BETHEL, Ohio — East Fork State Park has released its full slate of naturalist-led programs for August, offering weekly wildlife talks, hands-on archery instruction, kayaking and paddleboarding lessons, and a nighttime hike through the park’s woods.
The park’s naturalist, Kariann Lawson, is leading the schedule, which runs through the month at the East Fork Nature Center and other spots around the 4,870-acre park in Clermont County, according to a schedule the park posted to Facebook. Most programs meet at the Nature Center Shelter in the park’s Loop C campground area or at the East Fork Campground Boat Ramp.
Recurring programs include “Animals of Ohio,” a look at furs, skulls and turtle shells held Thursdays from 3 to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 2 p.m., and “Hungry Hungry Reptiles,” a Friday afternoon feeding session with the Nature Center’s ambassador animals from 3 to 4 p.m. An introduction to archery program, which requires a signed disclosure form, runs Fridays from 1:15 to 2:30 p.m. and again Aug. 9 and 23 from 9:15 to 10:30 a.m. Programs are not held the week of Aug. 20-21, the park said.
Additional one-time offerings include a Whippoorwill Trail hike on Aug. 1 starting at 10 a.m., a beginner-friendly, half-mile walk that meets at the Camp Store parking lot. Introduction to kayaking sessions, capped at five participants each, are set for Aug. 1 and 15 from 1:45 to 4 p.m. and require advance sign-up with the naturalist. Introduction to paddleboarding follows the same format Aug. 8 and 29. Both water programs require a disclosure form and are limited to participants age 10 and older.
Other August programs include a “Birdy Breakfast” at the campground beach on Aug. 2, 16 and 30 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.; a “Sounds of the Forest” walk on the Fern Hill Trail those same three dates at 10 a.m.; a night hike exploring nocturnal wildlife on Aug. 13 from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.; and “Cub Story Time” for children on Aug. 15 and 18 at 11 a.m. Several outdoor programs are weather-dependent, the park noted, and children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
East Fork State Park sits about 20 miles southeast of Cincinnati and surrounds William H. Harsha Lake, a 2,107-acre reservoir completed in 1978. The park is one of the largest in the Ohio State Parks system and includes the 33-mile Steve Newman World-Walker perimeter trail. It is managed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Parks and Watercraft.
The Nature Center’s hours vary by day: 10 a.m. to noon Sundays, closed Monday through Wednesday, 2 to 5 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays, though the park cautioned those hours are subject to change. Residents with questions about the programs can reach the naturalist at [email protected].
The information contained in this story was obtained from East Fork State Park.