Geneva State Park

Nestled along the Lake Erie shoreline, Geneva State Park is located within Ohio's first summer resort, Geneva-on-the-Lake. The park is an excellent place to witness the dynamic effects Lake Erie has had on the area. The lake's creation began long ago when the state of Ohio was covered by mile-thick ice. During the Ice Age, continental glaciers rolled across Ohio and receded at least four times leaving the Lake Erie Basin, which slowly filled with water from melting ice. Once a major transportation route for Indians and frontiersmen, Lake Erie quickly became an important part of Ohio's growth. In the early 1900s, three gentlemen campers ...

Nestled along the Lake Erie shoreline, Geneva State Park is located within Ohio's first summer resort, Geneva-on-the-Lake. The park is an excellent place to witness the dynamic effects Lake Erie has had on the area. The lake's creation began long ago when the state of Ohio was covered by mile-thick ice. During the Ice Age, continental glaciers rolled across Ohio and receded at least four times leaving the Lake Erie Basin, which slowly filled with water from melting ice. Once a major transportation route for Indians and frontiersmen, Lake Erie quickly became an important part of Ohio's growth. In the early 1900s, three gentlemen campers alerted the world to the wonderful outdoor treasures of the area. Taking their servants along for the tasks of laying campfires and pitching tents, John D. Rockefeller, Harvey Firestone and Henry Ford spent their time camping, fishing and enjoying the great outdoors. Although the wealthy men could have picked any exotic locale for their annual treks, they fell in love with the place that became known as Geneva-on-the-Lake. Full-service hotels, boat docks, horse stables, golf course and other amenities soon sprang up. Then Ford developed the first affordable automobile. Firestone and Rockefeller began selling tires, gasoline and products to make the newfangled motorcars more reliable. Soon America's working class was able to afford cars and take to the road, many of them heading to Geneva-on-the-Lake. In 1964, land was acquired to form Geneva State Park. Today, the 698-acre park boasts a lovely resort lodge as well as campgrounds, rental cabins, golf course, marina and a 300-foot guarded swimming beach. The entire length of the park overlooks Lake Erie for about two miles with access to the lake provided at various points.

About the Expert

Jackie Sheckler Finch has written several guidebooks, including The Unofficial Guide to Campgrounds in the Great Lakes States, and four times she was named Travel Writer of the Year by Midwest Travel Writers Association.