🌤 Weather at East Fork State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31–76 °F | 61–87 °F | 33–80 °F | 22–43 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Milford, 14 mi away, elevation 520 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Activities
You’ll enjoy spending quality time with friends and family inside this large Ohio state park. Inside this spacious area you may camp, paddle, swim, fish, picnic, bird watch, hike, bike, horseback ride, and so much more. Here are some of the activities that you can do during your visit to East Fork State Park:
Boating at East Fork State Park
Bring your boat and enjoy a fun day out on the 2,160 acre lake inside East Fork State Park. The William H. Harsha Lake, also known as East Fork Lake, has no horsepower limit restrictions so feel free to bring those jet skis too. Access to the lake is provided along 7 boat launch ramps that are scattered throughout the park, including 2 in the campground area. Life jackets are available (to borrow) at the Hand Launch Ramp. And a separate boat swimming and boat camping area may be accessed near the Tate Boat Ramp.
Swimming at East Fork State Park
Take a refreshing dip in the lake and then relax on the beach inside East Fork State Park. Restrooms, showers, and changing rooms are conveniently located near the 1,200 foot beach area. Swimming is only allowed during daylight hours.
Hiking at East Fork State Park
Explore the many miles of trails that wind throughout wildflower prairies, abandoned roadways, and the thick oak-hickory forest inside East Fork State Park. Hikers may also use the mountain bike and equestrian trails but should exercise caution when doing so and always yield to horses. Here are some of the trails at East Fork State Park:
- Storybook Trail – An easy 0.5 mile trail that presents a children’s story broken into sections along its path. The book changes throughout the year. A Small Free Library is located near the beginning of the trail and guests may take a book or leave a book.
- The Tailwater Trail – A moderate 2 mile trail located below the dam climbs upwards as it winds through the thick woodlands along an abandoned roadway.
- The Backpack Trail – A moderate yet challenging 16 mile trail that winds through the oak-hickory forest and along old fields. This trail provides access to 2 primitive camping areas along its route.
Mountain Biking at East Fork State Park
East Fork State Park features 12 miles of flat smooth mountain bike trails that twist, turn, and wind throughout the woods and along the ridge that overlooks the lake. The trails also feature switchbacks and steep inclines for advanced riders. Additional multi-use trails are also available for riders to share with hikers.
Horseback Riding at East Fork State Park
Equestrians will enjoy riding along the miles of trails that wind throughout the woodlands, fields, and wildflower meadows. These extensive trails offer riders challenging ravine crossings and spectacular views along the hilltops overlooking the lake. Parking and spacious equestrian campsites are available near the main campground and trails.
Fishing at East Fork State Park
Fish for largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, striper, and smallmouth bass during your visit to East Fork State Park. Pick up an Ohio fishing license online or at the park office. The park office is open Monday through Friday between 8 am and 4 pm.
Archery at East Fork State Park
East Fork State Park offers 2 archery ranges for guests who bring their own equipment. One range consists of 6 lanes of 20-, 30-, 40-, and 50- yard static targets. The second range walks through a thickly wooded area and features elevated 3D targets in distances of 26 to 60 yards. Both ranges are located on the south side of the park.
Hunting at East Fork State Park
East Fork State Park allows hunting in season and in designated areas only. For more information contact the park’s main office at 513-734-2730. And don’t forget to pick up an Ohio hunting license if you plan on hunting inside the park.
Birding at East Fork State Park
East Fork State Park provides ideal conditions for bird watchers of all ages. The park’s beach area attracts many species of shorebirds and waterfowl and songbirds may be seen and heard throughout the woods and along the extensive trail system. Bring your binoculars and bird list for a chance to discover many gulls, hawks, swallows, grebes, terns, goldfinches, cowbirds, woodpeckers, and Blue Birds, Carolina chickadees, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Eastern Meadowlarks, Canadian Geese, Northern Cardinals, Indigo Buntings, Barn Swallows, and Song Sparrows.
Nature and Wildlife at East Fork State Park
Picturesque East Fork State Park is surrounded by oak-hickory-maple-beech woodlands, wildflower prairies, rocky cascading hills, marshy grasslands and swampy forests of sycamore, elm, and black gum trees. White-tailed deer, rabbits, squirrels, foxes, raccoons, waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds, snakes, lizards, woodchucks, and many more wildlife species may be seen along the trails, streams, and the expansive lake.
Pets at East Fork State Park
Pets are allowed within designated areas at East Fork State Park. Please supervise your pets and keep them on a hand held leash that is no longer than 6 feet.
Camping at East Fork State Park
East Fork State Park features a large family campground nestled within the shady woods along the north side of the lake. The campground consists of 23 full-hookup sites and 376 electric campsites near showers, flush toilets, and drinking water. Seventeen of the electric campsites are open for guests traveling with their horses. All campsites are pet friendly and near a beach area, boat ramp, playground, mini golf, basketball court, canoe, kayak, and bike rentals, and a Nature Center. Backcountry camping is also available within the park and free. Guests are required to get a permit before camping in one of these 5 designated areas that are located along the Backpacking and Perimeter Trails.
Park Location
East Fork State Park 3294 Elklick Rd Bethel, OH 45106 Phone: 513.734.4323 Park Website Reservations
Map
Explore More Ohio State Parks
East Fork State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in Ohio. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Ohio guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
More parks nearby: Stonelick State Park is a short drive away, while Cowan Lake State Park lies within about an hour’s drive.
⛺ Camping at East Fork State Park: Campgrounds & Cabins
| Campsites | 416 sites — 376 electric sites; 23 full-hookup sites; 17 equestrian sites; all with 20/30/50-amp service; no non-electric sites in main campground (backpacking sites along trails require permit instead) |
|---|---|
| Pets | Leashed pets allowed on all sites (2/site limit); not allowed in shower house or on sand areas of campground beach; must clean up feces; no bathing pets at campground |
| Reservations | reserveohio.com or 866-644-6727, up to 6 months in advance; no walk-in sites — if camp store is open and sites available, reservation can be made there; camp store (513) 724-6521 |
| Special sites | 5 Primitive Overnight backpacking sites (no road access, hike-in, 1-night limit for transient hikers only, fire ring, horse tie-offs, Adirondack shelters at areas 1 & 2) |
| Season notes | Park required to winterize by Nov 1, but Loop C (sites 42-91, heated showerhouse) and Loop A (equestrian sites 1-17, showerhouse closed) remain open year-round; Campground Office not staffed in winter |
Camping questions about East Fork State Park
Can you camp at East Fork State Park?
Yes. East Fork State Park has 416 campsites. 376 electric sites; 23 full-hookup sites; 17 equestrian sites; all with 20/30/50-amp service; no non-electric sites in main campground (backpacking sites along trails require permit instead).
How do you reserve a campsite at East Fork State Park?
reserveohio.com or 866-644-6727, up to 6 months in advance; no walk-in sites — if camp store is open and sites available, reservation can be made there; camp store (513) 724-6521.
Are pets allowed at the East Fork State Park campground?
Leashed pets allowed on all sites (2/site limit); not allowed in shower house or on sand areas of campground beach; must clean up feces; no bathing pets at campground.
Source: ohiodnr.gov (verified July 2026). Details change seasonally — confirm when booking.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at East Fork State Park
Park policy: ODNR states that East Fork is leashed pet friendly in all areas except beach sand. The 400-plus-site campground allows leashed pets throughout, and the park's swimming section repeats that dogs are not permitted in sandy areas.
- Pets allowed?
- Leashed pets allowed in every area of the park except the sandy beach areas
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Leash not to exceed 6 feet in length, in hand and under control
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- No pets allowed at swimming beaches; some parks have designated dog swim areas and dog parks
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pet-friendly cabins available at select parks (Buck Creek, Cowan, Dillon, Lake Hope, Mohican, Pike Lake, Pymatuning); maximum two pets per cabin; $10 added fee
- Pet fees statewide rule
- $10 added fee for pet-friendly cabins (charged whether pets come along or not); no pet fee for day use or camping
- Park-specific rules
- The sand at the 1,200-foot swimming beach is the only place the park closes to dogs; the trail system, boat ramps and campground loops are all open to leashed pets.
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Designated leash-free dog exercise areas exist at some parks; no bathing of pets in campground shower houses
Are dogs allowed at East Fork State Park?
Leashed pets allowed in every area of the park except the sandy beach areas.
Beyond that, Ohio’s statewide rules apply.
Rules verified July 2026 via ohiodnr.gov. More: Ohio state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Location
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