As I mentioned in an earlier post, the May/June issue of Midwest Living magazine featured its picks for the top state parks in the Midwest. Periodically I will highlight their selections, and this post puts the spotlight on Hueston Woods State Park in College Corner, Ohio.
Midwest Living had this to say about Hueston Woods State Park: “This action-packed resort park on Acton Lake offers canoe, pontoon and mountain bike rentals; horseback riding; an 18-hole golf course; archery — even paintball! The amenities turn what might be a quite ordinary lake-and-woods vacation into an adventure.”
Hueston Woods State Park, located in Butler and Preble counties about an hour northwest of Cincinnati, is nearly 3,000 acres of natural resources for outdoor recreation such as hiking, fishing, canoeing — even fossil hunting. The park surrounds Acton Lake with campsites, cabins and a resort lodge.
Other park amenities include an 18-hole golf course, sailboat and pontoon rental, 10 miles of hiking trails, 12 miles of bike trails and 18 miles of bridle trails (you can even rent horses). Nature programs and special events offered spring through fall, and a pioneer museum and animal sanctuary also draw visitors.
The 625-acre Acton Lake has a sand beach, fishing pier, marina with fuel and supplies and boat/dock rental. The Resort Lodge has fine dining, lounge, and indoor/outdoor pools (extra fee for swimming). Vacation cottages have a kitchen, living/dining areas, TV, full bath, heat & A/C. Pets permitted on some sites. Cabins and yurts also are available for rental.
There are 255 family campsites with electrical outlets on the west side of the lake. Showers, flush toilets, laundry facilities and dump station are available. Picnic tables and fire rings are also provided. There are 236 non-electric sites also available. These sites have picnic tables, fire rings and vault-type bathrooms. A group area is also available to organized youth and adult groups.
I have not yet had the pleasure of staying at Hueston Woods State Park. Perhaps those who have wouldn’t mind telling the rest of us about the park in the comments section?
The three most recent reviews posted at RV Park Reviews all seemed to have one common complaint about the park: excessive noise from rowdy campers. Also, several said their particular sites were not level.
“The first night we were kept up until after 3 a.m. because someone down on the end was playing loud music,” said one reviewer who stayed at Hueston Woods in June 2009. “This seems to be a more party oriented campground and very little (aka nothing) was done to enforce quiet hours.”
“This is an ‘older’ Ohio state park, it was well kept and clean,” said another reviewer. “However, the pull through sites were waaaaay to close to each other and there were tons of rowdiness going on.”
Another reviewer at www.stateparks.com had a much better impression of Hueston Woods. She said her “family loves to go camping every summer at Hueston Woods.”
“We love it there. The staff is very friendly and helpful. We enjoy being outdoors with nature . We go fishing, hiking, collecting fossils. The campgrounds are peaceful, and clean. Thank you for making our summers so enjoyable.”
For more information about Hueston Woods State Park, call 513-523-6347 or visit its website.
From the personal blog: The Michigan Challenge Balloonfest is June 25-27 in Howell, and Taylor’s Beach Campground is ready for RVers wanting to attend this 26-year family-friendly tradition. Click here for details.
Gr8LakesCamper celebrates the world of RV Camping in the Midwest. Gather around the campfire and share tips, ideas and stories on RVing, camping and travel destinations. Follow Gr8LakesCamper on Twitter, Facebook and the personal blog.
charles moore
My first camping experience was at Hueston Woods with borrowed equipment. Plent to see and do from golf top horse back riding. But too close to Cincinnati and the colleges. PARTY TIME. For a unique experience try Kelly’s Island State Park. I took a 24foot motor home and toad to the island by ferry and had a campsite on Lake Erie. They have a big festival the last weekend in July.
Gr8LakesCamper
@Kellie: Another campground to consider is the Port Huron Township RV Park. http://www.porthurontownship.org/parks&rec.htm We have never stayed there, but people at RV Park Reviews speak highly of it. Click here for more http://www.rvparkreviews.com/regions/Michigan/Port_Huron.html
Gr8LakesCamper
Yes, we have been to Port Huron; in fact, I have cousins who live there. Nice small town pretty typical of most you would find along the Great Lakes shoreline. We camped at Lakeport State Park about two years ago with five other relatives and their families. The park is about 15 minutes south of Port Huron. The park was nice and just a short 2-minute walk to Lake Huron. The beach was very nice, but you had to wade about 30-50 yards into the water over smooth – but hard – rocks before you got to a sandbar. Park officials said they could easily accommodate your RV. Visit http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/Details.aspx?type=SPRK&id=466 for more details.
Kellie
Sorry, this isn’t really about your article of today. I am from NW Ohio and enjoy your reports of area attractions. Have you ever been to Port Huron MI? I’m contemplating a short trip there to stay in the state park and explore the city. My question is? Do you know if there is anywhere near downtown to park a 29 ft MH? Thanks
Bill Whitten
It has been a few years since we have camped their but, never had any problems with noise it is a great place to take the kids lots of animals for them to see and some right in camp. So don’t leave any thing out for the raccoon’s, opposums, and Skunks to get in to. They are very use to people and are not afraid. just don’t get excited around them and you will do just fine.