Alum Creek Below Dam Area
ALUM CREEK BELOW DAM AREA
Part of Alum Creek Lake
Overview
Alum Creek Lake is located in Delaware County, Ohio, just minutes north of Columbus. The lake provides an ideal location for boating, fishing, camping, hiking and hunting. A special events permit must be obtained if the shelter is used for commercial purposes, large groups that need more than 1 shelter, or if open areas around the shelter will be utilized. Contact the Corps Office at 740-548-6151 for more information.
Facilities
Alum Creek offers three group day-use picnic shelters in the Below Dam Area. Each shelter is accessible, can accommodate up to 100 guests and offers electric hookups. Drinking water, tables and grills are provided. Flush toilets and playgrounds are on-site and the area has great access to fishing. Individual sites with picnic tables and grills are scattered around the shelters and are available on a first come, first serve basis. At the Visitor Center you will find interactive exhibits, programs, and a 48 seat theater to ensure that there is something for every member of the family. The visitor center is located 1 mile East of the Below Dam Recreation Area and Picnic Shelters! A friendly staff, maps and brochures are available to assist you at the Visitor Center.Natural Features
The lake is situated among gently rolling hills, where open meadows and wooded areas cover the shoreline. A variety of songbirds and waterfowl can be found in the area.Recreation
Alum Creek Lake is known as one the best fishing lakes in the state. A wide variety of fish including white, rock, small and largemouth bass, bluegill, white and black crappie, sunfish, channel catfish, muskie and saugeye thrive in the lake.
This spacious day-use area is also a popular spot for water sports and swimming. A boat ramp, large swimming beach and marina are all located nearby.
Nearby Attractions
Alum Creek State Park is adjacent, boasting a 3000-foot swimming beach, a marina with a variety of boat rentals and a large campground. Hiking, mountain biking and horseback trails meander through the park.Other attractions near the lake include the Columbus Zoo, the Center of Science and Industry and the Olentangy Indian Caverns.
Important Notices
Shelter reservation is from 10am to 8pm, shelter must be vacated and groups dispersed by 8pm. Park is closed dusk to dawn except for fishing.
Electric automatically shuts off at 8pm. No generators or portable power stations are permitted.
Maximum occupancy for each shelter is 100 people. Groups exceeding this level may receive a federal citation and removed from the property. No refund will be given in this circumstance.
A special event permit is required for:
Any event/group using more than 1 shelter
If there are any vendors, sponsors, or fees of any kind including donations or fees charged off site.
If there are any hired/contracted staff/vendors, for example: catering, decorator, event manager, music/DJ, rented equipment, etc
There is a $75 non-refundable special event permit application fee. Please call 740-548-6151 or email alum.creek@usace.army.mil for more information.
Failure to obtain a special event permit may result in a federal citation and/or removal from the park.
Parking is limited and is on a first come, first served basis. Park gates will be closed if parking is full. No parking along roadway or grass, no stopping to drop off or pick up supplies or people.
Any equipment that will be brought on site must be approved by the Corps Office at 740-548-6151 or alum.creek@usace.army.mil , and may require a special event permit. This includes grills, tents, tables, chairs, inflatable elements, bounce houses, obstacle courses, ziplines, climbing towers, gaming centers, and any other commercially provided rentals.
Amplified sound of any kind, including PA systems, must be limited so that it can not be heard from other shelters, or within 50 feet of the reserved shelter.
Water balloons and confetti are not permitted.
Alcohol, fireworks, pyrotechnics, drones, and projectile firing devices are prohibited.
Available Activities
- HUNTING - Hunting
- HORSEBACK RIDING - Horseback Riding
- HIKING - Hiking
- FISHING - Fishing
- INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS - Educational Programs
- CAMPING - Camping
- BOATING - Marina
- BIKING - Mountain Biking
Directions
From Columbus, Ohio, take I-71 north to exit 121 for Polaris. Turn right on Polaris Parkway, left on Worthington Road, left on Africa Road, then left on Lewis Center Road. Shelters are in the Below Dam Area.
Contact Information
Phone: 740-548-6151
5905 LEWIS CENTER ROADLEWIS CENTER, OH 43035-9215 4189 Lewis Center Rd
Galena, OH
Rental Options
Available Campsites
- Site Alum Creek Cricket Field, Loop ALUM CREEK, Type Ball Field
- Site Oak Shelter (#2), Loop ALUM CREEK, Type Group Shelter Electric
- Site Maple Shelter (#1), Loop ALUM CREEK, Type Group Shelter Electric
- Site BUCKEYE SHELTER, Loop ALUM CREEK, Type Group Shelter Electric
