Blue Rock State Park

Blue Rock State Park is a 337-acre state park in Blue Rock, Ohio, managed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Of that total, 322 acres are land and 15 acres are water, most of it held in Cutler Lake. The surrounding region was home to both Native Americans and early pioneers, and today a reservoir offers a variety of boating and fishing options, according to the state agency's description. The park sits near the community of Blue Rock, Ohio.

It suits campers, anglers, and paddlers looking for a small lake rather than a wilderness destination. The park's blue-tinted shale, formed from silt and clay deposited by an ancient inland sea, gave Blue Rock its name.

Plan your visit

Trails

2 named routes 9.41 mi of walkable ways mapped within 2 km

6.02 Black Trail
3.27 Blue Trail

Camping & lodging

7 mapped camping locations

Blue Rock State Park Campground is perfect for families. Sites are Non-electric and latrine restrooms. The seasonal Camp Store has showers for campers and also offers supplies and souvenirs. The campground has a playgrou…

Know before you go

Address: 7924 Cutler Lake Rd, Blue Rock, OH, 43720-9728
Phone: (740) 453-4377
Official site: ohiodnr.gov
Managed by: Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Hours: 6am to 11pm daily. Visitors are permitted to actively engage in legitimate recreational activities outside these hours. If you have questions, call the park office.

On the ground

Cutler Lake is the park's centerpiece, with a launch ramp for hand-powered boats and boats with electric motors, and a 250-foot public beach at its north end. Anglers fish the lake for bass, trout, catfish, and bluegill. The Black Trail runs 6.02 miles and the Blue Trail runs 3.27 miles among the ways mapped near the park. The park also maintains bridle trails that link to more bridle trails in Blue Rock State Forest. Historic features include the Blue Rock Lake Dam/Spillway and a Covered Bridge.

Park history reaches back to the Shawnee Nation, whose people built a village called Old Town near present-day Duncan Falls on the Muskingum River, home to Chief White Eyes. According to that history, the trapper Duncan clashed with Native Americans over stolen game, was shot crossing the river, and was found on a gravelly ripple now called Dead Man's Ripple, giving Duncan's Falls its name. Blue Rock State Park Campground offers non-electric sites with latrine restrooms, a playground, and a seasonal camp store with showers, and pets are permitted on all sites. Three shelter houses, including the Blue Rock Lower Shelter and Blue Rock Upper Shelter, can be reserved for picnicking. An archery range with 10, 20, 30 and 40-yard targets sits near the camp store and is free and open to the public.

Practical notes

Park hours run from 6am to 11pm daily, and visitors may continue legitimate recreational activities outside those hours. The park can be reached at (740) 453-4377. The address is 7924 Cutler Lake Rd, Blue Rock, OH, 43720-9728.