Located in the great till plains of Ohio, you’ll find Deer Creek State Park. This park is the perfect destination for any RV camper. You’ll instantly fall in love with the beautiful scenery and the abundant wildlife that you’ll find here. Look around you when you visit, and you’ll find all kinds of reptiles, amphibians, and birds. And you’ll never believe that pretty plains like these were actually created by the leftover dirt deposits and the smoothing out of the land from glaciers that moved through here a long time ago.
Deer Creek State Park also holds a lot of historical significance. In fact, you can still see evidence that hunter and gatherer nomads dating all the way back to 2000 BC actually set up camp here. We know this because researchers and scientists can learn a lot from the burial sites that they have found on this land.
Fast forward many years to when the dam was built in 1968. This dam created a lake in the area, attracting people until they decided to open a park around it in 1974. Today, you can still enjoy this wonderful lake. Go boating, paddling, swimming, and fishing as you please. If those things aren’t really what you’re into, then have no worries because there’s more to explore. Discover the many trails here, play some golf, or come during the winter for some fun winter activities. There’s always something fun to do when you bring your RV to Deer Creek State Park.
Deer Creek State Park is easy to find in Sterling, Ohio just off of US-62 on OH-20, so you should have no problems getting there. If you are heading in from the north or west, I-70, I-71, and I-270 are all great choices. From the south or east, you can take US-22, US-35, or OH-104. Less than 30 miles from Columbus, stop in at the state’s capital where you can see the Museum of Art, German Village, and Scioto River.
Once inside the park, the roads are laid out very simply, and you should be able to get wherever you need to go with ease. There is no need to worry about running into any RV restrictions in this park. However, you will need to drive slowly, and keep your eyes open because the park can be crowded all year long, meaning you will have to watch out for visitors as well as wildlife.
You’ll find parking at the park office, the day-use areas, and the trailheads. But if you’ve brought an RV, parking can sometimes be limited, especially during peak season and on weekends and holidays. You’ll find it easier to set up your RV at one of the campsites first before venturing out in another vehicle, on foot, or by bike.
At Deer Creek State Park, there are a variety of places to park your RV camper for a night - or maybe even two or three. In fact, there are 232 RV camping sites in total, and each one of these sites offers electric hookups for your convenience. When you stay here, you’ll have access to nearby showers, flush toilets, and even a dump station. You can also cook outdoors on the provided campfire grill and eat at the large picnic table. Pets are allowed as well so go ahead and bring Fluffy and Fido.
Great camping spots and amenities aren’t the only good things about this campground though. You’ll get to enjoy discovering all that there is here. Play some basketball, volleyball, mini golf, tetherball, horseshoes, or even just play on one of the two playgrounds. And if you don’t want to have to walk in order to make your way around different areas of the campground, then you can rent a bike at the camp office.
If you brought your other four-legged family members besides the pooches, you are in luck at Deer Creek State Park because they have an equestrian campground and plenty of bridle trails. Located in the northwestern part of the park, the Horsemen’s Campground is nestled in the woods near a pond where your horse can get a drink or cool off during the summer. There are three campsites, which can each accommodate an RV or trailer up to 40 feet long.
Even though there are no utilities at the Horsemen’s Campground, you can cook outdoors on the provided campfire grill or use your own camp stove or BBQ pit. The large picnic table seats eight guests so you can all eat together rather than balancing your food on your lap in a camp chair. Furbabies are welcome here too; just make sure you keep them on a leash or otherwise confined during your stay. Reservations are needed and can be made up to six months in advance online or by phone.
Whether you have a large family gathering or a big group, you’re all set here because there are two group campsites near the Horsemen’s Campground that can accommodate up to 100 people. The sites are separated from each other by a pond, so you will have plenty of space and privacy for your party. The site has six picnic tables that can seat up to eight people, so you may need to bring a few camp chairs as well. You will find pit toilets and potable water spigots nearby for your convenience.
You’ll also have a large campfire pit with a grill to cook on. But with a big group, you may want to bring in your own BBQ pit or camp stove as well. Pets are welcome here too so go ahead and bring your fur buddies along with you. Just be sure to keep them leashed or crated and properly supervised at all times. Reservations are required and can be made up to six months in advance.
Cabin camping is a great option for if you want something a little nicer than camping, but not as extravagant as staying at the lodge. There are 22 standard cabins and three with two bedrooms available by reservation. Both kinds of cabins can sleep up to six people. The two-bedroom units have two sets of bunk beds in one room with a double bed in the other. The standard cabins have two sets of bunk beds in the bedroom and a pull-out queen bed in the living room. Reservations are required, which can be made up to six months in advance. Several of the cabins are pet-friendly, but you must let them know when reserving your spot.
The cabins are tucked into the middle of the peninsula on Deer Creek Lake so that all of them give you a beautiful waterfront view. Each of the cabins have bathrooms with showers, a full kitchen, living room, and dining area. The living room comes with satellite television and seating for six. The screened porch has a seating area as well and the yard has a grill, campfire ring, and picnic table for outdoor cooking and eating. Towels, bedding, and kitchen utensils are included as well. Whichever kind of cabin you choose, you’ll feel right at home.
For a different kind of cabin experience, the Harding Cabin is off in its own private area of the park right on Deer Creek Lake, off of Marsh Walk Trail. This historic retreat used to be a presidential vacation spot and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The cabin can comfortably sleep eight guests with three bedrooms, a full bathroom, and fully furnished kitchen. There is even a gas fireplace in the living room with free Wi-Fi, a television with satellite, and a DVD player.
You will love the housekeeping service with daily towels and linens provided for your convenience. If you would rather cook outside, there is a large BBQ grill and picnic table for up to eight people. The indoor dining room table seats eight as well. The screened-in porch overlooks the lake so you can enjoy the beauty of the outdoors without the pesky mosquitoes and other critters. Make your reservations early because this is a popular rental, especially during the peak season.
Deer Creek Lodge features 110 guest rooms, and each one offers fantastic views of the lake. There are several options for you to choose from. The king guestrooms have one bed that sleeps two, queen rooms include two queen beds that sleep four, bunk rooms sleep six with two queens and a set of bunks, and the loft can sleep eight with two queens and two sets of bunks. The king suites sleep two but also have a sofa and sitting area, and the queen suite has the same but can sleep four with two queen beds.
Each room has a refrigerator, microwave, coffee pot, and deck. When you stay here, you’ll get to enjoy using the indoor and outdoor pools, whirlpool, and exercise room. They also have a restaurant, a lounge area, and meeting rooms that you can use. Staying at the lodge is a great option if you’re looking for a more luxurious stay at the park.
If you’re looking for a good spot to have a picnic, there are plenty of picnic areas around the lake. If you want a shelter house, there are some that can be reserved, or you can simply take one on a first-come, first-served basis. There are four that are first-come, first-served and five that can be reserved.
If you’re looking for a place to take your snowmobile out on some trails, then look no further. While the short little hiking trails that are open during peak season aren’t suitable for snowmobiling, the 17 miles of bridle trails are. Not only will you get to use your snowmobile, but you’ll get to see beautiful snowy scenery while out on the bridle trails.
In the wintertime when the lake has frozen over, it provides the perfect opportunity for those that like to go ice fishing. While the rest of the world seems asleep, the fish are not. Instead, they carry on with their lives under the surface, waiting for you to catch them. Be sure you have an Ohio fishing license with you at all times.
Ice fishing isn’t the only thing that’s fun to do on the lake once it’s frozen over in the winter. Ice skating can be really exciting and a great activity for the family to do. Just make sure that the ice is thick enough so you can have fun safely. So, strap on those skates and get out on the ice for a good time.
If ice skating isn’t thrilling enough for you, then maybe sledding down some slopes is. The till plains of Ohio will provide you with gentle hills all around you. There are plenty of sledding spots to choose from, and you’ll be able to find different levels of steepness that will appeal to everyone’s sledding preferences.
Near the lodge, you’ll find a 350-acre 18-hole golf course for you to enjoy. There are 10 ponds and 46 sand traps that make this course extra fun and challenging. Simply go alone for some peace and quiet, or bring the family along with you for a great opportunity to bond and spend quality time together.
If regular golf isn’t really your thing, then maybe disc golf is. If you’ve never played before, that’s not a problem at all. In fact, there is even a practice hole for you to use so you can get the hang of it before starting. You’ll find the disc golf course near the campground, and you can rent the needed equipment for it at the campground store.
There are eight trails in the park that are for hiking, and they are all easy to moderate. The longest trail is the Rolling Hills Trail at one and a half miles long. The rest are under a mile long. If you’re looking for something a little bit longer, there are 17 miles of bridle trails that are also available.
If you like to go swimming in the summertime - and who doesn’t? - you’ll have the perfect opportunity to do so on the 1,700-foot-long swim beach available to you here at this park. Keep in mind though that there are no lifeguards on duty, so swim at your own risk and keep an eye on the kids.
Deer Creek State Park is the perfect place to come to if you’d like to take your boat or canoe out on a lake. There are two boat launch ramps that are conveniently located and easy to use. And all of your boating needs can easily be taken care of at the marina. They have fuel, and you can even rent boats and docks.