Adams Lake State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Adams Lake State Park |
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Adams Lake Trail
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| Location | Adams County, Ohio, United States |
| Area | Land: 49 acres (20 ha) Water: 47 acres (19 ha) |
| Elevation | 764 feet (233 m) |
| Established | 1950 |
| Administered by | Ohio Department of Natural Resources |
| Designation | Ohio state park |
| Website | Adams Lake State Park |
Adams Lake State Park is a fun place for outdoor activities in Adams County, Ohio, near West Union. It's about 50 acres (the size of 50 football fields!) and offers lots of ways to enjoy nature, like fishing, boating, picnicking, and hiking. The park is a great spot to explore Ohio's natural beauty and learn about its past.
Contents
Park History
Ancient Cultures and Serpent Mound
Long ago, the area around Adams Lake State Park was home to ancient people. These groups, sometimes called "mound builders," created large earth structures. One famous example is Serpent Mound, which is just north of the park.
Serpent Mound is the biggest "effigy mound" in the world. An effigy mound is a mound shaped like an animal or symbol. This giant snake-shaped mound was likely built by the Adena culture or the Fort Ancient culture. It was not used for burials, but for other important purposes.
Native American Tribes and Early Settlers
Later, the Shawnee were a strong Native American tribe living in what is now Adams County. The first European-American people to arrive were fur trappers. Farmers soon followed as new lands were settled after the American Revolutionary War.
How Adams Lake State Park Began
Adams Lake was first created to provide drinking water for the nearby town of West Union. In 1950, the lake and its surrounding land were given to the state of Ohio. That's when Adams Lake State Park officially opened!
Nature and Wildlife
Ohio's Prairie Habitat
Adams Lake State Park is special because it has one of the last remaining areas of prairie in Ohio. Prairies are open grasslands with very few trees. In the past, natural fires and large grazing animals helped keep these areas open.
You can find unique plants in this prairie, like:
- Purple coneflower
- Prairie dock
- Little bluestem flowers
The prairie here is quite dry. Only certain trees can grow in these tough soil conditions. These include red cedar and different types of oak trees like post oak and blackjack oak.
Some rare plants also grow in this prairie. These include the cylindrical blazing star and rattlesnake-master. Keep an eye out for these special plants!
Fun Activities at the Park
Adams Lake State Park is open all year for visitors to enjoy.
- Boating and Swimming: Adams Lake is about 47 acres big. You can go swimming or take a boat out on the water. Only boats without motors or with small electric motors are allowed. There's a small place to launch your boat near the park entrance.
- Fishing: The lake is home to many kinds of fish. You might catch bluegill, channel catfish, carp, bullhead, or largemouth bass. If you want to fish, remember you need a valid Ohio fishing license.
- Picnicking: The park is a great place to have a picnic with family and friends. Just remember to take all your trash with you when you leave, as there are no trash cans provided.
- Hiking: There's a fun trail that goes along the southern part of Adams Lake. It's about three-quarters of a mile long, perfect for a short walk in nature.
