Facilities and Activities:
| General | Land, acres | 1910 | | | Water, acres | 2120 | | | Nearby Wildlife Area, acres | 284 | | Day-Use | Fishing | yes | | | Hunting | yes | | | Hiking Trail, miles | 9.5 | | | Picnicking | yes | | | Picnic Shelters, # | 2 | | | Swimming Beach, feet | 2400 | | | Bridle Trails, miles | 10 | | | Beach Concession | yes | | | Nature Center | yes | | | Nature Programs | yes | | Boating | Boating Limits | -2 | | | Seasonal Dock Rental | 186 | | | Launch Ramps, # | 1 | | | Fuel For Sale | yes | | Camping | Electric Sites, # | 89 | | | Pets Permitted | yes | | | Flush Toilets | yes | | | Dumpstation | yes | | | Showers | yes | | Winter | Sledding | yes | | | Cross-Country Skiing | yes | | | Snowmobiling | yes | | | Ice Fishing | yes | | Accommodations | Family Cottages, # | 26 |
State Park Location Maps:
(click here to zoom and navigate local map)
(click here to zoom and navigate regional map)
View TOPO Maps!
State Park Photo Gallery:
volunteer positions open
State Park Event Calendar:
volunteer positions open
Nearby Parks:
Cedar Bog State Nature Preserve
John Bryan State Park
Williamson Mound State Memorial
Little Miami State Forest Preserve
Kiser Lake State Park
Beaver Creek State Wildlife Area
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| State Park Overview: |
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Buck Creek State Park lies in a fertile agricultural area, rich in
Ohio's history. The park's recreational facilities center around the
2,120-acre lake, offering endless water-related opportunities.
Visitors enjoy the many wetlands, broad meadows and wildlife at
this diverse park. |
| Nature of the Area: |
| The natural features of Buck Creek State Park can be attributed
to the effects of glaciers which receded from Ohio over 12,000
years ago. Low hills called moraines can be seen in the area
where glaciers halted for extended periods of time and left
deposits of gravel and sand. Old river valleys were filled by these
deposits where numerous springs now well up through the sand
and gravel. The nearby city of Springfield is named for the
many springs seeping up from the broad meadows. The springs
account for the many bogs and fens in Clark and Champaign
counties of which Cedar Bog is probably the best known.
These wet areas harbor an assortment of rare and unusual plants
including round-leaved sundew and horned bladderwort. The
spotted turtle, a state endangered animal, is found in the area.
The northernmost region of the park is an excellent area to
observe waterfowl. The shallow waters provide a stopover for
thousands of migrating ducks. Relatively rare songbirds of open
meadows are also present including dickcissels, bobolinks and
Henslow sparrows. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
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a great place to get away
my family and i stayed at cabin 17 . It was great. Peaceful, friendly people,beautiful surroundings and great fishing. The cottages are reasonably priced, air conditioned with comfortable beds. Just like a hotel,but better!
Written by jackie
21-Jun-2008
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| Camping: |
| This modern campground has 101 campsites of which 89 have electricity. Campground facilities include showers, flush toilets
and dump station. Campers with pets may camp on designated sites. |
| Picnicking: |
| Picnic areas provide tables and grills in scenic locations. Two picnic shelters are available on a first-come, first-served basis. |
| Boating: |
| Boating with unlimited horsepower is permitted on the 2,120-acre lake. A four-lane launch ramp provides access to the lake.
A marina provides fuel, snack bar, and bait shop. |
| Swimming: |
| Sunbathers and swimmers enjoy the 2,400-foot sand beach. A
concession stand is located at the beach. |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| Fishermen enjoy fine catches of walleye, bass and pan fish. A
fishing pier is open to the public and is wheelchair accessible.
Hunting is permitted in designated areas. A valid Ohio hunting
and/or fishing license is required. |
| History of the Area: |
| Buck Creek was home to Indians and pioneers. The land at the
time of early settlement was mostly forested by large trees with
minimal undergrowth. Occasionally, the forests were interrupted by prairie openings.
In 1780, George Rogers Clark, a Revolutionary war hero, led a band of nearly 1,000 Kentuckians in a raid against Ohio
Indians. The Shawnee Indians abandoned their camp which they called Old Chillicothe (near Xenia) and fled to Piqua, the
Shawnee capital, located west of the present site of Springfield. Clark pursued the fleeing Indians, and the Shawnee were
defeated at the Battle of Piqua. Most of the Indians, however, had dispersed into the woodlands. One Indian hiding in the
woods was the young Tecumseh, who vowed to avenge the attack. Following the battle, Clark's men retreated to their homes
in Kentucky and the Indians moved north. A new Piqua was erected on the banks of the Miami River. This battle put a
temporary end to Indian warfare.
With the decline of Indian threat, settlers moved into the area. In
1799, legendary frontiersman Simon Kenton settled in the
region with six other Kentucky families. The group lived near the
confluence of Buck Creek and Mad River. After two years, the
settlers moved to different areas. Kenton established a home
along Buck Creek about four miles north of present Springfield.
Settlement brought change to the area as trees were cut to
construct buildings. Acres were cleared and farm crops were
planted. The settlers found the land extremely fertile.
The community of Springfield was founded in 1801 and has
served since then as the county seat of Clark County. In 1838, the
National Road (U.S. 40) reached Springfield and this opened
new markets for manufacturing and agriculture. Over the years,
Springfield's character changed from rural to industrial. By 1880, the community led the nation in the manufacturing of
agricultural implements.
In September 1966, work was started by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to impound Buck Creek as a flood control project.
In 1974, the Clarence J. Brown Dam and Reservoir were dedicated and an agreement gave the Ohio Department of Natural
Resources the operation of much of the area. Buck Creek State Park was officially opened in June 1975. |
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| | Note to Park related businesses:
List your vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental or any other park related activity, park related attraction or park related service on Google or StateParks.com. (more).... |
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| Related Links: |
| New Trails This Year in the Miami Valley - Two Wheels, One Voice. New Bike Trails In the Miami Valley. Progress in 2000. See Also. Progress in 1998. Progress in 1999. Piqua Bike Construction The city of Piqua (Miami County) recently... | | Trail News - Two Wheels, One Voice. Trail News. April 2001. Ground Breaking for Simon Kenton Trail The event was Saturday 14 April, 2001 at the Cedar Bog in Champaign County. The first phase of the trail... | | RBA - Back To Information Center. 19, 2002: Go to Archive. If you have unusual bird sightings to report click below and send us an e-mail: mailto:shtnorth@netwalk.com. Now that ODNR has decided that... | | Horse & Mule Trail Guide USA: Trails, Campgrounds, Overnight in Ohio - This page is for the state of Ohio and is a subpage of Horse Mule Trail Guide USA. ... Theresa M Burke, DVM Click here Buck Creek State Park Buck Creek State Park, near Springfield, off Grant Street, ... | | Statewide Ohio bird sightings during May-June 2000 - Statewide Ohio bird sightings in Summer 2000. | | Statewide Ohio bird sightings in May 1999 - Statewide Ohio bird sightings May 1999 | | Little Miami Scenic Trail - Little Miami Scenic Trail A Multi-purpose Trail. Little Miami Scenic Trail. Connections. Trail Etiquette. Tips for a Safe Visit. History of the Railroad. Map (to download and print) Little Miami... | | Special Events - National Trail Parks Recreation Special Events | | Clifton Gorge Nature Preserve - Area Attractions. Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve is located adjacent to the park. The preserve contains many outstanding geological and botanical features for visitors to enjoy. Within a... | | Flood Control - Flood Control & Reservoir Information. CURRENT DAILY LAKE INFORMATION Louisville District Lake Report. LOCATION. The C. J. Brown Dam and Reservoir is located on the northeastern corner of... | | C. J. Brown Dam & Reservoir Home Page - C. J. Brown Dam & Reservoir Home Page. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, welcomes you to C. J. Brown Dam and Reservoir. The lake is located in west central Ohio, 5 miles... |
| Area Attractions: |
| The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages a visitor center and recreational site near the dam. The center provides displays,
programs and dam operation tours. Hiking, picnicking and fishing are available. Nearby Kiser Lake, John Bryan and Madison
Lake offer camping and other recreational opportunities. Cedar Bog State Nature Preserve, a unique area of unusual flora
and fauna, is operated by the Ohio Historical Society. Located between Urbana and Springfield, the area is open
April-September for tours on Saturday and Sunday. Clark County Historical Society maintains the Crabill House on park land.
Once the home of David Crabill, an early settler, the building has been totally restored. Listed on the National Register of
Historic Places, the brick home can now be toured.
Several other state nature preserves in the area are accessible by written permit only. Contact the chief of the ODNR Division
of Natural Areas and Preserves to visit Liberty Fen, Prairie Road Fen, Siegenthaler Esker or Kiser Lake Wetlands. |
| Area Campgrounds | | Hidden Valley Lake
550 Baird Ave Se
Paris, OH
(330) 862-3316
| Meadow Lake Campground
4739 Woodville Pike
Urbana, OH
(937) 652-3400
| Bass Lake Campground & BL Gap
756 Hilliard St
Springfield, OH
(937) 323-2981
| Enon Beach Recreation Park
2401 Enon Rd
Springfield, OH
(937) 882-6431
| Buck Creek State Park
1901 Buck Creek LN
Springfield, OH
(937) 322-5284
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| | Area Fishing Related Businesses | | Bill's Trout Lake
7745 Agenbroad Rd
New Carlisle, OH
(937) 845-9601
| Forest Lake
2365 W 1st St
Springfield, OH
(937) 323-4266
| C & J Bait & Tackle
2462 Mechanicsburg Rd
Springfield, OH
(937) 390-9879
| Beaver Lake
1550 Pumphouse Rd
Springfield, OH
(937) 324-1891
| Bidwell Bait & Tackle
14489 State Route 554
Springfield, OH
(740) 388-8122
| REI Lakes Fishing & Campground
3815 Crabill Rd
Mechanicsburg, OH
Unverified listing
| Crawdaddy's Outdoor Store
State Rote 235 & U S
New Carlisle, OH
(937) 845-3239
| Gibson's Carry Out & Drive
1815 Columbus Ave
Springfield, OH
(937) 322-6181
| Scottys Party Dock & Bait Shop
35 N Dayton Lakeview Rd
New Carlisle, OH
(937) 845-2248
| Scotty's Party Dock & Bait Shop
State Rote 235 & U S
New Carlisle, OH
(937) 845-2248
| Elm Valley Fishing Club
5118 S Dayton Brandt Rd
New Carlisle, OH
(937) 845-0584
| Waterscape Sport Fishing Club
340 Central Ave
Carlisle, OH
(937) 271-3735
| J & S Bait & Etc
723 W Light St
Urbana, OH
(937) 484-5263
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| | Area Resorts and Lodging | | Courtyard By Marriott Hotel
100 S Fountain Ave
Springfield, OH
(937) 322-3600
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| Directions: |
| From Cleveland, Ohio: I-71 South to I-270 South, I-270 South to I-70 West, I-70 West to Exit #62 to Route 40 West, 3 miles to first traffic light, right on North Bird Road to Buck Creek Lane. 178 milesFrom Columbus, Ohio: I-70 West to Exit #62 to Route 40 West, 3 miles to first traffic light, right on North Bird Road to Buck Creek Lane. 48 miles.From Cincinnati, Ohio: 75 North to 675 North to I-70 East, follow to Exit #62 to Route 40 West, 3 miles to first traffic light, right on North Bird Road to Buck Creek Lane. 77 miles.From Toledo, Ohio: I-75 South to I-70 East, Exit #62, go West on Route 40, 3 miles to first traffic light, right on North Bird Road to Buck Creek Lane. 120 miles.From Springfield, Ohio: Follow Route 40 East to North Bird Road, turn North on North Bird Road to Buck Creek Lane. 5 miles from downtown Springfield. |
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