National and State Parks - Recreational Areas

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Van Buren Lake State Park Nearby Parks
State Park Information

State Park Overview

Nature of the Area
Van Buren State Park lies in the rich agricultural plains of northwest Ohio. The plains, referred to as till plains, receive their name from the glacial debris, or till, which covers preglacial hills and valleys. The till plains are the result of the deposition and smoothing action of the glaciers. Most hills in these areas are mounds of boulders and soil left by the retreating Wisconsinan glacier. Beneath the almost continuous cover of glacial deposits lies sedimentary bedrock which, in this region, is mostly limestone with a little shale. Much of this limestone is the magnesium-bearing form called dolomite.

The original vegetation of the area, before settlement, was mostly woodland. Today, much of the vegetation consists of farm crops such as corn, soybeans and wheat. Locally - small but valuable remnant of the original woodland remains. Beech and sugar maple occupy a large portion of the wooded area in Van Buren State Park. Mammals found in the area include red fox, red squirrel, white-tailed deer, raccoon, skunk and opossum. Other animals found are the eastern garter snake, spring peeper, eastern bluebird, eastern meadowlark, cowbird, woodcock and short-eared owl. Wildflowers abound in the fields and woodlands of the area. Dutchmans breeches, spring beauty, thimbleweed, daisy fleabane and chicory are commonly found around the park.

Camping

Trails

Picnicking

Boating

Fishing and Hunting

History of the Area
The Van Buren State Park region was originally inhabited by the Shawnee Indians. Banished from their homeland in south-central Ohio, this was the last stronghold of the tribe before they eventually departed for lands west of the Mississippi River. Indian artifacts and relics can still be found on what used to be Indian Island, located in the northwest section of the lake.

Van Buren is located just north of the town of Findlay which was founded in 1821. The development of the town was quite slow until the discovery of natural gas in the 1880s. A German physician named Charles Osterlen became convinced that an enormous reservoir of natural gas lay beneath the town of Findlay. He told of his belief and was scoffed at and regarded as a vain dreamer. But his patience and perseverance prevailed as he succeeded in organizing a stock company to drill for gas. The well was successful and spawned the growth of a great industry in Findlay. At one time, Findlay claimed the largest gas well in the world, with an output of 20 million cubic feet daily.

The land comprising Van Buren State Park was originally set aside as a wildlife preserve. In 1939 - dam was constructed over Rocky Ford Creek to provide additional fish and wildlife resources. In 1950, the area was turned over to the newly created Division of Parks and Recreation. It has been maintained as a state park ever since. The park was named for Martin Van Buren--eighth President of the United States.



More Info

Enter Search Term DIVISION OF WATERCRAFT HOME | BOATING AREAS | EDUCATION | LAWS | REGISTRATION & TITLING | FORMS ABOUT THE DIVISION | ACCIDENT STATS | BOATING PLAN | CLEAN BOATING | EVENTS |
...E ERIE WATERSHED. NEW YORK. Evangola State Park. Lake Erie State Park. PENNSYLVANIA. Presque Isle State Park. OHIO. Catawba Island State Park. Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge. Chagrin... ...Van Buren Lake State Park (Ohio) (40 campsites) (419-299-3461) This 251 acre contains woodlands consisting mainly of Beech and Sugar Maple. Mammals found in the area include Red Fox, Red...

Area Attractions
Springville Marsh - state nature preserve, is located east of Van Buren in Seneca County on Township Road 24. The preserve is one of the largest interior wetlands in the till plains of western Ohio.

The Old Mill Stream Parkway off State Route 37 stretches 23 miles from Riverbend Recreation Area to the restored Blanchard River Village in Gilboa. Canoe access, heritage trail, boat livery and bikeways are offered along this scenic route. The North Country Bikeway passes through the park. Picnic areas, restrooms and parking are provided along the bikeway.

The Hancock County Courthouse located in Findlay is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1833 and restored in 1976, the building now serves as headquarters for the Hancock County Park District.

Area Campgrounds

Rippling Stream Camping
3640 Reynoldsburg Baltimore NW
Baltimore, OH
(740) 862-6065

Tee Pee Campgrounds
6499 State Route 199
Carey, OH
(419) 396-3042

Heritage Springs Camp Ground
13891 Township Road 199
Vanlue, OH
(419) 387-7738

Shadylake Campground
11506 Township Road 101
Findlay, OH
(419) 423-3490

Pleasantview Recreation
12611 Township Road 218
Van Buren, OH
(419) 299-3897

Portage Quarry Recreation Club
12701 S Dixie Hwy
Bowling Green, OH
(419) 352-9203

Fire Lake Camper Park
13630 Kramer Rd
Bowling Green, OH
(419) 3522185

Greenbriar Inc
445 E Wooster St
Bowling Green, OH
(419) 352-0717

Maple Hill Mobile Home Park
445 E Wooster St
Bowling Green, OH
(419) 352-0717

River Bend Estates
445 E Wooster St
Bowling Green, OH
(419) 352-0717

Twin Lakes Park
3506 TR 34
Mount Cory, OH
(419) 477-5255



Area Resorts and Lodging

Hancock Park District Park Info
819 Park St
Findlay, OH
(419) 425-7275

Riverside Landing Boat Rentals
819 Park St
Findlay, OH
(419) 424-7275

Lodge at Riverbend The
9250 Township Road 208
Findlay, OH
(419) 425-7275

Raccoon Run X-C Ski Rentals
16618 Township Road 208
Findlay, OH
(419) 425-7275

Raccoon Run X-C Ski Rentals Ski Rental Riverbend Park
Riverbend Park
Findlay, OH
(419) 4242555


Van Buren Lake State Park