Maumee Bay State Park

Located on the shore of Lake Erie, 1,850-acre Maumee Bay State Park offers a lovely natural environment created by the convergence of the land and the lake. One of the world's largest bodies of fresh water, the lake reflects the diverse natural heritage of Ohio, including scenic meadows and lush wetlands. This gift from Mother Nature was created when Lake Erie receded to its present size. Thirteen thousand years ago, Lake Erie was much larger than it is today - reaching from western New York to Fort Wayne, Indiana. As the lake receded, a great flat plain was formed, about 120 miles long and almost 40 miles wide. Known as the Great Black ...

Located on the shore of Lake Erie, 1,850-acre Maumee Bay State Park offers a lovely natural environment created by the convergence of the land and the lake. One of the world's largest bodies of fresh water, the lake reflects the diverse natural heritage of Ohio, including scenic meadows and lush wetlands. This gift from Mother Nature was created when Lake Erie receded to its present size. Thirteen thousand years ago, Lake Erie was much larger than it is today - reaching from western New York to Fort Wayne, Indiana. As the lake receded, a great flat plain was formed, about 120 miles long and almost 40 miles wide. Known as the Great Black Swamp, the area got its name because of the color of the soil and dense shade beneath its trees. Becoming a state park in 1975, Maumee Bay boasts two sandy beaches, a Scottish links golf course, nature center, 10 miles of trails, campground and the Maumee Bay Resort & Conference Center. Built in 1991, the lodge features a two-story native stone fireplace and a massive beam and glass lobby designed to complement and showcase natural elements of the park. With Lake Erie's reputation as the "walleye capital of the world," Maumee Bay offers some of the best fishing in the Midwest. A man-made inland lake near the lodge offers good pan fishing and has two wheelchair accessible fishing piers.

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.