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Special Events and Activities
- Throughout the winter months, a number of Ohio State Parks offer a variety of special events and activities
- Indoor pursuits include festive holiday gatherings, craft workshops and natural history programs
- Guided hikes, sled dog races, cross-country skiing events and late-winter maple syrup festivals provide an outstanding opportunity to enjoy winter scenery and get fit naturally
- For dates and locations, see the calendar of events.
Cottages, Lodges and Camping
- Cottages, lodges, and most campgrounds at Ohio State Parks are open year-round
- Cozy two-bedroom cottages at 15 state parks feature central heating, and many also offer gas log fireplaces for winter warmth
- 9 state park resort lodges offer comfortable guest rooms along with resort facilities and full-service dining rooms
- Reservations for cottages at Buck Creek, Cowan Lake, Dillon, Hocking Hills, Lake Hope, Mohican, Pike Lake, or Pymatuning can be made online, or by calling 1-866-OHIOPARKS (1-866-644-6727)
- Reservations for cottages or lodges at Burr Oak, Hueston Woods, Maumee Bay, Punderson, Shawnee or Salt Fork, can be made online or by calling 1-800-AT-A-PARK. For Mohican lodge reservations call 1-800-AT-A-PARK
- Reservations for Deer Creek Lodge or cottages can be made online, or by calling 1-877-678-DEER
- Reservations for Geneva Lodge can be made online, or by calling 1-800-801-9982
- Campground facilities at 56 state parks range from secluded primitive campsites to full-service sites with modern campground amenities
- Most state park campgrounds are open year-round, although many offer limited facilities during the winter months
- Most heated campground showerhouses are closed from November through March to conserve energy
- Reservations for camping can be made online, or by calling 1-866-OHIOPARKS (1-866-644-6727)
Enjoy Winter Fun Safely
Come prepared, be aware, and know when to go indoors.
- Dress warmly in layers, keep your head, neck and hands covered, and wear waterproof boots
- Wear wool or quick-drying synthetic fabrics
- Drink water to prevent dehydration, and avoid alcoholic beverages
- Be alert for symptoms of hypothermia: uncontrollable shivering, drowsiness, slow or slurred speech, memory lapses, or clumsiness
A minimum of five inches of ice is recommended for safe enjoyment of ice skating, ice fishing, ice boating and snowmobiling on state park lakes • However, even if the ice is several inches thick, ice-covered water is never completely safe
Thick ice can be weakened by thawing and refreezing, and pockets of air can form under the ice on lakes where the water levels are raised and lowered for flood control.
Never venture onto the ice alone, and follow these ice safety practices:
- Let someone know when you will be on the ice and when you will return
- Wear a life jacket or float coat
- Carry two screwdrivers, ice picks, or large nails to help gain a firm grip, should you have to pull yourself out of the water
- Avoid areas of thin ice or open water
Have Fun on the Ice
Be aware and know how to respond:
If you feel the ice begin to crack beneath you, follow these steps:
- Do not run
- Lie on your stomach and spread your arms and legs (like an airplane)
- Stretch your arms over your head and bring them together
- Bring your legs together and slither like a snake away from the crack • Do not bend your knees or elbows
- Roll to safety
If someone has fallen through the ice:
- Do not go onto the ice - if it broke once, it will break again
- Call for help
- Tell the victim to hold their hands close to their face and breathe into their hands
- Toss them something that floats (Try a cooler, or empty plastic bottle)
- Encourage them to use car keys, a pen, or other object in their pocket to begin to pull themselves onto the ice
If the victim is close enough to shore, you can help pull them in:
- Kneel or lie face down on solid ground
- Extend whatever you can find - a stick, fishing pole, rope, twirled blanket, coats tied together or jumper cables
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