Pike Lake State Park is located in the midst of the scenic wooded
hills of southern Ohio. The small lake and surrounding state forest contribute to the
park's rustic charm.
Nature of the Area
The Pike Lake region is located in the unglaciated portion of the
Appalachian plateau in Ohio. As the Appalachian Mountains were uplifted, this plateau was
created west of the new mountain range. The plateau marks the boundary between the hilly
eastern section of Ohio and the flatter western portions. Just thirty miles west of Pike
Lake, the terrain changes dramatically from forested hills to rolling farmland.
The landscape of Pike Lake is characterized by dense forests of oak,
hickory, tulip, ash and other hardwoods. Several outcroppings of the sandstone bedrock
have been exposed in the park.
The dense forest and remote location of Pike Lake create excellent
habitat for Ohio's forest game animals. White-tailed deer, ruffed grouse, gray squirrel,
rabbit and the elusive wild turkey are abundant. Other mammals in the park include skunk,
opossum, raccoon and red fox. Reptiles include the box turtle, black snake, five-lined
skink and the endangered timber rattlesnake.
The forest is known for its variety of ferns, mosses, lichens and
fungi. The wildflowers are diverse, creating spectacular displays--spring through autumn.
History of the Area
Pike County is located in an area that has many earthworks
constructed by Ohio's prehistoric people. These "first citizens" of Ohio lived
in the Scioto River Valley and its tributaries, appearing here sometime around 800 B.C.
The Moundbuilders eventually gave rise to the woodland Indian cultures--the first white
settlers encountered. One tribe, the Shawnee, made this area their home and hunting
grounds. They were fiercely protective of their land.
Nearby Chillicothe, the first capital of Ohio, spurred early
settlement in the area. Some of the early, historic buildings still stand. Just south of
the park is "Eagers Inn" built in 1797. The inn was constructed on a trace that
ran from Limestone, Kentucky to Chillicothe. Limestone (now called Maysville) was an
important crossing on the Ohio River. Many settlers from Kentucky followed this passage on
their way to the frontier.
During the Civil War, only one advance was ever made by the
Confederate Army into Ohio. General John H. Morgan crossed the Ohio River into Indiana,
then rode with his cavalry into Ohio north of Cincinnati. "Morgan's Raiders"
traversed the southern portion of the state, passing near present-day Pike Lake State
Park. Eventually, he and many of his men were captured in southwestern Columbiana County
near Salineville. Less than five months later, General John Morgan and six of his men
escaped from the Ohio Penitentiary and returned to the Confederacy.
Also during this historic period, the family who farmed this valley
found a wounded soldier collapsed in their field. The unconscious union soldier never
revived. His name, unit or hometown were never known. Today, a solitary headstone below
the dam at the base of a large oak tree marks the grave of this casualty from a tragic
war.
The present park first began to take shape during the Civilian
Conservation Corps (CCC) days of the 1930s. One of the Ohio camps was established near the
future site of Pike Lake at Morgantown. Corpsmembers dug the lake by hand, built two or
three fire towers in the area, constructed the roads to make them accessible and planted
hundreds of pine trees. Pike Lake was originally a state forest park, but with the
formation of the Division of Parks and Recreation in 1949, it became an official state
park that year.
Camping
The campground at Pike Lake features 101 sites with electricity.
Latrines, dump station, tables, fire rings and camp commissary are provided. Campers with
pets are permitted on designated sites. A group camp that can accommodate sixty people is
available by reservation.
Cabins
The park features thirteen standard cabins and twelve family cabins.
Family cabins sleep six people, are heated for year-round use, have two bedrooms, bath
with shower, living room with sofabed, kitchen/dining area and screened porch. Standard
cabins are available during the summer months only. Each standard cabin sleeps from four
to six people and has a dining area, kitchen and bath. Dishes and kitchen utensils are
furnished in both the family and standard cabins. A group cabin is available that
accommodates twenty people.
Fishing and Hunting
The small 13-acre lake in the park offers good catches of largemouth
bass, channel catfish, bullheads, bluegill and crappie. Hunting is permitted in the
adjacent state forest. A valid Ohio fishing and/or hunting license is required.
Swimming
A beautiful sand beach and a dock is provided for swimmers. Changing
areas, showers and a beach concession contribute to the appeal of this swimming area.
Boating
Non-powered watercraft and boats with electric motors only (up to
4-1/2 horsepower) are permitted on the lake. Rowboats are available for rent.
Picnicking
Several picnic areas are located in scenic locations around the
park. Grills and tables are provided.
Trails
Six miles of hiking trails provide strenuous and/or casual walks to
scenic locations. The adjacent state forest has several miles of bridle trails. Horses are
not provided by the park or forest.
Area Attractions
The nearby town of Bainbridge is the starting point for the Paint
Valley Skyline Drives, a series of four scenic tours of points of interest in the area.
One of these tours passes through the state park.
The Division of Wildlife manages the Kincaid Fish Hatchery along
S.R. 124. The hatchery originally began as a bass farm in 1935. Now, muskellunge are also
raised for stocking the state lakes.
Lake White State Park and Paint Creek State Park are a short
distance away.
