Harrison Lake State Park (dnr.state.oh.us) spans 142 acres, including Harrison Lake's entire 3.2-mile shoreline. The lake was created in 1942 with the damming of Mill Creek, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources created a state park around it in 1950. Although the surrounding land is primarily agricultural, the park itself is mostly wooded, and it harbors a variety of wildlife including foxes, egrets, great blue heron, reptiles and amphibians. The campground at Harrison Lake State Park is located near the dam at the east end of the lake.
You can choose among 173 campsites at Harrison Lake State Park. Some are shady and secluded while others are more open and grassy. Most sites have electric hookups but 21 nonelectric sites are also available. Every campsite has a picnic table and a campfire ring, and campers have access to drinking water and modern restrooms with showers and flush toilets. The park has no waterfront campsites, but many sites are only a short walk from the lake. In addition to campsites, the park also has a camper cabin and two yurts, which are available for rental from May 1 to October 1.
Harrison Lake is known for its fishing, and with a current Ohio fishing license you can catch largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and catfish. The lake has a variety of fish-attracting habitats like submerged brush, flooded stump fields and a rip-rap shoreline near the dam. The water is usually stained to muddy, so try lures with lots of flash and vibration. There are no horsepower restrictions for boats on Harrison Lake, and you can launch a boat at the ramp on the lake's south shore. Canoes and rowboats are available for rental during the summer months. Other facilities in the park include several picnic areas, a swimming beach, basketball and volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, bike rentals and a 3.5-mile hiking trail that encircles the lake.
You can reserve a campsite at Harrison Lake State Park by phone or through Ohio Department of Natural Resources website. Unreserved campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, but the campground can fill up quickly, especially during summer. You can camp at the park at any time of year, but amenities are limited in winter and access cannot be guaranteed during severe winter weather.
