A throwback to Ohio's canal era, Lake Loramie was originally constructed in 1824 as a reservoir for the Miami & Erie Canal. The lake and surrounding lands became Lake Loramie State Park in 1949. The family campground offers a variety of sites and cabins. Boating remains a popular activity as well as fishing, swimming and picnicking. In winter, the park offers ice fishing, sledding and snowmobiling.
Activities
Boating
No limit to horsepower, but the entire lake is classified as "no wake" with the exception of the designated speed zone at the west end. Water skiing and tubing are prohibited. A boat swim zone is located on the north side of Blackberry Island.
Six launch ramps provide access to the lake. There are 91 docks and 54 tie-ups available for lease. Canoes, kayaks, and paddle boats can be rented. An adaptive boat launch (between beach parking lot and campground) accommodates paddle craft and pontoon boats.
Camping
The Lake Loramie State Park Campground offers Full Hook-up, Electric and Non-electric campsites as well as ADA-compliant Cedar Cabins. Reserve online or by calling (866) 644-6727.
Disc Golf
The park features an 18-hole disc golf course.
Fishing
Lake Loramie provides good catches of crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, bullheads, carp, and fair numbers of largemouth bass. Four fishing piers are located in the park (West Bank, Earl's Island, Oak Grove, and Daniels).
- The fishing piers at Oak Grove and Daniels are ADA accessible.
- Ohio fishing regulations apply.
- A valid Ohio fishing license is required (16 and older).
Hunting
Hunting is permitted in designated areas when in season.
- Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations
- A valid Ohio hunting license is required.
Picnicking
There are 15 picnic areas located around the lake. Grills, restrooms, and drinking water are provided.
Swimming
A 600-foot sandy beach has adjacent picnic areas, a playground, and a shelterhouse. Swimming is permitted during daylight hours in designated areas only. Please exercise caution while swimming at the beach. Pets are NOT permitted on swimming beaches.
A boat swim zone is located on the north side of Blackberry Island.
- BeachGuard — Water quality advisories, Memorial Day to Labor Day, from Ohio Dept. of Health
Trails
There are five hiking trails with more than 8 miles of trails:
- Blackberry Island Trail - 1 mile - easy
- Lakeview Trail - 2 miles - easy
- Little Turtle Trace - 1 mile - easy
- Miami-Erie Trail - 1 mile - easy (Part of Buckeye Trail)
- Upper Loramie Trail - 2 miles - easy
- Portion of the Buckeye Trail - 2 miles - moderate (part of Miami-Erie Trail inside the park)
A portion of the trail system follows the Miami-Erie Canal from the park to Delphos. This route is also a part of the Buckeye Trail and the North Country National Scenic Trail.
Fitness Trail: Five fitness stations have been installed at Earl's Island along the paved walkway near the volleyball court and playground.
Winter Recreation
In the proper conditions, guests can go snowmobiling, sledding, ice skating, ice fishing, and ice boating.
More to Do
- Nature Center with nature programs offered during the summer months
- Bike, canoe, kayak, and paddle boat rentals are available
- Dog park
History & Natural Features
History
Lake Loramie was originally constructed in 1844-45 as a storage reservoir to supply water for the Miami-Erie Canal system. A short feeder canal connected Lake Loramie with the main canal which furnished transportation from the Ohio River at Cincinnati north to Lake Erie. The canal system reached its peak of economic importance in the mid-1800s. Eventually, the advent of the railroads and destruction caused by the floods of 1913 forced the abandonment of the canals in that year.
Since that time, Lake Loramie and other canal lands became recognized for their potential to serve increasing outdoor recreational needs. In 1949, Lake Loramie became the possession of the newly created Ohio Department of Natural Resources and has been maintained as a state park since.
Natural Features
Although difficult to imagine, Ohio at one time had more than two-thirds of its surface covered by massive sheets of ice as much as a mile thick in places. At least three great ice sheets invaded Ohio's boundaries in the geologic past, the last of which retreated 14,000 years ago.
These ice advances directly impacted the natural features of Lake Loramie State Park. Materials deposited by the glaciers include clay, sand and gravel, and boulders of various sizes.
In the western half of Ohio, where the land is generally level, these deposits resulted in some of the world's richest soils. A great forest emerged after the glacial era, covering 95% of the state. In the vicinity of Lake Loramie, the vegetation consisted of mainly beech forests which thrived in the moist, fertile soils of the region.
Today, little can be seen of that mighty forest because development of the land for agriculture and other purposes has drastically altered the original vegetation. Small woodlots, grass plains, prairie and farmland are typical of the area today.
The park's campground supports a colony of the unique bald cypress tree as well as a plantation of sweet gum dating back to the early 1950s. Waterfowl, including Canada geese, frequent the park along with various songbirds and small mammals. Wildflowers flourish in the forests and fields.
On the lake, waterlily, cattail, and a beautiful display of American lotus enhance the view. A trail leading to Blackberry Island will treat visitors to glimpses of nesting red-headed woodpeckers and barred owls. The park's meadows support a large population of eastern bluebirds.
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: (937) 295-2011; Seasonal. November-March call Grand Lake St. Mary's (419) 394-3611.
Manager: Jason Whitman
