Burr Oak State Park has so many fantastic things to do and there are multiple options for how you can stay in this secluded southern Ohio State Park. We’ve come here during every season and this park never disappoints us. We’ve hiked her trails, slept in tents along the lake, enjoyed the amenities of the cabins during winter stays, and rented pontoon boats to explore the banks of the lake in summer.
No matter your flavor of how to enjoy state parks (lodge lovers, glampers, and those who like to rough it), this blog post should cover what you are looking for because we have done it all here!
Ways to Stay at Burr Oak State Park
Lodging Options at Burr Oak State Park
Staying in the Lodge is a wonderful experience and gives you the opportunity to sit back and relax! Everything you need is at your fingertips and you can enjoy all the things the park offers without having to lift a finger. This lodge is full service and takes care of whatever you might need.
Rooms:
Standard Rooms and ADA-Compliant Rooms
There are 16 standard rooms that contain one king bed. Burr Oak offers cozy rooms with a view of the lake or a stunning view of the stately oak and hickory trees that comprise the lush and vibrant woodlands.
Suites
The lodge also offers 22 suites. Each suite contains one king-sized bed and a sleeper sofa in an adjoining sitting room, or one king-sized bed and a set of bunks in an adjoining room
All rooms include the following amenities:
- In-room coffee maker
- Hairdryer
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Cable TV
- AM/FM clock radio
- Telephone
- Bathroom with shower
- Small table and chairs
Lodge Amenities
- Indoor pool
- Dining and bar
- Board and parlor games
Check-in is at 4:00 PM and check out is 11:00 AM.
Cabins
If you want a touch more of nature, then the cabins here will be what you are looking for! While this is not full service like the lodge every cabin has everything you need to have a fantastic stay in the woods. There are 30 cabins, some are ADA accessible and there are pet-friendly cabins as well. We stayed in here in January and it was wonderful! The perfect getaway to get rid of the wintertime blahs!
All the cabins have:
- Central air conditioning
- Cable TV
- Fully furnished kitchen, equipped with a stove, refrigerator, microwave, pots, pans, and eating utensils
- Combination dining/living room furnished with a sofa and chairs
- Linens, towels, and blankets
- Screened-in porch
- Charcoal grill
Check-in time: 4:00 p.m Check-out time: 11:00 a.m.
We have never camped at Burr Oaks campground; however, I have read that it is perfect for a secluded camping getaway in southern Ohio. Camping is one of our family’s favorite things to do, so I have put Burr Oak onto our places to camp list.
Backcountry Hiking Tent Camping
In the summer of 2018, our family went backcountry hiking to the Rocky Mountain Nation Park on the Fern Lake trail. We used the Buckeye Trail to practice for our big trip. Camping in the backcountry at the State Park is PHENOMENAL, and they have great places for you to backcountry practice.
We ended up at campground B by the Lake. While it was beautiful the geese kept us up all night while they frolicked there!
Use DISCOUNT CODE: HOMS for the special rate of $113.46, this includes the cost of the overnight room or cabin plus a large pep. & cheese pizza. This offer is good Sunday – Thursday good until 12/31/20
Things to Do at Burr Oak State Park
There is so much to at Burr Oak State Park! We love to come here to explore and most of the things you can do here are free or very reasonably priced.
Free activities include:
- Badminton
- Basketball
- Cornhole
- Football
- Disc Golf
- Horseshoes
- Tennis (rackets and balls are provided)
- Hiking: one of the most popular activities here is hiking and with 40 miles of hiking trails (including a portion of Ohio’s famous Buckeye Trail), you’ll find something new at every turn. Our family considers the trails here to be moderate, however, since we are midwesterners these trails kick our tails!
- Fishing: Burr Oak Lake is known for its generous population of largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish. You need an Ohio fishing license and they can be purchased online. We have caught some nice fish here during the spring and summer.
- Swimming Beaches: The beautiful, sparkling Burr Oak Lake offers a public swimming beach with easy access to a bathhouse, showers, and a changing area.
- Boating: At the lake, you’ll find pontoon boats, canoes, kayaks, and motorboats available for rent, as well as seasonal dock space. Boating season at Burr Oak runs from April 15 through October 15 each year. This is a GREAT way to spend an afternoon.
For A Fee:
- Horseback Riding: Hit the trails at nearby Smoke Rise Ranch and take a trail ride from an hour to a full day. For more information, visit them online or call Jeff Niese at 740-767-2624. Our family has have gone out with Smoke Rise Ranch, however, I have heard nothing but good.
- Miniature Golf: For just $3 a round, enjoy 9 holes of mini-golf at the putt-putt course, located next to the new playground near the lodge. This is such a great asset to the property here and so much fun to do in the evening after a day of hiking. We played 3 rounds and it was an extremely competitive way to end the night!
Dining at Burr Oak State Park
Burr Oak State Park is tucked into the secluded woods of Morgan County. Once you are here you will want to enjoy all the quiet and peacefulness this state park offers. Since it is situated away from the city, you’ll NEED to have a plan for dining.
You can enjoy all your meals at the Lodge to dine in the Cardinal Dining Room. We have had many delicious dinners here with our family. The food here is wonderful and the stunning sunset over Burr Oak Lake is always absolutely breathtaking.
One-time my family told me to STOP taking so many pictures because as the sun kept changing the landscape, I wanted to keep capturing the moments!
Please note:
Limited seating is available. Reservations are encouraged.
To-Go orders will be accepted during open dining room hours.
| Monday – Friday | Saturday – Sunday |
| Lunch: 12:00 – 2:00 pm Dinner: 5:00 – 8:00 pm |
Breakfast: 8:00 – 11:00 am Lunch: 12:00 – 3:00 pm Dinner: 5:00 – 8:00 pm |
To place a to-go order or make a reservation to dine call.
Cabin Dining Options:
You can bring all your supplies to cook inside these fully stocked cabins! We enjoyed having breakfast here lounging around for slow mornings. I was very happy with the supplies they provided and did not feel that there was anything missing in the cabin we stayed at.
As noted above you can order take out from the Cardinal Room if you prefer to dine in your cabin but not put out the work preparing food. This is a great option if you have been out hiking or adventuring the whole day! I vote YES because as a mom I need a break once in awhile.
Enjoying Burr Oak is a great family activity and it is one of our go-to locations for outdoor adventure. No matter your level of “adventure” or love for the outdoors, Burr Oak will meet you right where you are. The team here will happily take care of your needs and help you create lifelong memories.
Happy Adventures,
Brandy
FULL DISCLOSURE: While most of our trips here have been on our own accord, our stay in the cabins was hosted by Morgan County CVB
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