Huntington District, West Virginia -- Reservations, Fees & Passes
Camping is available at Tappan Lake through Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District
Campground Fee:
$60 per night - Premium full hook-up
$50 per night - Full hook-up
$43 per night - Electric
$40 per night - primitive
*rates may vary
Day Use Fee:
Rates and Reservations
Tappan Lake is within the Lower Tuscarawas section of the Muskingum Area. It was authorized by Section 4 of the Flood Control Act (FCA) of 1938, as amended by Section 4 of the FCA of 1939. Primary project purposes are flood damage reduction, recreation, and fish and wildlife. The dam was completed in October 1936 and serves a drainage area of 71 square miles. Land includes 91 fee acres and 7,983 easement acres. There Corps has one small day-use recreation area. The dam is a rolled earth-fill, 52 ft tall, 1,550 ft. long, 25 ft. wide at the top and 510 ft. wide at the base. The spillway is an uncontrolled saddle near the left abutment. The intake structure has three 3.5 x 7 ft. gated sluices discharging into a concrete line 7.5 x 8 ft. horseshoe tunnel and stilling basin. To maintain minimum pool, 1.5 ft diameter siphons are located in front of gates 1 and 3 and discharge below gate 2.
Recreation Opportunities
Visitor Center
No Visitor Center is available at this project. MWCD has an Activity Center within its park. This facility provides day to day information on campground activities and current events. The Activity Center is staffed April - October or upon request out of season. For more information contact Tappan Lake Park Office (740) 922-3649.
Boating
Tappan Lake has a 299 hp. limit on watercraft. There are 2 public boat launch ramps- one near the roadside rest area, and the second across from the Marina on Route 250
Camping
Tappan Lake Park has over 500 campsites (class A full hookups and Class A with electric), 10 vacation cabins, also primitive and Group Campsites are available through MWCD (330) 343-6647 or visit their website www.mwcdlakes.com. Federal Recreation passes such as Golden Age, Golden Access, or America the Beautiful - National Park and Federal Recreation Lands Access Passes are not honored at MWCD facilities, but anyone over the age of 60 or those who have a Golden Buckeye Card receive a 10% discount.
Additional information about the federal recreation pass program is available at recreation.gov or by calling 1-888-276-8747 (1-888-ASK USGS).
Day-use
Many picnic tables and some picnic shelters are available at MWCD's Tappan Lake Park.
Fishing
Tappan Lake is stocked annually by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Fish species in the lake include Saugeye, Bass, White Bass, Bluegill, Crappie, & Catfish.
Hunting
Public Hunting is available on MWCD land. Maps for Public Hunting and Fishing Areas can be obtained from MWCD (330) 343-6647 or visit their website at mwcd.org.
Marinas
There is one Marina located on the lake, which are operated by private enterprise. Tappan Lake Marina offers boat sales, service, rentals, docking, fishing licenses, supplies, gas sales, boat and ski accessories, vacation cabin rentals. The marina restaurant overlooks the lake and offers a full menu through the boating season. Tappan Lake Marina can be contacted (740)269-2031.
Swimming
Tappan Lake Park Beach is the site of lots of FUN IN THE SUN Activities, including Christmas in July Celebration with Santa arriving on Water skis. Swimming is only allowed at authorized areas on the lake. A concession stand and paddle boat rental is available.
Trails
The Buckeye Trail runs across the dam, along a short section of the lake, then uphill through the woods where it meets roadways and heads towards Clendening Lake in one direction and Leesville Lake in the other direction.
Bicycling is permitted on state highways but extreme caution should be followed do to the high rate of vehicle speed.
Tappan Lake Park has several fine hiking trails to include the Fox Trail (6 miles), Pine Trail (2 mile), Deer Trail (4 miles), Cabin Beach Trail, Nature Trail, & Turkey Ridge Trail.
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
Tappan Lake
86801 Eslick Road
Uhrichsville, OH 44683
pa2@usace.army.mil
740-269-2681