Location:

The meadows, woodlots and still waters of 2,384-acre Sycamore State Park offer an oasis of natural features in the midst of expansive farmland • Sycamore provides the perfect setting for  picnicking, hiking, fishing and horseback riding

Camping

• Group areas are available to organized groups on a reservation basis by calling the park office
  • Group Camp "A" contains several basic sleeping shelters, restrooms, grills and a large barn with electric • This area is completely accessible by wheelchair • Can accommodate groups of up to 100 people
  • Group Camp "B" contains a cabin and an open shelter with electric service, restroom, fire ring, and picnic tables • Can accommodate groups of up to 40 people
  • Both sites "A" and "B" have large areas for tent camping.
• Equestrian camp with 15 sites offers primitive camping with latrines, water, and tie-ups • This area is on a first-come, first-served basis with self-registration required • Contact the park office for details

Fishing

• Anglers will enjoy good catches of largemouth bass, bluegill and catfish in the park's ponds
• Excellent stream fishing for smallmouth bass
• Valid Ohio fishing license is required

Boating

• Scenic ponds offer opportunities for hand-power boating only, such as canoes, rowboats, and kayaks

Picnicking  

• 3 picnic shelters are available in the Overlook Picnic Area
• 2 small shelters are available only on a first-come, first-served basis
• Larger shelter near the playground area may be reserved online or by calling 866-644-6727 • If not reserved, it is available on a first-come, first-served basis
  • Reservations are available from April 1 through November 30
  • 16' x 44' partially enclosed area with paved surface has sliding doors that can enclose the entire shelter
  • 2 fireplaces
  • 6 picnic tables and bench around part of the structure provides extra seating
  • Accommodates up to 75 people
  • 2 electric outlets (15 amp)
  • 2 charcoal grills and 3 picnic tables are located nearby
  • Handicapped accessible
  • 75 parking spaces are located nearby
  • Located nearby are a playground, 3-acre fishing pond, 1/2-acre youth/handicapped fishing pond, vault latrines, and water supply (available March 16 through October 31)
  • Pets are permitted in the shelter area

Trails

• 4 Hiking Trails
  • Ghost Hedge Trail • 2.97 Miles • Easy
  • Beech Ridge Trail • 1.3 Miles • Moderate
  • Meadowlark Trail • 1.3 Miles • Moderate
  • Heron Run Trail • 1.73 Miles • Moderate
• Bridle Trails
  
  • Several trails total 18 miles
  • Snow Mobile Trail can be used as a bridle trail when conditions permit

Winter Recreation (conditions permitting)

• Snowmobiling • 6.2 mile • Moderate
• Sledding
• Cross country skiing
• Ice skating
• Ice fishing

Hunting

• Hunting is permitted on nearly 1,500 acres of park land with outstanding squirrel and deer hunting opportunities
• Valid Ohio hunting license is required

More To Do

• The Day-Use "Barn" Lodge, located in the Group Camp "A" area and equipped with electrical hookups, a woodburning stove, and a refrigerator and stove for cooking., is available for rental year-round for meetings, retreats, reunions or other functions.
• A second, smaller building in the Group Camp "B" area also is available for day-use functions.
• Contact the park office for reservations.

Area Attractions

• The nearby city of Dayton has several attractions including the Wright Brothers' flying machines on display in the city's Carillon Park
• Other unique aviation displays can be seen at the U.S. Air Force Museum
• Local historical attractions include Brookville's Spitler House and the Train Depot in nearby Trotwood
• Nature enthusiasts may wish to visit the Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm, Dayton's Natural History Museum and the reserves of the Five Rivers MetroParks
• For more information on area attractions, visit
  • Dayton-Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau website or call 800-221-8235
  • Ohio Tourism website or call 800-BUCKEYE (800-282-5393)

Nature of the Area

Sycamore State Park lies in the vast fertile till plains of western Ohio in the Wolf Creek Valley • The original forest contained magnificent oaks, walnut, maple, ash, wild cherry and many other tree species • The forest abounded with wild turkey, deer, elk and bison • Long before any permanent settlement was made in the area, its beauty and fertility were well known in the Kentucky settlements and to the people east of the Alleghenies

History of the Area

Settlers were attracted to this area because of the fertile soil • When the Miami-Erie Canal was completed in 1829, the area became quite prosperous • Underlying the rich fertile soils were vast beds of gravel and  sand providing excellent materials for road making • Hundreds of miles of roads were built in the county with these materials making it one of the most accessible during the state's infancy

At one time, the land comprising Sycamore State Park was purchased by a development corporation to build a housing project • When the corporation was unable to complete the construction, the lands were offered to the state of Ohio • Sycamore was dedicated as a state park in November 1979