Top 10 Lakes around Westerville
Best lakes around Westerville, Ohio, are characterized by a mix of large reservoirs and smaller metro park lakes, providing diverse outdoor recreation. The area's natural landscape supports various aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. These bodies of water serve as important natural resources and recreational hubs for the region.
Best lakes around Westerville
- The most popular lakes is Hoover Reservoir Park, a lake that offers over 4,700 acres of peaceful landscape. It provides a range of recreational activities including picnicking, hiking,…
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Hoover Reservoir Park
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Antrim Lake Deck
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Thoreau Lake
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Schrock Lake
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Brookside Trail
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The Hoover Reservoir Park (area) offers over 4,700 acres of peaceful and serene landscape just North of Columbus. The park and lake provide guests with a range of recreational activities from picnicking, hiking, boating and fishing. For the bird watching enthusiasts, the park offers a wide variety of bird types ranging from common to rare. This includes frequent sightings of the American Bald Eagle throughout the year. The reservoir is an important feature for tourism, but also for the water it provides to the city of Columbus.
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The Antrim Lake Deck serves as a viewpoint overlooking the calm Antrim Lake. It's important to note that the lake prohibits boats and swimming, but this also makes the lake a serene environment. Annually stocked with rainbow trout by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Antrim Lake offers fishing in this shallow lake with clear water.
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The Antrim Lake Deck serves as a viewpoint overlooking the calm Antrim Lake. It's important to note that the lake prohibits boats and swimming, but this also makes the lake a serene environment. Annually stocked with rainbow trout by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Antrim Lake offers fishing in this shallow lake with clear water.
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Schrock Lake is a 14-acre lake in Sharon Woods Metro Park. The lake has four fishing docks in different areas on its banks. There are picnic shelters and opportunities for birding around the lake as well.
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Brookside Trail passes through Blendon Woods and over a small waterway. It is a great trail for an autumn walk to Lake Thoreau. The small brook that it crosses has sections of interesting geology of alluvial deposits and glacial till sediments. Visitors are encouraged to go off-trail to explore the hillside and forests of Blendon Woods Metro Park.
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Thoreau Lake is a small lake within Walden Waterfowl Refuge. This area has a bird blind observation building for birders to admire the many bird species of the area. Visitors can find educational signage and programming around local flora and fauna at the nature center immediately south of the lake along Lake Trail in the park.
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The Hoover Reservoir Park (area) offers over 4,700 acres of peaceful and serene landscape just North of Columbus. The park and lake provide guests with a range of recreational activities from picnicking, hiking, boating and fishing. For the bird watching enthusiasts, the park offers a wide variety of bird types ranging from common to rare. This includes frequent sightings of the American Bald Eagle throughout the year. The reservoir is an important feature for tourism, but also for the water it provides to the city of Columbus.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which lakes around Westerville are best for family activities?
For families, Hoover Reservoir Park offers picnicking, hiking, boating, and fishing. Thoreau Lake at Blendon Woods Metro Park is excellent for nature observation and features an inclusive playground. Schrock Lake in Sharon Woods Metro Park also has picnic areas and a playground.
What lakes are best for kayaking and boating near Westerville?
Hoover Reservoir is popular for both motorized and non-motorized boats, including kayaks and canoes, with a 10 horsepower motor limit creating a serene environment. Alum Creek Lake is a boater's paradise, allowing unlimited horsepower south of Cheshire Road for water sports, while its northern portion offers a calmer, no-wake zone ideal for paddlers.
Where can I find easy walking trails around lakes near Westerville?
Blendon Woods Metro Park offers the Lake Trail, a 0.5-mile paved path around Thoreau Lake, perfect for an easy walk and wildlife observation. Hoover Reservoir also features several miles of hiking trails, such as the Hoover Scenic Trail, which provides scenic views.
Are there good fishing spots among the lakes in the Westerville area?
Yes, fishing is a popular activity. Hoover Reservoir is known for diverse species like largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish. Alum Creek Lake is considered one of Ohio's best fishing lakes, with bass, bluegill, crappie, walleye, saugeye, and channel catfish. Schrock Lake in Sharon Woods Metro Park is stocked with bass, bluegill, and catfish, offering four fishing docks.
What are the best lakes for birdwatching near Westerville?
Thoreau Lake within Blendon Woods Metro Park is a sanctuary for hundreds of birds and other wildlife, featuring two elevated observation shelters with spotting scopes. Hoover Reservoir is also a haven for bird-watchers, with frequent sightings of various bird types, including American bald eagles.
Can I swim in any of the lakes around Westerville?
Alum Creek State Park features Ohio's largest inland beach, a 3,000-foot sandy stretch with amenities like changing areas and outdoor showers, making it an excellent spot for swimming.
What outdoor activities can I do near these lakes, besides water sports?
Many lakes offer extensive trail systems. You can find numerous hiking trails around Hoover Reservoir and Alum Creek Lake. For more options, explore the hiking routes around Westerville. Alum Creek Lake also has trails for mountain biking and horseback riding. Disc golf courses are available at Hoover Reservoir Park and Blendon Woods Metro Park.
Are there any lakes suitable for winter activities near Westerville?
Alum Creek State Park is open for winter activities such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling, offering year-round recreational opportunities.
What are the differences between Hoover Reservoir and Alum Creek Lake for outdoor recreation?
Hoover Reservoir offers a vast, serene landscape with a 10 horsepower motor limit, making it ideal for fishing and calmer boating. Alum Creek Lake, on the other hand, allows unlimited horsepower south of Cheshire Road for high-speed water sports, features Ohio's largest inland beach for swimming, and has a more extensive trail system for various activities, including mountain biking and horseback riding.
Are there any lakes near Westerville with wheelchair accessible trails?
Blendon Woods Metro Park, home to Thoreau Lake, offers the Lake Trail, a 0.5-mile paved path from the Nature Center, providing an easy and accessible walk for visitors.
What do visitors enjoy most about Hoover Reservoir Park?
Visitors appreciate the peaceful and serene landscape of Hoover Reservoir Park, which spans over 4,700 acres. It's highly valued for its diverse recreational activities, including picnicking, hiking, boating, and fishing, as well as frequent sightings of various bird types, including American Bald Eagles.
Where can I find a quiet spot for fishing or a family outing near Westerville?
Otterbein Lake is described as a quiet spot ideal for family outings or fishing. Additionally, Schrock Lake in Sharon Woods Metro Park offers a peaceful setting with fishing docks and picnic areas.
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