Beavercreek State Park
Calcutta, Ohio
Beavercreek State Park is on the eastern edge of Ohio, about three miles off of S.R. 11, just north of Liverpool, Ohio and the Ohio River.
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The campground is on top of the hill, about a mile off of S.R. 7. It is a small campground of 50 sites. The layout is easy, think of a Y - you drive in from the bottom of the "Y" and take the left fork to one side of the campground that has sites among beautiful large pines. Or you can take the right fork that has a six electric sites, two cabins, the camp host and primitive campsites tucked into the hardwood forest. At the end of the right loop is a scenic overview of the Beavercreek Valley.
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Most the sites are quite large, with a few near the playground a bit closer together. There are three vault toilets and a sun shower house. The camp host has firewood and ice for sale. There is no camp office at this campground. Either register online before you come to Beavercreek, or you can self register once you arrive. Normally you will be able to find an open site, except for Memorial Day weekend and if there is a special event at this historical village.
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I would suggest filling your RV with water before arriving. There is a well at the campground, but it is very deep, thus very slow! Across the street from the campground is the dump station and non-potable water. I have seen a few larger rigs in the campground and there are about 5 sites that can accommodate rigs over 34 feet. I would not recommend taking larger rigs into the pine area of the campground, the road is a little tighter to maneuver in that area. The electric sites and a couple walk in sites at the entrance to the campground are best for the larger rigs. There is a small playground and tether ball area for the younger campers.
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Along the river, at the bottom of the hill in the valley is a historical village. The "Friends of Beavercreek" have put many hours of volunteer labor into the village and continue to upgrade and care for the village with monetary donations and hours of donated time. Once a month a pancake breakfast is sponsored by the Friends of Beavercreek. The pancakes are made using the flour ground in Gaston's Mill and it is a donation only event. Try to catch the pancake breakfast if you are in the area, you will not be sorry. In addition to Gaston's Mill there is a log one room schoolhouse, a church (that often has weddings scheduled), a blacksmith shop and a cabin. At the entrance to the village is a covered bridge.
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The village includes a small gift store that has the typical shirts/hats with the name of the park on them, but you can also purchase flour ground in the mill. I recommend the buckwheat flour, it makes the BEST pancakes! Ice cream can be found in the gift shop along with water to keep you cool while you explore the trails and the village.
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The hiking at Beavercreek is beautiful, no matter what season you visit. In the winter you will experience the beauty of the icicles hanging from the rocks, the spring provides beautiful spring flowers along the trails and the river, during the summer you will appreciate the shade that the trees provide as you spot a deer, fox or eagle along your path. The fall paints the trees magnificent colors that frame the bridge, the river, pond and buildings in the park.
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Before leaving the park, take a ride, or even hike to the nature center at the northern entrance to the park. The park recently expanded the nature center and it has one of the largest displays of Ohio's native plants and animals available in the park system.
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Beavercreek River provides wonderful scenic canoeing and kayaking. You can put your kayak in as far up river as you choose and take it all the way to the Ohio River. There is a kayaking company (The Beavercreek Kayak Company) that will rent you canoes or kayaks or drop you off with your kayak for a fee.
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There are numerous events during the year at the village. They host the "Big Foot Festival" in the fall. Their is a civil are reenactment every other year in the village. Pioneer days is always busy with crafters, demonstrators and food vendors and is the perfect time to enjoy the fall colors in October. Once a month from May to September they sponsor a "Village Comes Alive" event that opens the buildings and the volunteers man the buildings to answer questions. The Mill is often running during these days and you may find the village blacksmith hard at work.
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There is also a horse camp available that has vault toilets, but that camp does not have a dump station or potable water. Make a plan to visit this gem of a State Park, you will be planning your next visit before leaving the first time!