Barkcamp State Park, Belmont

Camping Barkcamp offers 125 electrified campsites in sunny and shaded areas. The campground features hot showers, tables, firerings, two wheelchair accessible sites and a dump station. The 25-site horseman's camp offers electrical hookups, a horse washing station and accessible mounting ramp. Three Rent-A-Camp units consist of a tent, dining canopy, cooler, cookstove, and other equipment. Two deluxe Camper Cabins offer bunks plus a microwave, refrigerator, two-burner stove and ceiling fan. Pet camping is permitted on designated sites. Boating Boats with electric motors only are permitted on Belmont Lake. Seasonal boat tie-ups are available. A launch ramp provides access to the lake. Fishing and Hunting Anglers will enjoy good catches of bass, bluegill, crappie and trout. A wheelchair accessible area allows all persons to test their skill at fishing. Hunting is permitted in designated areas. Squirrel hunting is popular here. A valid Ohio fishing and/or hunting license is required. Swimming A 700-foot beach provides enjoyment for swimmers and sunbathers. Picnicking Seven picnic areas are scenically located around the park. Each area provides tables, grills, water and latrines. Three picnic shelterhouses are available and can be reserved by calling the park office. Trails and Interpretive Area Miles of hiking trails invite visitors to enjoy the solitude of the forest. The Lakeview Trail, Woodchuck Nature Trail, Hawthorn Trail and Hawk Trail lead to natural treasures and provide opportunities for nature study, birdwatching and wildlife observation. Barkcamp's bridle trail meanders along the entire lakeshore affording a pleasant day's ride. A mountain bike trail is also available. A special paved trail winds through the pioneer village, enters the adjoining mature woodlands and provides access to the Antique Barn. Interpretive signs are placed along the route explaining the cultural and natural history of the park. In the camp area, a bit of American history is preserved. The Antique Barn was built in the 1800s by Solomon Bentley, an orchardman of renown. One variety of apple that he marketed was the "Bentley Sweet." The barn is now home to summer naturalist activities and historical displays. A resurrected log cabin and other pioneer structures near the barn take visitors back to an even earlier era. Nature of the Area The sandstone hills of the Barkcamp region are part of the Appalachian highlands which envelop the southeastern part of Ohio. In the sandstone bedrock can be found layers of coal which were formed by decaying swamp vegetation millions of years ago during the Pennsylvanian geologic period. Barkcamp State Park lies in the heart of the coal-mining region of Ohio. The hills and valleys of the area are clothed with a second-growth forest. Today, southeastern Ohio is one of the most extensively forested in Ohio, and only a few areas remain which suggest the magnificence of these original forests. Activity Facilities Quantity Resource Land, acres 1005 Water, acres 117 Activities Fishing yes Hunting yes Hiking Trail, miles 4 Bridle Trails, miles 24 Mountain Bike Trails, miles 4 Picnicking yes Picnic Shelters 3 Swimming Beach, feet 700 Mini-Golf Nature Center yes Summer Nature Programs yes Boating Boat Limits EMO Seasonal Dock Rental, # 36 Launch Ramps 1 Winter Sledding yes Snowmobiling yes Ice Skating yes Cross-Country Skiing yes Ice Fishing yes Ice Boating yes Camping Campsites with Elec., # 125 Rent-A-Camp, # 3 Pets Permitted yes Showers yes Flush Toilets 0 Dumpstation yes Group Camp, capacity 25 Camper Cabins 2 Horsemen Campsites, # 25