Park Office & Mailing Address

3294 Elklick Road, Bethel OH 45106
Reservations for camping, getaway rentals, & shelters:   513-734-4323   |    866-644-6727
East Fork State Park Website

Located predominantly in Batavia Township, the 4,870-acre East Fork State Park is one of the largest state parks in Ohio. With the recreational areas being operated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the park offers diverse recreational and natural history opportunities. Rolling hills, winding rivers, and a large lake provide a beautiful backdrop for wonderful recreational opportunities.

Operated by the Army Corp of Engineer’s – Louisville District, the park's 2,160-acre Harsha Lake primary purpose is flood control. But with the presence of the lake during non-flood events, the lake offers unlimited horsepower boating and is also an excellent lake for paddling, fishing, and swimming. Other amenities include a large scenic campground, picnic shelters, nature center, and a vast trail system for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and backpacking.

Camping
East Fork State Park Campground is large and wooded and located on the north side of the lake. It offers Electric and Full Hookup sites. Pets are permitted in all areas. The campground also offers horse-friendly Electric sites in Loop A.

Getaway Rentals Please inquire with East Fork State Park.

Horseback Riding Trails (From the ODNR Website)
• Campground Trail — 2 miles, easy; hikers permitted. Connects the Horseman’s Camping Loop A with the trailhead at the North Trail Head Parking Lot. From the Parking lot it starts on the east side (old roadbed) near the activity field. Medium blue markers
• Cascade Trail — 3 miles, moderate; hikers permitted. Loop through hardwood forest offers challenging ravine crossing, across the road from the Horseman’s Parking lot. White markers.
• Pin Oak Trail — 3 miles, easy; hikers permitted. Loop trail through mostly flat fields and woods, good wildlife viewing. The trail starts at the lake end of the parking lot. Red markers.
• Red Fox Trail — 5 miles, moderate. Loop crosses many steep ravines and winds along the hilltops high above the lake, providing spectacular views. This trail starts by the activity field. Orange markers.
• Twin Bridges Trail — 9 miles, moderate; hikers permitted. Loop with many steep ravine crossings takes the user along rocky, picturesque areas with miniature waterfalls and scenic views across the lake. Trailhead at the north end of the lot. Yellow markers.
• Steven Newman Worldwalker Perimeter Trail — 33 miles, moderate; multi-use for horses, hikers and backpackers. One of the park’s longest and most challenging trails. Green blazes. (Portions of the trail are shared by the Buckeye Trail, so you may also see blue blazes in some sections.)

Please be prepared for all types of trail conditions and plan accordingly.

There are Electric campsites in Loop A of the campground that can accommodate horses.

Mountain Bike Riding Trails (From the ODNR website)
Extensive trail system includes over 12 miles of traveling a mixture of flat, smooth stretches, twisting turns through wooded areas winds through steep hills, switchbacks, and ridges overlooking East Fork Lake. These trails are some of the most scenic in the region. Visit coramtb.org/trails for current conditions.
South side of the park:
• White Trail Loop — 2.5 miles, easy; mountain bikes, hiking, trail running
• Blue Trail Loop — 3 miles, intermediate; mountain bikes, hiking, trail running
• Yellow Trail — 2.1 miles, advanced; mountain bikes, hiking, trail running
• Orange Trail — 3 miles, intermediate/advanced; mountain bikes, hiking, trail running
• Red Trail (part of the Backpack Trail) - 14 miles, advanced; mountain bikes, hiking, trail running

North side of the park (Campground):
• Fern Hill Trail — 1.4 miles advanced; mountain bikes, hiking
• Whippoorwill Trail — 0.5 mile, easy; mountain bikes, hiking, trail running

Please be prepared for all types of trail conditions and plan accordingly.

Hiking Trails (From the ODNR website)
South side of the lake:
• Backpack Trail — 16 miles, moderate. It is a challenging hike through oak-hickory forest and old fields.
• Prairie Trail — 0.5 mile, easy. Located on Park Road 3, across from Blackberry Thicket parking lot. The trail was developed though the cooperative efforts of the Division of Wildlife, the National Wild Turkey Federation, and the park. The trail offers exposure to prairie grasses, and forest and is good for bird watching.
• Steven Newman Worldwalker Perimeter Trail — 33 miles, east to hard; multi-use for horses, hikers, and backpackers. Named after the famous world walker from Bethel, Ohio, this is one of the park’s longest and most challenging trails. This trail provides the opportunity to see the beauty and diversity of the whole park. Green blazes.

North side of lake:
• Fern Hill Trail — 1.4 miles, moderate; mountain biking permitted
• Whippoorwill Trail — 0.5 mile, easy; mountain biking permitted
• Williamsburg-Batavia Hike Bike Trail — 6 miles. Begins at the end of Old Broadway Road in Williamsburg and follows Williamsburg-Bantam Road through the East Fork Wildlife Area. After crossing Kain Run Creek via bridge, the trail winds to a scenic overlook along the edge of the lake. From there, the trail proceeds to the campground area and connects to the main campground road. The trail continues to follow the main park road and eventually connects to Zagar Road in Batavia Township.

West side of lake near US Army Corps property:
• Tailwater — 2 miles, moderate. Located below the dam, this challenging trail traverses an abandoned road, up a steep hill, and through mature forest. Wildflower displays in spring.
• Deer Ridge — 0.5 mile, easy. Located across from the US Army Corps of Engineers Visitors Center off Slade Road, this interpretive trail tells the story of the East Fork valley and has wildflower displays in the spring.

Hikers may also use the mountain bike and horse trails; hikers should yield to horseback riders when hiking on horse and multi-use trails. Please be prepared for all types of trail conditions and plan accordingly.

Picnicking
8 Picnic areas with tables, grills and drinking water are located around the park.
2 picnic shelters are available

The Turkey Ridge shelter is reservable online or by calling 866-644-6727; or you can make a reservation HERE.

Swimming (From the ODNR website)
A 1,200-foot swimming beach features changing booths, showers, and restrooms (including men’s, women’s and family). Swimming is permitted in designated areas during daylight hours. Please exercise caution while swimming at the beach.
• BeachGuard — Water quality advisories, Memorial Day to Labor Day, from Ohio Dept. of Health

Boating (From the ODNR website)
The 2,160-acre William H. Harsha Lake (East Fork Lake) offers unlimited horsepower boating. Seven launch ramps provide easy access to the lake.
• Campground Boat Ramp — 2 lanes, in the campground, on the north side of the lake
• Hand Launch Boat Ramp — east of the beach on the south side of the lake
• North Shore Boat Ramp — 2 lanes, on the north side of the lake, on the western part of the lake
• Reisinger Boat Ramp — 2 lanes, south side of the lake, east side of the park, north of the town of Bethel
• Slade Road Boat Ramp — 2 lanes, on US Army Corps of Engineers property near the dam, west of the park
• Tate Boat Ramp — 4 lanes, south side of the park
• Tunnel Mill Boat Ramp — 1 lane, in the East Fork Wildlife Area, on the east shore of the lake

A life jacket loaner board can be found at the Hand Launch ramp. A boat swim area and boat camping area are available near the Tate Boat Ramp.

Hunting (From the ODNR Webstite)
Hunting is permitted in designated areas only. Hunting blinds accessible to persons with mobility impairments can be found at the park. Hunting access for all abilities is located on N. Campbell Road and Tunnel Mill Road. East Fork State Park Hunting Map.

Duck blind drawings for the hunting season are conducted in late summer. Licenses can be purchased at the park office (weekdays, 8am-4pm).

Please contact the main office at (513) 734-2730 for additional information and access.
• Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations
• A valid Ohio hunting license is required.

Expanded Information
East Fork State Park is leased from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District at William H. Harsha Lake provides to make your visit not only safe, but enjoyable.