Jackson Lake State Park
State Park · Ohio · Ohio Department of Natural Resources
- Camping
- 348 acres
Jackson Lake State Park is a 348-acre property in Oak Hill, Ohio, split between 106 acres of land and 242 acres of water, managed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The agency describes the park as boasting some of the most scenic country in Ohio, with the lake as a focal point for fishing and a peaceful retreat. Its modest size makes it suited to a day trip or a short seasonal camping stay rather than an extended backcountry visit.
The park draws anglers, boaters, swimmers, and those interested in the region's forested hill country and its older human history. Families will find picnic areas, a playground, and a swimming beach, while hunters are directed to the neighboring Cooper Hollow Wildlife Area rather than the park itself. Winter visitors can find sledding, ice skating, and ice fishing when conditions allow.
Plan your visit
Camping & lodging
2 mapped camping locations
Open seasonally, the Jackson Lake State Park Campground has 34 sites with 50-amp service. Reservations may be made six months in advance online or by calling (866) 644-6727.
Know before you go
- Address
- 921 Tommy Been Road, Oak Hill, OH, 45656
- Phone
- (740) 682-6197
- 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.
Getting there
921 Tommy Been Road, Oak Hill, OH, 45656
Directions on Google Maps →On the ground
Jackson Lake itself is the organizing feature of the park, set within the unglaciated hill country of southeastern Ohio, part of the sandstone Appalachian Highlands noted for their diversity of plant and animal life. Nearly 70% of Ohio's woodlands lie within these highlands, though the land here was once stripped bare to fuel the region's iron smelting industry; it has since grown back into a second-growth forest of oak, maple, hickory, tulip tree, and other species. Boats of any horsepower may use the 242-acre lake provided they stay at idle speed, and an ADA friendly launch ramp with a life jacket loaner board supports access to the water. Anglers fish for bass, muskie, bluegill, catfish and carp, and a valid Ohio fishing license is required for those 16 and older. A 200-foot sand beach offers swimming in designated areas, though pets are not allowed there, and five picnic areas around the lake offer views along with a playground.
The surrounding area carries older layers of history as well. Prehistoric Native American communities occupied the wilderness north of the Ohio River, leaving burial and ceremonial mounds and petroglyphs carved into the region's sandstone. The nearby Leo Petroglyph has been carefully preserved by the Ohio Historical Society. Later, the upper Ohio Valley was home to the Mingo, Delaware and Shawnee before pioneer settlement pushed west. Hunting is not permitted inside the state park but is allowed in the adjacent Cooper Hollow Wildlife Area just south of the park boundary.
Photos
Practical notes
Park hours run from 6am to 11pm daily, with legitimate recreational activities permitted outside those hours; call the park office at (740) 682-6197 with questions. The Jackson Lake State Park Campground, open seasonally, has 34 sites with 50-amp service, and reservations may be made up to six months in advance online or by calling (866) 644-6727. The park is located at 921 Tommy Been Road, Oak Hill, OH, 45656.
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Browse all Ohio parks →Sources: State agency, Wikimedia Commons / editorial, USGS PAD-US, Google Places · updated 2026-08-12