Flock of geese on the water at Lake White State Park

Lake White State Park is a small day-use recreational area located near southwest Waverly, Ohio, only 65 miles south of Columbus. Nestled within the forested hills of the Appalachians, this serene park surrounds a 337-acre lake where visitors may swim, boat, and fish.

The park also provides picnic areas and ideal conditions for bird watchers. Guests enjoy spending the day inside Lake White State Park and then heading over to nearby Pike Lake State Park for the night.

Activities

Enjoy a leisurely day inside Lake White State Park. And then drive over to Pike Lake State Park. That nearby Ohio state Park features campsites, cabins, and group camping options nestled within the woods and along Pike Lake. They also have hiking trails and an 18-hole Disc Golf Course.

Get out on the lake for some fun or spend some time lakeside. Prepare ahead. Put your bathing suit on, grab your fishing gear, kayak, and your binoculars and bird lists before heading over.

And don’t forget to pack a snack or meal so that you can rest and relax in one of the park’s picturesque picnic areas overlooking the lake. Picnic shelters may be reserved ahead or on a first-come basis. A playground is located near the picnic area for the little ones to run and play.

Thinking about visiting the area during the winter? Sledding is popular inside the park and a perfect sledding area is located near the picnic shelters.

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

Boating at Lake White State Park

Canoe, kayak, sail, jet ski, and more on the 337 acre lake inside Lake White State Park. All may enjoy the lake here because Lake White offers unlimited MPH boating. Access to the lake is located at a private nearby Marina and along a launch ramp at the intersection of state Routes 551 and 104.

Swimming at Lake White State Park

Lake White State Park provides a small beach area and a boat swimming area for guests to enjoy during their visit. Swimming is allowed within designated areas only.

Fishing at Lake White State Park

Grab your angling gear and pick up an Ohio fishing license before heading over to Lake White State Park. Here you may catch largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill, saugeye, and crappie.

Birding at Lake White State Park

Bring your binoculars and spend a quiet day birdwatching inside Lake White State Park. The area around the lake is ideal for glimpsing Canada Geese, Mallards, Blue Jays, Northern Cardinals, Ring-billed Gulls, Common Mergansers, House Sparrows, Ruffed Grouse, Wild Turkeys, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, and Great Blue Herons.

Nature and Wildlife at Lake White State Park

Picturesque Lake White, located within the Appalachian foothills near Scioto River, is surrounded by forested hills of oaks, hickories, and maples. And blooming dogwoods, redbuds, and other woodland wildflowers during the spring.

Many White-tailed Deer, squirrels, raccoons, skunks, opossum, snakes, turtles, and birds may be seen throughout the area.

Pets at Lake White State Park

Pets are welcome inside Lake White State Park. Pets must be supervised and kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet.

Camping Near Lake White State Park

Nearby Pike Lake State Park, located at 1847 Pike Lake Road in Bainbridge, has campsites, cabins, a primitive group camping area and a group lodge that may be reserved overnight.

This cozy campground lies nestled along a small peaceful lake surrounded by wooded hills. Each campsite has electricity, a picnic table and a fire ring, and are near showers, restrooms, and a dump station. Pets are welcome on all sites.

Pike Lake State Park also offers two types of cabins, basic and preferred. Each cabin sleeps 4 to 6 and has heat, air conditioning, dishes and utensils. Pets are allowed in some of the cabins.

The basic cabins are only available during the summer. These smaller cabins have a kitchen/dining area, a bathroom, and a living/sleeping area that sleeps 4. Linens are not provided.

The preferred cabins have 2 bedrooms, a bathroom with a shower, kitchen, dining area, living room with a gas log fireplace, and a screened-in porch.

Park Location

Lake White State Park
2767 State Route 551
Waverly, OH 45690
Phone: 740.493.2212

Park Website
Reservations

Map

Video

Here is a short YouTube video with some drone footage at Lake White State Park: