Kiser Lake State Park

Kiser Lake (SW)

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Address/Directions

4889 N State Route 235
Conover, OH 45317

Park Office

937-362-3822

Marina/Camp Office (seasonally)

937-362-3565

Information

The quiet and relaxing atmosphere of Kiser Lake State Park makes it a favorite Ohio getaway. The rolling wooded hills and diverse wetlands add to the beauty of this scenic lake known for its clean, clear waters.

Nature of the Area

The area surrounding Kiser Lake State Park is a gift of the ice age. Two natural phenomena caused by the glaciers helped shape the region into its present form. The gently, rolling wooded hills were caused by glacial deposits in the form of end moraines when the ice edge remained stationary for a period of time, creating a linear ridge along the ice front. One such moraine called the Farmersville surrounds the lake on three sides creating a hummocky elevation through the area. Moraine deposits contain boulders, some weighing many tons, carried from as far away as Canada. These boulders, called erratics, are a familiar sight at Kiser. Another geologic feature at Kiser Lake State Park is the kame field at the southeastern end of the lake. Kames are mounds of sand and gravel that are formed by meltwater flowing across glacial ice. The water deposits sediment into holes along the ice margin leaving behind hummocky mounds.

The wetlands at Kiser are in the form of fen and wet meadow habitat. These areas were formed when blocks of ice broke away from the glacier and became covered by sand and gravel. As the climate warmed, the ice melted and left a depression filled with water surrounded by glacial deposits. These areas are filled with many intriguing plants including pitcher plant, sundew, tamarack and spruce.

History of the Area

The Kiser Lake region in Champaign County was the home of Tecumseh, the great Shawnee warrior. He lived and hunted on Buck Creek near the site of present-day Urbana. It was also near here where Simon Kenton, the legendary frontiersman, was once held captive by the Shawnee. Kenton admired the Shawnee for choosing such a beautiful area in which to reside. He remembered the area well and returned later in his life. Around 1802, Kenton settled in Urbana for several years. His remains lie in Oakdale Cemetery, southeast of Urbana under an impressive monument.

Kiser Lake was a dream of John W. Kiser and other members of his family. Their idea was to create a lake in the Mosquito Valley area which was low, swampy and dotted with numerous springs. In 1932, the Kiser family offered to the state of Ohio several hundred acres of the Mosquito Creek Valley. In 1939, a dam was constructed and the new lake was named Kiser becoming part of what is now Kiser Lake State Park. The lake is nearly 2.5 miles in length and has 5.3 miles of shoreline.

Camping

10 electric sites
108 non-electric sites
Picnic tables, fire rings, a trailer waste station and latrines are provided
Group camp is available on the south side of the lake for youth and adult organizations on a reservation basis, call the park office at 937-362-3822 for more information
Download the Campground map

Getaway Rentals

A camper cabin can be rented during the summer months by reservation

Trails

5 hiking trails
- Possum Hollow Trail • 0.7 Miles • Easy
- Boardwalk • 0.6 Miles • Easy
- North Bay Trail • 1.5 Miles • Moderate
- Pine Tree Trail • 1/2 Mile • Moderate
- Red Oak Trail • 0.7 Miles • Moderate
Bridle Trail • 7 Miles • Moderate

Boating

Sailing is popular at Kiser Lake as boats with motors are not permitted on the 396 acre lake
5 launch ramps and public docks are available
Boats can be rented at two boat rentals within the park
Check for water quality advisories
Boating laws and information

Fishing

Kiser Lake offers good catches of largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, crappie and saugeye
5 fishing piers are located on the lake
Valid Ohio fishing license is required

Picnicking

7 picnic areas with tables and grills are located in the park
A group picnic shelter may be reserved online or by calling 866-644-6727

Swimming

600-foot swimming beach is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day
Refreshment stand is near the beach
Scuba diving is permitted except within the beach area
Divers must be accompanied by at least one person
Proper equipment and marking of the diving area are required
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

Hunting

Hunting of migratory game birds is permitted when in season
Valid Ohio hunting license is required

Winter Recreation (conditions permitting)

Sledding
Ice skating
Cross country skiing
Ice Fishing
Ice boating

Area Attractions

Kiser Lake Wetlands Nature Preserve, located within the park, consists of two separate areas on the south side of the lake. These areas are remnants of a 300-acre fen known as Mosquito Lake Bog which was created by the last glacier invading Ohio
The Simon Kenton Historic Corridor, located between Piqua and Mechanicsburg, is popular among tourists. Attractions along the route include: the Piqua Historical Area, A.B. Graham Memorial Center (Founder of the 4-H Clubs) and the Simon Kenton gravesite. Natural wonders along the corridor include Cedar Bog and Ohio Caverns
The Air Force Museum can be visited in nearby Dayton
For more information on area attractions, visit
- Champaign County Chamber & Visitors Bureau or call 877-873-5764
- Ohio Tourism Division website or call 800-BUCKEYE

More To Do

Recreational amenities are offered throughout the park, including a volleyball court and playground at the campground, and a basketball court at the beach
An additional playground and a horseshoe court are located at the Nature Center