Facilities and Activities:
| General | Land, acres | 606 | | | Water, acres | -11 | | Day-Use | Fishing | yes | | | Hiking Trail, miles | 3 | | | Picnicking | yes | | | Picnic Shelters, # | 3 | | Boating | Boating Limits | -2 | | | Launch Ramps, # | 4 | | Camping | Primative, # | 40 | | | Pets Permitted | yes | | Winter | Sledding | yes | | | Cross-Country Skiing | yes | | | Ice Skating | yes |
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State Park Event Calendar:
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Nearby Parks:
Oxbow Lake State Wildlife Area
North Turkeyfoot State Park
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| State Park Overview: |
 | Independence Dam State Park is situated along the banks of the beautiful Maumee River. The river is ideal for boating, fishing or a scenic canoe trip. The park offers the perfect setting for a picnic or overnight camping experience. |
| Nature of the Area: |
| The Maumee Valley is but a mere shadow of what it used to be prior to settlement. This area was in the midst of the Great Black Swamp which was 120 miles long and 30 to 40 miles wide. This heavily forested area was an extension of the immense forest that covered 95% of Ohio. This great forest contained huge sycamores often used for temporary barns or even homes when they became hollow. Towering oaks and giant tulip trees became intermixed with walnut trees--some over six feet in diameter.
As vast as this mighty forest once was, nearly every tree had been cut in less than 100 years after settlement of Ohio began. Settlers cut, sawed, burned and girdled most of the 24 million acres of woodlands leaving only four million by 1883. The MaumeeValley in the Great Black Swamp was the last stronghold of Ohio's great forest. The boggy soil made passage into the area nearlyimpossible until a great system of ditches and drains were installed between 1859 and 1875 to drain the swamp.
During that time period nearly 2.5 million acres of the Maumee Valley were cleared. By 1885, the region looked much as it does today--endless farm fields dotted here and there with small woodlots. The Maumee Valley today supports only six percent of the land in forest cover. Fortunately, much of that forest cover lies along the banks of the Maumee River. It is still possible to see great sycamores, black locusts, beech and maple trees lining the river through the park. The river is very scenic and is the largest in northwest Ohio. In fact, it is the second largest stream flowing into Lake Erie with 4,700 cubic feet per second. The river's banks support an abundance of woodland wildflowers including jewelweed, violets and spring beauties.
Songbirds such as the scarlet tanager, Louisiana water thrush and yellow-throated warbler enjoy the wooded canopy draping the river. The fox squirrel, raccoon, skunk and woodchuck find the riparian habitat suitable. |
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| Camping: |
| Forty non-electric campsites are suitable for tents and trailers. The campground offers drinking water, pit latrines, tables and fire rings. Camping with pets is permitted. A dump station is located by the marina. |
| Trails: |
| A three-mile hiking trail, once the towpath of the Miami and Erie Canal, offers the hiker a glimpse into the colorful past of Ohio's canal era. The trail meanders between the canal and the river through a dense hardwood forest. The three-mile access road through the park offers a scenic ride for bicyclists. |
| Picnicking: |
| Numerous picnic tables are located along the tree-lined bank of the Maumee River. Grills, restrooms and drinking water are provided. Two shelterhouses are available by reservation. The campground also has a shelterhouse. |
| Boating: |
| Unlimited horsepower boating is permitted on the river. A marina and four-lane launch ramp are provided. Four miles of the river accommodates skiers. The river is excellent for canoeing. |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| The Maumee River offers fine catches of northern pike, smallmouth bass, crappie, catfish and an occasional walleye. A valid Ohio fishing license is required. |
| History of the Area: |
| The natural confluence of the Maumee and Auglaize rivers, upstream from Independence Dam State Park, was a significant contributing factor for the development of northwestern Ohio. The waters of these two great rivers were a source of life for Indianand frontiersmen alike. Today, the rivers are a valuable natural resource for both industry and recreation.
This was a rich hunting and fishing area for the American Indian. Tribes residing in the dense hardwood forests included the Hopewell, Erie, Iroquois, Miami, Shawnee, Wyandot, Delaware and Ottawa. The most famous Indian of this area was Pontiac, an Ottawa chief. It is believed he was born near the junction of the two rivers in 1712. He is remembered for the infamous "Pontiac's Conspiracy," a rebellion of Indian tribes against trade policies in 1763.
Blue Jacket, a great Shawnee war chief, made his home near the banks of these same rivers in the late 1700s. In 1793, a "Grand Indian Council," the greatest assembly of tribal representatives on the North American Continent, was also held here. The council convened with the determination to stop the American westward expansion.
At this time, President Washington decided that Indian power needed to be reduced. President Washington chose General Anthony Wayne to lead forces into the northwest. General Wayne's victory in the carefully planned battle, opened the territory to a great wave of settlers.
Homesteaders came on horseback, on foot and in ox-drawn wagons, moving north along the wilderness trails. State Route 424 now follows the narrow military trail used by General Wayne.
In later years, the canals had a great influence on this area. The Miami and Erie Canal, which traveled north from Cincinnati, merged with the Wabash and Erie Canal just south of Defiance. The two canals then proceeded via a common trunk to Maumee Bay. Large cities sprang up along the canals and developed into important trade and industrial centers. The use of the canals began to decline in the 1860s due to the railroads. A flood in 1913 destroyed much of the canal. Today, one can trace seven unbroken miles of the historic canal between St. Rt. 424 and the park. The main entrance road to the park crosses over the ruins of Lock Number Thirteen.
The existing dam on the Maumee River was completed in 1924. This cement dam replaced the original wooden dam which was built in the 1800s for the canal system.
At the time of the rebuilding of the structure, several organizations expressed support for a park between the old canal bed and the river. The Ohio Department of Public Works purchased private lands creating the park. In 1949, Independence Dam State Park came under the administrative authority of the newly created Ohio Department of Natural Resources. |
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| | Note to Park related businesses:
List your vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental or any other park related activity, park related attraction or park related service on Google or StateParks.com. (more).... |
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| Related Links: |
| Section by Section Close Up - ... where there is a monument to Johnny Appleseed. The trail continues on-road to and through Independence Dam State Park, past the old canal locks. It follows along the Miami and Erie Canal on the ... | | Daily Update for Cycle Across America - Tour Schedule | Main Page | About the Sponsor. Daily Update -- Scroll Down To View A Specific Day. Click the day to review the days events: Wednesday, June 23. Tuesday, August 3-4. Thursday,... | | OHIO - The first campground locator on the web that will show photos of the campgrounds so you know what to expect before you get there. You can plan your next camping trip with ease. | | NCTA: Explore the Trail- Ohio - ... all in the park. Camping facilities are located in the park. For information, contact Independence Dam State Park, Rt. 4, Defiance OH 43512. At Florida, the North Country Trail says goodbye to ... | | NCTA: Following the NCT - ... all in the park. Camping facilities are located in the park. For information, contact Independence Dam State Park, Rt. 4, Defiance OH 43512. At Florida, the North Country Trail says goodbye to ... | | U.S. Parks and Protected Areas - LAKE ERIE WATERSHED. NEW YORK. Evangola State Park. Lake Erie State Park. PENNSYLVANIA. Presque Isle State Park. OHIO. Catawba Island State Park. Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge. Chagrin... | | Ohio - State Search List: AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HA ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY. Ohio. ... | | The US50 - A guide to the fifty states - The US50 is a extensive guide to history, outdoors, tourism, events and attractions for the fifty states. |
| Area Attractions: |
| Mary Jane Thurston State Park is nearby at Grand Rapids, Ohio. In Defiance, the site of General Anthony Wayne's Fort Defiance is marked by plaques and stones in the city park. Old earthworks are still visible in this area. Other marked historic sites in Defiance include Fort Winchester, built in 1812 by General William Henry Harrison and the old French Mission (1650) in Kingsbury Park. Auglaize Village, a re-created Ohio settlement located west of Defiance, is open for tours on a seasonal basis.
Nearby Maumee State Forest provides recreational opportunities. A monument to the Battle of Fallen Timbers is located between Waterville and Maumee on U.S. 24. |
| Area Campgrounds | | Shepherd's Pasture Campground
Defiance, OH
(419) 899-2191
| Powell Creek Campgrounds
27068 Hoffman Rd
Defiance, OH
(419) 395-1753
| Woodbrige Campground
8656 Road 137
Paulding, OH
(419) 399-2267
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| | Area Fishing Related Businesses | | Texas Bait Shop
4336 US Highway 24
Liberty Center, OH
(419) 533-4043
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| | Area Resorts and Lodging | | Auglaize Country Club
19062 State Route 111
Defiance, OH
(419) 393-2211
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| Directions: |
| 27722 State Route 424, Defiance, OH 43512-9085 |
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