Camping  

• 59 electric sites
• Facilities include fire rings, picnic tables, waste-water drains and latrines
• 4 primitive campsites are also available on a "first come, first served basis"
• Pet camping is permitted on designated sites
• Camp store offers supplies, food and convenience items, and loans games and sporting equipment to registered campers
• Playground for youngsters

Getaway Rentals  

• 2 deluxe Camper Cabins, tucked in a quiet corner of the campground, are available May 20 thru early October
• Each cabin sleeps up to 4 adults on twin-size bunks
• Amenities include indoor electric outlets, a table and chairs, A/C, heater, ceiling fan, microwave, refrigerator, and outside fire ring
• Cooler, broom and dust pan are also provided
• Linens, dishes, etc. are not provided

Fishing

• The two small lakes at Mt. Gilead offer good catches of bass, bluegill and other panfish
• Valid Ohio fishing license is required

Boating

• Mt. Gilead allows boating with canoes, rowboats and boats with electric motors only.
• 1 Launch ramp provides access to the lake

Picnicking  

• 5 picnic areas are located in the park 3 on the south side of the park and 2 at the entrance off Route 42.
• 3 picnic shelters are available for reservation online or by calling 866-644-6727
  • Shelter House 1 -- Open 25' x 76' shelter with paved floor has 6 electric outlets (20 amp), amenities include fireplace, 12 picnic tables, and parking for up to 27 vehicles, close to restrooms, playground, and lake
  • Shelter House 2 -- Open 24' x 55' shelter with paved floor has 2 electri outlets (20 amp), amenities include small grill, 12 picnic tables and parking for up to 22 vehicles, close to restroom, playground, nature center, and lake
  • Shelter House 3 -- Open 20' x 40' shelter with paved floor has 4 electric outlets (20 amp), amenities include small grill, 10 picnic tables, and parking for up to 26 vehicles, close to restrooms, playground, nature center, and lake

Trails

• 7 bridle trails that also allow hiking or running
  
  • Whetstone Trail • 0.31 Miles • Easy
  • Meadow Trail • 0.6 Miles • Easy
  • Maple Grove Trail • 0.57 Miles • Moderate
  • Piney Woods Loop Trail • 1.5 Miles • Moderate
  • Sam's Creek Trail • 1 Mile • Moderate
  • Lakeside Trail • 1.7 Miles • Moderate-Difficult
  • Fern Ridge Trail • 1 Mile • Difficult

More To Do

• Double volleyball court, horseshoe pits and playground may be enjoyed by visitors in day-use areas of the park
• The park hosts special events year-round and provides summer nature programs
• 200-seat amphitheater may be rented for a variety of outdoor functions
• Picturesque gazebo may also be rented for special occasions

Area Attractions

• Located in the town of Mt Gilead, incorporated in 1839, offers a small town rural atmosphere combined with a colorful historical background
• The town of Marion is located west of the park on State Route 95 • The President Harding Home and Museum is located at 380 Mount Vernon Avenue • It was from this home that Warren G. Hading conducted his "Front Porch Campaign" in the 1920 presidential elections • Guided tours are available seasonally
• Marion also contains the Harding Memorial on Delaware Avenue at Vernon Heights Boulevard • The memorial --a circular, pillared monument of white Georgian marble--contains the tombs of President and Mrs. Harding
• Kokosing Lake and Knox Lake wildlife areas are found east of Mt. Gilead in Knox County • Both lakes offer fishing and boating opportunities
• Mid Ohio Race Track is located twenty minutes from the park • The course offers weekends of exciting racing, known nationwide on the race circuit
• The city of Mansfield is located northeast of the park on State Route 42 with six shopping centers, the Mansfield Art Center, the Renaissance Theater and the world-famous gardens at Kingwood Center
• For more information on area attractions and events:
  • Knox County Convention and Visitor's Bureau website or call 800-837-5282
  • Ohio Tourism Division website or call 800-BUCKEYE

Nature of the Area

The wealth of natural wonders found at Mt Gilead State Park can be traced back to the Ice Age--a time when two-thirds of Ohio was frozen land covered with glacial ice, nearly a mile thick in places.  During this age many changes occurred in the Ohio landscape: the stream systems were altered, topography changed and the Great Lakes were formed.  The glaciers left Ohio a legacy of valuable natural resources.

In the vicinity of Mt. Gilead, three end moraines (linear ridges of glacial sediment deposited along the ice edge) converged and account for the rolling terrain seen today.  A beautiful stand of second growth beech-maple forest exists at Mt. Gilead.

The mature woodlands provide a glimpse of what Ohio was to the early settlers.  Wildflowers such as wild geranium, hepatica, trillium and bloodroot, carpet the spring forest floor.  The leafy canopy is occupied by the woodthrush, white-breasted nuthatch, Carolina wren and other songbirds.  Skunks, raccoons, white-tailed deer and a variety of other mammals make this park their home.

History of the Area

Mt. Gilead State Park is located in Morrow County near the center of the state.  The first permanent settlers came into the county after the close of the War of 1812.  The first gristmill and sawmill were built on Whetstone Creek in 1821.  The town of Mt. Gilead, the county seat, served as a major stop on the underground railroad prior to the Civil War.  In more recent history, an oil boom occurred in Morrow County.  In 1961, a well was drilled on the Orrie Myers' property that produced 200 barrels a day.  As a result of that wells success, 30-40 well are drilled in Morrow County annually.

The first lake at Mt. Gilead was built in 1919 on the upper level of Sam's Creek.  On July 10, 1930, a larger lake was completed below the first one on this same tributary of Whetstone Creek.  The recreational area was originally under the supervision of the Bureau of Engineering.  In 1949, it was turned over to the newly formed ODNR Division of Parks and Recreation to be maintained as a state park.