Between Dayton And Cincinnati Is Ohio's Scenic Lake Park With Fishing, Trails, And Sporty Appeal

Ohio's 76 state parks offer endless outdoor adventures, but some are far more popular — and crowded — than others. In Southwestern Ohio's Warren County — nicknamed "Ohio's largest playground" for its abundance of parks and attractions – Warren County Armco Park is a hush-hush spot for sports and water activities. In fact, it was called one of the best-kept secrets in the county by the Warren County Post.

Warren County Armco Park is located in Lebanon, Ohio's "Cedar City" with a timeless downtown scene. It's nestled in the northwest outskirts of the city, on a historic tract of land once inhabited by Native Americans, followed by the Shakers in the early 19th century. In the 1960s, a steel manufacturer called the American Rolling Mill Company (ARMCO) established a private park for employees on the land. In 2008, the county purchased the park and renamed it to Warren County Armco Park.

The 311-acre park has many features, including a lake, hiking trails, and a waterfall. Plus, visitors can play almost every sport imaginable here. The Armco Park Golf Course, an 18-hole course along the edge of the water, is open from April 1st to October 31st. Golfers can play nine holes for $16 per adult, or the whole course for $24. There's a free disc golf course, as well as basketball, pickleball, tennis, and sand volleyball courts open to the public. The park's four-diamond softball complex hosts several slow-pitch softball leagues, which locals can sign up for by team. The park has plenty of picnic shelters with grills, concession stands, restrooms, and an indoor pavilion for events.

At the heart of Warren County Armco Park is Armco Park Lake. The 110-acre lake is a beloved spot for fishing and boating in Lebanon. Cast for fish right along the bank of the lake, or bring your own boat or paddle vessel and head out onto the water. The park charges a small fee to launch a personal watercraft and fish on the lake, but catch-and-release fishing from the shoreline is free from October 1st to March 31st.

If you don't have your own boat, you can rent one right at the Armco Park Boat Dock. Four-seater jon and pontoon boats, as well as rowboats, canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards, are available for one- or three-hour rentals. Pedal boats can be rented for 30 minutes or one hour. As you set out on the water, travel past the golf course until you reach the south end of the lake, where you might find more solitude away from the park's facilities.

Some of the fish you might catch on Armco Park Lake include largemouth and spotted bass, bluegill, and white crappie, according to past reports on FishBrain. Some species, like bass, are strictly catch and release. Others, including catfish and crappie, are subject to certain size and quantity restrictions, so be sure to review the park's fish-taking limits before heading out. An Ohio fishing license is not required to fish on Armco Park Lake, but anglers will need to purchase a daily or annual Warren County Armco Park fishing pass. Passes are available at the boat dock from April 1st to September 30th. Junior anglers between the ages of 5 and 15 can fish for free. 

Hiking is another popular pastime in Warren County Armco Park. The Woodland Trail, the park's main trail, is a nearly 1-mile loop that is both easy and shaded by tall trees. The path heads into the woods before hugging the northern edge of the lake. On the southern side of the lake, you'll find the short Solar Pollinator Discovery Trail. The educational trail features seven interactive learning stations to teach visitors about the great monarch butterfly migration, the important role of pollinators, solar power, and green energy.

As with all of the parks in the Warren County Park District, there's no fee to visit Armco Park. The park is located roughly halfway between two of Ohio's largest cities: Dayton, a Midwest mecca of art, shopping, and dining, and Cincinnati, which takes the crown for the most spectacular street art in America. Both cities are roughly 30 minutes from the park by car, making it an ideal spot for an easy afternoon getaway.