State Parks Near Athens, Ohio
22 state park units lie within 50 miles of Athens, including 4 parks across the line in West Virginia. The closest is Strouds Run State Park, about 4 mi northeast of town. 4 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Strouds Run State Park4 mi northeast
- Within 25 miles
- 4of 22 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 2012 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 1pets allowed
State parks near Athens, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Athens; driving distance is usually longer.
Strouds Run State Park
On the water side, there is a swimming beach and a boat ramp. Camping is available: 3 camping areas, including RV sites and group camping. If you'd rather not camp, the park offers cabins and camper cabins or similar shelters.
Hours, fees and rules for Strouds Run State Park →Lake Hope State Park
Water access includes a swimming beach and boat or kayak rentals. Overnight options include 5 camping areas, with RV sites, group camping, and showers. Roofed lodging includes cabins, lodge rooms, and camper cabins or similar shelters.
Hours, fees and rules for Lake Hope State Park →Burr Oak State Park
Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach, a boat ramp, and boat or kayak rentals. Overnight options include 6 camping areas, with RV sites, tent sites, primitive or hike-in sites, group camping, and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Burr Oak State Park →Forked Run State Park
Water access includes a swimming beach, a boat ramp, and boat or kayak rentals. Camping is available: 3 camping areas, including RV sites, group camping, and showers. There are also cabins and camper cabins or similar shelters for rent.
Hours, fees and rules for Forked Run State Park →Lake Logan State Park
Water access includes a swimming beach, a boat ramp, a fishing pier, and boat or kayak rentals.
Hours, fees and rules for Lake Logan State Park →Lake Alma State Park
On the water side, there is a swimming beach and boat or kayak rentals. Overnight options include 4 camping areas, with RV sites, tent sites, primitive or hike-in sites, and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Lake Alma State Park →Muskingum River State Park
Facilities for water recreation include a boat ramp. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Muskingum River State Park →Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park
Things to do include historic sites, biking, fishing, and hiking. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park →Hocking Hills State Park
On the water side, there is a swimming pool. Camping is available: 7 camping areas, including RV sites, tent sites, primitive or hike-in sites, group camping, and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Hocking Hills State Park →Tu-Endie-Wei State Park
Things to do include historic sites and geocaching. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Tu-Endie-Wei State Park →Jesse Owens State Park
Camping is available: 2 camping areas, including tent sites and primitive or hike-in sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Jesse Owens State Park →Tar Hollow State Park
On the water side, there is a swimming beach and boat or kayak rentals. Overnight options include 4 camping areas, with tent sites, primitive or hike-in sites, and equestrian camping. Roofed lodging includes cabins.
Hours, fees and rules for Tar Hollow State Park →Blue Rock State Park
Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach and boat or kayak rentals. Overnight options include 7 camping areas, with RV sites, group camping, and equestrian camping.
Hours, fees and rules for Blue Rock State Park →Jackson Lake State Park
On the water side, there is a swimming beach and a fishing pier. Camping is available: 2 camping areas, including tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Jackson Lake State Park →Wolf Run State Park
Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach and a boat ramp. Camping is available: 5 camping areas, including RV sites, tent sites, primitive or hike-in sites, and group camping.
Hours, fees and rules for Wolf Run State Park →Great Seal State Park
Camping is available: 2 camping areas, including tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Great Seal State Park →Buckeye Lake State Park
Water access includes a swimming beach and a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Buckeye Lake State Park →Scioto Trail State Park
Water access includes a swimming beach, a boat ramp, and boat or kayak rentals. Camping is available: 4 camping areas, including RV sites, tent sites, and primitive or hike-in sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Scioto Trail State Park →North Bend State Park
Popular activities here are off-highway vehicle riding, boating, swimming, biking, and fishing. Overnight options include campsites, with RV sites with electric hookups and tent sites. Roofed lodging includes cabins and lodge rooms.
Hours, fees and rules for North Bend State Park →A.W. Marion State Park
Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach, a boat ramp, and a fishing pier. Camping is available: 3 camping areas, including tent sites and group camping.
Hours, fees and rules for A.W. Marion State Park →Dillon State Park
On the water side, there is a swimming beach, a boat ramp, and a fishing pier. Camping is available: 4 camping areas, including tent sites and showers. Roofed lodging includes cabins.
Hours, fees and rules for Dillon State Park →North Bend Rail Trail
The park supports off-highway vehicle riding, horseback riding, biking, fishing, and geocaching. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for North Bend Rail Trail →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Athens
- Strouds Run State Park 4 mi northeast · Campground listed
- Lake Hope State Park 14 mi west · Campground listed
- Burr Oak State Park 16 mi north · Campground listed
- Forked Run State Park 23 mi southeast · Campground listed
- Lake Alma State Park 26 mi southwest · Campground listed
+ 15 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near Athens
- Strouds Run State Park 4 mi northeast · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Lake Hope State Park 14 mi west · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Burr Oak State Park 16 mi north · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Forked Run State Park 23 mi southeast · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Lake Alma State Park 26 mi southwest · Cabins or other roofed stays
+ 7 more in the list above
Dog-friendly state parks near Athens
- North Bend State Park 47 mi east · Pets allowed under park rules
Swimming near Athens
- Strouds Run State Park 4 mi northeast · Beach, pool or swim area
- Lake Hope State Park 14 mi west · Beach, pool or swim area
- Burr Oak State Park 16 mi north · Beach, pool or swim area
- Forked Run State Park 23 mi southeast · Beach, pool or swim area
- Lake Logan State Park 25 mi northwest · Beach, pool or swim area
+ 11 more in the list above
Hiking near Athens
- Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park 29 mi east · Hiking trails listed
- North Bend State Park 47 mi east · Hiking trails listed
- North Bend Rail Trail 49 mi east · Hiking trails listed
Fishing near Athens
- Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park 29 mi east · Fishing listed
- North Bend State Park 47 mi east · Fishing listed
- North Bend Rail Trail 49 mi east · Fishing listed
Questions about state parks near Athens
What is the closest state park to Athens?
Strouds Run State Park is the closest, about 4 miles northeast of Athens in a straight line. Next are Lake Hope State Park and Burr Oak State Park.
How many state parks are near Athens?
22 state park units are within 50 miles, and 4 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Athens have camping?
20 parks list camping, the nearest being Strouds Run State Park, Lake Hope State Park and Burr Oak State Park. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Athens?
Yes, at 1 park, including North Bend State Park. Dogs usually must be leashed, and some areas such as beaches or buildings may be off-limits.
Are there free state parks near Athens?
None of the nearby parks list free entry; most charge a daily vehicle fee or accept an annual pass. Fees are on each park page.
State parks near other cities
- Near Parkersburg, WV30 mi east
- Near Lancaster, OH39 mi northwest
- Near Zanesville, OH44 mi north
- Near Chillicothe, OH48 mi west
- Near Circleville, OH48 mi northwest
- Near Newark, OH54 mi north
- Near Portsmouth, OH60 mi southwest
- Near Columbus, OH65 mi northwest
Or see all Ohio state parks, West Virginia state parks or every city we cover.
Built from official park data and updated as parks change; this list was last rebuilt Oct 30, 2026. Features shown are those the official source lists. Filter these parks on the map.