Strouds Run State Park

Strouds Run State Park is a state park in Athens County, Ohio, set within rolling terrain covered by dense hardwood forest. Its focal feature is Dow Lake, a sizeable reservoir surrounded by wooded shorelines and created by a dam.

The land was designated as Athens State Forest in the 1940s and took its current name following the completion of Dow Lake Dam in 1960. This transformation created the water feature that now defines the park's character.

Ancient Native American mounds discovered by settlers indicate the presence of Adena Indians, followed by the Shawnee Nation until the Treaty of Greenville point.

The park offers camping, boat rentals, swimming beaches, and hiking trails for visitors with various interests. During certain seasons, designated hunting areas are also available for licensed hunters.

The land sits on the unglaciated Allegheny Plateau, shaped by narrow valleys and steep hillsides formed from resistant Connellsville sandstone. This geology gives the park its distinctive ridge and valley structure rarely seen in other Ohio parks.

Location: Athens County

Inception: 1948

Shares border with: Blair Preserve

Website: https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/strouds-run-state-park

GPS coordinates: 39.34020,-82.02450

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:29