Dillon_Brochure_24.pdf

DILLON

5265 Dillon Hills Drive Nashport, OH 43830

For Reservations:

866-OHIOPARKS

reserveohio.com

Park Office:

(740) 453-4377

Campground Check-In Station:

(740) 452-1083

Dillon State Park

Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Parks & Watercraft

2045 Morse Rd.

Columbus, OH 43229 - 6693

An Equal Opportunity Employer - M/F/H printed on recycled content paper

Ohio Department of

NATURAL RESOURCES

OHIO STATE PARKS AND

WATERCRAFT

W I N T E R R E C R E A T I O N Under proper winter conditions, park guests may enjoy sledding at the sled hill.

C A B I N S A total of 29 cabins, nestled in the woods, offer cozy overnight accommodations year-round.

All cabins feature air conditioning, heat, cable television, and screened in porch. Linens, towels and kitchen utensils are furnished. Pets are permitted in select cabins.

A number of cabins have been recently renovated with updated features including wide-screen TVs, microwaves and updated bathrooms. The cabins open onto screened porches, where guests can lounge in custom-built Adirondack chairs made from Ohio wood.

Reservations may be made online at reserveohio.

com or by calling 866-OHIOPARKS.

C A M P I N G A family campground offers electric, full-service and non-electric sites. Other amenities include showerhouses, flush toilets, playgrounds, laundry facility and dump station. All camp sites are pet friendly.

A nature center and amphitheater are also available for campground guests. The campground store offers grocery items and camping supplies.

Camping reservations may be made online at reserveohio.com or by calling 866-OHIOPARKS.

T H I N G S T O D O

• Hiking • Bridle Trails • Disc Golf

• Basketball • Volleyball • Tennis • Pickleball

• Mountain Biking • Picnicking • Camping

• Boating • Swimming • Archery Range • Hunting

• Fishing • Sledding • Nature Center

P L A C E S T O S T A Y

• Cabins • Campground

• Equestrian Camp

N E A R B Y A T T R A C T I O N S

• Dillon Wildlife Area • Lorena Sternwheeler

• Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve

• Muskingum River State Park • Flint Ridge State

Memorial • Blue Rock State Park and Forest

• National Road and Zane Grey Museum

For more information on area attractions, call 800-BUCKEYE or go to ohio.org. Visitors can also visit the Zanesville/Muskingum Visitors Bureau website at visitzanesville.com or call (800) 743-2303.

DILLON STATE PARK

Located in east central Ohio, the wooded hills and valleys surrounding Dillon State Park offer a picturesque backdrop to any outdoor adventure.

Visitors can explore the quiet coves and inlets of the lake or hike through the lush, hardwood forest.

NATURE OF THE AREA

The park is situated in an area of the state possessing diverse and interesting natural features resulting from the unique properties of the Black Hand sandstone found here. Hundreds of millions of years ago, sand eroded from eastern mountains and accumulated in a vast delta of the ancient sea covering the region. Eventually, this hard bedrock eroded to form sheer cliffs. Today, the landscape supports a hardwood forest.

The rolling, reverting farmland of the area provides visitors the opportunity to see some of Ohio’s most magnificent wildlife. White-tailed deer and wild turkey can be seen along the park’s trails by quiet observers. During migration, numerous species of waterfowl visit Dillon’s waters. Sightings of bald eagles have also been reported.

HISTORY OF THE AREA

The history of the Dillon region highlights the story of transportation in the area. The nearby Licking River played a crucial role in Ohio’s cultural history, from the days of Native Americans to the age of the river canals.

The Licking River provided Native Americans with access to Flint Ridge where outcroppings of flint were found. In the Blackhand Gorge, now protected as a state nature preserve, a sandstone cliff bore a soot-blackened engraving of a human hand. This mysterious petroglyph is thought to have served as a guide marker for Indians searching for Flint Ridge.

Specimens of Flint Ridge flint have been found as far east as the Atlantic seaboard, as far south as Louisiana and as far west as Kansas City.

In 1803, Moses Dillon purchased the land bordering the Licking River, where the park is now located.

Dillon is most noted for his design and construction of the world-famous “Y” Bridge in Zanesville.

The region continued to develop, with the construction of the Old National Road, built between 1811 and 1834. It was the first federally funded road in U.S. history and helped establish the city of Zanesville. Later, the power of the Licking River was harnessed for the Ohio and Erie Canal, which boosted trade and commerce to surrounding towns. The development of the railroad led to an inter-urban rail between Zanesville, Newark and Columbus.

In 1961, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed construction of Dillon Reservoir for flood control, with recreation as a secondary use.

HIKING TRAILS

Seven trails traverse the park, giving visitors a chance to view a variety of landscapes. One multi-use trail allows hiking, biking and/or horseback riding. There is a 1/2-mile Storybook Trail for younger park guests.

BRIDLE TRAILS

A 19-mile forested bridle trail is located within the park. The system is available to riders with their own horses.

MOUNTAIN BIKING

Eighteen miles of mountain bike trails offer a challenge for all levels. The trails give visitors views of the lake and bridges.

BOATING AND SWIMMING

The 1,560-acre lake allows unlimited horsepower boating. Two boat ramps provide access to the lake.

The state park marina offers 95 docks for lease on a seasonal basis, as well as four overnight rental docks.

A 1,360-foot swimming beach is located near the park office. Swimming is permitted in designated areas during daylight hours only. Please exercise caution while swimming at the beach.

There are two restroom facilities in the beach area.

An ADA accessible facility is also available.

PICNICKING

Two picnic areas with tables and grills are located in the park. An ADA accesible playground is available at the beach area. The beach shelter and Big Run shelter may be reserved online or by calling 866-OHIOPARKS.

DISC GOLF

The park’s Woodchuck Ridge disc golf offers 18 holes and a variety of challenges for all experience levels. The course begins behind the camp store.

Maps, score sheets and rental discs are available, as well as discs for purchase at the store. The course is free and open to the public due to the generosity of Boy Scout Troop 14 and the Friends of Dillon State Park.

ARCHERY RANGE

The archery range is located at the sled hill parking lot. Multiple targets are available.

SHOOTING RANGE

Dillon Sportsman Area is a full-featured public shooting facility, located at 5200 Pleasant Valley Road, Nashport, OH. This facility includes a 100 yard outdoor rifle range, a 25 yard outdoor pistol range, firearm instruction and regulation skeet and trap fields.

FISHING AND HUNTING

Largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, saugeye, hybrid striped bass and catfish are plentiful. A valid Ohio fishing license is required.

Hunting is permitted in designated areas in season. All state hunting rules apply. A valid Ohio hunting license is required.

Rev. 05/23

DILLON STATE PARK

Unlimited Horsepower

LEGEND

LOCATION MAP

00 .3 Miles

Dillon State Park

ZANESVILLE

Park Boundar y Wildlife Boundar y

Hiking Tr ai l Multi-Use Trai l Brid le Trail Mountain Bike Trai l

ADA Friendly Restroom

Amphitheater

Archery Range

Basketball

Beach

Boat Ramp

Brid le Trai lhead

Cabin Area

Campground

Campground Check-In Station

Cour tesy Boat Dock

Dam/Spillway

Disc Gol f

Dump Station

Equestrian Camp

Fishing Pier

Marina

Mountain Bik e Trailhead

Nature Center

Paddling Access

Parking Lot

Pickleball

Picnic Area

Playground

Restroom

Shelterhouse

Shooting Range

Sledding

Tennis

Trailhead

Volley ball

Youth Camp

Area