Swim at Buck Creek SP

Officially opened in 1975, Buck Creek State Park is home to a 2,120 acre lake with 1,896 acres of land consisting of forests, meadows, a beach, and two dams.

On a warm summer day, this beach is the place to be! Plenty of free parking and plenty of space to spread out. It is the only beach in Springfield, and only one of a few in Ohio. Sure, the sand more closely resembles small pebbles, and in some seasons you may be outnumbered by geese, but hey, beggars can't be choosers! 

Is swimming not your ideal activity? You're in luck! There are tons of other options available as well, including woods trails for trail running or hiking, paved paths for jogging or biking, and a marina to drop in jet skis or boats for water sports. There are plenty of grills, pavilions, and spots to tie up a hammock and nap or read a book. Fishing is allowed, as are leashed pets, but please clean up after them so the rest of us don't have to take an hour and a half to clean dog waste off the bottom of our brand new pair of Sambas (yes its oddly specific for a reason, and no I don't want to talk about it). There are also public bathrooms at most parking lots. If you're not from the area, there is a campsite in the park and has both electric and non-electric sites, as well as cabins for those who prefer not to rough it as much. 

For more information on the park or to place reservations for campsites, visit here.