National and State Parks - Recreational Areas
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East Fork State Park
State Park Information
East Fork State Park
Box 119, 2505 Williamsburg-Bantam
Bethel, 45106-0119
State Park Overview
One of Ohios largest state parks, East Fork offers a
great diversity of recreational opportunities and natural
history only 25 miles from Cincinnati. The parks terrain
includes both rugged hills and open meadows, setting
the stage for a wonderful getaway.
Nature of the Area
Clermont Countys rolling hills and meandering river
valleys provide a colorful backdrop for spacious East
Fork State Park. Shaped by the forces of the Illinoian
and Wisconsinan glaciers, the East Fork region is
characterized by beautiful hill country scenery and is
noted for the occurrence of remnant prairie habitats.
Illinoian glacial deposits are not common in Ohio but
can be observed at East Fork and the surrounding area.
East Forks diverse landscape includes dry-forested hills,
rocky cascades -bandoned farmlands, thickly grown
floodplains, marshy grasslands and swamp forests. This
diversity lends well to an abundance of plant and
animal life. Woodlands are composed of beech, sugar
maple, red and white oak, shagbark hickory and
wild
black cherry. The swamp forests contain silver maple,
American elm, sycamore and
black gum. The
meadows and remnant prairies contain big bluestem
grass and purple coneflower among others.
Animals of the area include eastern plains garter
snake, fence lizard, red fox, deer, raccoon, Canada
geese, song sparrow, eastern meadowlark and
the barn
swallow.
Camping
East Fork has one of the largest camping areas in the state with 416 sites. The campground offers electrical hookups,
showers, drinking water, campers beach, flush toilets and boat ramps. Pets are permitted in designated areas. A
17-site horsemens camp is available as well. Six Rent-A-Camp units consisting of a tent, dining fly, cooler, cook
stove and other equipment can be rented during the summer months. Six Rent-A-RV units are also available.
Trails
For the hiker and backpacker, the 12-mile Backpack Trail tranverses many scenic park areas. In addition, the 37-mile
Steven Newman Worldwalker Perimeter Trail circles the park and is available for hikers, backpackers and
horsemen.
Four primitive campsites are located along these trails. Permits for their use are available through the park office. For
those less adventuresome, shorter trails are easily accessible. A 5-mile mountain bike trail begins just west of the park
entrance on S.R. 125.
Picnicking
Picnic areas with tables, grills and drinking water are located around the park. Two picnic shelters are available on a
first-come, first-served basis.
Boating
Those who enjoy water sports will find East Fork Lake very accommodating. There are 2,160 acres of water and
unlimited horsepower boating with access available at five launch ramps.
Swimming
Fishing and Hunting
The lake offers quality fishing with excellent catches of largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegill and
crappie. For
the sport fisherman, East Fork is stocked with the Hybrid Striper. Hunting is permitted in designated areas only. Valid
Ohio hunting and fishing licenses are required.
History of the Area
The Little Miami River basin in which East Fork State Park is situated has been home to many generations of man,
dating back to nearly 3,000 years ago. Moundbuilders, the Adena and Hopewell Indians, occupied this area. The
mound - Elklick Road is thought to have been built by the Adena. The Erie Indians also lived here much later,
though by 1655 this nation was completely destroyed by the powerful Iroquois. The area was virtually uninhabited
through the remainder of the 17th century.
As the new state of Ohio began to be settled in the early 19th century, the East Fork region attracted settlers from the
east. Grist mills, sawmills, blacksmith shops, tanneries and stagecoach depots were among the early commercial
activities.
In 1869, two gold mines operated in the vicinity. One mine was located - Elklick and consisted of a flume for
washing gravel containing flakes of gold. The mine - Twin Bridges tunnelled underground to reach gold deposits
encased in bedrock.
Not far from the present park office, the "Old Bethel Church" on Elklick Road dates from 1867. It occupies the site of
a log church built about 1807 by Reverend John Collins. Some of the hand-hewn timbers secured with wooden pegs
and hand-forged nails used to construct the 1818 church are still present in the existing church.
More recently, the area has taken on a new appearance due to the creation of East Fork Reservoir in 1978. As part of
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood control program, East Fork Lake and the surrounding region comprise one of
southwestern Ohios largest recreational areas.
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