The long Independence Day weekend is just around the corner and Ohio's 74 state parks are the ideal places to celebrate America's birthday with family and friends.
"There's no better place to spend quality family time than in one of our award-winning state parks," said Dan West, Ohio State Parks chief. "Whether it's swimming, golfing, boating, hiking, picnicking or just sitting around the campfire, Ohio's state parks bring outdoors fun close to home."
FAMILY CAMPING
There are more than 9,000 campsites in Ohio State Parks' 57 family campgrounds, which range from primitive tent camping to full service with hookups for RVs and travel trailers. At a minimum, state park campgrounds feature drinking water, restrooms or latrines, pads for parking a car or trailer, picnic tables and fire rings.
Many campgrounds offer much more, including showers, laundry facilities, camp stores and playgrounds, as well as special campers' beaches, boat-launch ramps, boat docks and tie ups.
Most camp offices lend fishing equipment and a variety of indoor and outdoor games to registered campers. Playing fields, horseshoe pits, mini golf courses, game rooms and tetherball are available at a number of parks. Naturalist programs such as guided hikes, interpretive talks and videos are also offered at most parks.
Horsemen's camps and designated bridle trails are a feature of 22 state parks. Ohio State Parks feature more than 400 miles of bridle trails through some of the state's most scenic landscapes.
Campground availability can be checked on the Internet at ohiodnr.com or by calling 1-800-BUCKEYE.
Boaters who want to sleep on their watercraft will find boat camping areas at Buck Creek State Park in Clark County, Burr Oak State Park in Morgan County, Indian Lake State Park in Logan County, Rocky Fork State Park in Highland County, Salt Fork State Park in Guernsey County, and at Lock #5 on the Muskingum River Parkway in Washington County. Overnight boat docking is permitted at state parks on South Bass and Middle Bass islands in Lake Erie.
FIREWORKS, BEACH PARTIES AND MORE
Public fireworks displays are scheduled for Wednesday, July 3, at Portage Lakes State Park in Summit County; Thursday, July 4, at the Esquire Yacht Club in Mosquito Lake State Park in Trumbull County; and Saturday, July 6, at Old Field Beach on Indian Lake, following the lake's annual day-long beach party with games, contests, entertainment, food and a classic car display.
East Harbor State Park in Ottawa County will host a holiday dance from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on July 3 at the Lockwood Shelterhouse. Guilford Lake will be the site of a boat parade from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on July 4.
NASCAR racing fans are invited to a special racing-theme campout at Forked Run State Park in Meigs County July 5-6. Campers are urged to dress as their favorite driver, listen to the race and enjoy a potluck and other activities.
Dillon State Park in Muskingum County is also hosting an Independence Weekend campout July 5-6 with games, nature programs, movies and crafts.
Children ages 4-10 are invited to join in a "pirate" treasure hunt at 5 p.m. on July 6 at the Lake Erie beach of Maumee State Park in Lucas County. Additional holiday beach parties are set for 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on July 6 at Blue Rock State Park in Muskingum County and from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Pike Lake State Park in Pike County.
EXCITING GOLF COURSES
Golfers can play a round at five Ohio State Parks that feature 18-hole courses. Those parks are Hueston Woods State Park in Preble County, Deer Creek State Park in Pickaway County, Shawnee State Park in Scioto County, Maumee Bay State Park and Salt Fork State Park.
"FOR RENT" - BOATS AND CAMPING EQUIPMENT
A variety of watercraft from canoes to wet jets to pontoon boats are available for rent at 34 state park marinas from the Ohio River to Lake Erie, and at dozens of inland lakes in between.
Aspiring campers who lack equipment or don't want the hassle of set up and tear down can still enjoy the outdoor experience through Ohio State Parks' Camping Options Program. Fully equipped tents, RVs, tepees, yurts (part tent, part cabin), cedar cabins and camper cabins are for rent at 35 campgrounds across the state. Campers are urged to contact individual park offices for availability of boat rentals and Camping Options.
"Days and nights spent in Ohio's beautiful outdoors create lasting memories," said Chief West. "There's no better way to spend the upcoming holiday than in an Ohio State Park."