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A.W. Marion State Park Campground

Updated: Jul 10


A.W. Marion State Park Campground / Campground in Ohio

Affiliate Statement

"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my sense put in order." ~ John Burroughs


ANNOUNCEMENT

ODNR will be installing a new spillway and rehabilitating the dam in 2021. The water level has been lowered. The project is expected to be completed in late 2022. This rehab project will also affect other park features. See the ODNR press release for further information.


A.W. Marion State Park is one of the many State Parks in Ohio. The large 310-acre State Park became part of the ODNR Division on Parks and Recreation in 1950. It was renamed A.W. Marion State Park in 1962. A.W. Marion State Park has a wide variety of plants and wildlife. The terrain varies throughout the park. It includes outcroppings, wooded areas, open fields, riverbanks, small waterfalls and Hargus Lake.


The Ohio Campground

  • 28 electric sites

  • 28 non-electric sites

  • 2 Group Sites

  • Seasonal camp store (Call 740-474-9201)

  • Water (seasonal)

  • Picnic tables

  • Fire rings

  • Vault latrines

  • No showers

  • Dumpsters

  • Dump station

  • Amphitheater

  • Volleyball courts

  • Basketball courts

  • Playground

  • Plenty of shade when trees have all their leaves.

  • Games and sporting equipment available at the camp office for registered campers during seasonal times.

  • Cell Phone Service -Verizon had 3 bars/LTE Service - Worked well

  • Ohio campground open year round.

  • Reservations may be made up to six months in advance online at ohiostateparks.gov or by calling (866) 644-6727.










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Hiking


AW Marion State Park Hiking Trails Sign

  • Hargus Lake Perimeter Trail (3.8 Mile Loop)

  • Pine Grove Trail (.5 Mile Loop)

  • Squawroot Trail (.6 Mile Loop)


***Trails can be accessed from the campground. You must walk the trails to get to Hargus Lake from the campground. If you plan on fishing or boating you will probably want to drive to the main A.W. Marion State Park parking lot.***



Boating

  • Electric motors only

  • 2 boat ramps at park

  • Boat rental is available (call first to make sure they are open)


Fishing / Hargus Lake


AW Marion State Park Campground
Low Water Level Due to ODNR Dam and Spillway Rehabilitation Project

Birding

According to eBird there have been 182 species observed at A.W. Marion State Park. It is a birding hotspot during spring migration.


Female and Male Bufflehead Ducks and AW Marion State Park Campground
Male & Female Bufflehead

During our early March visit we spotted:



What Happens at the Trailer Stays at the Trailer Wine Tumbler
by SQinspirationsStudio on Etsy


Our Experience at A.W. Marion State Park Campground

We enjoyed our visit to the A.W. Marion State Park Campground. For the most part, the Ohio campground was quiet and serene.


Since there was only one other campsite booked when we reserved our camping lot, we chose to camp near the playground. During the day, there were a lot of vehicles that parked in the empty lots. They would hang out at the playground or hike the trails. This could be a major problem if a camper were to show up while there was a car parked in their reserved spot.


Additional Notes:

  • The pads are narrow.

  • The sites are fairly level.

  • The road that winds through the campground is narrow.

  • Pads and road are blacktop.

  • Website says there is a shower house. We could not find it.

  • A lot of people did not have their dogs on a leash.

  • There was some trash throughout the campground and the park.

  • Each campsite had a picnic table and fire ring (there were some missing fire rings)

  • You must drive through a small residential area to get to the campground. The road is barely wide enough for 2 trailers.



Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar Throw Pillow by Wilfreda Designs


A.W. Marion State Park / Campground in Circleville Ohio

Make a Reservation at:

Aw Marion State Park Campground Reservation




What You Can Expect at A.W. Marion State Park Campground

Please note that Ohio Campground trail rules and regulations can change at any time. The following information was in effect for A.W. Marion State Park Campground as of March 2021.


Boch Hollow State Nature Preserve Logan Ohio

Vault Latrines.




Boch Hollow State Nature Preserve Logan Ohio

Bicycles are permitted on some of the trails.




Boch Hollow State Nature Preserve Logan Ohio

Is a birding hotspot per eBird.



Boch Hollow State Nature Preserve Logan Ohio

Several foot bridges on paths.




Boch Hollow State Nature Preserve Logan Ohio

Concealed carry is permitted.



Boch Hollow State Nature Preserve Logan Ohio

Dogs are allowed in campground and on trails. There is a designated beach area.




Boch Hollow State Nature Preserve Logan Ohio

Trail surfaces are natural. The trails are steep in places. The trails are easy to mildly difficult.



Shallenberger State Nature Preserve Fairfield County Lancaster Ohio

Campground pads and roads are blacktop.




Boch Hollow State Nature Preserve Logan Ohio

Each lot has a picnic table and fire ring. A few of the fire rings were missing. There were some nice picnic tables while others were about ready to fall apart.



Boch Hollow State Nature Preserve Logan Ohio

Small playground is located at the end of the campground near 2 trail heads.




Boch Hollow State Nature Preserve Logan Ohio

There is a bench at the playground and a few on the trails.




Boch Hollow State Nature Preserve Logan Ohio

A lot of shade.



Boch Hollow State Nature Preserve Logan Ohio

No shelter house.




Boch Hollow State Nature Preserve Logan Ohio

Trails are well marked with paint on the trees.




Boch Hollow State Nature Preserve Logan Ohio

There are a few dumpsters located throughout the campground.


Boch Hollow State Nature Preserve Logan Ohio

Large 146 acre lake.




Boch Hollow State Nature Preserve Logan Ohio

There are ADA parking spots at the main parking area. Not the campground.






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