Facilities and Activities:
| General | Land, acres | 290 | | | Water, acres | 60 | | | Nearby State Forest, acres | 2500 | | | Nearby Wildlife Area, acres | 1825 | | Day-Use | Fishing | yes | | | Hiking Trail, miles | 3 | | | Picnicking | yes | | | Picnic Shelters, # | 3 | | | Swimming Beach, feet | 550 | | | Beach Concession | yes | | | Nature Center | yes | | | Nature Programs | yes | | Boating | Boat Rental | yes | | | Boating Limits | -1 | | | Launch Ramps, # | 1 | | Camping | Primative, # | 9 | | | Electric Sites, # | 72 | | | Pets Permitted | yes | | | Dumpstation | yes | | | Camper Cabins, # | 1 | | | Group Camp, capacity | yes | | Winter | Sledding | yes | | | Cross-Country Skiing | yes | | | Ice Skating | 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:
Richland Furnace State Forest
Buckeye Furnace State Memorial
Leo Petroglyph State Memorial
Zaleski State Forest
Jackson Lake State Reserve
Lake Hope State Park
Tycoon Lake State Wildlife Area
Waterloo State Forest
Tar Hollow State Forest
|
|
| State Park Overview: |
 | In the midst of some of Ohio's most rugged, scenic territory lies Lake Alma State Park. A quiet lake and a gentle creek meandering through a wooded valley provide a restful setting for park visitors. |
| Nature of the Area: |
| Lake Alma lies nestled in the heart of the unglaciated hill country of Ohio. These hills are part of the Appalachian Highlands. Most of the rock layers are acidic sandstones, shales and coals with an occasional limestone member. Much time has passed since the region was first uplifted from the ancient sea that once covered Ohio--allowing for the development of many different habitats. Today, this region supports more than seventy percent of Ohio's remaining woodlands on only one-third of the state's land. Lake Alma contains a fine example of the second growth forest now covering this part of the state. In this area, the forest is mainly of a mixed oak composition.
With the advent of forest succession on surrounding farmlands, upswings in the population of deer, grouse, gray squirrel and other woodland species were encouraged. In the late 1950s, wild turkeys were reintroduced into this part of the state giving Vinton County the highest population of this species. Other valuable resources found at Lake Alma include a vast array of woodland wildflowers such as large-flowered trillium, wild geranium and hepatica. The forest floor is blanketed with a variety of ferns, mosses and lichens. The woodthrush, pileated woodpecker, great-horned owl and barred owl make this park their home. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
|
|
I grew up to the lake, i loveit
I remember my grandpa taking me here he loved it so much now that hes passed away I take my kids, just to remember him I think hes spirit is here
(name not given)
21-Jun-2008
| |
|
lake alma
i met the love of my life here , took all my kids here had family reunions here rasied around this lake its a nice family lake
Written by debbie bocook ,woodruff
17-Jul-2008
| |
|
|
| Camping: |
| Lake Alma offers 60 campsites suitable for tents or trailers. All sites are wooded and have electricity. Pet camping is available on designated sites. Facilities include pit latrines, tables, fire rings, dump station and drinking water. |
| Trails: |
| Approximately four miles of trail traverse hilltops and valleys offering hikers a scenic view of the park. A 1-mile paved walkway/bicycle path begins at the park entrance and ends at the park exit. |
| Picnicking: |
| Scenic picnic areas with tables and grills are located throughout the park. Three picnic shelters are located throughout the park. The picnic shelters are available on a first-come, first-served basis. |
| Boating: |
| Non-powered watercraft and boats with electric motors only are permitted on Lake Alma. A boat launch ramp is located at the northeast edge of the lake. |
| Swimming: |
| Two public beaches are located on the north side of the lake. Change booths, latrines and parking are provided. |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| Bass, bluegill, crappie and channel catfish provide good catches in the lake. A valid Ohio fishing license is required. |
| History of the Area: |
| A wilder country than this in early days would be hard to imagine. Rocks and intermingled forests, Indians, wolves, wild game and snakes were more numerous than interesting.
After the Treaty of Greenville of 1795, the Indian threat in the Ohio territory subsided, clearing the way for settlement. The first geological survey of Ohio revealed that Vinton County was rich in mineral resources. Millstone, coal and iron ore provided the resources for flourishing industries.
The charcoal iron industry spurred growth in this Hanging Rock iron region. From 1818 to the turn of the century, thousands of acres of woodlands were cut to fuel the 46 furnaces in the region. At its peak in the mid-1800s, Ohio was the nation's leading producer of iron for implements and weapons. The millstones quarried along Raccoon Creek helped alleviate the dependence upon imported French and Pennsylvania buhrstone. The Raccoon Creek quarry was only one of eight millstone manufacturers in Ohio in the mid-1800s.
For a time, coal was an important Vinton County export. Its importance has waned in this century but continues to provide a boost to the local economy. The timber industry is the county's most important business today. Vinton County is the least populated and most heavily forested county in the state.
Built in 1903 by the late C.K. Davis, a wealthy coal operator, Lake Alma was originally constructed as an amusement park. The park then boasted a large dance pavilion, outdoor theater, a merry-go-round and several other rides. This attraction prospered only until 1910 and was later purchased by the city of Wellston for a municipal water supply. The city leases the area to the ODNR Division of Parks and Recreation for operation as a state park. |
| |
| |
| Area Accommodations |
| Cottages and Cabins | |  | Tranquil Retreat Cabins - South Bloomingville, OH
Let nature entertain you! Whether you are sitting in the Hot Tub, OR relaxing on one of our log beds, OR just listening to the rippling stream, Or exploring the small cave on the property, NATURE SURROUNDS YOU!
Web Site: http://www.tranquilretreatcabins.com |
|
| |  | Mesa Vista Lodge - Union Furnace, OH
Mesa Vista Lodge offers 4200 sq. ft. of luxury living with 6 bedrooms, 4 full baths, 2 gas log fireplaces, massive kitchen/dining/great room with cathedral ceiling, 8-10 person hot tub and 2400 sq. ft. of covered walk-around porch.
Web Site: http://www.mesavista-lodge.com/ |
|
| | |
|
| |
| | 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).... |
|
| Local Visitor Information Web Sites |
| |
| Related Links: |
| VINTON COUNTY GNIS NAMES - U.S. Geological Survey - National Mapping Information Geographic Names Information System Query Results VINTON COUNTY, OHIO 349 Feature records have been selected from GNIS. Latitude is... |
| Area Attractions: |
| Lake Hope State Park is 24 miles north off State Route 278. Cabins, a camp area, dining lodge and other recreational facilities are provided there.
Lake Katherine State Nature Preserve in Liberty Township on County Road 60 is a 1,467-acre botanical preserve. Lake Katherine contains the largest and finest colonies of both the bigleaf and umbrella magnolias. The rich forested ravines of the preserve contain communities of hemlock, sweet gum, birch and beech. The drier ridgetops support mountain laurel, Virginia pine and oak. Many rare plants including several species of native orchids are found here.
Lake Rupert of Wellston Wildlife Area, four miles south of McArthur, provides excellent opportunities for fishing. Pike, largemouth bass and bluegill provide good catches while the wildlife area offers good hunting for rabbit, deer and squirrel.
Leo Petroglyph State Memorial is located southwest of the park on County Road 28. The area features rock carvings made by Fort Ancient Indians. Trails and picnic facilities are provided.
Buckeye Furnace State Memorial, located southeast of Wellston, is a reconstructed iron furnace of the Hanging Rock district. The complex includes the changing house, charcoal and casting sheds and the company store. |
| Area Campgrounds | | Hidden Trails Campgrounds
542 Allen Rd
Beaver, OH
(740) 988-3251
| Ohio Parks Dept
Lake Alma
Wellston, OH
(740) 384-4474
| Noah's Ark Animal Farm
1527 Mcgiffins LN
Jackson, OH
(740) 384-3060
| Lazy Dog Camp Resort
1527 McGiffins Ln
Jackson, OH
(740) 384-3060
| Deerland Resort
974 Standpipe Rd
Jackson, OH
(740) 286-6422
| |
| | Area Fishing Related Businesses | | Williams Bait & Tackle
1268 S Pennsylvania Ave
Wellston, OH
(740) 384-6163
| Lakeview Grocery & Sporting
10346 State Route 279
Oak Hill, OH
(740) 682-3915
| Jeff's Bait & Tackle
259 Bridge St
Jackson, OH
(740) 286-0107
| |
|
| |
| |
| Area Activities |
| Tourism | | |
|
|
|
| |
|
USA
