A large sprawling lake, sunny meadows, and a wooded ravine await visitors at Caesar Creek. Boaters will find all the amenities for a great day on the water, including a marina, several launch ramps, and dock rentals. A large campground provides campers with cozy sites and modern facilities. The Hopewell Day Lodge is a great venue for family gatherings. Other activities include fishing, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and archery.
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Activities
Archery
An archery range is located off of Clarksville Road in the southwest portion of the park. A variety of distance targets and a walk-through 3D range.
Boating
The 2,830-acre lake has an unlimited horsepower designation. Five launch ramps are situated around the lake.
There are two boat camp/boat swim areas. One is located just north of the Wellman boat ramp and the other is located just south of the campground boat ramp.
The Marina at Caesar Creek (513-897-1092) features a harbormaster building as well as leased and transient docks from Apr 1 to Oct 15. The building includes a retail area (boating accessories, clothing, fishing equipment, live bait, ice, etc.), concession area offering ice cream, pizza and beverages with indoor seating; public restrooms; and outside deck with seating area and water fountain. Exclusive features for boat dock leaseholders include showers. The marina offers fuel (ethanol-free 90 octane) and pump out stations.
- A dock lottery is held annually for seasonal dock leases for the following boating season. Online lottery applications will be accepted October 1-31.
Bridle Trails
- Rosebriar Trail - 1.5 miles - Easy
- Moonlit Vista Trail - 3.0 miles - Easy
- Farmer's Trace Trail - 3.5 miles - Easy
- Solidago Downs Trail - 14 miles - Easy (many loop options)
Camping
The large Caesar Creek State Park Campground offers electric and full-hook up sites. A bridle camp is located in its own area on the opposite side of the lake.
Fishing
Anglers can enjoy fishing for muskellunge and some of the best crappie fishing in the state.
- Ohio fishing regulations apply.
- A valid Ohio fishing license is required (16 and older).
Hiking
There are multiple trails at Caesar Creek that are specifically designated for hiking. These trails are rated moderate to difficult. They include scenic waterfalls, a swinging bridge, and views of the lake.
- Fifty Springs Loop Trail - 3.3 miles - Moderate-Difficult
- Connector Trail between Fifty Springs and Perimeter Trails - 0.1 mile - Moderate-Difficult
- Horseshoe Falls Trail - 0.7 mile - Moderate-Difficult
- Old Woods Trail - 0.6 mile - Moderate-Difficult
- Peninsula Trail - 1 mile - Moderate-Difficult
- Perimeter Trail - 12.7 miles - Moderate-Difficult
- The Cove Trail - 0.7 mile - Moderate-Difficult
- White Trail - 0.1 mile - (Connector)
- Horseshoe Falls Trail - 0.7 miles - Moderate-Difficult
- Buckeye Trail - Several miles pass through the west side of the park, occasionally joining the Solidago Downs bridle trail - Moderate-Difficult
Trails near the campground:
- Deer Run Trail - 1.4 miles - Moderate
- Lakeview Trail - 0.7 mile - Moderate
- Pin Oak Trail - 1.2 miles - Moderate
- The Point Trail - 1.1 miles - Moderate
Hikers are also permitted on the bridle and mountain biking trails.
Hunting
Hunting is permitted in many areas of the park as well as in the adjacent wildlife area during scheduled hunting seasons.
- Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations
- A valid Ohio hunting license is required.
Mountain Biking
- Fifty Springs Loop - 3.5 miles - Easy - The Fifty Springs loop is an easy oval loop around the Fifty Springs peninsula, which is a two-mile road ride from the Harveysburg Road trail head. The trail includes one intermediate-level ravine crossing.
- Mountain Bike Trail - 15 miles - Difficult - The Harveysburg trail system spans the gap between Harveysburg Road and the campground, made up of four principal loops plus connecting mileage. The first 2 miles of the main trail are suited for intermediate and advanced riders; steep climbs and drops on the remainder challenge advanced cyclists.
The Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance has details maps of the bike trails.
Nature Center
The park's nature center houses interesting displays of the cultural and natural history of the area.
- Open 12pm-4pm Thursday-Sunday during peak season
- Open 12pm-4pm Saturday and Sunday during winter.
- Naturalist programs are offered year-round.
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Picnicking
Several picnic areas with tables, grills, and drinking water are located throughout the park. Some areas are managed by the US Army Corp of Engineers and some are managed by Caesar Creek State Park.
Swimming
The park features a 1,300-foot public beach. Swimming is permitted in designated areas. Please exercise caution while swimming at the beach. Pets are permitted in designated area.
- BeachGuard — Water quality advisories, Memorial Day to Labor Day, from Ohio Dept. of Health
Winter Recreation
Under the proper conditions, park visitors can enjoy ice fishing and cross-country skiing.
More to Do
- Pioneer Village features 15 historic buildings depicting life in the early 1800s and seasonal programming.
- Playground equipment is offered at some day-use areas of the park
History & Natural Features
History
The wooded lands of the park were home to several early Ohio, Tribal cultures. Their earthworks, located near the Little Miami River, are among the largest and best-known ancient structures in the state. Not far from the park lies Fort Ancient, 3 miles of earthen walls constructed by those dubbed the Fort Ancient People. This indigenous culture lived in the region during a period from 1000 A.D. to 1650 A.D. and are considered the ancestors to the Shawnee Tribe. Displays about Fort Ancient culture and the Hopewell people can be seen at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Visitor Center.
In 1773, a man referenced by Reverend David Jones became the namesake of Caesar Creek, gaining popularity while the land was being surveyed. However, Caesar and Reverend Jones never met, as Caesar was hunting beaver, likely using the creek as his hunting grounds.
Woodland Tribes such as the Wyandot, Miami, and Shawnee also called southwestern Ohio home until their removal in the 19th century. Old Chillicothe, now Oldtown, was one of the largest Shawnee towns during the American Revolution, planted North of Caesar Creek along U.S. 68.
Bullskin Trace, now Xenia State Road, follows the ridgeline on the eastern side of the Caesar Creek Valley. In 1807, the trail was designated the first state road in Ohio, taking on its current name. Later, the trail became part of the Underground Railroad used by runaway slaves to reach safe houses operated by Quakers in the area.
In 1978, the Caesar Creek valley was impounded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to assist with flood control in the Little Miami River watershed. The 4,700-acre park and adjacent 2,500-acre wildlife area were dedicated that year.
References:
“Fort Ancient.” Earthworks.site, 2022
Hill, Ron. “Bullskin Trace.” Clermont County Historical Society, 2012,
Jones, David. 1773.
Natural Features
The park area sits astride the crest of the Cincinnati Arch, a gentle upward fold in the bedrock layers caused by an ancient upheaval. Some of the oldest rocks in Ohio are exposed, with sedimentary limestones and shales showing evidence of a sea that once covered the state hundreds of millions of years ago. The park's excellent fossil finds give testimony to the life of this long vanished body of water.
Geology Bulletin: Fossils at Caesar Creek
The forests of the area are comprised of over 65 species of plants. Several major communities thrive in the area. A northern flood plain forest is found in the valley, while mixed associations of oak-hickory and beech-maple woodlands clothe the ridges and hillsides. Red-tail hawk, white-tail deer, raccoon, red fox, and box turtle make the park their home.
Contact & Hours
Park Hours: 6am to 11pm daily. Visitors are permitted to actively engage in legitimate recreational activities outside these hours. If you have questions, call the park office.
Park Office: (513) 897-3055; 8:30am to 4pm Monday-Friday
Manager: Tiffany DeChant-Hunt
Camp Store: (937) 488-4595; 9am to 9pm every day (seasonal; subject to change)
Marina: 10am to 6pm Monday-Thursday; 7am to 8:30pm Friday-Sunday (seasonal; subject to change)
Nature Center: (937) 728-2426; 12 to 4pm Thursday-Sunday peak season, Saturday-Sunday during winter. Schools and groups are welcome to arrange visits outside of public hours.
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Volunteer
Find out how you can get involved with others who share your interests and passions at Caesar Creek State Park. To learn more, visit:
Caesar Creek Campground Association
Nature Center Association of Caesar Creek
