| Recreation |
Facilities |
Quantity |
| Resource |
Land, acres |
800 |
 |
Water, acres |
5800 |
| Activities |
Fishing |
yes |
|
Hunting |
yes |
|
Hiking Trail, miles |
7 |
|
Picnicking |
yes |
|
Picnic Shelter, # |
5 |
|
Swimming Beach, feet |
1400 |
|
Summer Nature Programs |
yes |
|
Nature Center |
yes |
| Boating |
Boating Limits |
UNL |
|
Seasonal Dock Rental, # |
510 |
|
Launch Ramps, # |
5 |
| Winter |
Snowmobiling |
yes |
|
Ice Skating |
yes |
|
Cross-Country Skiing |
yes |
|
Ice Fishing |
yes |
|
Ice Boating |
yes |
| Camping |
Non-electric Campsites |
0 |
|
Campsites with Elec., # |
440 |
|
Full Service Campsites |
19 |
|
Pet Area |
yes |
|
Campground Beach |
yes |
|
Showers |
yes |
|
Flush Toilets |
yes |
|
Dump Station |
yes |
|
Camp Commissary |
yes |
|
Group Camp, capacity |
60 |
|
Camper Cabin, # |
2 |
Indian Lake offers a diversity of water-related recreational opportunities. Boating, fishing, skiing and camping are highlights of this multi-use park.
Camping
- 405 electric sites
- 35 electric premium sites
- 12 full hook-up sites
- Heated shower houses, flush toilets, laundry facility and camp commissary.
- A beach, boat ramp and boat docks are provided for exclusive camper use.
- A limited number of pet camping sites are available.
- The park's group camp area may be reserved by advanced registration.
- 20 boat camping spaces are also available.
- 2 Camper Cabins furnished with convertible futon bunks and sofa, microwave, refrigerator and outdoor gas grill may be reserved.
- These sites do not accommodate tents.
 Boating
- The 5,800-acre lake offers unlimited horsepower boating and features four boat ramps and boat docks for rental.
- Skiing is popular in the open zone area.
- Indian Lake is the only inland lake in Ohio with lighted buoys for night navigation.
Hunting and Fishing
- Largemouth bass, saugeye, white bass, crappie, bluegill, walleye, yellow perch and catfish are plentiful here.
- Hunting is permitted in designated areas only.
- A valid Ohio hunting and/or fishing license is required.
Trails
- The Cherokee Trail, a 3-mile easy walk through brushy habitat, is located west of the camp.
- The Pew Island Trail, a 1-mile path, encircles Pew Island.
- Access is available to Pew Island from a causeway.
- This trail affords a spectacular view of Indian Lake.
- A paved bikeway is located on the West Bank between Old Field Beach and Lakeview Harbor. The bikeway is 3 miles long.
- Walkers and joggers are welcome to use the bikeway.
Swimming
- Two public beaches, Old Field Beach and Fox Island Beach, invite swimmers to relax in the cool waters of Indian Lake.
- A beach for camper use is located near the campground.
- There are also four designated boat/swim areas.
Picnicking
- Picnickers may choose from a number of shaded areas equipped with tables and grills.
- Five shelters may be reserved by calling the park office.
More To Do
- The campground offers a seasonal naturalist program, playgrounds, miniature golf, basketball and volleyball, and bicycle and boat rental.
- The camp office loans games and sporting equipment to registered campers.
- Other attractions in day-use areas are the nature center, playgrounds and sand volleyball courts at the beach. Check out upcoming events at the park.
Nature of the Area
The region of Indian Lake was originally a cluster of natural lakes situated on the Miami River. As the continental glaciers left Ohio, chunks of ice broke free, melted, and formed water-filled depressions called kettle lakes. The resultant shallow, marshy, natural lakes in this region covered an area of 640 acres. Among these were Old Indian Lake, Otter Lake, Blake Lake, Sheep Pen Lake and the Buck Wheat Patch.
The present and much larger lake lies along one of the country's major avian migration routes. Indian Lake is an important resting stop for birds such as Canada geese, ducks, grebes, swans, egrets and herons. Many stay over the summer to nest. Bald eagles once nested in the area but are no longer found here.
History of the Area
Early American history tells of the Indian tribes who lived and hunted in this region. Because of its close proximity to the Miami River, Indian Lake became part of the Indian trade route linking the Ohio River to Lake Erie. Generations of native Americans followed this route and occupied villages in the vicinity. By the early 1800s, white settlers made their way here and the history books record many accounts of skirmishes and battles resulting from the conflict between the Indians and new settlers. The famous frontiersmen Daniel Boone and Simon Kenton were known to have traveled here.
Despite Indian Lake's popularity as a year-round recreational area, the lake was not originally constructed with that purpose in mind. In the early 1800s, the primary means of commercial transportation was the canal system. Old Indian Lake was built in 1851 as a feeder lake for the Miami and Erie Canal to maintain the required four-foot water depth.
Following the passage of a resolution by the Ohio General Assembly in 1850 to use Indian Lake as a water supply for the canal, a bulkhead was built in Washington Township where the Great Miami River began and covered 1,000 acres. The work began in 1851 and was not completed until 1860. The total cost up to that time was $340,000. Irish laborers performed the work with picks, shovels and carts. Ironically, use of the canal system was declining as work on Indian Lake was completed. In 1893, Indian Lake or Lewistown Reservoir as it was then called, spanned 6,334 acres with 29 miles of shoreline. On April 9, 1898, the Ohio General Assembly dedicated the lake as a recreation area by the name of Indian Lake.
Indian Lake became a popular resort area at the turn of the century due to its central location on the old Toledo and Ohio Central Steamline and the Ohio Electric Railway. At one time, Indian Lake was known as the "Midwest's Million Dollar Playground." In 1949, the old Department of Conservation was abolished and Indian Lake became part of the newly-created Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation.
Area Attractions
Located six miles east of Bellefontaine on S.R. 540, Zane Caverns feature illuminated two-level caves. The caves are known for the formation of "cave pearls." Ohio Caverns, three miles east of West Liberty on S.R. 245, is the largest of all Ohio caves. Exquisite crystal-white stalactite/stalagmite formations are found in great profusion and artistic settings. Both Zane Caverns and Ohio Caverns charge a small admission.
Mad River Mountain ski area is located five miles east of Bellefontaine on U.S. 33. Horse rentals are available at Marmon Valley Farms on U.S. 33.
The Piatt Castles, Mac-A-Cheek and Mac-O-Chee, are located near West Liberty on S.R. 245. Built by the Piatt family after the Civil War, the houses are noted for their architecture, furnishings and collection of Indian relics.
West of Indian Lake are Lake Loramie and Grand Lake St. Marys state parks. Both feature camping and water related recreation. Northeast of the park are Killdeer Plains and Big Island wildlife areas operated by the Division of Wildlife. Both areas offer hunting and bird watching opportunities. Gross Woods, a state nature preserve operated by the Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, is one of the least disturbed woods in west-central Ohio.
Directions
From Cleveland, Ohio:
Take I-71 South to State Route 36, Exit West towards Delaware.
Take State Route 36 to U.S. 33.
Take U.S. 33 to the park.
From Columbus, Ohio:
Take U.S. 33 from Columbus towards Marysville.
The park is about 1hour and 15 minutes Northwest on U.S. 33.
From Cincinnati, Ohio:
Take I-75 North to State Route 274.
Take 274 East through Jackson Center to State Route 235.
Turn left and take State Route 235 to the park.
From Toledo, Ohio:
Take I-75 South to U.S. 33.
Go East on U.S. 33 20 minutes to the lake area.
From Dayton, Ohio:
Take I-75 North to State Route 274.
Take 274 East to State Route 235.
Turn left and take State Route 235 to the park.
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