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East Fork State Park


 
State Park Information

East Fork State Park
Box 119, 2505 Williamsburg-Bantam
Bethel, 45106-0119





State Park Overview


One of Ohios largest state parks, East Fork offers a
great diversity of recreational opportunities and natural
history only 25 miles from Cincinnati. The parks terrain
includes both rugged hills and open meadows, setting
the stage for a wonderful getaway.


Nature of the Area

Clermont Countys rolling hills and meandering river
valleys provide a colorful backdrop for spacious East
Fork State Park. Shaped by the forces of the Illinoian
and Wisconsinan glaciers, the East Fork region is
characterized by beautiful hill country scenery and is
noted for the occurrence of remnant prairie habitats.
Illinoian glacial deposits are not common in Ohio but
can be observed at East Fork and the surrounding area.


East Forks diverse landscape includes dry-forested hills,
rocky cascades, abandoned farmlands, thickly grown
floodplains, marshy grasslands and swamp forests. This
diversity lends well to an abundance of plant and
animal life. Woodlands are composed of beech, sugar
maple, red and white oak, shagbark hickory, and wild
black cherry. The swamp forests contain silver maple,
American elm, sycamore, and black gum. The
meadows and remnant prairies contain big bluestem
grass and purple coneflower among others.

Animals of the area include eastern plains garter
snake, fence lizard, red fox, deer, raccoon, Canada
geese, song sparrow, eastern meadowlark, and the barn
swallow.


Camping

East Fork has one of the largest camping areas in the state with 416 sites. The campground offers electrical hookups,
showers, drinking water, campers beach, flush toilets and boat ramps. Pets are permitted in designated areas. A
17-site horsemens camp is available as well. Six Rent-A-Camp units consisting of a tent, dining fly, cooler, cook
stove and other equipment can be rented during the summer months. Six Rent-A-RV units are also available.


Trails

For the hiker and backpacker, the 12-mile Backpack Trail tranverses many scenic park areas. In addition, the 37-mile
Steven Newman Worldwalker Perimeter Trail circles the park and is available for hikers, backpackers, and horsemen.
Four primitive campsites are located along these trails. Permits for their use are available through the park office. For
those less adventuresome, shorter trails are easily accessible. A 5-mile mountain bike trail begins just west of the park
entrance on S.R. 125.


Picnicking

Picnic areas with tables, grills and drinking water are located around the park. Two picnic shelters are available on a
first-come, first-served basis.


Boating

Those who enjoy water sports will find East Fork Lake very accommodating. There are 2,160 acres of water and
unlimited horsepower boating with access available at five launch ramps.


Swimming


Fishing and Hunting

The lake offers quality fishing with excellent catches of largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegill, and crappie. For
the sport fisherman, East Fork is stocked with the Hybrid Striper. Hunting is permitted in designated areas only. Valid
Ohio hunting and fishing licenses are required.


History of the Area

The Little Miami River basin in which East Fork State Park is situated has been home to many generations of man,
dating back to nearly 3,000 years ago. Moundbuilders, the Adena and Hopewell Indians, occupied this area. The
mound near Elklick Road is thought to have been built by the Adena. The Erie Indians also lived here much later,
though by 1655 this nation was completely destroyed by the powerful Iroquois. The area was virtually uninhabited
through the remainder of the 17th century.

As the new state of Ohio began to be settled in the early 19th century, the East Fork region attracted settlers from the
east. Grist mills, sawmills, blacksmith shops, tanneries and stagecoach depots were among the early commercial
activities.

In 1869, two gold mines operated in the vicinity. One mine was located near Elklick and consisted of a flume for
washing gravel containing flakes of gold. The mine near Twin Bridges tunnelled underground to reach gold deposits
encased in bedrock.

Not far from the present park office, the "Old Bethel Church" on Elklick Road dates from 1867. It occupies the site of
a log church built about 1807 by Reverend John Collins. Some of the hand-hewn timbers secured with wooden pegs
and hand-forged nails used to construct the 1818 church are still present in the existing church.

More recently, the area has taken on a new appearance due to the creation of East Fork Reservoir in 1978. As part of
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood control program, East Fork Lake and the surrounding region comprise one of
southwestern Ohios largest recreational areas.


Area Accommodations
B&Bs / Inns
Award winning for Best Design/D?r. Renovated late 1800s church near Newport Aquarium/downtown Cincinnati/riverfront restaurants. Spacious rooms private bath, Jacuzzi, shower, stained-glass windows.
Comfortably elegant lodging for business accomodations and romantic getaways. Minutes from Cincinnati & Newport Aquarium, The Wallace House Bed and Breakfast is located in historic Covington Kentucky.


More Info
Ohio has 73 state parks that offer a variety of outdoor experiences.
Enter Search Term ODNR Facilities Clermont County. State Parks East Fork State Park Stonelick State Park. State Nature Preserves Crooked Run State Nature Preserve. Boating Areas Harsha...
Buckeye TrailEvents ... 78 Work Party To be announced September 2122 Work Party East Fork State Park (Clermont County)Maintenancetentative Camp in family campground at East Fork State Park ...
... the trail winds 25 miles through East Fork State Park, the only portion entirely off-road. ... relocation of the Buckeye Trail through East Fork State Park is being done throughout the spring ...
Discovery GuideEast Fork State Park William H. Harsha Lake. Location Approximately one hour east of Cincinnati. Directions From Cincinnati, Interstate 75 and Interstate 275, take I-275 east...
RACE RESULTS. If there is a problem with your results please contact us at kurek@hfpracing.com. East Fork State ParkJuly 16. In the triathlon the swim was shortened to 600 yards due to...
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Cincinnati neighborhood community profiles at Cincinnatis Real Estate site, GoCincinnats HomeFinder.
Humane Society located in Batavia, Ohio, near Cincinnati, offering a variety of animals for adoption. A not-for-profit facility
Harsha LakeBethel, OH USA Wind Conditions Good Water Conditions Good Launch facilities Good Beach conditions Good Traffic conditions Fair Safety Fair Charges Free About the place 2160...
xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> OHCLERMO-L Archives. From HERMON B FAGLEY Subject History of mid-Clermonts Lake Harsha-East Fork State Park. Date Fri, 10 Mar 2000...
xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> OHCLERMO-L Archives. From HERMON B FAGLEY Subject 2,OOO+acre Lake Harsha in 8000 a. East Fork State Park,sw Ohio. Date Sat, 6 Jan...
Southwestern Ohio (Dayton) Rare Bird Alert. September 7, 1997. Compiled by Charlotte Mathena Yellow Warbler Photo by Jim Simpson. Highlights of this weeks report include Lesser Black-backed...
East Fork State Park. Stonelick State Park. Harsha Lake. Clermont County Park District. Little Miami River (2) Little Miami Scenic Trail. Cincinnati Nature Center. Expressway Park Softball...
Orienteering Cincinnati This page updated 21 June, 2002, 1110 am. Schedule Next OCIN event (click the "schedule" link above for details) East Fork State Park, 9 am11 am, July 27. Results ...
OHIO TRIATHLONS 2002. Saturday, April 06, 2002 Toledo, Ohio Ultra Athlete Indoor Triathlon. 15 min swim/15min bike (CompuTrainer) /15min run. Time 700 am EST. Phone (419) 885-2089. email ...
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Statewide Ohio bird sightings November 1999.
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... mile, Bike 13 miles, Run 3 miles Location East Fork State Park Phone 740-342-0853 (FAX 740-743- ... miles, Bike 13 miles, Run 3 miles Location East Fork State Park Phone 740-342-0853 (FAX 740-743- ...
THE OHIO TRIATHALATOR Triathlons Multi-Sport Events. Saturday, April 06, 2002 Toledo, Ohio Ultra Athlete Indoor Triathlon. 15 min swim/15min bike (CompuTrainer) /15min run. Time 700 am EST. ...
... good many miles to the west- northwest, at East Fork State Park. The trail follows an 8.6 mile ... segment. For a map and information, contact East Fork State Park, Box 119, Bethel OH. From East Fork, ...
... good many miles to the west- northwest, at East Fork State Park. The trail follows an 8.6 mile ... segment. For a map and information, contact East Fork State Park, Box 119, Bethel OH. From East Fork, ...


Area Attractions

Overlooking the Ohio River, the town of Point Pleasant is birthplace of President Ulysses S. Grant. The one-room
cottage where the 18th President of the United States was born is located at U.S. 52 and S.R. 232 just south of East
Fork.

Stonelick State Park is located to the north of East Fork at S.R. 727 and 133. Camping, fishing, hiking and swimming
are just a few of the activities available at Stonelick.

East Forks close proximity to the city of Cincinnati makes it easy to combine the best of the outdoor life with the
many activities available in the "Queen City." Major sporting events, fine dining, shopping, many cultural events
and festivities invite the parks visitors to spend a day in this bustling urban area. For more information, contact the
Clermont County Convention and Visitors Bureau at (513) 753-7211.


Area Campgrounds
East Fork State Park
3294 Elklick Rd
Bethel, OH
(513) 734-4323


Stonelick Lake State Park
2895 Lake Dr
Pleasant Plain, OH
(513) 625-7544


Nuts N Boats Campground Ltd
2558 Sprague Rd
Bethel, OH
(513) 734-7737


L & K Lake
1418 Oakleaf Rd
Sardinia, OH
(937) 446-2881


Lake Cozy-Dale
10621 Cozaddale Murdock St
Goshen, OH
(513) 722-1692


Woodland RV-Mobile Home Park
7631 Daly Rd
Cincinnati, OH
(513) 931-8845


Hidden Valley Storage
9797 Reading Rd # Aa
Cincinnati, OH
(513) 733-5330


Lake Terrace Park
8223 Stahley Dr
Cincinnati, OH
(513) 741-7676


Hamilton County Park District
10245 Winton Rd
Cincinnati, OH
(513) 521-7275




Area Fishing Related Businesses
Adrien Fly Fishing Outfitters
7829 Cooper Rd
Cincinnati, OH
(513) 794-1100


Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World
300 Cincinnati Mills Dr
Cincinnati, OH
(513) 826-5200


Cincinnati Wholesale Bait Co
3901 Spring Grove Ave
Cincinnati, OH
(513) 542-1300


Fehrmann's Live Bait & Tackle Shop
3901 Spring Grove Ave
Cincinnati, OH
(513) 542-1300


Folz Fishg Lake
7312 Bridgetown Rd
Cincinnati, OH
(513) 941-4765


Queen City Tackle
2971 Saddleback Dr
Cincinnati, OH
(513) 232-5355


Weezel Bait Co
2971 Saddleback Dr
Cincinnati, OH
(513) 232-5355


Boars Head Bait & Carry Out
2818 Old State Route 32
Batavia, OH
(513) 724-1211


Lake Gloria Golf Fishing
10511 Pippin Rd
Cincinnati, OH
(513) 825-9900


Lake Chetac Fishing Lake
8616 Lake Chetac Dr
Cincinnati, OH
Unverified listing


Lakefront Enterprises
2296 State Route 134
Sardinia, OH
(937) 446-3162


Walsh Live Bait & Tackle
8048 Tricounty Hwy
Sardinia, OH
(937) 446-3148


Midwest-Cedar Fish Farm
6444 Smith Rd
Loveland, OH
(513) 575-0124


Catman Blues Fishing Lake
1911 Lindale Nicholsville Rd
Amelia, OH
(513) 797-1018


Sherry's Fishing Lake
2155 Slade Rd
Batavia, OH
(513) 797-5300


Feesberg Shooting Range
1406 Rose Hill Rd
Hamersville, OH
(937) 379-1333


Horseshoe Lake
5687 State Route 133
Batavia, OH
(513) 625-1209


Dwelly's Gun Supply
1406 Rose Hill Rd
Hamersville, OH
(937) 379-1333


Starling Lake
1075 Starling Rd
Bethel, OH
(937) 379-1347


Cozy-Dale Campgrnds
10621 Cozaddale Murdock St
Goshen, OH
(513) 722-1692


Cedar Fishg Lake
6444 Smith Rd
Goshen, OH
(513) 575-0124




Area Resorts and Lodging
Red River Gorgeous
4303 Kirby Ave
Cincinnati, OH
(513) 245-0025


St John's Lodge
817 Windham Ave
Cincinnati, OH
(513) 559-9052


Mountain View Chalets
7044 Royalgreen Dr
Cincinnati, OH
(513) 231-7100


Quality Inn Evendale
1717 Glendale Milford Rd
Cincinnati, OH
(513) 771-5252


Kingsgate Marriott Conf Hotel
151 Goodman St
Cincinnati, OH
(513) 487-3800


Cinti Ski Club Voice Message
Cincinnati, OH
(513) 768-3245


Hyatt Hotels & Resorts Hyatt Regency Cincinnati
151 West 5th Street
Cincinnati, OH
(513) 579-1234


Marriott Hotels Resorts Suites
6189 Mulhauser Rd
Cincinnati, OH
(513) 874-7335


Tan Resort
126 W Plane St
Bethel, OH
(513) 734-0100


East Fork State Park

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