Trails & Ales Redux! Deer Creek State Park / Harding's Lounge

History

Deer Creek State Park is situated on the eastern edge of Ohio’s great till plains, formed by glacial debris (till) consisting of clay, sand, silt, and gravel, creating a relatively flat landscape surrounded by meadows and woodlands.

Excavations in the Deer Creek area uncovered evidence of a 2,000 B.C. (Early Woodland period) camp used by nomadic hunters and gatherers. This site, located on a ridge overlooking Deer Creek, suggests it was a strategic spot for accessing water, game, and other resources. Artifacts from this period likely include stone tools, pottery fragments, and possibly remnants of temporary shelters, typical of Early Woodland cultures like the Adena.

The ancient inhabitants were likely part of the Adena culture (circa 1000 B.C. to 200 B.C.), known for their mound-building practices and semi-sedentary lifestyle. The Deer Creek region, with its fertile till plains and proximity to water, provided ideal conditions for hunting, fishing, and gathering. The creek and surrounding woodlands supported abundant wildlife, such as deer and small game, which were central to their diet and economy.

The park’s location on the eastern edge of Ohio’s great till plains, formed by glacial activity, created a flat, resource-rich landscape. The ridge overlooking Deer Creek offered a vantage point for monitoring game and potential threats, while the creek itself was a reliable water source and likely a route for trade or travel. This made the area a practical choice for temporary encampments.

While the specific 2,000 B.C. camp is a snapshot of early human activity, the broader region was used by later Native American groups, including the Hopewell (200 B.C. to 500 A.D.) and subsequent tribes like the Shawnee, who inhabited Ohio into the historic period. The Deer Creek valley’s resources likely remained significant for these groups, though no major mound complexes are noted directly within the park’s boundaries.

Summary

Here is a simple map of Deer Creek's hiking trails, and here is a more detailed map of the entire park.

For this event, we will probably hike the Van Horn, Rolling Hills, and (Hawkview) Meadow Trails. However, depending on trail conditions, we might instead mix in some combination of the Ridge, Adena Ridge, and Lakeview/Waterloo Trails that are near the cabins by the Lodge. Regardless, we'll hike around 5-6 miles. (I shoot for 5, but sometimes it stretches to 6 at this park.)

I find the strenuousness of Deer Creek to be on par with Highbanks, though I have had some people tell me they think it's yet a bit more strenuous. In any case, I recommend you wear waterproof hiking shoes and bring a change of socks for after the hike. Deer Creek's trails can be wet or muddy at times.

Where We'll Meet

We will meet at the Deer Creek Lodge at 2:30. The actual address of the Lodge is 22300 State Pk Rd 20, Mt Sterling, OH 43143. You can drive directly to the Lodge for this event. (Your GPS will get you there just fine.)

However, for those who either wish to carpool, or simply follow me so they don't have to worry about getting lost, I will meet you in the parking lot of the Walmart Supercenter in Grove City, where we will head out not later than 1:30. The actual address of this Walmart is 1693 Stringtown Rd, Grove City, OH 43123.

The caveat is that you must let me know in advance if you want to do this. If I don't hear from anyone, I'll just assuming we're all meeting at the Lodge and I'll head there directly myself. Please note that my car is too small and full of bric-à-brac to accommodate passengers. I'm not riding with you, and I won't let you ride with me. But if you want to catch a ride with someone else, post a comment below and let people know you're looking. An offer to pay for gas might also improve your chances.

After the Hike

Harding's Lounge is a separate lounge facility within the Lodge that officially opens at 5 p.m. However, sometimes the Lounge will open before 5 if there's an event going on or if the Lodge has sufficient occupancy (which in the summer it generally does). Just be aware the possibility exists that we won't be able to get food or drink until 5. The Lounge's food and beverage menu includes burgers, subs, soup, and salads. They also have pizza that I find comparable to Marco's.

The Lodge also has a large common seating area just outside Harding's, with large comfy seats, big tables, a fireplace, and a nice view of Deer Creek Lake. If the weather's at all agreeable, sitting out on the Lodge's patio and just looking at the Lake is one of my favorite things to do. Finally, as Deer Creek is my favorite state park, I'll buy up to two large pizzas for the group, as long as neither of these pizzas has sausage, because sausage on pizza is gross.