Blue Rock State Park

Introduction

Blue Rock State Park in southeast Ohio is surrounded by rugged hills and lush green forests. Get away from it all and enjoy the diverse flora and fauna of this scenic 322-acre state park. The park’s picturesque shelters are ideal for weddings and other special occasions.

Blue Rock State Park is an excellent RV destination for those seeking to enjoy nature and all that it has to offer. This state park differs from many others in that there are no RV hookups available. While this is correct, many campsites can accommodate a 100-foot RV or trailer, and the park compensates by providing shower houses with toilets, running water, and a dump station in the campground.

Blue Rock State Park Camping

Blue Rock State Park Campground is ideal for those who want to experience a primitive atmosphere while still having a place to park their RV!

There are no hookups in the park, so plan on bringing plenty of water with you. Generators are permitted for use with electric outlets, but must be used only outside of the quiet hours of 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.

The campground is as simple to find as it is to navigate. The campground has two loops, both of which are on the east end of Cutler Lake.

Despite the fact that there are no hookups in the park, there is a dump station in the park’s southwest corner. Restrooms with showers are also conveniently located close to both loops of the campground.

The campground includes a playground, basketball courts, and picnic areas, as well as access to the rest of the state park’s amenities. It’s a great starting point for exploring the park from your campsite.

Other Activities

Swimming

The 250-foot-long public beach is located on the lake’s northern end. This beach is ideal for relaxing summer days and having fun with the whole family. It should be noted that this is the only area of the lake where swimming is permitted.

If necessary, restrooms and showers are available at the campground check-in station, providing swimmers with a place to change into swimsuits and use the restroom.

Boating

Blue Rock State Park is home to the 15-acre Cutler Lake, which is ideal for relaxing boating. Hand-powered boats and boats with electric trolling motors are permitted, but gas-powered boats are not.

Because of these restrictions, Cutler Lake is ideal for kayaking, canoeing, and stand up paddle boarding. There is even a camp store where canoes, paddle boards, kayaks, and rowboats can be rented.

The boat ramp is located within walking distance of the campground, so you won’t have to travel far to get out on the water!

Hiking

Blue Rock State Park is the place to go if you want to go on a great series of day hikes. There are five trails within the park, and it is directly adjacent to the Blue Rock National Forest, which has many more hiking opportunities!

There are four moderate hiking trails and one difficult trail within the park. The moderate trails range in length from.4 to 1 mile. The difficult trail is only.2 miles long, but it will put your hiking skills to the test!

Fishing

No matter what time of year it is, fishing is an excellent activity in the park. It’s fun to fish from the bank or from a boat in the summer, and ice fishing is popular in the winter! Because motorboats are not permitted on the lake, the waters remain calm, and the fish are less agitated!

Several different species of fish are commonly caught on Cutler Lake. The most common fish in the lake are bass, trout, catfish, and bluegill!

Archery

Near the camp store is an archery range with targets at 10, 20, 30, and 40 yards. It is completely free and open to the public. You must bring your own equipment.

Picnicking

Summer picnics are a fun and relaxing way to enjoy the great outdoors. There are several picnic areas throughout the park, each with picnic tables and grills.

In addition to the picnic areas, the park has several covered picnic areas that are ideal for large groups. Reservations are required for these large covered picnic areas, so make sure to call ahead!

Sledding and ice skating

Ice skating and sledding are two of the most enjoyable winter activities available at the park. Skating and sledding bring out the child in all of us, whether we are young or old.

When planning winter activities, always call ahead. Although the park is open all year, ice skating, sledding, and even ice fishing can be enjoyed depending on the weather!

Hunting

During deer bow season, bow hunting is permitted in designated areas of the park.

Shelterhouses with reservations

Reservations for three shelterhouses can be made online or by calling (866) 644-6727. The Northwest shelterhouse has a lovely covered bridge, which is ideal for outdoor weddings.

Trails

Several miles of hiking trails begin near the park’s campground and picnic areas. There are additional hiking trails in the nearby forest lands. The Blue Rock State Forest has over 26 miles of bridle trails for horseback riders to enjoy. There are no overnight accommodations. There are no horse rentals available, so you must bring your own.

Nearby Attractions

The 4,573-acre Blue Rock State Forest, which surrounds the park, provides hiking, trail riding, and hunting opportunities. The Muskingum River is nearby, providing opportunities for fishing, boating, and viewing several nineteenth-century locks and dams located off State Route 60 on the Muskingum River Parkway. This is the only complete system of hand-operated locks that is still in use in the United States.

State Route 60 leads north from the park to historic Zanesville. The famous “Y” bridge, which spans both the Muskingum and Licking rivers, is located in the heart of town. During the summer, the Lorena steamboat is available for river cruises in Zanesville. In Zanesville, the National Road-Zane Grey Museum traces the development of the country’s first highway and displays personal belongings of the famous native-born novelist Zane Grey. Only 10 miles away is the International Center for the Preservation of Wild Animals (“The Wilds”).

Location

Blue Rock State Park is in close proximity to Cambridge, Zanesville, and Newark.

Car Driving

Blue Rock State Park is in Muskingum County, Ohio, about 30 miles southeast of Zanesville. Blue Rock State Park is the place to go if you want to visit a quiet state park.

While the park covers more than 300 acres of land, there are only a few roads that run through it. These roads are paved and easy to navigate, but they can become narrow in places. If you’re bringing a large RV or camper trailer, just keep an eye out for any tight spots in the road.

If you intend to stay for a while, bringing a mountain bike or comfortable walking shoes will make it much easier to navigate the park.

Because there are no water or sewer hookups at the park, there are four restrooms with showers within walking distance of any portion of the campground.

Parking

Within the park, parking is extremely limited, and most parking, aside from campsites, can only accommodate a passenger car. The main parking area is located across the street from the swimming beach on the main road.

Public Transport

No, public transport is not available.