Hitchin' Up: Portage Lakes State Park

I've been going to Portage Lakes State Park since I moved to Akron almost 20 years ago. The great views of the lake, peaceful surroundings, and easy access to the water make it a great place to be. It wasn't until years later that I discovered camping at the State Park, and it's still a place I love to go.

Portage Lakes State Park is actually three separate parks. The northern most park has a marina and picnicking, the one in the middle is the one with beach access, a dog park, disc golf, and many trails and fishing opportunities. The southern most park in New Franklin is the one with Nimisila Lake and the Nimisila Campground. The campground is surrounded by the lake, has 6 electric campsites, and 68 more non-electric sites. The campground has paved roads. There are no modern amenities here except vault toilets, potable water, and a dump station. But there is a playground and campground boat launch.

With fewer amenities comes fewer campers, and the campground is generally very quiet. On weekends the electric sites are usually occupied, so if you want one of those I recommend that you reserve in advance. But if you can boon dock you pretty much have your choice throughout the campground. Many of the sites are nicely wooded, although just this year the park has cleared out a lot of the old, dead Ash trees. Trees have been replanted, but it will be many years before you can sit in the shade under one of them.

Electric Site

For trailer campers like us the electric sites are perfect. They are nestled in amongst the pine trees and are right near a small pond. It's a near perfect location for late night campfires and relaxation. If you need to fill with potable water you'll need a long hose because the water outlet isn't right near the road, and it's also located within the campground on the second road. If you register onsite you will do so at the small (generally unoccupied) ranger station with an envelope in the registration box. There is a small restaurant, gas station, and ice cream stand nearby. Go a little further and there are grocery stores, a Target, movie theater, and a Camping World. AT&T 4G/LTE coverage here is good.

If you're looking for a quiet getaway in a nice, wooded campground surrounded by nature and less by other campers/trailers Portage Lakes State Park is worth a look.

Portage Lakes State Park website

more photos after the break