Deer Creek State Park is Central Ohio's Getaway Destination

Ohio's Deer Creek State Park features some hiking trails, a golf course, a beach, and an excellent lodge and restaurant. Located about 45 minutes southwest of Columbus; it is great for a quick day trip getaway.

We've done both an overnight stay at Deer Creek and have stopped by for a quick hike. If one isn't coming to Deer Creek for golf or to hang out at the beach, I'd recommend staying at the Lodge and enjoying the restaurant for dinner. There just isn't enough high-quality hiking trails for a "hiking only" trip to Deer Creek.

The "Rich VanHorn Nature Trail" is the most interesting trail we found at Deer Creek. It passes by Deer Creek Lake, offering some nice lake vistas, before curving back into the woods. Deer Creek is a relatively newer state park, so the wooded areas aren't as mature as those in the Mohican or the Hocking Hills.

One of the other lake trails at Deer Creek (the "Ridge" trail) was marred by trash and poor trail markings, especially when closer to the lake. As a life-long Ohioan, I felt embarrassed that the trail was in such a poor condition. Some of the trash looked like it was from the 70s.

The quality of Deer Creek's lodge and restaurant definitely made up for the substandard hiking trails. The lodge is clean and well-kept. Along with the restaurant and lounge, it features both indoor and outdoor pools, a game room and spacious guest rooms.

The award-winning restaurant is the jewel of the park in my opinion. High quality food and high quality views of the lake were the highlights of our dinner. The menu changes by season, so check out Deer Creek's website to see what is currently being offered.

If one is a resident of Central or Southern Ohio, definitely check out Deer Creek State Park for a overnight stay. The lodge and its restaurant make it worth a visit.