da120757
The Eagles in the park are very active on the lake. This lake has good fishing, Camping, hiking, and boating. I have been going to this state park since I was a little girl and the family would go on camping trips. very nice park.
C3229CSjimh
We have stayed here at the hotel on several occasions. We have not been here for the state park, itself. The park itself is quite attractive, with a lake and would be a nice summer destination. We have only been there in the winter or spring. It has been upgraded in the past year or so in the hotel, but exercise facilities are lacking. The pool is nice, and there is no dining but some vending machines and coffee in the gift shop.
483janinet
We got a discount ticket around Christmas to stay so my husband and I stayed over for a night just to get away from home. We live about 25 minutes from there. The park is very pretty and lots to do but we just wanted to stay at the lodge because it was Winter. The room had a noisy heater and the shower didn't work. Things need to be updated I felt like I went back in time to the 80's this park is out of date. The food is pretty good in the lounge but its like going back in time. Needs an upgrade
SteveB936
Here in the Midwest there area lot of mountain biking opportunities if you know where to look, Hueston Woods is on of the places you should check out if you enjoy mountain biking in the Midwest.A good variety of trails for all levels with some cool jumps! Enjoy!
TomD67
We stopped here solely for the hiking while going from Cincinnati back to our Indiana Home. IT was a warm December day, great for December, but I'm sure the hike would be prettier in the fall or other seasons. We hiked thru the Big Woods and almost all the way up the shore trail to the dam. I probably wouldn't do the shore trail again other than just to add miles, but the Big Woods area was nice. I wouldn't really call them big woods though, since that conjurs up a picture of virgin woods with exceptionally big trees, and nothing was exceptional in size, at least not to my Hoosier eye. Maybe Buckeyes have smaller trees to compare them too.The lodge looked nice, though we didn't stay.
jz-60
This park has lots to do. In the summer, there is boating and swimming. Small zoo as well. Many nature trails including one that goes around the lake. Make sure you visit the old growth forest which is part of the park.
680Dave
If in Oxford, this is a nice place to visit for lunch. It is rarely crowded or full. Beautiful lodge. Dining room is very nice as well. Lunch meals are very good. Dinners are okay but not spectacular.
BrownCat2010
We thought about staying here after we got kicked out of another hotel in Oxford. The rate was going to be $240.00 for another night due to parents weekend. But I did not even want to see the rooms since the outside was so old looking. We ended up leaving town and staying elsewhere.
LiketoeatCincinnati
This park has a lot to offer, including paintball, water activities and a preserved rustic homestead. The weekend we went was for paintball for the sorority weekend and it was great. There was a apple butter festival that weekend and a park ranger was giving a nature talk about hawks, owls and falcons. He had the birds there and it was also great. The public areas of the lodge have nice views and nice seating areas around the fireplace. It is worth a visit while in the area.
Cory_Driver
First and foremost, the animal rehabilitation center is amazing! Our nieces couldn't believe they were so close to such big birds and the cougar gave us a thrill! The trails were quite nice, and we spent a couple hours with our nieces on the playgrounds. It was fun to watch the Miami sailing club move about on the lake. This is a very nice State Park!
Tracie1111
The park is huge and has lots of potential. The animal rehabilitation center was really cool and all the kids enjoyed it. The campground bathrooms have A LOT to be desired! Paint would be a start. I say sell one of the park ranger cars and remodel. I have never been to any state park with as much ranger patrol. It was crazy! I bet a car was coming by every 15min . The even parked and walked the beach area with a clipboard. The grass on the way to the beach is full of goosepoop but they had a sign up saying they were going to have a controlled hunt the first 15 days of sept. So hopefully that will take care of it. All of that said we had 4 campsites and had a great time. The ranger only had to tell its to quiet down once because we were laughing too loud at 1am. F area camp sites are on a hill but we were still able to find a flat spot for tents
E8051YVlisas
I was born & raised in oxford & this place isn't what it once was, at all! The roads are falling apart, trails aren't kept or marked. I haven't been to the campground in years so I can't speak to that but the rest of the park is just sad! I'm not sure if it's funding or poor management? I only live 10 mins from here & would rather drive someplace else to go on a hike. It's depressing here, especially when you know what it once was. If you are looking for a place in oxford to hike go to bachelor woods & Miami's trails.
Endlessthoughts
I love Houston Woods. It's one of my favorite places to go for a little solitude and relaxation. I enjoy walking the trails and looking at nature. the trails for the most part are clean and up kept. It is a Forrest so you never know what you will find. The beach for the most part is clean. As is the camping area. All areas are patrol by the park rangers and preble county sheriff department. There is plenty if fishing and boating and your able to rent boats and canoes for a nice day on the lake. I will admit they use to do more cleaning but what dies everyone expect when they cut park services??? I myself love coming here not always crowded although the weekends can build up on sunny nice days with picnickers and fishermans. Other then that go out enjoy nature and view your own opinion. Also there is a lodge and eating. Also cabins and irks!!! I say take a nice day and drive around and walk a trail and see what you might think of it.
BarryS739
Okay, I see several reviews giving the park high praise - especially for camping. I will assume from those reviews that this is a good park for camping. I think it stops there though.I have been here several times for a day visit and have come away with a similar reaction each time... this park is just sort of sad and empty. Here are some details:- First, it is important to note the good aspects of this park, and there are many: Large, attractive park which is well maintained. Also, a great variety of activities available. The park has just about everything. You would think from these comments that it should get a good review. - But... the downsides:1 - The Lodge: Looks to be a once-great park lodge but now it is simply old and little is going on. Someone needs to put some life in this. I have been here on summer weekdays and weekends and find the parking lot nearly empty. The lodge nearly empty. The one little shop closed. To me, I couldn't stay here because it would simply be depressing.2 - The Lake and Facilities: An attractive lake which has the array of stuff-to-do which should make a vacation enjoyable. But, it just doesn't cut it. Goose poop everywhere. There is no safe place to walk. The beach park area is a goose poop mess -- attempting to spend time there relaxing on the shore is nearly impossible.3 - Marina - there is a store here and various boats to rent... so far, so good. What we find in the store is a lone, bored individual desperately waiting on someone to come and buy something. The boats for rent all look old and tired. I don't see this as something fun to do at all. And.. in case I failed to mention it... everything is covered in goose poop.It is almost shocking to come to this park and find it almost empty. On this last visit we saw only a handful of cars and people. Such a large park, with so many things to do, and even at the height of the summer season, it is underused.
NatashaC402
Overall this is a beautiful area and we enjoyed a short trip. Unfortunately there is a lot lacking. Signage is so educational and would certainly add to the experience of being able to learn and teach. What is the Sugar house? When was it built? Why? Is it still in use today? We drove to it and well that was pointless. We drove looking for Fossil Collection areas. Zero signage. We figured out we may have been in one of the areas but have signs listing types of fossils you may find. What are they? Trails. Clearly mark them. We started on one and it seemed to just close off into nothing and we turned around. Mark the trails. Mark within the trails. Something! Overall the park was pretty but I was disappointed and don't see myself returning. The parks in Montgomery County are educational, beautiful, and well marked.