Acres of uninterrupted hardwood forest sprawl over the many hills and coves of Strouds Run State Park. The rugged terrain and scenic lake provide visitors a unique wilderness escape in southeastern Ohio.
Contact:
11661 State Park Road
Athens,OH 45701
Email:
Website: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/strouds/tabid/790/Default.aspx
Camping
78 non-electric sites Latrines, waste drains, picnic tables and fire rings are provided 10 sites are available for campers with pets Group camp area is available for organized groups on a reservation basis Boating
Boats with a 10-hp limit are permitted on Dow Lake. Launch ramp and 12 tie-up stakes Boat rental information may be obtained at the park office Fishing and Hunting
Rainbow trout, largemouth bass, crappie and channel catfish are taken from the lake. Hunting is permitted in designated areas. Wild turkey, gray squirrel and white-tailed deer are abundant. A valid Ohio fishing and/or hunting license is required. Trails
15 miles of hiking trails meander through the wooded hills of Strouds Run leading to scenic vistas throughout the park. Excellent birdwatching and nature study can be done along the trail. 8-1/2 mile bridle trail has been constructed by volunteers from the Ohio Horseman's Council, Athens County Chapter, working under the Adopt-A-Trail program • The trail can be accessed from the parking lot off Township Road 21 and at locations along County Road 20 Swimming
900-foot sand beach on the east side of the lake is open during the summer months from sunrise to sunset. Change booths, drinking water and restrooms are available. Scuba diving with proper equipment is permitted. Diving alone and within the beach area is prohibited. Check for water quality advisories Picnicking
Picnic tables and cooking grates are located at the north end of the lake and south of the dam. Most picnic areas have restrooms available, no restrooms are available south of the dam 3 shelterhouses, located at the north end of the lake, are available on a first-come, first-served basis or may be reserved for a fee • Contact the Burr Oak park office for details More To Do
Basketball court and playground equipment Boat rentals are available at the beach, along with a volleyball court
Strouds Run State Park is located in the scenic forested hills of Athens County, in the midst of the unglaciated Appalachian Plateau. Although untouched by the vast ice sheets that moved across portions of the state over 12,000 years ago, the effects of the glaciers can be seen today in the deep ravines and high hills of Strouds Run. Stream valleys served as outlets for torrents of glacial meltwaters. The erosion power of these waters began carving valleys and hillsides into the familiar topography Ohioans know today. Large deposits of glacial outwash, primarily sand and gravel, were deposited along these streams and strongly affected the type of biological communities present today at the park.
Sandstone, the principal bedrock outcropping in the region, is very resistant to erosion and forms the uplands and steep sides of the valleys. Twisting roads and forest trails pass through these deep ravines and lead to dense stands of beech, hickory, oak, maple and tuliptree. Seasonal displays are offered by flowering dogwood, redbud and spring wildflowers--with fall presenting a pageant of colorful foliage. These woods are home to white-tailed deer, fox, raccoon, opossum, squirrel, wild turkey and a variety of songbirds. Woodthrush, white-breasted nuthatch, scarlet tanager, pileated woodpecker and the rufous-sided towhee inhabit the forest canopy. These rugged hills and woodlands are truly reminiscent of the wilderness that characterized the Ohio country in the days of early settlers.
