A 420-acre artificial impoundment in Stark county, surrounded by rich vegetation and diverse landscape prime for outdoor activities, Beach City Lake is a perfect relaxation spot. Located in Tuscarawas, Ohio, about nine miles from North Philadelphia, the lake is one of many attractions in the 2000 acre Beach City Wildlife Area in the heart of Ohio, which brings thousands of visitors to the state annually. Constructed in 1936 by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers, the dam serves numerous purposes to the community, including flood control, water supply, recreation, and hydroelectricity.
The Corps of Engineers manage and administer the park, including its lake, dam, and natural resources. The Corps offers plenty of recreational and recreational options to ensure visitors enjoy their stay at the park. Paved roads and trails give visitors routes for biking, hiking, and cycling. The large lake area also offers a lot of water sports activities, including fishing, swimming, kayaking, and diving. The lake is located within a wildlife reservation, meaning visitors get to see some of the amazing animals that call the resort home. Comfortable camping facilities also give visitors the option of spending multiple days at this beautiful natural area.
The lake can be easily accessed off U.S Route 93 in Tuscarawas, Ohio. Paved roads lead you from the highway into the park, with visible signposts directing you to the campground, day-use area, and the lake. U.S Route 93 also has a boat launch where small kayaks can access the lake. Parking lots are scattered all around the resort.
Beach City Lake has no campground of its own. Instead, those looking to stay for a night or two in this area can head to Mill Creek, another COE campground about an hour's drive to the northeast.
Mill Creek is located on Berlin Lake and offers boating and fishing on the lake for campers looking to get out on the water. With over 300 campsites, Mill Creek has a variety of different pitches. Some offer great shade from tall trees, while others are more open so that you can enjoy the sun and the views of the lake.
Around a third of the sites offer electrical hookups. There are no sewer hookups, but there is a dump station where you can empty out your tanks. There is also a playground, a volleyball court, and a shower block. Kids will be able to burn off excess energy at the playground, making for a more restful night for everyone.
Fishing tops the list of activities for a large number of visitors to the resort. The lake has an appealing variety of sport fish, and the chances of a catch are higher than most other lakes, making fishing a popular activity for adults and kids alike.
Largemouth bass and big bass make up a large percentage of catches early in the year, with trout and whitefish a lot more common as the year progresses toward summer. Crappie and bluegill are common catches all year round.
Hunting is very common at the resort. The wildlife area is open to public hunting, and hunters target Canada geese, grouse, white-tailed deer, ducks, and turkeys. Rabbits, raccoons, pheasants, and squirrels are also frequent targets. The hunting area can get crowded during the first few days of hunting season, but the number of hunters reduces as the season wears on. Hunting is highly regulated, and all hunters at the park must abide by the resort's hunting rules.
Bring your binoculars to the park to see some of Ohio's finest bird species. Good lenses might capture some amazing species on the tall trees at the park where most of the birds build homes.
The northern cardinal, the state bird of Ohio, is a common sight. Allen's hummingbird is also common and is one of over ten hummingbird species at the park. Grouse and pheasants are common on the grasslands, with loons, cormorants, and vultures also easy to spot.
There is a small boat ramp south of U.S 259 on Route 93, which gives visitors lake access with boats and kayaks. Boating is permitted in most parts of the lake, granted the boat operates at below ten horsepower. Boats are often used for fishing as well as exploring the resort.
Boaters can spot ducks, waterfowl, turtles and other water-based animals. Boating is also a popular sport for photographers, as a boat ride on the lake gives you some of the park's most scenic views.
The park offers a diverse trail system. Off trial woodland hiking, backcountry hiking, and grassland hiking are all available. Trails offer brilliant views of the resort as well as some wildlife and birding opportunities. Pick up a map of the park and the trial system to help keep yourself oriented.
The wildlife viewing area offers visitors the chance to see the amazing animals that live in the park. Bring your cameras to take photos of black bears, deer, coyotes, foxes, otters, and rabbits. Other mammals that can be spotted include bobcats, mountain lions, and ferrets.
Make sure to keep your distance from any wildlife you encounter, and never feed wild animals.
