Recreation & Culture

ALL OF ASHLAND COUNTY’S SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES SHARE A VARIETY OF RECREATIONAL TYPES & AREAS

With over 2,600 acres of parks, 50 miles of recreational trails, 25 miles of bike paths, lakefront amenities, a world-class arboretum, and numerous municipal recreational opportunities – Ashland County is the ideal location for residents & visitors to relax and have a great time!

City of Ashland

One doesn’t have to travel far to find a number of events, activities, and forms of recreation in the Ashland area. The City of Ashland hosts exciting annual events like the Balloonfest and the County Fair and has a number of parks for sporting events, picnics, swimming, and family fun. To find out more about what the city of Ashland has to offer, visit the Ashland Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

For a complete list of park and recreation facilities, visit Ashland Park and Recreation.

List of Annual Events:

Ashland Balloon Fest – End of June
Ashland County Fair – September
Ashland Christmas Parade, Tree Lighting, & Downtown Fireworks – December
Ashland Downtown Dream Cruise & Car Show – July
Ashland St. Patrick’s Day Celebration – March
Guy C. Myers Band Shell Summer Concert Series – June, July, August

For a complete list of the City of Ashland events, visit the website.

Ashland County Park District

Ashland County Park District is currently made up of 20 unique and exciting parks. Each park has its own natural features that make it distinct among Ashland County including an old-growth forest, a native grassland, restored wetlands, and spring-fed ponds. There are also miles of hiking trails, playgrounds, fishing ponds, bird-observation decks, river access for canoeing, and even a vintage cider press stored in a historic barn . . . all of which make these parks truly spectacular.

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Charles Mill Lake Park

Charles Mill Lake Park is situated on 2,000 acres in Ashland and Richland Counties. Charles Mill Dam is a rolled earth-fill dam with an impervious, water-resistant, clay core that was constructed in 1935-36 on the Black Fork Creek for the purpose of flood control. The lake has a surface area of 1350 acres, a maximum depth of 24 feet, and 34 miles of shoreline. The lake has a horsepower limit of 10 and provides opportunities for sailing, boating, and fishing. The waters of Charles Mill Lake are home to channel catfish, flathead, catfish bullheads, white bass, largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass (wipers), crappie, bluegill, and saugeye. The public launch ramp is free and located off St. Rt. 430. Hunting is permitted between Labor Day and Memorial Day in designated areas. State licenses are required for boating, hunting, and fishing.

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Pleasant Hill Lake

Pleasant Hill Lake is an 850-acre unlimited horsepower lake surrounded by 1350 acres of land. Guests can enjoy recreational activities such as camping, log cabins, marina, boating, fishing, hiking, hunting, picnicking, swimming, and kayaking. Pleasant Hill Lake is located in the heart of Mohican Country just outside the village of Perrysville, Ohio. Various activities and special themed events are offered every weekend from the end of April to mid-October to educate and entertain park guests.

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Loudonville-Mohican

An area of rolling hills and rugged forest in southern Ashland County, Loudonville is nicknamed the “Canoe Capital of Ohio” for the many canoe liveries along the Mohican River. It is also home to Mohican State Park and Mohican-Memorial State Forest. From hiking and canoeing miles of trails and river to camping, ziplining, and mini-golf, the Loudonville area appeals to those who love adventure as well as those who love to relax. Visitors and locals alike can enjoy events like the Great Mohican Pow-Wow, the Ohio Heritage Days Festival, and the Loudonville Street Fair.

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Recreational Outlets within a 30-Minute to Two-Hour Drive:

Akron Zoo

Amish Country

Cedar Point

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Columbus Zoo & Aquarium

COSI

Greater Cleveland Aquarium

Great Lakes Science Center

Kalahari Resorts & Conventions

Lake Erie Islands