Ohio's Largest Inland Lake Is An Outdoor Haven For Camping, Boating, And Fun On The Water

Ohio shares a portion of the southern shores of Lake Erie, making it an official "Great Lakes state." What's more, Ohio's Great Lakes coastline includes memorable destinations like the Lake Erie Islands and the acclaimed Cedar Point amusement park. Ohio's Lake Erie coastline is so prominent that the Buckeye State's other lakes often get overshadowed. Which is a shame, because many of Ohio's inland lakes are just as worth a visit as the beautiful (but often touristy) Lake Erie coast. One that deserves more attention is the appropriately named Grand Lake.

In terms of sheer dimensions, Grand Lake (also called Grand Lake St. Marys) certainly lives up to its aspirational name as Ohio's largest inland lake. While it doesn't quite reach "Great Lakes" size, Grand Lake covers a large enough area that views from its shoreline can sometimes resemble a shot across the expansive Lake Erie. But Grand Lake isn't merely grand in size. Ohio's largest lake is also the centerpiece of a sprawling state park and vacation destination region. Located near Ohio's western border, about two hours northwest of Columbus, Grand Lake offers plenty of recreational options and lakeside views for anyone who's not up for driving all the way to Lake Erie. With boating, water sports, and overnight camping options, Grand Lake gives travelers a major lake recreation destination away from Lake Erie.

While Ohio Lake Erie spots like Ashtabula County are charming Great Lake destinations for fun getaways, Grand Lake offers its own expansive waterfront well south of the Great Lake's shores. Grand Lake covers 13,500 acres and has about 52 miles of shoreline. More modest than any Great Lake, yes, but still impressive for an inland lake. 

Amazingly, Grand Lake was once even larger, topping out at around 17,500 acres in the mid-19th century. Constructed between 1837 and 1845, it was created not for recreation but rather to supply water for the Miami and Erie Canal. At the time, it was considered the largest artificial body of water in the world. While it has since been surpassed in size by several much larger reservoirs, including the iconic Arizona tourism landmark of Hoover Dam, it retains the record for the largest reservoir built without machinery. Workers who constructed it used little more than hand tools. 

Today, Grand Lake is the focal point of Ohio's Grand Lake St. Marys State Park and the heart of the state's Grand Lake Region. With its impressive size, compelling history, and plenty of nearby attractions, Grand Lake provides a much more diverse smorgasbord of vacation options than you might expect from western Ohio.

If you remove Lake Erie from the equation, Ohio's most recognizable outdoor destinations might include the stunning Cuyahoga Valley National Park, with its beautiful waterfalls and foliage. But as Ohio's largest inland lake, Grand Lake is an ideal spot for boating and other water sports. Boats with no horsepower limits are permitted on the lake, while a 300-foot no-wake zone along the shoreline helps protect the shore and provide calmer waters near the land. Powerboats, speedboats, pontoons, jet skis, and everything in between can all be found on Grand Lake. Its 52 miles of shoreline includes multiple boaters' beaches, full-service marinas, and free public launch ramps.

Grand Lake's lack of horsepower restrictions doesn't mean that speedboats have all the fun, of course. Kayakers and paddleboarders can stick closer to its shoreline, which is dotted with trees (and, in some cases, bird nests), and the no-wake zone, which is ideal for scenic paddling excursions. On the other end of the adrenaline spectrum, waterskiing and tubing are also popular. However, because Grand Lake has a history with harmful algal blooms, visitors planning water-contact activities should check current water-quality advisories before heading out.

The Grand Lake St. Marys State Park Campground offers an equally large collection of overnight options, with nearly 200 campsites to choose from. These include 154 electric, 10 non-electric, and 34 full-hookup sites. Campers have access to amenities like flush toilets, hot showers, dump stations, fire rings, picnic tables, and grills, plus terrific lake access. Grand Lake St. Marys State Park also offers semi-furnished camper cabins and more fully equipped cedar cabins for cozier lakeside stays.