State: Ohio
Address 1: 20635 State Park Road 20
City: Mount Sterling
Zip: 43143
Phone: 740-869-3124 740-869-3508
Open: Open all year
Open all Year: Yes
Number of Sites: 227
Electric: 227
Camp URL: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/parks/deercrk/tabid/725/Default.aspx
Full Hook: Yes
Located in the heart of Ohio’s agricultural country, Deer Creek State Park is central Ohio’s vacation showplace. A collage of meadows and woodlands surround the scenic reservoir. This resort park features a modern lodge, cottages, campground, golf course, swimming beach and boating for outdoor enthusiasts.
Lodge
110 guest rooms, many with a panoramic view of the lake.
Lodge features include indoor and outdoor pools, sauna, whirlpool and exercise room.
A restaurant, lounge and meeting rooms provide additional accommodations
Tennis courts are available for lodge and cottage guest use
Cottages
25 cottages each with two bedrooms, bath with a shower, living room with a sofa bed, complete kitchen, dining area and screened porch
The cottages sleep up to six people
The historic Harding Cabin offers a unique lakeside setting and sleeps 7-9
Camping
227 electric sites
Features include showers, flush toilets and a dump station
Pets are permitted on all sites
Campground attractions include a tetherball, volleyball and basketball courts, horseshoe pits, 2 playgrounds and miniature golf
Bicycles can be rented from the camp office for a fee
Group camp is also available by reservation
Equestrian camp provides primitive overnight facilities for riders and a primitive group camp offers an area for youth groups
Getaway Rentals
2 Camper cabins available April through October (exact dates vary)
Each unit sleeps up to 6 people
Features include electric outlets, A/C, heater, refrigerator, microwave, cook stove, porch with charcoal grill
Linens, dishes and cooking utensils are not provided
Daily housekeeping is not available
3 Rent-A-Camp units available May through October (exact dates vary)
Each unit consists of a large tent on a wooden platform with dining fly
Sleeps up to 4 people with sleeping pads
Equipment provided include a exterior electric outlet, camp light, cook stove, cooler, picnic table and fire ring
Linens, dishes and cooking utensils are not provided
Daily housekeeping is not available
Boating
Unlimited horsepower boating is permitted on the 1,277 acre Deer Creek reservoir
2 launch ramps provide access to the lake
A fully equipped marina offers fuel, boat rental and seasonal dock rentals
Fishing
Deer Creek Lake is famous for its early spring saugeye fishing below the dam
Excellent catches of catfish, largemouth bass and crappie also entice the angler
Valid Ohio fishing license is required
Swimming
1,700-foot public swimming beach
Picnic tables and grills are available
Boaters may take advantage of a boat-swim area
Check for water quality advisories
Picnicking
7 picnic areas are situated in scenic locations around the park
2 picnic shelters are available on a first come-first serve basis
Trails
7 hiking only trails
Adena Ridge Trail 3/4 Mile Easy
Waterloo Trail 1/4 Mile Easy
Van Horn Trail 2 Miles Easy-Moderate
Meadow Trail 1 Mile Moderate
Rolling Hills Trail 2.5 Miles Moderate
Marsh Walk Trail 1 Mile Moderate
Ridge Trail 1.5 Miles Moderate
Mountain Biking Trail 1 Mile Easy
Bridle Trail that also allows hiking 17 miles Moderate
Golf
A 350-acre, 18-hole public golf course near the lodge is a challenge for golfers with its 10 ponds and 52 sand traps
Get more information about the course
Hunting
The lake provides excellent waterfowl hunting
12 hunting blinds are issued each season on a lottery basis
Hunting is permitted in the state wildlife area adjacent to the park for pheasant, rabbit, squirrel and deer
Valid Ohio hunting license is required
Winter Recreation
Snowmobiling is permitted on the 18 mile bridle trail when conditions permit
Sledding, ice fishing, and ice skating when conditions permit
More To Do
Volleyball and basketball courts, playgrounds, and a baseball field offered in select day-use areas
Lake access for dogs offers a place for your pets to frolic and swim
Area Attractions
East of Deer Creek near Circleville is A.W. Marion State Park which offers fishing, camping and picnicking
Stage’s Pond, a state nature preserve, is located five miles north of Circleville This 178-acre glacial, kettle lake is a waterfowl refuge and a prime observation area for birdlife
Deer Creek Wildlife Area which is adjacent to the park is operated by the ODNR Division of Wildlife and managed for upland game
In nearby Chillicothe, visitors can witness the living drama of Tecumseh at the Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheatre
Adena State Memorial, the restored home of Thomas Worthington is one of The Ohio Historical Society’s premier sites It includes Worthington’s newly-restored 1807 mansion and a 13,000 square foot Museum/Visitor Center
For additional information on area attractions, visit the Pickaway County Visitors Bureau
