Facilities and Activities:
| General | Land, acres | 2606 | | | Water, acres | 161 | | Day-Use | Fishing | yes | | | Hunting | yes | | | Hiking Trail, miles | 15.5 | | | Picnicking | yes | | | Picnic Shelters, # | 3 | | | Swimming Beach, feet | 900 | | | Bridle Trails, miles | 8.5 | | | Beach Concession | yes | | | Nature Programs | yes | | Boating | Boat Rental | yes | | | Boating Limits | 10 | | | Launch Ramps, # | 1 | | Camping | Primative, # | 80 | | | Pets Permitted | yes | | | Dumpstation | yes | | | Rent-A-Camp Sites, # | 3 | | | Camper Cabins, # | 2 | | | Group Camp, capacity | 150 | | Winter | Sledding | yes | | | Cross-Country Skiing | yes |
State Park Location Maps:
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State Park Photo Gallery:
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State Park Event Calendar:
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Nearby Parks:
Burr Oak State Park
Gifford State Forest
Trimble State Wildlife Area
Waterloo State Forest
Lake Hope State Park
Sunday Creek State Wildlife Area
Wayne National Forest
Wayne National Forest Dam
Wayne National Forest Pond
Big Bottom State Memorial Park
Forked Run State Park
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| State Park Overview: |
 | Acres of uninterrupted hardwood forest sprawl over the many hills and coves of Strouds Run State Park. The rugged terrain and scenic lake provide visitors a unique wilderness escape in southeastern Ohio. |
| Nature of the Area: |
| Strouds Run State Park is located in the scenic forested hills of Athens County, in the midst of the unglaciated Appalachian Plateau. Although untouched by the vast ice sheets that moved across portions of the state over 12,000 years ago, the effects of the glaciers can be seen today in the deep ravines and high hills of Strouds Run. Stream valleys served as outlets for torrents of glacial meltwaters. The erosion power of these waters began carving valleys and hillsides into the familiar topography Ohioans know today. Large deposits of glacial outwash, primarily sand and gravel, were deposited along these streams and strongly affected the type of biological communities present today at the park.
Sandstone, the principal bedrock outcropping in the region, is very resistant to erosion and forms the uplands and steep sides of the valleys. Twisting roads and forest trails pass through these deep ravines and lead to dense stands of beech, hickory, oak, maple and tuliptree. Seasonal displays are offered by flowering dogwood, redbud and spring wildflowers--with fall presenting a pageant of colorful foliage. These woods are home to white-tailed deer, fox, raccoon, opossum, squirrel, wild turkey and a variety of songbirds. Woodthrush, white-breasted nuthatch, scarlet tanager, pileated woodpecker and the rufous-sided towhee inhabit the forest canopy. These rugged hills and woodlands are truly reminiscent of the wilderness that characterized the Ohio country in the days of early settlers. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
| Be the 1st to Review Stroud Run State Park. You can rate it, post a comment on it, or do both. |
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| Camping: |
| Strouds Run offers campers a family camp area with sites for tents or trailers. Latrines, waste drains, picnic tables and fire rings are provided. Ten sites are available for campers with pets. A group camp area is available for organized groups on a reservation basis. Three Rent-A-Camp sites consisting of a dining fly, sleeping cots and pads, cookstove and other gear are available by reservation. |
| Trails: |
| Fifteen miles of hiking trails meander through the wooded hills of Strouds Run leading to scenic vistas throughout the park. Excellent birdwatching and nature study can be done along the trail. An 8-1/2 mile bridle trail has been constructed by volunteers from the Ohio Horseman's Council, Athens County Chapter, working under the Adopt-A-Trail program. The trail can be accessed from the parking lot off Township Road 21 and at locations along County Road 20. |
| Picnicking: |
| Picnic tables and cooking grates are located at the north end of the lake and south of the dam. Each area has restrooms nearby. Three shelterhouses, located at the north end of the lake, are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Shelterhouses may also be reserved for a fee. |
| Boating: |
| Boats with a 10-hp limit are permitted on Dow Lake. A boat ramp and tie-up stakes are provided. Boat rental information may be obtained at the park office. |
| Swimming: |
| A 900-foot sand beach on the east side of the lake is open during the summer months from sunrise to sunset. Change booths, drinking water and restrooms are available. Scuba diving with proper equipment is permitted. Diving alone and within the beach area is prohibited. |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| Rainbow trout, largemouth bass, crappie and channel catfish are taken from the lake. Hunting is permitted in designated areas. Wild turkey, gray squirrel and white-tailed deer are abundant. A valid Ohio fishing and/or hunting license is required. |
| History of the Area: |
| Several mounds and ancient fortifications were found in this area by early settlers telling us that the Adena Indians once lived here. In more recent history, this was home to the powerful Shawnee Nation until the Treaty of Greenville forced them to abandon their lands in southern Ohio.
The first settlers arrived in the Athens County region in 1796. Two townships of land in the area had been apportioned by the Ohio Company in 1795 for the benefit of a university. Settlers were encouraged to settle on these college lands so as to make them attractive, productive and to form a fund for the institution.
This venture led to the founding of the town of Athens and Ohio University, the first college in the Northwest Territory. Settlers came by way of flatboats from Marietta down the Ohio and up the Hocking River to an attractive bluff where the town of Athens is now located.
With the discovery of rich coal fields in the area, Athens County soon developed into one of the leading coal producers in the state. The Hocking Canal and railroads provided easy means for shipping coal to distant markets. Clay tile, brick and salt were other industries that brought prosperity to the area.
The park derives its name from the Strouds family who settled in the area in the early 1800s. The land was purchased by the state for forest conservation purposes from 1948 to 1953. The dam creating Dow Lake was completed in 1960. The lake bears the name of C.L. Dow of Ohio University who was instrumental in initiating the project. |
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| Area Accommodations |
| Cottages and Cabins | | | |  | 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/ |
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| |  | Hocking Hills Dreamscape Hideaway - Logan, OH
This is not your typical cabin in the woods and you ain?t gonna be roughing it. It?s a log home lovingly furnished to make you feel spoiled. From the moment you enter, you?ll realize that you?ve found your dreamscape. Beautiful, tranquil music playing the background (feel free to take the CD home with you), luxurious amenities all around you, a soothing, private hot tub overlooking the forest and a bottle of champagne chilling next to the flick-of-a-switch gas fireplace. Oh yes, you have arrived! And we promise you?ll wish you never had to leave.
Web Site: http://www.dreamscapehideaway.com/ |
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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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| Local Visitor Information Web Sites |
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| Related Links: |
| Erie Dearie - Captain Dan's famous weight forward lure that made Lake Erie the walleye capital of the world. Visit our website and check out the latest products. Meet our Pro Staff members and Erie Dearie... |
| Area Attractions: |
| The nearby town of Athens is the home of Ohio University. Tours of the university campus can be arranged by contacting the admissions office. The Anthony G. Trisolini Gallery, located on campus, houses fine art exhibits in an early Athens mansion.
Lake Hope, Hocking Hills and Burr Oak state parks are within a short driving distance offering camping, lodge, cabins, fishing and swimming.
Marie J. Desonier State Nature Preserve is located near Coolville. This preserve is heavily forested and contains a large variety of ferns, wildflowers and songbirds. Portions of Wayne National Forest are scattered through the county offering hiking, hunting and other forest related recreation. |
| Area Campgrounds | | Forked Run State Park
63300 State Route 124
Reedsville, OH
(740) 378-6206
| Strouds State Park
11661 State Park Rd
Athens, OH
(740) 592-2302
| Smoke Rise Resort & Campgrounds
82 N Court St
Athens, OH
(740) 592-4077
| Carthage Gap Camp
22575 Brimstone Rd
Coolville, OH
(740) 667-3072
| Rivers Bend Campground
1051 State Route 144
Coolville, OH
(740) 667-3530
| Inn the Woods
17250 Campbell Rd
Nelsonville, OH
(740) 753-0500
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| | Area Fishing Related Businesses | | Frank's Bait Carryout & Cnfctn
101 Central Ave
Athens, OH
(740) 593-3755
| Village Bait & Tackle
26201 Main St
Coolville, OH
(740) 667-6817
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| | Area Resorts and Lodging | | Burr Oak Resort
Glouster, OH
(740) 767-2112
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