Delaware State Park

Delaware State Park is comprised of 1,686 acres of land and 1,330 acres of water. The park is near the city of Delaware, which is in the center of the state. To get to the park, just travel five miles North of Delaware along U.S. Route 23. You will find the park entrance along U.S. 23.

The park, the city, and the county of Delaware are all named after the Native American tribe that originally inhabited the area before the pioneers. The Delawares lived along the Delaware River before being forced west by the colonial settlers of the Northwest Territory from which the state of Ohio was established in 1803.

The topography of the Delaware State Park is mostly comprised of a healthy second growth forest that was regrown after much of the trees were cut by early settlers in a bid to create fertile agricultural land. The trees that were regrown now provide a home for several animal species especially birds. Birdwatching is very popular at the Delaware State Park for this reason.

Other activities that are popular at the park include nature programs, picnicking, camping, swimming, fishing, hunting, boating, hiking, cross-country skiing, sledding, ice skating, and ice fishing. Amenities at the park to facilitate these activities include yurts, campsites, picnic areas, picnic shelter, bike and boat rentals, food concessions, and a lot more.

As with most state Ohio parks, entrance into the park is free of charge for both you and your dog. If you bring your dog to the Delaware State Park, be aware that there are some standard rules that you must follow that pertain to your pooch. Some of the more common rules include the following. Your dog must be on a leash no longer than six feet long. You must avoid buildings, swimming areas and beaches that are not expressly designated as pet-friendly areas. If you choose to stay over at the park, be aware that you are only allowed to have a maximum of two pets for every campsite.