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Indian Lake State Park
c/o12774 State Route 235 N
Lakeview, OH 43331
(937) 843-2717 Park Office
(937) 843-3553 Campground
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| Recreation |
Facilities |
Quantity |
| Resource |
Land,
acres |
778 |
 |
Water,
acres |
5800 |
| Day-Use
Activities |
Fishing |
yes |
|
Hunting |
yes |
|
Hiking
Trail, miles |
7 |
|
Picnicking |
yes |
|
Picnic
Shelter, # |
5 |
|
Swimming
Beach, feet |
1400 |
|
Summer
Nature Programs |
yes |
|
Nature
Center |
yes |
| Boating |
Boating
Limits |
UNL |
|
Seasonal
Dock Rental, # |
510 |
|
Launch
Ramps, # |
4 |
| Winter
Recreation |
Snowmobiling |
yes |
|
Ice
Skating |
yes |
|
Cross-Country
Skiing |
yes |
|
Ice
Fishing |
yes |
|
Ice
Boating |
yes |
| Camping |
Campsites,
# |
443 |
|
Campsites
with Elec., # |
370 |
|
Pet
Area |
yes |
|
Campground
Beach |
yes |
|
Showers |
yes |
|
Flush
Toilets |
yes |
|
Dump
Station |
yes |
|
Camp
Commissary |
yes |
|
Group
Camp, capacity |
60 |
|
Rent-A-Campsites,
# |
1 |
|
Rent-A-Tepee,
# |
2 |
|
Camper
Cabin, # |
1 |
Indian Lake offers a diversity of water-related
recreational opportunities. Boating, fishing, skiing and camping are
highlights of this multi-use park.
Nature of the Area
The region of Indian Lake was originally a cluster of natural lakes
situated on the Miami River. As the continental glaciers left Ohio, chunks
of ice broke free, melted, and formed water-filled depressions called
kettle lakes. The resultant shallow, marshy, natural lakes in this region
covered an area of 640 acres. Among these were Old Indian Lake, Otter
Lake, Blake Lake, Sheep Pen Lake and the Buck Wheat Patch.
The present and much larger lake lies along one of the country's major
avian migration routes. Indian Lake is an important resting stop for birds
such as Canada geese, ducks, grebes, swans, egrets and herons. Many stay
over the summer to nest. Bald eagles once nested in the area but are no
longer found here.
History of the Area
Early American history tells of the Indian tribes who lived and hunted in
this region. Because of its close proximity to the Miami River, Indian
Lake became part of the Indian trade route linking the Ohio River to Lake
Erie. Generations of native Americans followed this route and occupied
villages in the vicinity. By the early 1800s, white settlers made their
way here and the history books record many accounts of skirmishes and
battles resulting from the conflict between the Indians and new settlers.
The famous frontiersmen Daniel Boone and Simon Kenton were known to have
traveled here.
Despite Indian Lake's popularity as a year-round recreational area, the
lake was not originally constructed with that purpose in mind. In the
early 1800s, the primary means of commercial transportation was the canal
system. Old Indian Lake was built in 1851 as a feeder lake for the Miami
and Erie Canal to maintain the required four-foot water depth.
Following the passage of a resolution by the Ohio General Assembly in 1850
to use Indian Lake as a water supply for the canal, a bulkhead was built
in Washington Township where the Great Miami River began and covered 1,000
acres. The work began in 1851 and was not completed until 1860. The total
cost up to that time was $340,000. Irish laborers performed the work with
picks, shovels and carts. Ironically, use of the canal system was
declining as work on Indian Lake was completed. In 1893, Indian Lake or
Lewistown Reservoir as it was then called, spanned 6,334 acres with 29
miles of shoreline. On April 9, 1898, the Ohio General Assembly dedicated
the lake as a recreation area by the name of Indian Lake.
Indian Lake became a popular resort area at the turn of the century due to
its central location on the old Toledo and Ohio Central Steamline and the
Ohio Electric Railway. At one time, Indian Lake was known as the
"Midwest's Million Dollar Playground." In 1949, the old
Department of Conservation was abolished and Indian Lake became part of
the newly-created Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and
Recreation.
Camping
There are 443 family campsites suitable for tents or trailers on the
northwest section of the lakeshore. The scenic campground offers electric
hookups for most sites, heated shower houses, flush toilets, laundry
facility and camp commissary. A beach, boat ramp and boat docks are
provided for exclusive camper use. A limited number of pet camping sites
are available. The park's group camp area may be reserved by advanced
registration. Twenty boat camping spaces are also available. Two
Rent-A-Camp units consisting of a tent, dining fly, cooler, cook stove and
other equipment may be rented during the summer months. Two Rent-A-Tepee
units are also offered.
Boating
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.
Hunting and Fishing
Largemouth bass, saugeye, white bass, crappie, bluegill, walleye, yellow
perch and catfish are plentiful here. Hunting is permitted in designated
areas only. A valid Ohio hunting and/or fishing license is required.
Trails
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.
Swimming
Two public beaches, Old Field Beach and Fox Island Beach, invite swimmers
to relax in the cool waters of Indian Lake. A beach for camper use is
located near the campground. There are also four designated boat/swim
areas.
Picnicking
Picnickers may choose from a number of shaded areas equipped with tables
and grills. Five shelters may be reserved by calling the park office.
Area Attractions
Located six miles east of Bellefontaine on S.R. 540, Zane Caverns feature
illuminated two-level caves. The caves are known for the formation of
"cave pearls." Ohio Caverns, three miles east of West Liberty on
S.R. 245, is the largest of all Ohio caves. Exquisite crystal-white
stalactite/stalagmite formations are found in great profusion and artistic
settings. Both Zane Caverns and Ohio Caverns charge a small admission.
Mad River Mountain ski area is located five miles east of Bellefontaine on
U.S. 33. Horse rentals are available at Marmon Valley Farms on U.S. 33.
The Piatt Castles, Mac-A-Cheek and Mac-O-Chee, are located near West
Liberty on S.R. 245. Built by the Piatt family after the Civil War, the
houses are noted for their architecture, furnishings and collection of
Indian relics.
West of Indian Lake are Lake Loramie and Grand Lake St. Marys state parks.
Both feature camping and water related recreation. Northeast of the park
are Killdeer Plains and Big Island wildlife areas operated by the Division
of Wildlife. Both areas offer hunting and bird watching opportunities.
Gross Woods, a state nature preserve operated by the Division of Natural
Areas and Preserves, is one of the least disturbed woods in west-central
Ohio.
Directions
From Cleveland, Ohio:
Take I-71 South to State Route 36, Exit West towards Delaware.
Take State Route 36 to U.S. 33.
Take U.S. 33 to the park.
From Columbus, Ohio:
Take U.S. 33 from Columbus towards Marysville.
The park is about 1hour and 15 minutes Northwest on U.S. 33.
From Cincinnati, Ohio:
Take I-75 North to State Route 274.
Take 274 East through Jackson Center to State Route 235.
Turn left and take State Route 235 to the park.
From Toledo, Ohio:
Take I-75 South to U.S. 33.
Go East on U.S. 33 20 minutes to the lake area.
From Dayton, Ohio:
Take I-75 North to State Route 274.
Take 274 East to State Route 235.
Turn left and take State Route 235 to the park. |
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