Visitors to West Branch can traverse the park's woods and meadows by foot, bike, or horseback via miles of scenic trails, including a link to the statewide Buckeye Trail. The landscaped marked by a large stand of beech-maple woodlands harbors a variety of plant and animal life.
For visitors who prefer to spend time on the water, the Michael J. Kirwan Reservoir offers launch ramps, dock rentals, a marina, and two boat swimming areas. Other facilities include a full-service campground, seasonal marina, 18-hole disc golf course, and a dog park.
Activities
Boating
The 2,650-acre lake is designated for unlimited horsepower. A no-wake zone extends 300 feet from all shorelines. The entire area west of Rock Spring Road causeway is also a no-wake zone.
- West Branch Marina — A concessionaire operates out of the marina each season. Boat rentals, gasoline, ice, food, and other supplies are available for purchase. (330) 296-9209
- Seasonal docks located by the Marina are rented by the park office each year through a lottery process. Dock 9 is handicap accessible. The dock lottery is held in October for the seasonal dock leases the following boating season.
- All docks are sold out for this season.
- Dock Lottery Applications will be accepted October 1-31st for the 2023 boating season.
Five launch ramps provide access to the lake; one is in the campground:
- East Boat Ramp: Two paved lanes, ample parking, and lighting. A restroom with flush toilets is also available. Courtesy docks are available during boating season.
- West Boat Ramp: Two paved lanes, ample parking, lighting, and a life jacket loaner board. A unisex vault latrine is available. Courtesy docks are available during boating season.
- Camp Ramp (for registered campers only): Two paved lanes, ample parking, lighting, and a life jacket loaner board. A vault latrine is available at the south end of the ramp.
- Rock Spring Road Ramp: A gravel ramp is located on the north end of the lake off of Rock Spring Road. A unisex non-flush restroom is available as well as ample parking.
- Knapp Road Ramp: A primitive gravel ramp is located at the west end of the lake.
There are two boat swimming areas: Silver Creek Bay, southwest of the beach, and Jay Lake, across from the Camp Ramp.
Camping
West Branch State Park Campground offers Full Hook-up and Electric camping sites. Three Group sites are available in the campground. The campground has its own small beach and a boat launch. A separate Equestrian campground has non-electric sites.
Disc Golf
An 18-hole disc golf course is available near the beach, and a 9-hole course can be found in the campground area. Discs and bags can be rented from the camp office (open seasonally).
Dog Park with Pond
A dog park with a swimming pond is located on Rock Spring Road just south of State Route 5. It has interior fencing to separate large breeds from small breeds.
Fishing
Year-round fishing at West Branch offers large and smallmouth bass, walleye, crappie, bluegill, catfish, and trophy-class muskellunge. Fishing access is available at launch areas as well as numerous shoreline access points.
- An accessible fishing pier is located by the Marina.
- Ohio fishing regulations apply.
- A valid Ohio fishing license is required for all anglers 16 and older.
Hunting
Parts of the park are open for hunting, in season, with small game, waterfowl, and deer being most common. The northeastern section of the park, bound on the west by Rock Spring Road and on the south by the lakeshore, is closed to hunting. This no-hunting area includes the park office, camp area, horse camp, picnic areas, beach, marina, dam, and East Boat Ramp. A 400-foot no hunting/safety zone extends from all other developed facilities. Target shooting is prohibited.
- Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations
- A valid Ohio hunting license is required.
Picnicking
Picnic tables and charcoal grills are available for public use at the West Ramp, East Ramp, marina, and the beach. All picnic areas have access to restrooms.
Reservable Shelterhouses
West Branch State Park offers two pavilions; each is approximately 30’ x 20’ and holds eight picnic tables with charcoal grills nearby. The pavilions are within 100 yards of a restroom and provide visitors with a lake view and fishing access.
Swimming
The park offers a 700-foot sand beach with restrooms, changing booths, outdoor showers, and vending machines. Picnic tables and charcoal grills available for public use. Swimming is permitted in designated areas. Please exercise caution while swimming at the beach. Pets are NOT permitted on swimming beaches.
- BeachGuard — Water quality advisories, Memorial Day to Labor Day, from Ohio Dept. of Health
Trails
Visitors are encouraged to call the park's Trail Hotline at (330) 235-0028 for updates on trail conditions.
Hiking
The park offers 14 miles of hiking trails on mostly natural surfaces. A portion of the state's Buckeye Trail passes through the park and is linked to the campground by a 2-mile spur trail.
- Jay Lake — 0.6 Mile – Moderate, North of Esworthy Road near the camp overflow parking lot
- Deer Run — 1 Mile – Moderate, North of Esworthy Road near the camp overflow parking lot
- Wild Cherry — 1 Mile – Moderate, South of Esworthy Road, near the Park Office parking lot
- Club Moss — 0.8 Mile – Moderate, South of Esworthy Road, near the camp overflow parking lot
- Buckeye Spur Trail – 2.25 Miles – Moderate, South of Esworthy Road, near the camp overflow parking lot
Bridle
The park has nearly 20 miles of bridle trails traverse woodlands and meadows. Riders must provide their own horses. The bridle trails close during the winter season, but riders can use the service road leading to camp all winter.
Mountain Bike/Snowmobile Trail
An extensive network of mountain bike trails are established on the south end of the lake with parking adjacent to the West Boat Ramp. After leaving the parking area and riding up to Cable Line Road, there are six loops that provide approximately 12 miles of single and double track trail.
Winter Recreation
Under the proper winter conditions, park guests can enjoy cross-country skiing, ice fishing, and ice boating. In addition, extensive snowmobile trails begin at the West Boat Ramp.
Visitors are encouraged to call the park's Trail hotline at (330) 235-0028 to learn updated information on trail conditions.
More to Do
- Playgrounds
- Volleyball court
History & Natural Features
History
West Branch State Park is located on the west branch of the Mahoning River in Portage County. The river was named for the Delaware Tribe word mahonink meaning "at the salt lick." In early days, a salt works was located southeast of present-day Warren along the river. The salt, which attracted a variety of wildlife, was harvested by Indians and early settlers.
At the west end of the park is a crossroads known as Campbellsport, named for Captain John Campbell who mustered militia for the War of 1812 at the site and then marched them on Cleveland. Captain Campbell originally came to the area in 1805 as a surveyor and land agent for proprietor Samuel Hinckley. Captain Campbell also served as Portage County sheriff from 1810 to 1813. He constructed what is said to be the oldest brick land-office building in Ohio (circa 1810). Prior to the flooding of the reservoir, this building was moved to a site at the Portage County Historical Society where it has been preserved and restored.
In 1965, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed construction of the Michael J. Kirwan Reservoir. The reservoir was developed for flood control, water supply, recreation and fish and wildlife management. West Branch State Park was formally opened surrounding the reservoir in 1966.
Natural Features
West Branch State Park in Portage County is situated on the glaciated plateau of northeastern Ohio. Although the land was uplifted as part of the Appalachian Mountain building process, the glaciers were able to override the gentle hills of the plateau. Huge ice blocks broke free from the glaciers and kettle lakes formed as the blocks melted. Eventually, these lakes filled with sediment leaving boggy wetlands with unique assemblages of plants. The West Branch area contains numerous bogs filled with buttonbush, alder, skunk cabbage and swamp white oak.
Another natural feature of the park is the stand of beech-maple forest. In pioneer times, the beech-maple belt in Ohio was very extensive and stretched across the plateau from Mansfield to Pennsylvania. These woodlands harbor a variety of plant and animal life. Woodland wildflowers such as Dutchman's breeches, bloodroot and trillium are found here. Red fox, skunk, opossum and raccoon find the park's habitat suitable. Songbirds occupy the leafy canopy of the woodlands while waterfowl and shorebirds dabble in the reservoir.
Volunteer
Find out how you can get involved with others who share your interests and passions at West Branch State Park. Visit Friends of West Branch State Park to learn more.
Contact & Hours
Park Hours: Sun up to sun down. Visitors are permitted to actively engage in legitimate recreational activities outside these hours. If you have questions, call the park office.
Park Office: (330) 235-0030; open 8am to 4pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
Campground Office: (330) 296-3239; hours vary. Open mid-April to November 1
Camp Coordinator: Mic Katrine
Manager: John Trevelline
