Pleasant Hill Lake Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Pleasant Hill Lake Park is a popular recreational destination in the state of Ohio.
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Summary
Located in the heart of the Mohican country, this park covers over 1,200 acres and offers numerous activities for visitors to enjoy. The park features a 850-acre lake, which is perfect for swimming, boating, and fishing. The surrounding hills and forests provide ample opportunities for hiking, bird-watching, and wildlife observation.
One of the main attractions of Pleasant Hill Lake Park is the beach, which is open to the public during the summer months. Visitors can enjoy swimming in the clear waters of the lake, sunbathing on the sandy shores, and playing beach volleyball. The park also has several picnic areas, playgrounds, and a campground that can accommodate both RVs and tents.
For those interested in history, Pleasant Hill Lake Park has several points of interest to see. The park was created in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a program that provided work for young men during the Great Depression. Many of the buildings and structures in the park were constructed by the CCC, and visitors can learn more about this important chapter in American history by visiting the park's museum.
Another interesting fact about Pleasant Hill Lake Park is that it is home to several species of rare and endangered plants and animals. The park has been designated as an Important Bird Area by the Audubon Society, and visitors may spot several species of birds, including bald eagles, ospreys, and great blue herons.
The best time of year to visit Pleasant Hill Lake Park depends on the activities you are interested in. Summer is the most popular season, as the lake and beach are open for swimming and boating. Fall is a beautiful time to visit, as the leaves change color and the hills and forests come alive with vibrant hues. Winter is a great time for ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing, while spring is perfect for hiking, bird-watching, and wildflower viewing.
Overall, Pleasant Hill Lake Park is a wonderful destination for outdoor enthusiasts, families, and history buffs. With its beautiful lake, scenic hills and forests, and rich history, it offers something for everyone.
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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.
Related References
Mohican State Park
Malabar Farm State Park
State Forest Mohican-Memorial