Indian Lake has numerous cottages, vacation homes and RV parks around the lake. (Credit: Ken Drenten)

By Ken Drenten

Indian Lake is an 5,104-acre glacial lake built in the 1850s as a feeder reservoir for the Miami and Erie Canal. Today, it is a centerpiece of recreation and tourism for western Ohio.

Located in Logan County west of Bellefontaine, Indian Lake offers boating, swimming, two beaches, fishing, camping, hiking, picnicking, bicycling, disc golf and much more. With more than 30 miles of shoreline, the lake is Ohio’s second-largest inland lake and is the source of the Great Miami River.

Indian Lake has been recognized as an excellent fishing lake, with saugeye, crappie, largemouth and smallmouth bass, white bass, yellow perch, channel catfish and bluegill available.

There are more than 40 islands at the lake, some of which are uninhabited and others that have been developed for vacationing with year-round homes, vacation cottages and RVs. Some of the developed islands are Orchard Island, Fox Island, Pew Island, Seminole Island, Shawnee Island, Tecumseh Island and Wolf Island.

Indian Lake State Park, 13156 SR 235 N., Lakeview, offers a large campground with electric, water and full-service sites, picnic areas, beach areas, camp store, shower houses, boat ramps and seasonal boat docks. Pets are permitted on all campsites, and beachfront premium sites are available. Beach, swimming pool, boat ramp, and boat docks are provided for exclusive use of registered campers.

Indian Lake was once home to Sandy Beach Amusement Park, nicknamed “Ohio’s Million Dollar Playground” or “Atlantic City of the Midwest.” The park opened May 29, 1924 and featured a 2,000-foot-long roller coaster, millrace ride, carousel, Ferris wheel, boat excursions on the lake, arcade and boardwalk, and the Minnewawa Dance Hall.

The dance pavilion hosted some of the greatest names of the Big Band era, and thousands of people came from all over Ohio to listen and dance to popular entertainers. The park closed in 1975, and the only remnant of the park today is a steel arch footbridge that spans the harbor at Russell’s Point.

Several thriving and friendly small-town communities are near Indian Lake, including Russell’s Point, Lakeview and Roundhead. Many businesses, including restaurants, stores and specialty shops are located in lake area communities.

One recent tragic event has bonded these communities even closer together.

Watersports such as fishing, skiing, tubing and jet-skiing are popular at Indian Lake. (Credit: Ken Drenten)

A devastating EF-3 tornado ripped through the Indian Lake area on March 14, 2024, killing three people, destroying over 300 homes, and causing damage to more than 1,000 properties and businesses. In the wake of the tragedy, nearly $2 million was raised nationwide to support recovery efforts, and the communities continue in the process of rebuilding and healing.

For more information about visiting Indian Lake, a good place to start is the Indian Lake Visitor’s Center, 8200 SR 366, Russells Point, and online at Visit Indian Lake and Indian Lake State Park.

Ken Drenten is creator and editor of Dusty-Tires.com, a travel blog for out-of-the-ordinary places in Ohio.

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