A.W. Marion State Park

Rolling woodlands and prairies painted with seasonal wildflowers surround Hargus Lake in Pickaway County, Ohio, only 30 miles south of Columbus. This peaceful area, inside A.W. Marion State Park, features a campground, trails, a lakeside marina with boat rentals, and picnic areas.

Guests love to boat, hike, bike, fish, camp, picnic, and bird watch at this Ohio state park.

Activities

Pack up your fishing gear, binoculars, and a picnic lunch and come spend a relaxing day inside A.W. Marion State Park. You’ll enjoy walking (or biking) along the trails, eating in one of the picnic areas scattered throughout the park, and swimming from your boat out on Hargus Lake.

Thinking about visiting during the winter? You’ll discover that there’s lots to do when the ground is frozen. Sledding, ice skating and ice fishing are popular here during the off season.

Here are some of the many activities that you can do during your visit to A.W. Marion State Park:

Boating at A.W. Marion State Park

Enjoy a leisurely day boating on Hargus Lake during your visit to A.W. Marion State Park. Kayaks, canoes and other hand powered boats or boats with electric motors are allowed on this 145 acre lake.

The park provides one boat launch for access to the lake, and guests may rent boats at the marina during tourist season. Boaters are also allowed to swim from their boats in special designated “boat swim” areas, since there is not a beach area available within the park.

Hiking at A.W. Marion State Park

Trails for hiking and a 7.3 mile multi-use trail shared with mountain bikes extends throughout the park’s woods, prairies, and along beautiful Hargus Lake. All trails are open year round.

The Hargus Lake Trail loops around the lake offering guests a moderate 3.9 mile hike with a few steep sections throughout. This trail also offers breathtaking views of the lake and seasonal wildflowers, plants and wildlife.

Biking at A.W. Marion State Park

Planning to spend some time at A.W. Marion State Park? Bring along your bicycles and ride throughout the park and along the 7 mile multi-use trail.

Fishing at A.W. Marion State Park

Pack your angling gear and plan for a relaxing day of fishing on picturesque Hargus Lake. The lake is stocked regularly with channel catfish, bluegill, crappie and largemouth bass. Ice fishing is popular here during the winter. Don’t forget to pick up an Ohio fishing license before heading over to the park.

Birding at A.W. Marion State Park

Pack your binoculars and bird list and take a peaceful walk through A.W. Marion State Park. The woodlands, prairies and along the river are excellent spots to bird watch, especially during the spring.

You may observe cardinals, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, White-breasted Nuthatches, mallards, vultures, Canadian Geese, and American Robin. As well as many other bird species both native and migratory.

Nature and Wildlife at A.W. Marion State Park

A.W. Marion State Park’s prairies, woodlands, and colorful wildflowers scattered along the shores of Scioto River offer ideal conditions for viewing a variety of wildlife. Birds (especially songbirds), white-tailed deer, fox squirrels, red foxes, raccoons, snakes, frogs, turtles, black bears, coyotes and bobcats may be sighted throughout this area.

Pets at A.W. Marion State Park

Pets are allowed at A.W. Marion State Park. And the park features an area where dogs may run and play in the lake as long as they are supervised. For all other designated areas, pets must be kept on a hand held leash no longer than 6 feet.

Camping at A.W. Marion State Park

Spend a cozy night nestled in the wooded campground inside A.W. Marion State Park. There are 28 electric and 28 non-electric campsites here. And pets are welcome. The campground area also features flush toilets, a seasonal camp store, basketball courts and access to the trails. No showers are available within the park.

State Park Near A.W. Marion State Park

Deer Creek State Park is only 25 miles west of A.W. Marion State Park. Located at 20635 State Park Road 20 in Mt. Sterling, this picturesque park is surrounded by rolling woodlands and Deer Creek Lake. Here you will discover Deer Creek Lodge & Conference Center, one of Ohio’s largest state park resorts, as well as an 18-hole golf course, a marina, the historic Harding Cabin, and a large family campground.

Park Location

A.W. Marion State Park
7317 Warner-Huffer Rd
Circleville, OH 43113
Phone: 740.467.2690

Website
Reservations

Map

Video

Here is a short YouTube video showcasing several attractions at A.W. Marion State Park: