Alum Creek State Park

A bicyclist enjoys one of the more than 40 miles of trails at Alum Creek.

Alum Creek offers 50 miles of bridle trails.

Alum Creek's large reservoir and gently rolling fields and woodlands provide a hub of recreational activity just minutes from Ohio's capital city.

Quiet coves nestled among shale cliffs await the solitary fisherman in the park's northern reaches while sun-seekers flock to Ohio's largest inland beach.

Alum Creek rests in the midst of the fertile plains and river valleys of Delaware County. In contrast to the surrounding farmlands, the park offers a diverse array of natural features.

Cliffs of Ohio shale have been exposed as Alum Creek and other streams cut through underlying bedrock.

A second-growth, beech-maple forest harbors a variety of plant species and offers beautiful displays of wildflowers and wildlife.

Large-flowered trillium, wild geranium, bloodroot and spring beauties carpet the forest floor. The forest is home to fox squirrel, woodchuck, rabbit, white-tailed deer and many other wildlife species.

Hikers and horse riders enjoy the rugged northern area of the park. More than 40 miles of trail wind along the lakeshore through the mature beech-maple forests and across deep ravines. Overnight accommodations are available for those who travel the horse trail. The horse camp is primitive with self registration, tie-ups and a water spicket. It is open year-round.

The broad expanse of Alum Creek Reservoir is a boater's paradise with unlimited horsepower and plenty of room for skiers. The northern portion offers a quieter scene with tree-lined shores, shale cliffs and sheltered inlets for paddlers.

The narrow coves and quiet inlets offer fine catches of bass, bluegill, crappie, walleye and saugeye. Ice fishing is popular in winter.

The largest inland beach in Ohio's state park system is also located at Alum Creek.

Park naturalists offer interpretive programs seasonally.

Alum Creek's 289 campsites offer both wooded and sunny areas, some of which overlook the lake. This campground has a beach and a boat ramp for overnight guests. Each site has an electrical hook-up, and heated shower facilities are located throughout the facility.

There are also two cabins, five camper cabins, and one stationary RV site. Rentals are available from April through September.

Recently the park added a dog park, a fenced-in area where dogs can play unleashed.