Guilford Lake State Park

Guilford Lake State Park encompasses a total area of 396 acres of water and 98 acres of land near the city of Canton in northeast Ohio and the county seat of Stark County. To get to the park, just travel 28 miles east of Canton.

The lake, which is the center of attraction of this state park, was constructed in 1932 after the state purchased land in 1927 with the intention of building a reservoir. The Division of Conservation constructed the lake and handed it over to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Parks and Recreation for management and further development. Guilford Lake was among one of the first canal feeder lakes in the area that was dedicated as a state park in 1949.

The area where the park sits was once a swampy area, which indicates that it may have been the site of a natural glacial lake. Today, the park attracts waterfowl during the fall and spring seasons and additionally provides a home for several species of birds and other wildlife. Besides the beautiful splendor of the park, Guilford Lake State Park is also popular for several other activities including picnicking, camping, fishing, swimming, hiking, ice fishing, and ice skating. There are several amenities within the park that can adequately facilitate all of the above activities.

Like with most state parks in Ohio, entry into the park is free for you and for your pets including your dog(s). If you choose to camp over at the park, be aware that each campsite has a limit of only two pets/dogs. Other park rules that you must follow include keeping your dog on a leash no longer than 6 feet long and making sure that you do not let your pooch wander into areas that are not designated as pet-friendly. Cleaning up after your dog is something that you should also be prepared to do when you visit the park.