Marina at Buck Creek State Park

Marina at Buck Creek State Park. Photo: Yinan Chen, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Serene Buck Creek State Park lies along CJ Brown Reservoir surrounded by rolling hills, meadows, and woodlands. This 4,016 acre park is located near Springfield, Ohio and many shops, restaurants, entertainment venues, museums, parks and trails.

Multi-use trails, cabins, a family campground, accessible fishing pier, Marina, and more await guests inside this spacious Ohio state park, offering them the chance to get outdoors and camp, hike, swim, boat, fish, picnic, bird watch, and much more.

Activities

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life by escaping to this rustic paradise. Enjoy a few hours or stay for a few days! This peaceful park features picnic areas, an 18-hole disc golf course, volleyball and basketball courts, a playground, Marina, and the historic Crabhill House.

During the winter the park offers opportunities for sledding, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing.

Here are some of the activities that you can do during your visit to Buck Creek State Park:

Boating at Buck Creek State Park

Boats of all types are allowed on CJ Brown Reservoir and access to the lake, via a 4 lane launch ramp, is located near the park office. The Marina offers seasonal dock rentals and a separate boat camping area may be accessed on the north side of the lake.

Swimming at Buck Creek State Park

Enjoy a few relaxing hours swimming, floating, and sunbathing at Buck Creek State Park. The park’s 2,400 foot sandy beach is welcoming during the summer. Please be aware that swimming is only allowed in designated areas and pets are not allowed on the beach.

Hiking at Buck Creek State Park

Buck Creek State Park’s trails flow through the woods, along the lake, and into nearby trails located within the US Army Corps of Engineers property and nearby Springfield.

Here are a couple of the trails at Buck Creek State Park:

  • Lakeview Trail – A moderate 2.9 mile trail around the lake. It begins near the Marina, leads through the cabin area and heads to the east side of the lake.
  • The Buck Creek Trail – This paved multi-use trail leads outside the park where it connects with community trails, other parks, and the Springfield Museum of Art.

Biking at Buck Creek State Park

Pick up a bike rental from the park’s Camp Store and take a leisurely ride throughout Buck Creek State Park. The Camp Store is only open seasonally.

Fishing at Buck Creek State Park

Grab your angling gear and pick up an Ohio fishing license for a quiet day of fishing on the lake inside Buck Creek State Park. You may fish for bass, catfish, crappie, bluegill, muskie, or walleye from your boat or along the accessible fishing pier that is located near the Marina. A bait shop is also available at the Marina.

Hunting at Buck Creek State Park

Hunting is allowed within designated areas at Buck Creek State Park and a controlled deer hunt is offered once a year. For more information contact the park, and be sure to pick up an Ohio hunting license before heading over to the park to hunt.

Birding at Buck Creek State Park

The park’s shallow water, open meadows and lush forest attract many native and migratory birds, especially migrating ducks. Bring along your binoculars for a closer look at Canadian Geese, Mallards, Ring-billed Gulls, Belted Kingfishers, American Black Ducks, Northern Pintails, Gadwalls, American White Pelicans, Henslow’s Sparrows, and Trumpeter Swans.

Nature and Wildlife at Buck Creek State Park

Nearby Springfield was named for the countless springs that seemingly pop up from the surrounding meadowlands. Many plants and wildlife thrive within these wet areas, including the spotted turtle, one of Ohio’s endangered animals.

Other wildlife that you may see here are white-tailed deer, squirrels, raccoons, snakes, skunks, opossum, and many species of birds.

Pets at Buck Creek State Park

Pets are allowed at Buck Creek State Park but must be supervised and kept on a hand held leash that is no longer than 6 feet. Pets are not allowed inside park buildings (including cabins) or in the beach area.

Camping at Buck Creek State Park

Spend a few nights inside Buck Creek State Park’s peaceful campground. The campground features campsites and cabins nestled throughout the woods and near the lake.

Each of the 25 cabins has 2 bedrooms, a bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen, dining area, and a screened in porch. Several cabins also offer picturesque views of the lake. Cabins also include air conditioning, linens, and a flat screen tv with cable. And each has a picnic table, charcoal grill, and a fire ring outside.

The main campground area has 86 electric sites and 21 non electric sites for tents and RVs. Campers have access to restrooms, showers, a dump station, a camp store, and a small beach area. The seasonal camp store carries snacks, ice, firewood, and pedal kart rentals. Pets are allowed on any of the campsites.

Park Location

Buck Creek State Park
1976 Buck Creek Ln
Springfield, OH 45502
Phone: 937.322.5284

Park Website
Reservations

Map

Video

Here is a short YouTube video with some aerial footage of Buck Creek State Park: