Introduction
The relaxing landscape and calming atmosphere around Kiser Lake State Park in Ohio will make you feel like you fell into some kind of enchanted heaven-like place. Surrounded by mesmerizing forest enriched by wetlands, it simply makes you forget about your campervan until the very last minute, and surrender to the sounds of wildlife and the beautiful view. Fresh air, clean and clear water reflecting the sun rays, the songs of birds, children's laughter in the distance, and a choir of frogs as a good night lullaby are the main notes of this peaceful oasis.
Tecumseh, the great Shawnee warrior, and Simon Kenton, the legendary frontiersman, are the significant names from the past of Kiser Lake region. Modern history mentions John W. Kiser and his family as contributors to the looks of this state park today. If looking far back, we find that the area surrounding Kiser Lake State Park is actually a gift of the ice age. Natural phenomena caused by the glaciers helped shape the region into its present form – fen and wet meadow habitat. These areas are filled with many intriguing plants including pitcher plant, sundew, tamarack, and spruce.
Kiser Lake State Park is one of the rare places where you can have your peace and quiet and at the same time delight in activities such as swimming, scuba diving, boating, or fishing. Other forms of amusement include taking long walks through the woods, playing volleyball with friends, or even riding on horseback. Whatever the time of the year, hot summer or snowing winter, Kiser Lake provides a large variety of outdoor activities. All this makes it a perfect setting for your next RV vacation.
Camping Accommodations
RV Rentals in Kiser Lake State Park
Transportation in Kiser Lake State Park
Kiser Lake is located in Champaign County, in west-central Ohio, approximately four miles northwest of St. Paris and 34 miles north of Dayton on State Route 235. Kiser Lake State Park is easily approachable from all directions; however, it is very useful to know that access to the campsites is not through the park entrance. Visitors coming from the south should turn right onto Possum Hollow Road (south of Kiser Lake State Park), and then turn left at the dead end onto Kiser Lake Road. Those coming from the north ought to drive south past Kiser Lake State Park and turn left onto Possum Hollow Road. The check-in is at the Marina, which is about a mile and a half north of the campsites.
Parking is available on the western and on the eastern side of the lake. You may find a parking space for your motorhome anywhere around the Memorial Shelter, Lakeview Shelter, Scenic Shelter, or all the way from Main Campground to Marina.
Campgrounds and parking in Kiser Lake State Park
Campsites in Kiser Lake State Park
Kiser Lake State Park Campground
Kiser Lake State Park features 76 pet-friendly campsites available for tents and RVs year-round. Two sites are ADA accessible, and eight sites are walk-in only. When bringing a pet, there are certain rules you should keep in mind – all pets must be on a leash no longer than six feet and attended at all times.
All campsites are situated on the Main Campground, where drinking water, latrines, and a dump station are provided. There are 10 tent-only campsites, 20 electric campsites, and 56 non-electric. Limitations for RV length on campsites that provide electric hookups go up to 55 feet. RV length restriction on the campsites that provide no electricity is 35 feet.
Each campsite has a picnic table and a fire ring. There is a volleyball court and a playground within the campground. Very close by are also the hiking trails. Reservations are possible only from April to October, whilst during winter season all campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
First-Come, First-Served
During the off-season, typically from October to April, the campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Seasonal activities in Kiser Lake State Park
Boating
What adds up to the magnificently serene experience at Kiser Lake is that boats with motors are not allowed here. Therefore, sailing and paddling are very popular among guests. If you have your own equipment, you can pack it up on your rig. If not, a large variety of boats, canoes, or kayaks can also be rented at the park’s marina, which is open seasonally, and you would be pleasantly surprised by the rental prices.
Fishing
Once you park your camper, you can easily lose track of time doing what relaxes you the most – fishing. The tranquility of the lake provides extraordinary fishing opportunities and offers great catches of largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, crappie and wiper. You can choose whether you prefer fishing off the fishing piers (there are five of them on the lake) or off the bank, but you can also do it from a watercraft.
Hiking
After relaxation, you can feed your curiosity by exploring the surroundings. There are several hiking trails providing different sights and levels of difficulty, though each of them is quite short. A pair of sneakers is enough to wander smooth trails like Possum Hollow, Pine Tree or Rabbit Run Trail (the first two mentioned are leading through the hunting zone). Naturalists would find Nature Preserve Boardwalk a bit more interesting since it is going through Kiser Lake Wetlands State Nature Preserve, where you can enjoy birdwatching while stumbling across wildflowers. The North Bay Trail is the longest, and it parallels the north bank so one moment you're passing between trees and the other you have a direct view of the lake.
Winter Recreation
During the summertime, visitors have the opportunity to swim and scuba dive on a 300-foot swimming beach open from Memorial to Labor Day. Seasons change, but still, campers do not stop arriving as Kiser Lake allows guests to enjoy ice skating on its frozen surface. Fishermen are welcome to try their luck and skills in ice fishing. Under proper conditions, kids can have fun sledding while adults may try ice boating or cross-country skiing.
Hunting
Hunting is a great off-season activity for you to participate in here at the park, so don't forget to pack your hunting license in your campervan. You can hunt for deer, wild turkey, squirrel, and more. Be sure that you take all safety precautions seriously, as you wouldn't want any dangerous accidents to happen. Also check the season dates and bag limits for the animal that you wish to hunt, as these things can vary from animal to animal.
Picnicking
During warmer days in the off-season picnicking is at its finest since you can witness the turning colors of the leaves in the late fall and budding blossoms in the early spring. There are several picnic areas with tables and grills and picnic shelters dotted around the park, offering different scenic views of the 396-acre Kiser Lake. You can enjoy a picnic during a relaxing day of fixing by finding a picnic table near one of the fishing piers.