| Hueston Woods State Park, located in Butler and Preble counties, is nearly 3,000 acres of natural resources for outdoor recreation, such as hiking, fishing, canoeing, and unique to this region -- fossil hunting.
The park surrounds Acton Lake, with campsites, cabins, and a resort lodge to entice the overnight visitor.
Within the park is Hueston Woods State Nature Preserve and National Natural Landmark -- 200 acres of old-growth forest, with stately beech and sugar maple trees, an abundance of ferns, and wildflowers
 What to do
The park offers miles of trails for your outdoor pleasure: more than 10 miles of hiking trails; 18 miles of bridle trails, plus a horsemen?s staging area; and 12 miles for mountain biking. The American Discovery Trail also passes through the park.
The park has an 18-hole, 7,005-yard, par 72 golf course, as well as driving ranges, that are open from March until November. Call the pro shop for tee time at 513-523-8081.
On the grounds at Hueston Woods is a full paintball field and target range. Group reservations are available. You may bring your own equipment, and rent or buy it here.
On tranquil Acton Lake, boating is restricted to 10-hp motors, with convenient launch ramps and public docks. The best fishing includes largemouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, and bluegill. A fishing pier on the west shore is wheelchair accessible . The 1,500-foot swimming beach with concession stand and bathhouse is open to the public
Other facilities for outdoor family fun include a volleyball court, horseshoes, miniature golf, disc golf, playground, and basketball court. At the Nature Center, you can attend bird and flower walks, slide talks, and fossil hunts. Of course, the park is a great place for a picnic at nine areas complete with tables and grills. Birders can enjoy watching for some of the park?s 150 species.
Where to Stay
The 96-room Hueston Woods Lodge is situated on a bluff overlooking Acton Lake. It’s open year ‘round. Amenities include a dining room, snack bar, gift shop, meeting rooms, lounge, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, game room, and lighted tennis court.
 Cozy cottages offer an alternative to the lodge. A total of 25 Family Cottages, which can sleep six people, provide two bedrooms, bath, kitchen, living room, and screened porch. Two Premium Cottages include a master bedroom suite. Ten Efficiency Cottages have a living-dining-sleeping area for four people, and private bath. All cottages are equipped with cooking and eating utensils, towels, and bedding. Pets are permitted in select cottages, call 800-282-7275 for details.
And for those who enjoy camping, the park has many choice sites. There are 252 family campsites with electrical outlets, showers, flush toilets, laundry, and trailer waste station. More rustic campers can choose from 236 non-electric campsites, with vault-type latrines. Three camper cabins provide built-in bunks, air conditioning, and an outdoor gas grill. Horseback riders can stay at 28 horseman campsites; and youth and adult organizations can reserve a group. Pets are permitted in a limited number of sites.
 Area Attractions
In nearby Oxford, visit the McGuffey House and Museum, showcasing the personal articles of William McGuffey, author of McGuffey Readers. Hopewell has a church, founded in 1808, with the first public cemetery in the township. Hopewell was an important stop and staging area for the Underground Railroad. The Hamilton County Park District has Newberry Wildlife Sanctuary, Sharon Woods Gorge, and Trillium Trails.
History of the Area
Millions of years ago, a shallow sea covered Ohio, depositing fossil-rich limestone and dolomite bedrock. Fertile soils, left behind by glaciers thousands of years ago, created a productive land that attracted early Native Americans, including the Miami people, and settlers.
In 1797, Matthew Hueston, after serving with General ?Mad? Anthony Wayne in the Indian wars, bought land for a farm in Butler and Preble counties. He left a remnant of the woods standing for his descendants.
When the last of the Huestons died in the 1930s, Morris Taylor, a conservationist, purchased the woods and held it in trust, while Cloyd Acton, a Preble County legislator, influenced the state legislature to buy the land in 1941. Hueston Woods was designated a state forest, and in 1945, money was appropriated to buy additional land.
In 1952, the Oxford Honor Camp was located here, housing honor-status inmates for 12 years. In the summer of 1956, an earthen dam was completed across Four Mile Creek, creating Acton Lake. Hueston Woods became a state park in 1957. The old-growth forest was added to the National Registry of National Landmarks in 1967, and became a state nature preserve in 1973.
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