Blue Rock State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Blue Rock State Park is a beautiful park located in southeastern Ohio.
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Summary
There are many reasons to visit this park, including its natural beauty, hiking trails, and recreational activities. Some of the specific points of interest to see include the Blue Rock Lake, which is perfect for fishing, boating, and swimming. There are also several hiking trails, including the 4.5-mile loop around the lake that offers stunning views of the area.
Additionally, there are several historic sites to explore, such as the old Blue Rock Mill and the Covered Bridge. For those interested in camping, the park offers a range of campsites with amenities like electricity, water, and sewer hookups.
Interesting facts about the area include the fact that Blue Rock State Park was created in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and that the park's lake is actually a reservoir created by a dam on the Muskingum River. The park is also home to a diverse range of wildlife, including deer, turkey, and even bald eagles.
The best time of year to visit Blue Rock State Park depends on personal preferences and the desired activities. Summer is the most popular time to visit for swimming, boating, and camping. Fall is also a great time to visit for hiking and enjoying the beautiful fall foliage. Spring is another good time to visit for fishing and exploring the park's blooming wildflowers.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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