Harrison Lake State Park (OH)

To travel is to take a journey into yourself. -Danny Kaye

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Harrison Lake State Park is another gem in the Ohio State Parks system. Unlike many parks where the camping experience is often next to a destination (e.g., Hocking Hills), at Harrison Lake SP, the campground is the destination. It is here that you can relax among lush lawns, wide lots, lake beauty, open spaces, and just a more gentle pace. Harrison Lake SP is in the middle of nowhere in northwest Ohio. Small communities with limited services may dot the farmland, but that's about it. We were hard pressed to find any area attractions for day trips except for Sauder Village (see below). There are few historical sites, natural wonders or hiking trails in this part of the state or across the border in Michigan. There’s just not much else around, and yet, this campground is the place you want to be. Our four days in mid-May were the closest thing to solitude I’ve ever found at a campground. Perhaps being so far from a population center was the reason why there weren’t many day users of the park amenities. Maybe it was our midweek "school's still in session" timing. Then again, with the early season open campsites, the noise levels were low and the ample sites seemed even bigger. The quiet was noticeable. The playgrounds, picnic areas, ball courts, beach, and adult swings were available for campers to enjoy at their leisure. The smooth asphalt roadways made walking, cycling, and even adult rollerblading a pleasant form of exercise. The abundance of mature trees provides widespread shade for cooler afternoons at your site, and the open areas are also well shaded. These are the things I would put on the list of a near-perfect campground.

If part of your camping agenda is to explore surrounding attractions, you could be disappointed, except for the worthwhile Sauder Village near Archibold, about 20 minutes away. Here you'll find a well-maintained, carefully curated village depicting life in Ohio in the 1920's and before. We enjoyed learning from the period artisans who demonstrated their skills at weaving, tin smithing, broom making, barrel making, carving, glass blowing, and more. In addition to farm life exhibits, a well-planned Main Street revisits life in the 1920s with a soda shop, theatre, bank, clothesier, jeweler, car dealer, hardware store, doctor and more. Each store had a "merchant" that offered insights into the furnishings and daily lives of the store keeps, as well as a history of the actual founding business. One fine example was the recreation of the original Farmers and Merchants Bank from Archibold. The "bank president" told us about the founding of the bank and how it played a key role in community life. Sauder Village's restaurant and nearby bakery are a draw even on days when Sauder’s is closed. (Their summer schedule begins on Memorial Day. Check the dates and times as you plan.)

If you're looking to dine out during your stay at Harrison Lake, there are limited

opportunities near the campground. We found pizza at Louie’s Pizza Shop in Fayette, about four miles northeast of the park. Louie's offers an Italian menu with a lot of variety, but it's drive-thru service only. Other restaurants are a reasonable distance, such as the twenty minutes to Sauder Village or to the 50's-style diner we learned about in downtown Archibold. To give you an additional reference as to distances, we made a trip to Walmart in Wauseon (about 14 miles east) for gas and supplies. If your camping objective is to relax and enjoy beautiful trees and big grassy sites in a peaceful setting, Harrison should be on your list. While this is an electric-only campground (no full hookups), there are many convenient bathrooms, plus shower and laundry facilities that are immaculately clean and regularly maintained. Also, if you have little kids, check out the storybook loop trail that begins near the gate house. At the gatehouse you can also rent adult sling trikes and borrow playground equipment.

We’re marking Harrison Lake SP on our "Return To" list and can recommend a late spring midweek time while schools are still in session if you want a quiet and leisurely camping experience. I would imagine the fall season would be glorious with the many maples, oaks and elms on site. We may see you next time as we travel Along the Pooka Trail.