first-served basis or may be reserved with a deposit.
Trails
A 3.5-mile hiking trail circles the lake and provides
the opportunity to explore the scenic lakeshore and woodlands.
Area Attractions
The Sauder Museum, Farm and Craft Village, just east of
the intersection of S.R. 66 and S.R. 2 near Archbold, is a colorful
reminder of the life in early Ohio. The 15-acre complex includes an 1860s
home and barnyard, the Craft Village where talented artisans display their
skills, and a museum displaying antique tools and farm implements. The
restored barn on the premises houses a restaurant featuring country-style
cooking.
Goll Woods State Nature Preserve, three miles northwest of Archbold, is
one of the finest remaining examples of the Black Swamp forest. Some of
the ancient oak trees are more than four feet in diameter and tower over
the native shrubs and wildflowers found here. Nature photographers,
birdwatchers and wildflower lovers will delight in the natural diversity
that makes Goll Woods so unique.
The Fulton County Historical Society operates a museum at 229 Monroe
Street in Wauseon. The museum, which illustrates the history of the Fulton
County area is open Sunday afternoons without charge. Also located in
Wauseon, in the city cemetery, is a memorial to the pioneering race car
driver Barney Oldfield.
Maumee Bay State Park, east of Toledo, offers additional recreational
opportunities with a resort lodge, cabins, Scottish-style golf course and
campground.
Directions
From Cleveland, Ohio:
Take the turnpike to Exit 3, take 108 North to U.S. 20
Take a left on U.S. 20 through Fayette to County Road 27
Turn left and go 2 miles to the park
From Columbus, Ohio:
Take Route 23 North to 15 & 75 to Route 6.
Route 6 West to State Route 66 North.
Stay on 66 North to County Road M. 2 miles to South entrance of the park
From Cincinnati, Ohio:
Take Route 75 to Route 30 to Route 127.
Take Route 127 North through Bryan and West Unity.
North on 127 to Williams County Rd O. 2 1&Mac218;2 miles West of
Fayette on U.S. 20 to County Road 27.
Left (South) to County Road MN, Left to entrance
From Wauseon, Ohio:
Take 20A to Route 66, North on 66 to County Road M.
West on County Road M to South entrance of the park |
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