Delaware State Park

Delaware State Park lies amid thick woodlands, wetlands, and wildflower meadows only 30 miles north of Columbus. This serene 1,686 acre public recreation area near the city of Delaware centers around a pristine 1,300 acre lake and features a Marina, hiking trails, a large family campground, and picturesque picnic areas.

Guests enjoy swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, camping, hunting, picnicking, and birdwatching in this peaceful wooded Ohio state park.

Activities

Pack your overnight bags and camping gear and come spend a few peaceful days lakeside surrounded by woodlands and meadows. Or just spend a few hours here and explore the trails, kayak, or rest in one of the picturesque picnic areas overlooking the lake.

Whether you plan to visit during the warm months or the cooler ones, you’ll discover plenty of activities to keep you occupied.

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

Boating at Delaware State Park

Bring your own canoe, kayak, or boat of choice and enjoy a leisurely day out on Delaware Lake during your visit.

Enjoy your time, there isn’t a MPH limit for boaters on this 1300 acre lake. Dock rentals, boat rentals, life jackets, fuel, and fishing and boating supplies can be found at the seasonal Marina.

Three boat ramps, located around the lake, offer convenient access for guests. The Southwest launch area has an accessible kayak launch available. And boat camping is allowed at the Southwest dock and at the Marina.

Swimming at Delaware State Park

Swim, float, and sunbathe at the 800 foot public beach area inside Delaware State Park. This popular summer beach also features a picnic pavilion, restrooms, and a playground. There are also 2 boat swimming areas located on the lake.

A separate dog park beach area is located nearby.

Hiking at Delaware State Park

Delaware State Park features miles of hiking trails that wind through thick woodlands, wetlands, and wildflower meadows. These trails lead from the campground to the lake and out to the dam area and are open year round. During the winter cross-country skiing and sledding are popular throughout the park.

Here are a couple of the trails at Delaware State Park:

• The Mink Run Trail – An easy 1 mile trail that begins near the Marina and winds through the woods offering up close views of local flora and fauna.
• The Lakeview Trail – An easy 1.6 mile trail along abandoned roads and past farm fields, fence remnants, and the lake. This peaceful trail is great for bird watching.

Disc Golf at Delaware State Park

Delaware State Park offers a free to play 27-hole and a separate 9-hole disc golf course for guests to enjoy. The courses are located at Sweet Gum picnic area and in the campground. Bring your own discs or rent them inside the park.

Fishing at Delaware State Park

Don’t forget to pack your angling gear and pick up an Ohio fishing license before heading into the park. If you love fishing, you’ll enjoy catching largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, and muskie at Delaware State Park. Children under the age of 15 can try their luck in a small fishing pond located near the marina.

Hunting at Delaware State Park

Pick up an Ohio hunting license and hunt inside Delaware State Park and the adjacent Delaware wildlife Area.

Waterfowl, bow hunting, and trapping are allowed in designated areas. Contact the park for more information.

Birding at Delaware State Park

Delaware State Park provides ideal conditions for bird watching. As you walk along the wooded trails look and listen for Bald eagles, ospreys, egrets, owls, bluebirds, Canadian Geese, Blue Jays, American Crows, Mourning Doves, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, and Wild Turkeys.

Nature and Wildlife at Delaware State Park

The surrounding fertile agricultural plains, thick beech-maple forest, wildflower meadows, and large lake attract white-tailed deer, squirrels, songbirds, waterfowl, rabbits, woodchucks, and more. Guests will discover lots of flora and fauna throughout this serene park.

Pets at Delaware State Park

Pets are welcome inside Delaware State Park. Dogs should be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet except when they are running and playing within a separate fenced in dog park and swim area. Another fenced in dog park is available for guests near the campground.

Camping at Delaware State Park

Spend a peaceful night nestled within the heavily wooded campground inside Delaware State Park. The campground features 200 electric campsites and a primitive group camping area that overlooks the lake and can accommodate groups up to 40. The main campground area is close to showers, flush toilets, laundry facilities, potable water, and a dump station.

The campground area also features a playground, basketball and volleyball courts, tetherball, 9-hole Disc Golf, a fenced-in Dog Park, and a seasonal Camp Store that carries ice, camping supplies, and firewood. Games and sporting equipment are available within the campground office.

Park Location

Delaware State Park
5202 US Highway 23 North
Delaware, OH 43015
Phone: 740.548.4631

Park Website
Reservations

Map

Video

Here is a short YouTube video showcasing several attractions at Delaware State Park: