| Hueston Woods State
Park, located in Butler and Preble counties, is
nearly 3,000 acres of
natural resources for outdoor recreation, such as
hiking, fishing, canoeing, and – unique to this
region -- fossil hunting.
The park surrounds Acton
Lake, with campsites, cabins, and a resort
lodge to entice the overnight visitor.
Within the park is
Hueston Woods State Nature Preserve and National
Natural Landmark -- 200 acres of
old-growth forest,
with stately beech and sugar maple trees, an
abundance of ferns, and wildflowers
WHAT TO DO
The park offers miles of
trails for your outdoor pleasure: more than
10 miles of hiking trails; 18 miles of bridle
trails, plus a horsemen’s staging area; and 12 miles
for mountain biking. The American Discovery Trail
also passes through the park.
The park has an 18-hole, 7,005-yard, par 72
golf course, as well
as driving ranges, that are open from March until
November. Call the pro shop for tee time at
513-523-8081.
On the grounds at Hueston Woods is a full
paintball field and
target range. Group reservations are available. You
may bring your own equipment, and rent or buy it
here.
On tranquil Acton Lake,
boating is restricted to 10-hp motors, with
convenient launch ramps and public docks. The best
fishing includes
largemouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, and
bluegill. A fishing pier on the west shore is
wheelchair accessible . The 1,500-foot
swimming beach with
concession stand and bathhouse is open to the public
Other facilities for outdoor family fun include a
volleyball court, horseshoes, miniature golf,
playground, and basketball court. At the
Nature Center, you can
attend bird and flower walks, slide talks, and
fossil hunts. Of
course, the park is a great place for a
picnic at nine areas complete with tables and
grills. Birders can
enjoy watching for some of the park’s 150 species.
WHERE TO STAY
The 96-room Hueston Woods
Lodge is situated on a bluff overlooking
Acton Lake. It’s open year ‘round. Amenities include
a dining room, snack bar, gift shop, meeting rooms,
lounge, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, game
room, and lighted tennis court.
Cozy cottages offer
an alternative to the lodge. A total of 25
Family Cottages, which
can sleep six people, provide two bedrooms, bath,
kitchen, living room, and screened porch. Two
Premium Cottages
include a master bedroom suite. Ten
Efficiency Cottages
have a living-dining-sleeping area for four people,
and private bath. All cottages are equipped with
cooking and eating utensils, towels, and bedding.
And for those who enjoy
camping, the park has many choice sites.
There are 252 family campsites with
electrical outlets,
showers, flush toilets, laundry, and trailer waste
station. More rustic campers can choose from 236
non-electric
campsites, with vault-type latrines. Three camper
cabins provide built-in bunks, air conditioning, and
an outdoor gas grill. Horseback riders can stay at
28 horseman campsites;
and youth and adult organizations can reserve a
group.
Pets are permitted in
a limited number of sites.
OTHER AREA ATTRACTIONS
In nearby
Oxford, visit the
McGuffey House and Museum, showcasing the
personal articles of William McGuffey, author of
McGuffey Readers. Hopewell
has a church, founded in 1808, with the first public
cemetery in the
township. Hopewell was an important stop and staging
area for the Underground
Railroad. The
Hamilton County Park Districtt has Newberry
Wildlife Sanctuary,
Sharon Woods Gorge, and Trillium Trails.
HISTORY OF HUESTON WOODS
Millions of years ago, a shallow sea covered
Ohio, depositing fossil-rich
limestone and dolomite bedrock. Fertile
soils, left behind by glaciers thousands of years
ago, created a productive land that attracted early
Native Americans, including the Miami people, and
settlers.
In 1797, Matthew Hueston,
after serving with General “Mad” Anthony Wayne in
the Indian wars, bought land for a farm in Butler
and Preble counties. He left a remnant of the woods
standing for his descendants.
When the last of the Huestons died in the 1930s,
Morris Taylor, a
conservationist, purchased the woods and held it in
trust, while Cloyd Acton,
a Preble County legislator, influenced the state
legislature to buy the land in 1941. Hueston Woods
was designated a state forest, and in 1945, money
was appropriated to buy additional land.
In 1952, the Oxford Honor
Camp was located here, housing honor-status
inmates for 12 years. In the summer of 1956, an
earthen dam was completed across Four Mile Creek,
creating Acton Lake. Hueston Woods became a state
park in 1957. The old-growth forest was added to the
National Registry of National
Landmarks in 1967, and became a state nature
preserve in 1973. |
business resort. Over 250 sites with full hookup and 50/30/20 amp service
we strive to provide the type of getaway you seek without having to travel
long distances. Pull thru sites capable of handling even those BIG RIGS
with towed vehicles. We get you in and out easily! We have NEW
full service wireless Internet access that can allow you to surf the web or get in
touch with your office or friends at any time. Call Toll Free:
888-330-5771. Just off Interstate 70 in Western Ohio.
