Located within the rolling Appalachian foothills of southeastern Hocking Valley, Lake Logan State Park is secluded and offers a 400-acre lake for boating as well as prime hiking, fishing, and hunting opportunities.
Activities
Boating
Boats with motors up to 10 horsepower are permitted on the 400-acre lake. A speed limit of 10 mph is enforced. Paddling and sailing are also popular at Lake Logan. The park offers a boat ramp on the southeast portion of the lake off Lake Logan Road. Another smaller ramp is located about 1.5 miles northeast, also off Lake Logan Road. Seasonal boat docks are available for rent. Additionally, the park’s picnic areas offer boat tie-ups that also may be rented. The Lake Logan Marina offers canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, pedal boats, and pontoon boats for rent in Spring, Summer, and Fall. For boat rental information or to make a reservation, visit www.lakeloganmarina.com or call 740-380-2956.
Fishing
The lake has abundant populations of bluegill, crappie, bass, muskie, and catfish.
- Ohio fishing regulations apply.
- A valid Ohio fishing license is required (16 and older).
Hunting
Fox, squirrel, raccoon, rabbit, deer, waterfowl, turkey and ruffed grouse may be hunted in season.
- Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations
- A valid Ohio hunting license is required.
Picnicking
There are six picnic areas with large parking lots around the lake. Most areas have drinking water, grills and restrooms available. The picnic areas on the northwest and south shores of the lake have boat tie-ups for fishermen. Fires are permitted in grills only.
Swimming
A 527-foot public swimming beach is located on the north shore of the lake on Lake Logan Road (CR 3). Restrooms are available, but no other amenities are provided.
Swimming is permitted in designated areas during daylight hours only. Please exercise caution while swimming at the beach.
- BeachGuard — Water quality advisories, Memorial Day to Labor Day, from Ohio Dept. of Health
Trails
A 1.25-mile section of the Buckeye Trail runs through the northwest end of the park toward Hocking Hills State Forest.
Winter Recreation
In the proper conditions, park guests can enjoy sledding and ice fishing.
History & Natural Features
History
Lake Logan is located in Hocking County in southeastern Ohio. This territory once belonged to the Wyandot Native Americans, who had a large village known as Oldtown on the Hocking River, located one mile north of Logan. Logan was established by Thomas Worthington in 1816 and named after the Mingo Chief, James John Logan.
The Hocking River provided sufficient water power for the operation of grist and sawmills, particularly at the falls above Logan. The town of Logan was slow to progress until the opening of the Hocking Canal, a branch of the Ohio-Erie Canal, in 1838. Several industries prospered due to the rich mineral resources of the Hocking Valley. The discovery of immense quantities of coal gave rise to a flourishing mining industry. Towns appeared and vanished as quickly as mines opened and closed.
It was soon found that iron ore could be extracted from the sandstone bedrock of the area. During the Civil War, Ohio’s iron industry reached its peak as the leading producer of iron for implements and weapons. No less than 46 furnaces were firing in Ohio’s six-county Hanging Rock Iron Region.
The clay soils of the Hocking Valley helped Ohio become a leader in clay products. The valley’s firebrick industry manufactured clay tile, building and paving bricks, and clay sewer pipe. Evidence of the industry can be seen in the many brick houses and abandoned kilns of the area. Clay is still an important commodity in the region.
Lake Logan was developed in 1955 for recreational purposes. The area was administered by the ODNR Division of Wildlife until 1964, when jurisdiction was transferred to the Division of Parks and Recreation. Originally known as Hocking Lake, the park was renamed Lake Logan to reflect the Native American heritage of the area and to avoid confusion with nearby Hocking Hills State Park and Forest.
Natural Features
Much time has passed since the region was first uplifted from the ancient sea that once covered most of Ohio. This unglaciated plateau is Ohio’s oldest landscape. The land was untouched by the ancient glaciers that invaded much of Ohio, which created a unique, rugged terrain that is not seen anywhere else in the state. The Hocking area was a major outlet for glacial meltwaters and deposited large amounts of outwash material of primarily sand and gravel. This resulted in a landscape marked by deep gorges, caves and waterfalls.
Predominately oak and hickory, the forest surrounding Lake Logan features white and black oak, tuliptree, shagbark and pignut hickory. The forest floor is speckled with a variety of wildflowers including fire pink, wintergreen, bluet and spring beauty. Ground cover plants include greenbriar, blueberry and numerous ferns and fungi.
Raccoon, opossum, skunk, red-backed salamander, gray squirrel, box turtle, white-tailed deer and wild turkey are all found in the park. Many birds frequent the area, making it an excellent place for birdwatching. The red-tailed hawk, barn owl, pileated woodpecker and scarlet tanager all call this area home. Various species of waterfowl can be viewed during spring and fall migration.
Contact & Hours
Park Hours: Half hour after sunrise to half hour before sunset. Visitors are permitted to actively engage in legitimate recreational activities outside these hours. If you have questions, call the park office.
Park Office: (740) 385-6842; 8am-4:30pm Monday-Friday, Located at Hocking Hills State Park.
Manager: Robin Donnelly
