Ohio State Parks
  • rss subscription

Alum Creek State Park

Alum Creek (Central)

Address/Directions

3615 S. Old State Road
Delaware, OH 43015

Park Office

740-548-4631

Camp Office

740-548-4039

Marina

740-548-6056

Shelter Reservations

Call or reserve online:
Reserve Campsites
Reserve Getaways

Maps

Park Map
Campground Map
Trail Map

GPS Coordinates:

40.243813, -82.977037

Information

Alum Creek’s 3,387-acre reservoir and 4,630-acres of gently rolling span of fields and woodlands provides 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 sunseekers mingle with thousands on Ohio’s largest inland beach.

Alum CreekAlum Creek BeachAlum Creek Boating

Nature of the Area

Alum Creek rests in the midst of the fertile agricultural till 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 are notable in many areas, exposed as Alum Creek and other streams cut through underlying bedrock. The shale was formed as mud washed into the ancient sea which covered the area several hundred million years ago. The dark hue of the rock is due to the mixture of a carbonized plant material and mud that formed the shale.

The rich soils of Delaware County gave rise to a luxuriant beech-maple forest after the retreat of the glaciers about 12,000 years ago. That original forest has long since been cut but a healthy second growth forest is preserved in the park. The woodlands harbor a variety of plant species and offer the interested observer beautiful displays of wildflowers and wildlife. Large-flowered trillium, wild geranium, bloodroot, and spring beauties carpet the forest floor. The forest is home to the fox squirrel, woodchuck, rabbit, white-tail deer and many other species of wildlife.

History of the Area

Long before recorded history, man called this forest and the Alum Creek valley home. The Adena culture lived here over 2,000 years ago. Seven mounds constructed by the mound builders were identified along the creek. Six were excavated before the valley was flooded although archaeologists did not believe them to be burial mounds.

Much later, the Delaware Indian tribe occupied several villages near Alum Creek. A large town was located where the city of Delaware now stands on the banks of the Olentangy River. The Indians cultivated a 400-acre cornfield in much of what is presently downtown. These Algonquin tribespeople entered Ohio in the 1700s, being displaced from their eastern home in the Delaware River valley by the fierce Iroquois nation.

Colonel Moses Byxbe was one of the first settlers in the county. He built his home in 1805 on Alum Creek and named the township Berkshire after his native Berkshire, Massachusetts. He owned 8,000 acres on the creek and was the co-owner of 30,000 more. These were military lands which he sold for $2.50 to $10 per acre.

With the threat of the War of 1812, the frontier counties set about erecting structures to defend themselves in case of Indian attack. Four blockhouses were built in the county, one of which was on Alum Creek. The fortress had two stories, the second of which protruded over the first yielding a place from which to shoot . drop boiling water on the attackers and defy attempts to set the log structure on fire. This Fort Cheshire, which stood until the Civil War, was later used as a schoolhouse. A bronze plaque commemorates the site where the fort once stood in what is now the park’s family campground.

During the fifty years prior to the Civil War, the border state of Ohio offered many routes for the Underground Railroad by which slaves escaped to freedom. Over 40,000 slaves passed northward through Ohio along these paths. The Sycamore Trail, whose guideposts were often the ghostly white bark of this floodplain tree, ran along Alum Creek. Slaves waded in the waters of the creek as they left the safe Hanby House in Westerville and attempted to elude pursuing trackers. Africa Road received its name from the fact that thirty slaves, freed in North Carolina, settled near friendly homeowners in this area.

Alum Creek Dam is part of the flood control plan for the Ohio River Basin. The lake was authorized by Congress in the Flood Control Act of 1962. Construction began in August of 1970 and was completed in 1974.

Camping

Reserve Campsites online

  • 286 electric campsites offer both wooded and sunny areas, some of which overlook the lake
  • Each site has a 50-amp electrical hookup
  • 3 full-service campsites offer electric, sewer and water hookups
  • Heated shower facilities with flush toilets
  • Beach and boat ramp for exclusive use of the overnight guests
  • Basketball courts, horseshoe pits and playgrounds
  • Nature programs
  • There is a WiFi hot spot at the camp store – WiFi is not available at campsites
  • Dump station
  • Group camp for organized groups is available by reservation
  • Equestrian camp with 30 primitive sites
  • Download the Campground map

Getaway Rentals

Reserve Getaway Rentals online

  • 5 Camper Cabins
  • 3 Cedar Cabins



Dog Park

  • The Friends of Alum Creek Dog Park is on a 4-acre site along the reservoir near the marina
  • The grounds include a fenced area with water access for dogs that enjoy water sports and two additional fenced areas for small and large dogs Read more…

Trails

  • 2 hiking trails
    • Park Office Trail • 1.5 Miles • Easy
    • Hollenback Trail
  • Multi-Purpose Trail (Hiking, Snowmobile, Dog Sledding, X-cty Skiing) • 7 Miles • Moderate
  • 3 mountain bike trails • See the mountain bike trail maps
    • Mountain Bike Trail • 2 Miles • Easy
    • Mountain Bike Trail • 5 Miles • Moderate
    • Mountain Bike Trail • 7 Miles • Difficult
  • Bridle trails
    • 38 miles of bridle trails wind along the lakeshore through mature beech-maple forests and across deep ravines • Riders must provide their own mounts
  • Download the Trail Map

Boating

  • Alum Creek Reservoir spans 3,387 acres of water
  • 4 launch ramps (2 South, 1 East, and 1 North) offer access to the lake
  • Lake south of Cheshire Road is a boater’s paradise with unlimited horsepower and plenty of room for skiers
  • The northern portion of the lake offers a quieter scene with tree-lined shores, shale cliffs and sheltered inlets for paddling
  • Boaters may swim in Big Run, the Sailing Association Cove & the 36/37 Cove
  • Boaters may camp overnight in the Sailing Association & 36/37 coves
  • The Alum Creek Sailing Association offers learn to sail programs for members and the general public, along with special sailing programs for youth. Go to www.alumcreeksailing.com.
  • For more information on boat rentals please call 740-548-6056 or go to www.alumcreek.com
  • Check for water quality advisories
  • Boating laws and information

Fishing

  • Narrow coves and quiet inlets offer fine catches of bass, bluegill, crappie, walleye and saugeye
  • Check out the lake map
  • Valid Ohio fishing license is required

Picnicking

  • 8 Scenic picnic areas are available with tables, grills, restrooms and drinking water enhance the lakeshore
  • 2 shelterhouses are maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers at the Alum Creek dam. Contact the Corps office at 740-548-6151 for information regarding their use

Swimming

  • 3,000 foot beach is the largest inland beach in Ohio’s state park system
  • Shower house and concession stand
  • Sand volleyball courts
  • The beach is open during daylight hours only
  • Swim at your own risk & be sure to keep an eye on the kids
  • Pets are NOT permitted on swimming beaches
  • Check for water quality advisories

Disc Golf

  • 18 hole “Players Course” is located at the New Galena Launch Ramp area
  • Equipment rental is available
  • No fee is charged to play
  • See what other parks have disc golf courses

Hunting

  • Northern half of the park is best for the squirrel and deer hunter
  • Southern half offers better opportunities for rabbit and other upland game
  • Note the hunting map as many areas are restricted
  • Valid Ohio hunting license is required

Winter Recreation (conditions permitting)

  • Sledding
  • Ice skating
  • Snowmobiling on the multi-purpose trail
  • Cross country skiing multi-purpose trail
  • Ice fishing
  • Ice boating

Area Attractions