Harrison County Lakes

Surrounding Our Trails, The Great Outdoors


Beyond any doubt, the greatest resources for the tourist and weekend visitor in Harrison are the three lakes of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District.

As you travel the quiet backroads of our county, it may be hard to imagine days gone by when heavy rains, unruly rivers, and damaging floods wreaked devastation and death in one-fifth of Ohio. After the particularly ravaging floods of 1913, the need for flood control became more and more evident.

During the 1920's Ohioans and the charismatic Bryce Browning laid the foundation for what would become a major engineering feat. The project culminated in the construction of four dry dams and ten reservoirs.

Today thousands of people enjoy flood control benefits and cherish the beauty and recreational pleasures afforded by the lakes --especially in the Harrison area of the total District. Piedmont, Clendening and Tappan Lakes repose in wooded valleys. They offer the visitor everything from programmed activities and all-season camping to relaxation and seclusion.


Piedmont Lake


Famous for state record catfish, Piedmont sneaks into the southern end of the county and offers a sixty-site lakefront campground with electricity and hot showers. A marina provides boat services and rentals; sells bait, tackle and fishing licenses, and houses a convenient lunch room. As at all District lakes, launching ramps are free.


Clendening Lake


"Forever wild" aptly describes this lake on Ohio 799. By policy and regulation, Clendening will remain a natural wildlife area with minimal development. Sixty secluded and wooded campsites are located near the lakeshore; and, for a comfortable return to nature, all sites are equipped with electricity. Clendening also has a marina. Whether you fish for one of ten species in the lake, boat, canoe, picnic or hike the wild shores, Clendening is, and always will be, an unspoiled jewel in Harrison County -- a treasure for all.

Clendening lake was named for the Clendening family and post office on Brushy Fork in the 1930's by Bryce Browning. The Clendening family owned land which is across the lake from the marina. The farm was operated by Robert and James Clark of Freeport until the late 1950's or early 1960's.


Tappan Lake


US 250, the major east-west highway in the county, skirts a sinuous six-mile stretch of water set against high hills whose ridges shoulder the Moravian Trail. Picturesque Pleasant Valley Church occupies a wooded knoll sloping to the water's edge. And, just a little farther east, Ohio 646 intersects US 250. Ohio 646 heads north to Scio and New Rumley through one of our county's most striking valleys, the route of Beaverdam Run.

Tappan is the home of one of the Muskingum District's five major parks. Most of the 500 campsites are nestled in quet, wooded hollows within hailing range of the shore. All season cabins are available and all visitors share the shoreline. The cabins are in high demand, so call early.

The Tappan Activity Center houses a grocery store, laundromat and snack bar. There are activities ranging from guest speakers to square dances. A trained naturalist services the Nature Center. The naturalist will lead you through miles of scenic trails winding through adjacent hills and forests. Pick up a brochure at the Activity Center.

Tappan's guests are welcome to use the sandy swimming beach, to rent pedal or bumper boats, to play miniature golf, basketball, volleyball, softball or to simply relax.

The lake itself draws boaters and skiers from Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Tappan attracts fishermen whose most common quarry are abundant bass, walleye and crappie. Tappan, too, has a marina. From the glass-enclosed restaurant you can enjoy a spectacular view.


Sally Buffalo Park


Sally Buffalo Park, located on Ohio 9 east of Cadiz, offers 500 camp sites, four lakes, fishing, canoeing, rowing, jogging paths, cabins, picnic shelters, tent camping, hiking trails, fire rings and dumping stations. Wallace Lodge and a choice of three barns are available for weddings, receptions, reunions and parties. Here is a excellent place to stay during the International Mining and Manufacturing Festival or even Jamboree in the Hills. For information call or write Sally Buffalo Park, Box 313 Cadiz,Ohio 43907. Phone# (740) 942-3213. Sally Buffalo Park in not one of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District lakes. It is owned and operated by the Village of Cadiz and is a prime example of what can be done with previously strip mined land. The entire complex is constructed on reclaimed mined land and was constructed by Consolidation Coal Co.in the 1960's.

(The above information has been furnished, in part, by the Harrison Regional Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 224, Cadiz, Ohio 43907 740-942-4223)

Thank you for visiting Harrison County's pages. If there are corrections or additions, please e-mail:

morgan@eohio.net



Harrison County Homepage