Adams Lake State Park — Attraction in West Union

CAMP SITE REVIEW: This review is for the newly installed campground at Adams Lake. Having a place to camp in Adams County is greatly appreciated. Please note the following:

1. Campsites are long and require walking through lots of soft ground.
2. There is no potable water on site anywhere in the park. You must import all water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.
3. Firerings are provided. Because people are unable to pack out their trash, the firerings are used as trash bins.
4. There are two vault commodes in the park - one by the canoe/kayak launch, and one in the campground. People drive all the way to the campground to use the commode even if they are not using the park. Because of this, the vault commode was in dire need of maintenance.
5. There is no electricity.
6. There is a decent 4g signal.
7. It is distressing to hear dogs barking all through the night from houses on the other side of the lake. The dogs bark because they are distressed and not receiving the care and attention they need.
8. People use the campground lake access as a fishing access even though they are not registered campers.
9. People use the campground as a lunch spot even though they are not registered campers.
10. People use the campground as a place to park while conducting extra-marital affairs outside the park.
11. Perhaps because the campground is so new, it is still an oddity with the locals. While it would be inaccurate to use the term incessant, during my stay at the campground, cars and trucks paraded through from 8:30 in the morning until 10:30 at night. I would gladly pay a fee to receive a gate code so that campers, and campers ONLY, were occupying the campground. The State of Ohio would do well to continue to invest in the upkeep of all of our parks, once a source of pride for the Buckeye. Parks are...

I phoned the commissioners office in West Union Ohio very nearby the campground. I asked if I could use dead and downed wood for campfires. He was quite uncordial about me asking and threatened to make me leave ! I had planned my visit here for several months. It's free camping. Later today the superintendent over the park came around and I told him of my encounter with the commissioner. This isn't the first time he has harrassed campers I hear. Park headquarters advised me to call the sheriff if he gives me any trouble ! A park employee told me that there are several people that are trying to have this commissioner removed. It's a real nice place here other than some local riffraff drifting in on occasion. The park superintendent told me that the campground will close at end of October. The commissioner said that the campground was already closed. He is a not being honest. If you happen to visit here I hope you have no encounter with this fellow. The superintendent also told me to go ahead and use the dead wood for my campfire ! He's a real nice guy. His name is Matt. He's out of the...

My friend and I jokingly renamed the park as Lily Pad Park and Lake of the Lilies because well…that’s all that you’ll see on the water these days! An occasional crane or a few ducks and geese. My family loves to kayak here (beginners and it’s easier on steady water when you’re new) and it makes it nearly impossible to navigate the waters with it being heavily polluted by the lily pads. While they’re annoying, it makes for some excellent photos and when they’re in full bloom, it’s magnificent! It’s a small lake and park, but for us locals…it’s home. We grew up here and for a lot of us, it’ll always hold a special place in our hearts. Adding a couple of photos I’ve taken myself of the lily pads. If you open your heart and mind, you’ll find beauty...