Facilities and Activities:
| General | Land, acres | 5352 | | | Water, acres | 2650 | | Day-Use | Fishing | yes | | | Hunting | yes | | | Hiking Trail, miles | 12.5 | | | Picnicking | yes | | | Picnic Shelters, # | 6 | | | Swimming Beach, feet | 700 | | | Mountain Bike Trails, miles | 7 | | | Bridle Trails, miles | 20 | | | Beach Concession | yes | | | Nature Programs | yes | | Boating | Boat Rental | yes | | | Boating Limits | -2 | | | Seasonal Dock Rental | 312 | | | Launch Ramps, # | 4 | | | Fuel For Sale | yes | | Camping | Primative, # | 53 | | | Electric Sites, # | 50 | | | Pets Permitted | yes | | | Dumpstation | yes | | | Group Camp, capacity | 50 | | | Horsemen Campsites, # | 10 | | Winter | Cross-Country Skiing | yes | | | Snowmobiling | yes | | | Ice Boating | 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!
Get directions to this park:
State Park Photo Gallery:
volunteer positions open
State Park Event Calendar:
volunteer positions open
Nearby Parks:
Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park
Quail Hollow State Park
Tinkers Creek State Park
|
| State Park Overview: |
 | West Branch State Park's large lake with its many forks and coves is extremely popular with fishermen, boaters and swimmers. The park's meadows and woodlots provide an excellent backdrop for camping, hiking and horseback riding. |
| Nature of the Area: |
| West Branch State Park in Portage County is situated on the glaciated plateau of northeastern Ohio. Although the land was uplifted as part of the Appalachian Mountain building process, the glaciers were able to override the gentle hills of the plateau. Huge ice blocks broke free from the glaciers and kettle lakes formed as the blocks melted. Eventually, these lakes filled with sediment leaving boggy wetlands with unique assemblages of plants. The West Branch area contains numerous bogs filled with buttonbush, alder, skunk cabbage and swamp white oak.
Another natural feature of the park is the stand of beech-maple forest. In pioneer times, the beech-maple belt in Ohio was very extensive and stretched across the plateau from Mansfield to Pennsylvania. These woodlands harbor a variety of plant and animal life. Woodland wildflowers such as Dutchman's breeches, bloodroot and trillium are found here. Red fox, skunk, opossum and raccoon find the park's habitat suitable. Songbirds occupy the leafy canopy of the woodlands while waterfowl and shorebirds dabble in the reservoir. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
|
|
the cleanest shower and bathrooms i have ever seen, it is ashame that findley lake restrooms are so discusting
Written by lrockyriver@cox.net
29-Aug-2008
| |
|
|
| Camping: |
| There are 103 campsites in both sunny and shaded areas. Some sites are along the lake with boat tie-ups. A group camp is available for organizations up to fifty people. |
| Trails: |
| An extensive trail system has been developed at West Branch. More than twelve miles of hiking trails provide access to the natural world. A portion of the state's Buckeye Trail passes through the park. The park offers extensive snowmobile trails when conditions permit. Trail starts at the west boat ramp. Twenty miles of bridle trails traverse woodlands and meadows. Riders must provide their own horses. A horse camp is open by permit only. |
| Trail Accessories: |
|
|
| Picnicking: |
| There are 103 campsites in both sunny and shaded areas. Some sites are along the lake with boat tie-ups. A group camp is available for organizations up to fifty people. |
| Boating: |
| The lake's 2,650 acres stretch over seven miles and offer many forks and coves with miles of shoreline. The lake is designated for unlimited horsepower. Boat rentals, gasoline and supplies are available at the marina. Four launch ramps provide access to the lake. Dock rentals are on a seasonal basis. A no-wake zone extends 300 feet from all shorelines. The entire area west of Rock Spring Road causeway is also a no-wake zone. |
| Boating Accessories: |
|
|
| Swimming: |
| The park's 700-foot sand beach includes a showerhouse, change booth and snack bar. A boat swimming area is availablele. |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| Year-round fishing at West Branch offers large and smallmouth bass, walleye, crappie, bluegill, catfish and trophy-class muskellunge. Fishing access is available at two paved and two gravel launch areas as well as numerous shoreline access points. A valid Ohio fishing license is required.West Branch State Park is open for hunting, in season, with small game, waterfowl and deer being most common. The northeastern section of the park, which is bound on the west by Rockspring Road and on the south by the lakeshore, is closed to hunting. This no-hunting area includes the park office, camp area, horse camp, dam and East Boat Ramp. A 400-foot no hunting/safety zone extends from all other developed facilities. Hunting is limited to shotguns and primitive weapons for most game. A valid Ohio hunting license is required. Contact the park office for details. Target shooting is prohibited. |
| History of the Area: |
| West Branch State Park is located on the west branch of the Mahoning River in Portage County. The river was named for the Delaware Indian word mahonink meaning "at the salt lick." In early days, a salt works was located southeast of present-day Warren along the river. The salt, which attracted a variety of wildlife, was harvested by Indians and early settlers.
At the west end of the park is a crossroads known as Campbellsport, named for Captain John Campbell who mustered militia for the War of 1812 at the site and then marched them on Cleveland. Captain Campbell originally came to the area in 1805 as a surveyor and land agent for proprietor Samuel Hinckley. Captain Campbell also served as Portage County sheriff from 1810 to 1813. He constructed what is said to be the oldest brick land-office building in Ohio (circa 1810). Prior to the flooding of the reservoir, this building was moved to a site at the Portage County Historical Society where it has been preserved and restored.
In 1965, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed construction of the Michael J. Kirwan Reservoir. The reservoir was developed for flood control, water supply, recreation and fish and wildlife management. West Branch State Park was formally opened in 1966. |
| |
| |
| | Advertise your park related business
on stateparks.com
...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.... |
|
| Related Links: |
| Recreation Around the Water - Recreation Around the Water. [return to Recreation] With trails to explore, animals and birds to watch and dam tours to take, you can have as much fun around the water at Pittsburgh District... | | Michael J. Kirwan Lake - Michael J. Kirwan Lake recreation | | Coldwell Banker Hunter Realty - Real Estate Listings in the Cleveland, Ohio and surrounding areas of northeastern Ohio. Includes specific information on real estate listings, homes, residential, relocation, photos, maps | | Section by Section Close Up - ... See a map of this section Two State Parks are the highlights of this section. West Branch State Park circles the western edge of the Michael J. Kirwan reservoir. Lots of older hardwoods, rolling ... | | Mogadore Section Close Up - HOME PAGE. BUCKEYE TRAIL ASSOCIATION. UPCOMING EVENTS. BTA WORK PARTIES. CIRCUIT HIKE. ON-LINE STORE. TRAIL ALERTS. PHOTO GALLERY. FEATURED HIKE. SHORT HIKES. << Burton Section. Mogadore... | | Darren Stuart Embry's Map Collection - The Details - ... bike paths); Newport (streets, bike paths) West Branch State Park (1998) Publisher: Ohio Department of Natural Resources Coverage Areas: West Branch State Park, Ravenna, OH Duke University Maps and ... | | Darren Stuart Embry's Map Collection By Category - ... Rhode Island Department of Transportation Rhode Island West Branch State Park 1998 Ohio Department of Natural Resources West Branch State Park, Ravenna, OH Trails Illustrated Mammoth Cave National ... | | Boating America Ohio - Boaters listing of inland lakes and rivers for Ohio | | Parks and Recreation Areas near Kent, OH - Parks and Recreation Areas near Kent, Ohio. Bath Hollow Park 1104 W. Bath Rd. Cuyahoga Falls, OH 330-945-6301. Cleveland Lakefront Park 8701 Lakeshore Blvd. NE Cleveland, OH 216-881-8141. ... | | Ohio Triathlon and Multi-Sport CalendarTriFind.com - ... Ohio: Alliance Carnation ~ Duathlon Run 2 miles, Bike 25 miles, Run 6.2 miles Location: West Branch State Park On-Line Entry: Active.com Sunday, August 25, 2002 Lima: Kewpee/Lima YMCA Triathlon/ ... | | TriFind.com Races - THE OHIO TRIATHALATOR Triathlons Multi-Sport Events. Saturday, April 06, 2002 Toledo, Ohio: Ultra Athlete Indoor Triathlon. 15 min swim/15min bike (CompuTrainer) /15min run. Time: 7:00 am EST. ... | | 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. ... Trail State Forest, Chillicothe, 614-663-2125 West Branch State Park, Ravenna, 330-296-3239 Walkabout Creek, ... | | Southeast High School, Ravenna, Ohio - Area Links - Here are resource links for Portage County and the surrounding area. School Closing Alert for Portage County and surrounding counties. Portage County Historical Society. Southeast Official Site.... |
| Area Attractions: |
| Tinker's Creek State Park and adjacent state nature preserve, located northwest of Streetsboro, offer additional recreational opportunities. Visitors may enjoy a variety of day-use activities including swimming, picnicking, fishing and hiking. During the spring and fall migration periods, the marsh provides food and shelter for thousands of waterfowl.
Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park, northeast of Ravenna, also offers picnicking and hiking. Winding foot trails meander around, under and between the spectacular rock formations that have become the trademarks of this state park.
Other state parks in the area include Lake Milton, Quail Hollow, Punderson and Mosquito Lake.
Sea World (Aurora), Geauga Lake Amusement Park (Aurora) and Blossom Music Center (Cuyahoga Falls) appeal to visitors as well. |
| Area Campgrounds | | Friendship Acres Park
2210 State Route 44
Atwater, OH
(330) 325-9527
| Stow Silver Springs Park
5238 Young Rd
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
(330) 689-2759
| Cherokee Park Co
3064 State Route 43
Kent, OH
(330) 673-1964
| Stow Silver Springs Park
5238 Young Rd
Akron, OH
(330) 689-2759
| Heritage Barn
5238 Young Rd
Akron, OH
(330) 689-2759
| Portage Lakes State Park
5031 Manchester Rd
Akron, OH
(330) 644-2220
| Yogi Bear's Jellystone Camp
3392 State Route 82
Mantua, OH
(330) 562-9100
| Nelson Ledges Quarry Park
12414 Nelson Ledge Rd
Garrettsville, OH
(440) 548-2716
| Cherokee Park Co
3064 State Route 43
Mogadore, OH
(330) 673-1964
| Mogadore Reservoir
Mogadore, OH
(330) 628-2672
| Hidden Valley Camp Ground
7515 Doak Dr
Ravenna, OH
(330) 297-1175
| Valley View Lake Park
8326 Ferguson Rd
Streetsboro, OH
(330) 626-2041
| Koa-Streetsboro Cleveland Se
187 State Route 303
Streetsboro, OH
(330) 650-2552
| Stow Silver Springs Park
3760 Darrow Rd
Stow, OH
(330) 689-2700
| Woodside Lake Park
2486 Frost Rd
Streetsboro, OH
(330) 626-4251
| Mar-Lynn Lake Park
187 State Route 303
Streetsboro, OH
(330) 650-2552
| Triple D Campgrounds
6424 Bedell Rd
Berlin Center, OH
(330) 547-3402
| Cutty's Sunset
8050 Edison St NE
Alliance, OH
(330) 935-2431
| Ridge Ranch Campground
5219 State Route 303
Newton Falls, OH
(330) 898-8080
| Philabaun's Hidden Cove Resort
1115 Edgewater Blvd
Deerfield, OH
(330) 584-3695
| Lakeside Campgrounds
6180 Bedell Rd
Berlin Center, OH
(330) 547-2250
| Green Acres Lake Park
15487 Creed Rd
Diamond, OH
(330) 538-2194
| Country Acres Campground
9850 Minyoung Rd
Ravenna, OH
(330) 358-2774
| Willow Lake Park Inc
6863 Mahoning Ave NW
Warren, OH
(330) 847-8614
| Hide-A-Way Campground
4063 Eagle Creek Rd
Leavittsburg, OH
(330) 898-8559
| Valley Lake Park
3959 State Route 305
Southington, OH
(330) 898-1819
| Lake O'Pines Inc
1481 Lake O Pines St NE
Hartville, OH
(330) 877-6081
| Akron Mogadore Reservoir
2578 State Route 43
Mogadore, OH
(330) 628-2672
| YMCA: Mogadore Park YMCA
2578 State Route 43
Mogadore, OH
(330) 628-2672
| Countryside Camp Ground
2687 State Route 43
Mogadore, OH
(330) 628-1212
| 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
| Kool Lakes Camp
12990 Nelson Ledge Rd
Garrettsville, OH
(440) 548-8436
| Traveler's Woods
11922 Brosius Rd
Garrettsville, OH
(330) 527-4232
| |
| | Area Fishing Related Businesses | | Jeff's Bait & Tackle
259 Bridge St
Jackson, OH
(740) 286-0107
| 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
| Long Lake Bait & Tackle
855 Portage Lakes Dr
Akron, OH
(330) 644-1901
| Gander Mountain
2390 Niles Cortland Rd Se
Warren, OH
(330) 544-5800
| Larry's Super Pawn Inc
2875 W Market St
Warren, OH
(330) 898-4197
| West Branch Marina
8109 Cable Line Rd
Ravenna, OH
(330) 296-9209
| West Branch Bait & Tackle
5353 State Route 14
Ravenna, OH
(330) 297-9901
| TMF Sports Shop Inc
4081 Sandy Lake Rd
Ravenna, OH
(330) 296-2614
| 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
| Western Reserve Fish & Game
1058 W 3rd St
Niles, OH
(330) 544-3993
| Buckeye Worm Farm
800 State Route 534 NW
Newton Falls, OH
(330) 898-8073
| North Coast Bait & Tackle
16963 Mahoning Ave
Lake Milton, OH
(330) 654-2516
| Pheasant View Farm
11625 Beloit Snodes Rd
Beloit, OH
(330) 584-6828
| Anchor Bait & Tackle
2618 State Route 43
Mogadore, OH
(330) 628-3343
| Falls Outdoor Sports
2719 Front St
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
(330) 929-9977
| Springfield Lake Bait & Tacle
2365 Canfield Rd
Akron, OH
(330) 733-3327
| Kame's Sport Center
Akron, OH
(330) 535-2637
| Bob Phillips Elec Co
1064 Ravenna Rd
Kent, OH
(330) 673-5202
| Marlboro Hardware & Bldrs Supply
9271 Edison St NE
Alliance, OH
(330) 935-0179
| |
| | Area Resorts and Lodging | | Sebring Camp
895 McKinley Ave
Sebring, OH
(330) 938-9444
| Cottage Vacation Rentals
330 N Prospect St
Ravenna, OH
(330) 525-5563
| Avalon Golf & Country Club-Avalon Lakes
1 American Way NE
Warren, OH
(330) 856-8898
| Cottage Vacation Rental
Alliance, OH
(330) 821-2753
| Sheraton
1989 Front St
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
(330) 929-3000
| Courtyard By Marriott Akron
4047 Bridgewater Pkwy
Stow, OH
(330) 945-9722
| Radisson Hotel Akron City Ctr
20 W Mill St
Akron, OH
(330) 384-1500
| Boston Mills Brandywine Ski Resorts
Cleveland
Hudson, OH
(330) 656-4489
| |
|
| Directions: |
| 5708 Esworthy Road, Ravenna, Ohio 44266-9659 |
|
|
| |
|
USA
