Facilities and Activities:
| General | Land, acres | 92 | | | Water, acres | 337 | | | Nearby State Forest, acres | 21000 | | Day-Use | Fishing | yes | | | Picnicking | yes | | | Picnic Shelters, # | 2 | | Boating | Boating Limits | -2 | | | Launch Ramps, # | 1 | | Camping | Primative, # | 10 | | | Pets Permitted | yes | | Winter | Sledding | yes | | | Ice Skating | yes | | | Ice Fishing | yes |
State Park Location Maps:
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State Park Photo Gallery:
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State Park Event Calendar:
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Nearby Parks:
Scioto Trail State Forest
Kincaid Springs State Fish Hatchery
Story Mound State Memorial
Scioto River Canal Lands Access State Wildlife Area
Brush Creek State Forest
Seip Mound State Memorial
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| State Park Overview: |
 | Picturesque Lake White is nestled between the ridges of southern Ohio's rugged hills. Water sports enthusiasts can enjoy swimming, boating, water skiing and fishing at this scenic park. |
| Nature of the Area: |
| Located in the Appalachian foothills near the Scioto River, Lake White State Park supports a variety of natural wonders. The forested hills are similar in character to the southern Appalachians with magnificent stands of oak, hickory, tulip, ash, maple and scores of other hardwood species. In spring, the forest trails are lined with flowering dogwood and redbud trees and numerous woodland wildflowers. The sandstone outcroppings are coated with various ferns, mosses, lichens and fungi including the prized morel mushrooms in spring.
The dense forest and remoteness of the area create excellent habitat for some of Ohio's most elusive wildlife. White-tailed deer, ruffed grouse and the secretive wild turkey are abundant in this region. Red fox, skunk, opossum, gray squirrel and raccoons are often sighted. Many reptiles and amphibians find the park's cool waters desirable. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
| Be the 1st to Review Lake White State Park. You can rate it, post a comment on it, or do both. |
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| Camping: |
| A small campground has twenty-three, non-electric sites. Pit latrines and water are available. Campers with pets are permitted on designated sites. |
| Picnicking: |
| Lake White offers a picturesque setting for picnickers. Two picnic shelters are available on a reservation system, then on a first-come, first-served basis. Lake White also has a meeting room ideal for reunions and holiday entertaining as well as other group activities. The facility is enhanced with a kitchen facility, fireplace and a balcony overlooking the lake. Reservations for the meeting room can be made by calling the park office at (740) 947-4059. |
| Boating: |
| The 350-acre Lake White offers unlimited horsepower boating. A launch ramp provides access to the lake. |
| Swimming: |
| A small but nice swimming beach provides recreation for swimmers and sunbathers. Change booths are located by the parking lot on SR 551. |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| Lake White provides excitement for anglers, offering nice catches of bluegill, largemouth bass, crappie, saugeye and catfish. The current state record for Kentucky Spotted Bass was caught at Lake White in 1978. A valid Ohio fishing license is required. |
| History of the Area: |
| The cultural history of this area dates back to the Adena and Hopewell Indians who settled in the Scioto Valley around 800 B.C. These mound building tribes left behind extensive earthworks throughout the Scioto Valley region. Adena, near Chillicothe, was the site of the first mound excavation attributed to these prehistoric people. Other mounds in the area include Seip Mound, Spruce Hill, Fort Hill and Serpent Mound.
The Scioto River played an important role in the early history of this area. Indian and frontiersmen alike paddled the stream from the Ohio River to the heart of the new frontier. The Shawnee used the river as their primary means of transportation from one village to another. The river also brought the first European settlers to the area in the 1790s. Many of these first Ohioans were veterans of the Revolutionary War claiming land due them for military service.
The construction of the Ohio and Erie Canal heightened the hopes of those along its path that were destined to prosper from canal traffic. Initial plans placed the canal through Piketon, bypassing Waverly. This aggravated an intense rivalry between Piketon and Waverly citizens. After persistent lobbying by Waverly promoters, the canal route was changed and Piketon was bypassed. The Waverly cause was aided greatly by Ohio Speaker of the House, at that time, Robert Lucas, who owned land near Waverly and stood to gain greatly by the new route.
In 1832, the canal was opened. It was announced that the water would reach Waverly on the morning of September 6, and preparations were made to welcome its arrival. The canal banks were packed with residents for a great distance, but the water never arrived. Unfortunately, it had hit an expansive gravel deposit which absorbed most of the water. Eventually the gravelly areas became saturated and the water reached Waverly by noon much to the delight of cheering crowds.
The prosperity of the canal era was short lived. With the advent of rail transportation, goods could be shipped more efficiently throughout the country. As early as 1860, use of the canals had dropped dramatically. In 1913, the Ohio and Erie Canal was officially closed.
Part of Lake White State Park includes the remains of the old canal channel. The lake was built during the depression by the Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.). Most of the land surrounding the lake is privately owned. Lake White was officially dedicated as a state park in 1949 when the Division of Parks and Recreation was created. |
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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: |
| 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. ... |
| Area Attractions: |
| Pike Lake State Park and State Forest are located south of Bainbridge, near State Route 124. Pike Lake features camping, cabins, swimming, fishing and hiking.
Scioto Trail State Park and State Forest are about nine miles south of Chillicothe off S.R. 23. Camping facilities, fishing and hiking are available. The forested hills, typical of southern Ohio, are ideal for an enjoyable walk or a quiet weekend. |
| Area Campgrounds | | Misty Harbor Camp Grounds
239 Alum Cliff Rd # 27
Chillicothe, OH
(740) 775-9086
| Camp Cattail
322 Cattail Rd
Chillicothe, OH
(740) 773-4528
| Hidden Trails Campgrounds
542 Allen Rd
Beaver, OH
(740) 988-3251
| Great Seal State Park
825 Rocky Rd
Chillicothe, OH
(740) 773-2726
| L B Camping
2483 Greenbriar Rd
Bainbridge, OH
(740) 493-4614
| Long's Retreat & Campground
50 Bell Hollow Rd
Latham, OH
(937) 588-3725
| Tanglewood Acres Horse Camp
2779 Pike Lake Rd
Bainbridge, OH
(740) 493-3142
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| | Area Fishing Related Businesses | | Bill's Bait House
4308 State Route 220
Waverly, OH
(740) 947-2542
| Hirn's Corner
3504 Us Highway 50 W
Bainbridge, OH
(740) 634-3286
| Bait & Tackle
381 N High St
Chillicothe, OH
(740) 774-1985
| D & K Bait & Tackle Dealers
288 W Hydell Rd
Chillicothe, OH
(740) 772-1836
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| | Area Resorts and Lodging | | Lazy H Cabin Rentals
14889 Old 50
Bainbridge, OH
(937) 365-1961
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| Directions: |
| 2767 State Route 551, Waverly, Ohio 45690 |
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