Old Field Beach
Lakeview
Hike and Swim
Old Field Beach is the main public swimming beach at Indian Lake State Park, run by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Parks and Watercraft. It sits on Old Field Island along the west shore of Indian Lake, a reservoir of about 5,100 acres in Logan County that was first built in the 1850s as a feeder lake for the Miami and Erie Canal and now forms the headwaters of the Great Miami River. The sand strip faces east across open water toward Blackhawk Island, a little over a mile northeast of the village center of Lakeview.
The park lists the address as 11252 State Route 235 N, Lakeview, OH. From Lakeview, follow State Route 235 north along the lake and turn east onto Old Field Island, where a large paved lot serves the beach, the shelters and the disc golf course. The 3.5-mile paved bike and walking path that runs along the west and south banks to Lakeview Harbor ends here, so you can also walk or ride in from town.
The beach is a long run of sand, roughly a quarter mile, and ODNR says its two public beaches (this one and Fox Island Beach) give about 1,400 feet of lake access between them. Swimming is allowed only in the designated area. Indian Lake is shallow for its size, averaging around 10 feet with a maximum near 25 feet, so it warms up early in summer and the water is often murky after wind or boat traffic. The park asks swimmers to use caution and does not list lifeguards, so plan on swimming unguarded. Just offshore there is a separate boat swim area where boaters can anchor and get in the water, which means powerboats regularly pass near the beach on a lake that allows unlimited horsepower. Pets are not allowed on the swimming beach.
Entry is free. Ohio State Parks charge no admission, and park hours are 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. The only costs here are optional ones: the Oldfield North and Oldfield South shelters can be reserved through the state reservation line at (866) 644-6727. Questions go to the park office at (937) 843-2717, staffed 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. Note that the separate campground beach is reserved for registered campers, so day visitors should use Old Field or Fox Island.
Check water quality before you go. The Ohio Department of Health posts BeachGuard advisories for state park beaches from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and the Logan County Health District has warned of suspected harmful algal blooms along Oldfield Beach in the past. Skip the swim if the water looks like spilled paint or pea soup, or if an advisory sign is posted. The island area closes from sunrise to 10 a.m. for dove hunting on some early September mornings. Dredge material areas nearby are posted keep out.
Beyond the swim area, Old Field Island has a boater's beach, a playground, a sand volleyball court, two large fishing jetties, picnic shelters and a fenced off-leash dog park with a separate small-dog section. A 9-hole open disc golf course runs dawn to dusk whenever the island is open, with parking on the north side of the big lot. The beach also hosts the Indian Lake chamber's summer Party at the Beach, and many locals watch the Fourth of July fireworks from here.
More Information
Explore Ohio State Parks
Ohio State Parks offers a variety of ways to connect with family and friends while discovering the outdoors. Open every day and always free, Ohio's 76 state parks provide a refuge from daily life.
https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/safety-conservation/about-ODNR/division-parks-watercraft/explore-ohio-state-parksHarmful algal bloom possibly spotted at Indian Lake – WHIO TV 7 and WHIO Radio
Health officials are warning of a suspected harmful algal bloom in Indian Lake.
https://www.whio.com/news/local/harmful-algal-bloom-possibly-spotted-indian-lake/WC7MH37J2NFPZBCBYOTEMR3KKQ/Indian Lake State Park
Located in west-central Ohio, Indian Lake State Park offers 5,100 acres of water for a variety of on-the-water recreational opportunities. Visitors can camp, boat, fish, jet-ski, swim, and picnic at this year-round destination.
https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/indian-lake-state-parkIndian Lake State Park in Ohio | Activities, Map & Guide
Nestled on the shores of the lake in which it is named after, Indian Lake State Park is a fabulous place to get your fix of nature.
https://www.americasstateparks.org/state-park/indian-lake/Indian Summer in Lakeview, Ohio
Subscribe News Things to Do Food & Drink Home & Style Health & Wellness Best of Cleveland Best Places to Live Best Restaurants Subscribe or Renew Newsletters Cleveland Magazine Events Contact Us Privacy & Legal About Us Past Issues Community Leader Custom Publications Advertise Careers & Internships Order a Plaque broadstreetKeywords.push('things-to-do','things-to-do','travel-&-outdoors'); Travel & Outdoors Indian Summer in Lakeview, Ohio by Ron Rollins | Feb. 26, 2009 | 5:00 AM
https://clevelandmagazine.com/articles/indian-summer-in-lakeview-ohio/Vandalism closes bathroom at Indian Lake beach – WHIO TV 7 and WHIO Radio
A bathroom at an Indian Lake beach is closed after it was vandalized.
https://www.whio.com/news/local/vandalism-closes-bathroom-indian-lake-beach/RJAHPPYSP5FYVMTFLUBTKQZ2HM/Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read More
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Lakeview
- Head northwest on Haig Blvd toward Clarington Rd (1.0 km)
- Turn left onto S Service Rd (1.6 km)
- Turn right onto Cawthra Rd (0.4 km)
- Take the QEW ramp to Hamilton (0.8 km)
- Merge onto Queen Elizabeth Wy (12.5 km)
- Merge onto Queen Elizabeth Wy/
ON-403 W (21.1 km) - Slight right onto ON-403 W (83.1 km)
- Merge onto ON-401 WToll roadParts of this road may be closed at certain times or daysEntering the United States of America (Michigan)(233 km)
- Continue onto Gordie Howe International BridgeToll road(3.9 km)
- Take the exit on the left onto I-75 SEntering Ohio(106 km)
- Keep left to stay on I-75 S, follow signs for Dayton (75.9 km)
- Take exit 145 for OH-235 toward Ada/
Mt Cory (0.4 km) - Turn left onto OH-235 S (13.9 km)
- Turn right onto Airport Rd/
Liberty Twp Rd 30 (1.6 km) - Turn left onto Klingler Rd (4.9 km)
- Continue onto Klinger Rd (1.6 km)
- Continue onto OH-235 S (2.9 km)
- Turn right onto Lee St (0.3 km)
- Turn left onto OH-235 S/
S McConnell St Continue to follow OH-235 S(17.0 km) - Turn right onto OH-235 S/
High St (0.1 km) - Continue straight onto Township Rd 39/
High St Continue to follow Township Rd 39(3.6 km) - Continue onto Township Hwy 251/
Township Rd 251 (0.3 km) - Turn right onto OH-235 SPass by Dollar General (on the right in 3.1 km)(5.7 km)
- Slight left onto OH-235 S/
OH-366 E (1.4 km) - Turn left onto Odnr Rd (0.4 km)
- Turn right (12 m)
- Turn left (89 m)
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