Reservations, Fees & Passes
Campground Fee:
Camping reservations can be made at reserveohio.com or calling 866-OHIOPARKS:
$27 per night - Areas 1 and 2
$17 per night Group Camp/Equestrian Camp
Day Use Fee:
Shelter reservations can be made at Deer Creek Lake Day Use, Deer Creek Lake - Recreation.gov
$30 – Weekdays/$50 – Weekends
The authority for Deer Creek Lake to be built was granted by Section 4 of Flood Control Act of 1938. The primary project purposes are flood risk reduction, fish and wildlife enhancement, recreation, and low flow augmentation. Deer Creek Lake’s recreation areas are comprised of three main areas; US Army Corps of Engineers day use area, ODNR’s wildlife area, and ODNR’s parks and recreation area and facilities. Deer Creek State Park comprises most of the recreational facilities on the project including the lodge, cabins, campground, golf course, and beach amongst other facilities.
Recreation Opportunities
Visitor Center
Visit the Deer Creek Lake visitor center for more information on the dam and lake. You can also enjoy interactive and interpretive displays, for both you and the children! Walk the path outside the visitor center for views of the dam that you can’t see elsewhere!
Located at 21897 Deer Creek Rd., Mt. Sterling, Ohio 43143.
Boating
Bring your boat out for an unlimited horsepower ride on our lake with 1,277 surface acres! Boat ramps are available at Harding Cabin and the Marina.
Camping
The State Park provides just over 200, all electric, campsites to choose from with both shaded and unshaded options and make sure to bring your furry friend, because pets are permitted at all sites!
Located separate from the traditional campground are five primitive equestrian camp sites for campers with horses, and an additional two primitive group sites, fitting up to 100 people.
Contact the state park for more information (74) 869 – 3508
Day-use
Located downstream of the dam, Deer Creek Lake has two picnic shelters, that are reservable, located at Doe and Buck recreation areas. You can reserve the shelters at Deer Creek Lake Day Use, Deer Creek Lake - Recreation.gov
During the summer/recreational season, the shelters are reservable for $50 a day, with electric, on weekends, and for $30 a day, with electric, on weekdays.. From September to May, the shelters will be on a first come, first serve basis.
For more information regarding reservations please visit our location at Deer Creek Lake Day Use, Deer Creek Lake - Recreation.gov
In addition to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservable shelters, the state park provides four shelters available on a first come, first serve basis.
Fishing
Check out our Below Dam Recreation Area’s for excellent fishing! Deer Creek offers great saugeye fishing in the Spring, as well as channel catfish, largemouth bass, and crappie year-round.
Park at any of the three parking lots, Buck, Doe, and Fawn, for access to the outflow. Parking lots Buck and Doe have handicap accessible ramps for fishing along the shore.
Ohio Fishing Regulations apply. A valid Ohio fishing license is required. Contact ODNR for more information. Licenses are not sold through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Hunting
Permitted in designated Wildlife Area’s only – the lake has excellent waterfowl hunting, amongst other hunting seasons.
Ohio hunting and trapping regulations apply. Contact ODNR for more information. Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ohiodnr.gov)
Marinas
For information regarding the marina and their slips, please visit: Marina | Deer Creek State Park Lodge (deercreekparklodge.com)
There are two boat ramps to choose from on the East and West side of the lake.
Marina and Boat Ramp: 21001 Deer Creek Rd, New Holland, OH 43145
Harding Cabin Boat Ramp: 9 Longberry-Deer Creek Rd, Mt Sterling, OH 43143.
Swimming
A 1,700 ft. swimming beach with picnic tables and grills is available during the day-time only. There are no lifeguards – swim at your own risk.
Pets are not permitted at the beach. There is a dog park located at the entrance to the campground for their enjoyment. Metal detectors are permitted in the sanded area
Trails
The US Army Corps of Engineers recently established a new pollinator path in their Doe Recreation Area. You can find the entrance to this .5 mile trail behind the blue playground. Enjoy an open air trail moving through the pollinator field.
The state park provides six trails, at just over 5 miles and rated easy to moderate, located around the park. These designated trails are for hiking only. Mountain bikes, horses, snowmobiles, etc. are not permitted. Trails can be found online or via app through Detour: Discover Ohio - Plan your next outdoor adventure (ohiodnr.gov).
Rules & Regulations
General Policies
A full list of Federal regulations that apply to all US Army Corps of Engineers properties can be found in Title 36 of the United States Code (USC). Title 36, The Rules and Regulations that Govern Corps of Engineers Water Resource Projects
Firearms
Possession of firearms in a federal facility, including locks, dams, power plants, ranger stations, buildings, switchyards, recreation facilities, warehouses, and offices is strictly prohibited. This prohibition includes the storage or transporting of a personally owned firearm in controlled access parking areas or Government vehicles, heavy equipment, boats and vessels under the operational control of the District regardless of its location. Exceptions for Federal employees are only allowed for Federal law enforcement officers or where possession of a firearm is specifically authorized by law.
Fireworks
Fireworks, along with explosives, firearms and other weapons are prohibited on Government Property. Detailed information can be found in Title 36, The Rules and Regulations that Govern Corps of Engineers Water Resource Projects, Section 327.13.
Contact
Deer Creek Lake
21897 Deer Creek Road
Mount Sterling, OH 43143
pa2@usace.army.mil
740-869-2243