Ohio / Pickaway County

Deer Creek Lake Day Use

Open — Open year-round for day use from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. Fishing is permitted after 10:00 p.m. No overnight camping allowed.

About

Deer Creek Lake Day Use Area is situated just below the dam at Deer Creek Lake in south central Ohio, approximately 35 miles southwest of Columbus. The facility features two accessible group picnic shelters, Buck and Doe, each capable of accommodating up to 100 guests and equipped with electric hookups. Located 40 yards from the creek popular for fishing, these shelters are available for reservation on a first-come, first-served basis. The area is set among gently rolling hills forested with oak, hickory, elm, black walnut, ash, maple, and sycamore. Wildlife is abundant, including white-tailed deer, wild turkey, ring-necked pheasant, cottontail rabbit, squirrel, raccoon, mink, red fox, skunk, coyote, and beaver. Raptors such as red-tailed hawks, Northern harriers, and American kestrels are commonly sighted. The outflow creek below the dam provides fishing opportunities for bluegill, white crappie, channel catfish, saugeye, and various bass species. Swimming and wading are prohibited in the outflow creek. The parking area, playground, and open space are open to the public without reservation, though the picnic shelters can be reserved through Recreation.gov.

Directions

From Columbus, take Highway 62 south to Mt. Sterling. Turn south on Route 207 and continue for 8 miles to the lake. Turn at the intersection; picnic shelter is on Crownover Mill Road.

Nearby Campgrounds