Ohio State Parks
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Punderson State Park

Punderson (NE)

Address/Directions

11755 Kinsman Road
Newbury, Ohio 44065

Mailing Address

PO Box 338
Newbury, Ohio 44065

Park Office

440-564-2279

Camp Office

440-564-1195 (seasonal)

Camping Reservations

Call or reserve online: 866-644-6727
Reserve Campsites

Punderson Lodge & Conference Center

11755 Kinsman Road
Newbury, Ohio 44065

Mailing Address

PO Box 224
Newbury, OH 44065-0224

Lodge Front Desk

440-564-9144

Golf Course Pro Shop

440-564-5465

Lodge & Cottage Reservations

Call or reserve online: 800-282-7275
Reserve Lodge
Reserve Cottages

Maps

Park Map
Campground Map

GPS Coordinates:

41.455786, -81.213856

Information

741-acre Punderson State Park with its 150-acre natural lake, resort manor house, family cottages, golf course and scenic campground, provides many recreational opportunities for visitors. Punderson is also Ohio’s premier winter sports park. Sledding, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing are all at their best.

Nature of the Area

Punderson State Park is located in the glaciated plateau region of Ohio. During the Ice Age, this area was buried under glacial ice. The last glacier to enter Ohio’s boundaries, the Wisconsinan, receded about 12,000 years ago. Punderson Lake, one of Ohio’s few natural lakes, owes its origin to this massive ice sheet. It is a kettle lake which was formed when a large block of ice broke off the glacier creating a depression which filled with meltwater. Punderson is the largest and deepest kettle lake in Ohio.

The aquatic environment of the lake combined with the surrounding woodlands give Punderson a diverse array of natural wonders. The lake is home to a variety of shorebirds and waterfowl including great blue herons, Canada geese and wood ducks. Ohio’s largest rodent, the beaver, can also be spotted around the lake. Great horned owls, white-tailed deer, opossum and raccoons can be found within the park boundaries.

In the park, the vegetation is as diverse as the animal population. Wild geranium, buttercup, blue-eyed grass and pennywort are just a few of the wildflowers that inhabit the area.

History of the Area

Both the park and the lake take their names from Lemuel Punderson, a young enterprising land agent who became Newbury Township’s first permanent settler in 1808. Punderson constructed a small dam on the south side of the “big pond,” as he called it, and used the outflowing water as the power source for a grist mill. The Punderson family developed a small estate on the edge of the sparkling blue lake, and their home became a popular gathering place for family and friends.

The area surrounding Punderson Lake developed into a quiet resort providing a get-away from the bustling Cleveland setting. Summer cottages and even a small hotel were built on the hills surrounding the lake. In 1929, construction began on the English-tudor manor house, but the facility was not completed until 1948. That year, the ODNR Division of Wildlife purchased the land and lake for hunting and fishing. In 1951, the area was transferred to the Division of Parks and Recreation for development as a state park. The manor house was completely remodeled and opened to the public on November 15, 1956. A structural renovation was completed in 1982.

Camping

Reserve Campsites online

  • The campground is situated on the site of a former Indian village
  • 177 electric sites
  • 5 full service sites (electric, water & sewer)
  • 12 non-electric sites
  • Showerhouses, flush toilets, and dump station
  • Pets are permitted in designated areas
  • Nature center
  • Camp office loans sporting equipment and games to registered campers
  • Download the Campground map

Lodge

Reserve Lodge online

  • Manor house has 31 guest rooms
  • Dining room, meeting rooms and outdoor and indoor swimming pools

Cottages

Reserve Cottages online

  • 26 cottages sleep six persons each
  • Each has 2 bedrooms, bath with a shower, living room, complete kitchen, dining area and screened porch
  • Pets are permitted in select cottages, call 800-282-7275 for details



Trails

  • 7 hiking trails
    • Beach Trail • 1/2 Mile • Easy
    • Whitetail Trail • 1/2 Mile • Easy
    • ErieTrail • 2.2 Miles • Moderate
    • Huron Trail • 1.3 Miles • Moderate
    • IroquoisTrail • 3/4 Mile • Moderate
    • Mohawk Trail • 1.1 Miles • Moderate
    • Mushers Trail • 1.2 Miles • Moderate
  • 1 multi-use trail
    • Cayuga Trail • 2.2 Miles • Moderate

Boating

Fishing

  • Anglers enjoy catches of bluegill, largemouth bass, rainbow and golden trout and catfish
  • Punderson Lake as well as two smaller lakes are open to fishing
  • Valid Ohio fishing license is required

Picnicking

  • 7 picnic facilities with tables, grills and drinking water are located in scenic areas of the park
  • A picinic shelter is available for reservation by calling the park.

Swimming

Disc Golf

  • 9 holes built by the Friends of Punderson State Park
  • Located near the Musher’s Trail • See the course layout
  • Bring your own equipment, rental equipment is NOT available
  • Equipment can be purchased from the Friends Group on Saturdays at the Nature Center in the campground
  • No fee is charged to play
  • Help support the disc course by becoming a sponsor
  • See what other parks have disc golf courses

Golf Course

  • Championship-rated, 18-hole public golf course challenges even the expert golfer
  • Reservations are always advisable and required for weekend play
  • The pro shop stocks all necessary merchandise and has a snack bar
  • See the course layout

Winter Recreation (conditions permitting)

  • Lighted sled hill
  • 3 Snowmobile trails offer access to the park for those with snowmobiles
    • Beach Trail • 1/2 Mile • Easy
    • ErieTrail • 2.2 Miles • Moderate
    • IroquoisTrail • 3/4 Mile • Moderate
  • 2 Cross country ski trails are available as weather permits
    • Huron Trail • 1.3 Miles • Moderate
    • Mohawk Trail • 1.1 Miles • Moderate
  • Dog sleds are permitted on Mushers Trail • 1.2 Miles • Moderate

Chalet

  • The winter sports chalet is a unique heated facility that is available for daily rental spring through fall

More To Do

  • Volleyball and basketball courts, horseshoes and shuffleboard at the lodge
  • A tennis court is located at the chalet
  • Playgrounds, volleyball and basketball courts are located in various day-use areas
  • An archery range and practice area is located near the sledhill • Please bring your own equipment • Broadhead arrows are prohibited

Area Attractions