Facilities and Activities:
| General | Land, acres | 142 | | | Water, acres | 105 | | Day-Use | Fishing | yes | | | Hunting | yes | | | Hiking Trail, miles | 4.2 | | | Picnicking | yes | | | Picnic Shelters, # | 2 | | | Swimming Beach, feet | 150 | | | Nature Center | yes | | | Nature Programs | yes | | Boating | Boating Limits | -1 | | | Launch Ramps, # | 1 | | Camping | Primative, # | 55 | | | Electric Sites, # | 144 | | | Pets Permitted | yes | | | Flush Toilets | yes | | | Dumpstation | yes | | | Showers | yes | | | Youth Group Camp, capacity | 50 | | | Rent-A-Yurt, # | 3 | | Winter | Sledding | yes | | | Cross-Country Skiing | yes | | | Ice Fishing | yes |
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:
Chugach National Forest
Quail Creek State Park
Santa Rosa Lake State Park
Goose Creek State Park
John Mountain National Recreation Trail
Ed Jenkins National Recreation Area
Deer Mountain National Recreation Trail
Barkcamp State Park
Buckeye Lake State Park
Deer Creek State Park
Beaver Creek State Park
Caesar Creek State Park
Lake Milton State Park
Delaware State Park
Marblehead Lighthouse State Park
Mary Jane Thurston State Park
Mohican State Park
Mosquito Lake State Park
Pike Lake State Park
Salt Fork State Park
Scioto Trail State Park
Tar Hollow State Park
|
|
| State Park Overview: |
 | n 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. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
|
|
best state to camp
Written by bob
15-May-2008
| |
|
clean, lots to do, friendly staff
excellent state park for rving
Written by kennyh
13-Jun-2008
| |
|
|
| 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. |
| Trails: |
| A 3.5-mile hiking trail circles the lake and provides the opportunity to explore the scenic lakeshore and woodlands. |
| 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. |
| Boating: |
| Non-powered watercraft and boats with electric motors only are permitted on the lake. A launch ramp provides access to the lake. |
| Swimming: |
| A fine swimming beach provides recreation for swimmers and sunbathers. |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| |
|
| |
| | 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).... |
|
| Related Links: |
| 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. 20Take a left on U.S. 20 through Fayette to County Road 27Turn left and go 2 miles to the parkFrom 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 entranceFrom 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 |
| |
| |
| Area Activities |
| Tourism | | Hocking Hills Internet Guide - hockinghills.com - Offical Guide to Southeastern Ohio's Scenic Wonderland, the Hocking Hills. The 9 State Parks and State Forests. How to get there, things to do, interesting local merchants, what to see, places to stay. Reserve your cabin or campsite online! |
|
|
|
| |
|
USA
