Facilities and Activities:
| General | Land, acres | 1000 | | | Water, acres | 2520 | | Day-Use | Fishing | yes | | | Hunting | yes | | | Hiking Trail, miles | 5 | | | Picnicking | yes | | | Picnic Shelters, # | 2 | | | Swimming Beach, feet | 900 | | Boating | Boating Limits | 400 | | | Launch Ramps, # | 8 | | Camping | Primative, # | 74 | | | Pets Permitted | yes | | | Dumpstation | yes | | Winter | Cross-Country Skiing | yes | | | Snowmobiling | yes | | | Ice Boating | yes | | | Ice Skating | yes | | | Ice Fishing | yes |
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State Park Photo Gallery:
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Nearby Parks:
Quail Hollow State Park
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| State Park Overview: |
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The many waters of Portage Lakes State Park offer visitors a variety of outdoor recreational experiences. Boating, swimming and fishing are popular. The wetlands of the park attract waterfowl and shorebirds providing visitors enjoyment whether hunting or observing wildlife. |
| Nature of the Area: |
| Although early Ohio offered the Indians and settlers vast water resources through Lake Erie and its major river systems, there were very few natural lakes or ponds in the state. Those that existed, including several of the Portage Lakes, were the direct result of glacial activity. These bodies of water were formed by huge chunks of ice which broke off the retreating glacier and melted in depressions forming kettle lakes. Many of the natural lakes in Ohio have aged into bogs or marshes.
Unique plants associated with these boggy areas can be found in the park. Tamarack trees, more common in northern boreal forests, are scattered through the park with patches of skunk cabbage and cranberry also present. Nice stands of beech-maple forest provide refuge for skunk, raccoon, white-tailed deer and many other animals. The wetlands of the park attract thousands of geese and waterfowl during spring and fall migration periods. Mallards, wood ducks and Canada geese nest in the wetlands each year. In addition, woodcock, heron, hawks, owls, red fox, beaver and muskrat are often sighted. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
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Great place to camp and have fun
I just camped here with my four kids. We had a great time. Camp is very woodsy, clean and safe. The lake is great. We rented a boat and cruised around. After staying for three nights in a tent everyone wanted to stay!
(name not given)
2-Sep-2008
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very nice and clean
camping is awesome very nice and clean u will enjoy it
(name not given)
12-May-2009
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A little more sun
Swimming is nice but the beach could be better if a couple of the trees were cut down. Not enough sun on the beach. Boating is very nice though!
(name not given)
15-Jun-2009
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| Camping: |
| There are 74 campsites offering both sunny and shaded locations. Pit latrines and a dump station are provided. Pet camping is permitted on designated sites. |
| Trails: |
| Five miles of hiking trials lead visitors to the woodlands and marshes of the park. |
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| Area Activities |
| Family Outting | |  | Camp Patmos - Kelleys Island, OH
Week long youth camps. Located on the shores of Kelleys Island. Guests will learn to sail, wakeboard, waterski while enjoying the beauty of the Lake Erie island.
Web Site: http://www.camppatmos.com |
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| Picnicking: |
| Five picnic areas are scenically located around the park. Two shelterhouses are available on a first-come, first-served basis. |
| Boating: |
| Boats with up to 400 horsepower are permitted on the Portage Lakes. Eight launch ramps provide access to the lakes. Private marinas in the area offer boat rentals and fuel. Electric motors only are permitted on Nimisila Reservoir where sailing and canoeing opportunities are excellent. |
| Swimming: |
| An excellent swimming beach at Turkeyfoot Lake provides recreation for swimmers and sunbathers. Parking, drinking water, change booths and latrines are provided. |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| Anglers will find good catches of largemouth bass, walleye, muskellunge, pickerel, pan fish, channel catfish, bullhead and carp. A platform at North Reservoir provides fishing access for persons with disabilities. Hunting for waterfowl only is permitted in designated areas. A valid Ohio hunting and/or fishing license is required. |
| History of the Area: |
| Portage Lakes is named after the old Indian portage path which connected the Cuyahoga River flowing north to Lake Erie and the Tuscarawas River which through the Muskingum, flows south to the Ohio River. This proved advantageous for the Indians and early settlers as navigation from Lake Erie to the Ohio was possible with only one eight-mile portage overland. Portage Lakes State Park lies at one of the highest points of the state and on a major watershed divide in Ohio. Some water from the lakes reaches Lake Erie and some flows to the Ohio River.
The area became an important trading post for settlers and Indians. It was a recognized landmark during the War of 1812, serving as a rendezvous point of American troops. The old Indian portage path was part of the ancient boundary between the Six Nations and the Western Indians.
The city of Akron was laid out in 1825 and was first settled by Irish laborers and others working on the Ohio Canal. Once the canal was completed, the town flourished. Several important industries brought prosperity to the area including stoneware potteries, sewer pipe manufacturing, the match industry and, most recently, the tire and rubber industry. At one time, the Blue Diamond Match Company in Akron used three million board-feet of white pine lumber per year for the manufacture of its matches.
Several of the Portage Lakes were built as feeder reservoirs for the canals to maintain the required depth of four feet. The lakes were used for this purpose until the canals were abandoned in 1913. The lakes were then used to meet the water needs of the local industries. Some portions of the remnant canals in the Akron area can still be boated.
The Ohio Department of Public Works maintained the canal lands for recreational purposes until 1949 when the Portage Lakes were transferred to the newly formed Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation. |
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| Area Accommodations |
| Campgrounds | | | Camp Patmos - Kelleys Island, OH
Week long youth camps. Located on the shores of Kelleys Island. Guests will learn to sail, wakeboard, waterski while enjoying the beauty of the Lake Erie island.
Web Site: http://www.camppatmos.com |
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| | Conference Center | | | Camp Patmos - Kelleys Island, OH
Week long youth camps. Located on the shores of Kelleys Island. Guests will learn to sail, wakeboard, waterski while enjoying the beauty of the Lake Erie island.
Web Site: http://www.camppatmos.com |
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...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, etc read more.... |
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| Related Links: |
| Ohio Triathlon and Multi-Sport CalendarTriFind.com - ... Bike 3.5 miles, Run 1 mile Location: Portage Lakes State Park Phone: 740-342-0853 (FAX: 740-743-2438) ... Bike 3.5 miles, Run 1 mile Location: Portage Lakes State Park Phone: 740-342-0853 (FAX: 740-743- ... | | Third, Fifth Annual Ohio Caddisfly SAFARI (SEPT 1997) - Field Notes for the. Third, Fifth Annual Ohio Caddisfly Safari. 1-11 September, 1997. The SCIENCE. The Plan. Answers & Notes from the Field. Additional Information. and. Weather. Links. Daily... | | Third, Fifth Annual Ohio Caddisfly SAFARI (SEPT 1997) Diary - Daily Diary & Field Notes for the. Third, Fifth Annual Ohio Caddisfly Safari. 1-11 September, 1997. Kayaks. Old Woman Creek. Setting the trap at Old Woman Creek Boardwalk. 4 September 1997: We... | | Bob & Carolyn Rees - ... a free look on Saturday and on Dec 14 after 8 p.m. at the beach area of Portage Lakes State Park, mile south of Ohio 619 on Manchester Road. Bulletin Board Goodwill's one and only The Wiz, AKA, Bob ... | | ASCPL -- Green Branch - 4046 Massillon Road, Uniontown, Ohio 44685 (330) 896-9074. The original Green Branch Library first opened in April 1979. Prior to that time the Green area was served by the Akron-Summit County... | | ASCPL -- Portage Lakes Branch - 4261 Manchester Road, Akron, Ohio 44319-2659 (330) 644-7050. Portage Lakes Branch Library opened in 1990; the 12,000 square foot building cost $1.3 million at the time it was built, including... | | New Page 1 - Camping. [ Home] There are opportunities to camp near the Festival grounds. Here are four campgrounds that you may contact directly for information. Camelot Camping Grounds 17837 Warick Road ... | | OpenHere - USA State By State, Ohio, Cities and Towns, Akron, Travel and Recreation, Parks - Alphabetical Web. Dictionary. Whois. Meta. Weather. News. ZipCode. State by State. Parks. Add/Modify your site link! Send this page to a friend! Home. USA State By State. Ohio. Cities and Towns.... | | SUMCO-ARES: Photos - Our photo gallery.... [click on images to enlarge] (Also see our photos of the repeater sites in Akron and Canton) SOAP BOX DERBY '01. Tom KB8FCN (with beard) usually shadowing Jeff Iula. Ted... |
| Area Attractions: |
| The Astronomy Club of Akron leases land within the park to operate a small observatory. Special programs are presented seasonally.
Nearby Akron offers various sights. The Summit County Historical Society maintains the Perkins Mansion and the home of John Brown. Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, a Tudor showplace, is popular for tours of the 65-room manor house and gardens as well as for special events. The Pro Football Hall of Fame is located off Interstate-77 in Canton. The Goodyear World of Rubber, a museum depicting the rubber industry, offers guided tours throughout the year.
Quail Hollow State Park and Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area are located in the vicinity. Quail Hollow State Park in Hartville offers a variety of programs. The National Recreation Area includes 32,000 acres where hiking, picnicking, canoeing and bicycling are popular activities. Two visitor centers are open daily.
Several state nature preserves in the area offer glimpses of unique bog vegetation. Jackson Bog is open during daylight hours, while Triangle Lake and Kent Bog can be accessed by permit only. |
| Area Campgrounds | | Baylor Beach Park, Inc.
8725 Manchester Ave. S. W.
Navarre, OH
330-767-3031
| Bear Creek Resort Ranch KOA
3232 Downing St. S.W.
Canton, OH
330-484-3901
| Cherokee Park Campground
3064 S.R. 43
Mogadore, OH
330-673-1964
| Chippewa Valley Lake Resorts
8809 Lake Rd.
Seville, OH
330-769-2090
| Clay's Park Camping Resort
13190 Patterson Rd
North Lawrence, OH
330-854-6691
| Cutty's Sunset Camping Resort
8050 Edison Street, N.E.
Louisville, OH
330-935-2431
| Tamsin Park Camping Resort
5000 Akron-Cleveland Rd.
Peninsula, OH
330-656-2859
| Maple Lakes Campground
4275 Blake Rd
Seville, OH
330-336-2251
| Countryside Campground
2687 SR 43
Mogadore, OH
330-628-1212
| Friendship Acres Park Inc.
2210 State Route 44
Atwater, OH
330-325-9527
| Lake O Pines Recreation
1481 Lake O Pines Street
Hartville, OH
330-877-6081
| Clearwater Park
12712 Hoover Ave NW
Uniontown, OH
330-877-9800
| Hillside Park
2534 West Comet Road
Clinton, OH
330-882-5678
| Whispering Pines
P.O. Box 15
Atwater, OH
330-947-3504
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| | Area Fishing Related Businesses | | Gander Mountain
4938 Portage St NW
North Canton, OH
(330) 498-0995
| Kames Sports
8516 Cleveland Ave NW
North Canton, OH
(330) 499-4558
| Ohio Outdoor Sports
2314 Shepler Church Ave SW
Canton, OH
(330) 456-1041
| Whipple Fuel
1153 Whipple Ave NW
Canton, OH
(330) 478-4908
| Schumann's Fly Fish Kit Co
350 Ranowsky Ave E
Canton, OH
(330) 488-2671
| Assassin Lures-Trading Post
412 Erie St S
Massillon, OH
(330) 833-7761
| Party Line Beverage & Bait
424 W Turkeyfoot Lake Rd
Akron, OH
(330) 644-4494
| Fisherman's Shack
3294 S Main St
Akron, OH
(330) 645-9256
| November Gun Bait & Tackle
1437 State Route 43
Mogadore, OH
(330) 628-0138
| Bass Boss Bait Inc
2934 Arcadia Rd
Akron, OH
(330) 628-9147
| Lake O'Springs
6350 Lake O Springs Ave NW
Canton, OH
(330) 499-3726
| Reel Solutions
7851 Daytona St NW
Massillon, OH
(330) 830-9023
| Long Lake Bait & Tackle
855 Portage Lakes Dr
Akron, OH
(330) 644-1901
| Akron Wholesale Live Bait
1856 Conley Rd
Mogadore, OH
(330) 628-2679
| Mogadore Bait & Tackle
780 Randolph Rd
Mogadore, OH
(330) 628-9872
| Sunrise Bait & Tackle
948 Frederick Blvd
Akron, OH
(330) 864-5480
| Manda Bait & Tackle
947 Portage Lakes Dr
Akron, OH
(330) 644-6774
| Anchor Bait & Tackle
2618 State Route 43
Mogadore, OH
(330) 628-3343
| Falls Outdoor Sports
2719 Front St
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
(330) 929-9977
| Bass Lakes
14587 Moine Rd
Doylestown, OH
(330) 658-2489
| Rohr Clarence & Sons
14587 Moine Rd
Doylestown, OH
(330) 658-2489
| Springfield Lake Bait & Tacle
2365 Canfield Rd
Akron, OH
(330) 733-3327
| Kame's Sport Center
Akron, OH
(330) 535-2637
| Sea Trader Fishing Charters
3 4th St NW
Norton, OH
(330) 753-2207
| Bob Phillips Elec Co
1064 Ravenna Rd
Kent, OH
(330) 673-5202
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| | Area Resorts and Lodging | | Lake Escape Ltd
1560 Steiner St NW
North Canton, OH
(330) 497-5995
| Fairfield Inn
5285 Broadmoor Cir NW
Canton, OH
(330) 493-7373
| Residence Inn-Canton
5280 Broadmoor Cir NW
Canton, OH
(330) 493-0004
| Canton Marriott McKinley Grand
320 Market Ave S
Canton, OH
(330) 454-5000
| Sheraton
1989 Front St
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
(330) 929-3000
| Courtyard By Marriott Akron
4047 Bridgewater Pkwy
Stow, OH
(330) 945-9722
| Residence Inn-Akron
120 Montrose West Ave
Copley, OH
(330) 666-4811
| Radisson Inn Akron Fairlawn
200 Montrose West Ave
Copley, OH
(330) 666-9300
| Radisson Hotel Akron City Ctr
20 W Mill St
Akron, OH
(330) 384-1500
| Boston Mills/Brandywine Ski
7100 Riverview Rd
Peninsula, OH
(330) 657-2334
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| Directions: |
| 5031 Manchester Road, Akron, Ohio 44319 |
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USA
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