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

History

Deer Creek State Park's origins trace back to the need for flood control in central Ohio, spurred by devastating floods like the 1913 Great Flood that ravaged Columbus and the Scioto River valley. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began planning reservoirs in the region, leading to construction of the Deer Creek Dam starting in the 1960s on Deer Creek, a tributary of the Scioto. The earth and rock dam was completed around 1968, impounding the 1,277-acre reservoir primarily for flood risk management, while also enabling recreation and water supply. This project transformed the rural landscape south of Columbus into a major water resource.

The area around the new lake quickly developed into a recreational hub, with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources taking over management of surrounding lands. The state park was officially established in 1974, incorporating campgrounds, boating facilities, and trails to capitalize on the reservoir's potential. Early development included a marina, swimming beach, and hiking paths through the meadows and woodlands that characterize the till plains left by ancient glaciers. Over time, amenities expanded to include an 18-hole golf course and bridle trails, making it a full-fledged resort destination just a short drive from Columbus.

One of the park's most intriguing historical ties is to President Warren G. Harding and the infamous "Ohio Gang." In the early 1920s, Ohio attorney Harry M. Daugherty, Harding's Attorney General, built a cabin retreat on the banks of Deer Creek as a hangout for political allies. Harding himself reportedly visited the site for relaxation amid his presidency. The preserved Harding Cabin, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, offers a unique glimpse into this era and remains available for rental within the park.

Before modern development, the Deer Creek valley held even deeper history, with archaeological evidence of prehistoric Native American camps dating back to around 2000 BC. Hunter-gatherer groups left traces on ridges overlooking the creek, part of broader indigenous use of the fertile plains. Glacial activity thousands of years earlier shaped the flat, till-rich terrain that supports today's agriculture and park habitats. These layers of human and natural history add depth to visits for those exploring beyond the lake and lodge.

Maps of the Park

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

Summary

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 shoot for around 5 miles.

Deer Creek can be a little strenuous in places, but it's overall not too bad. The bigger issue is that the trails can be muddy in spots, so I'd recommend hiking shoes and a change of socks.

Where We'll Meet

We will meet at the main entrance of the Deer Creek Lodge, a full-service hotel with 110 rooms. The actual address of the Lodge is 22300 State Pk Rd 20, Mt Sterling, OH 43143. It's about 45 minutes southwest of Columbus, and your GPS will get you there just fine.

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 drinks 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.