Step Into A Mystical Wonderland At Ohio's Independence Dam State Park
By Sarah McCosham|Published February 21, 2023
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
There are so many enchanting hidden gems in Ohio that even lifelong Ohioans are constantly stumbling upon someplace new. Independence Dam State Park is one such treasure; this Ohio State Park is an oft-overlooked gem located on the banks of the majestic Maumee State Scenic River and it’s a mystical wonderland for adventure seekers.
This beautiful scene looks like something straight out of a Tolkien story or fairy tale, doesn't it? A glorious blue pool reflecting shockingly verdant flora and commanding trees?
Independence Dam State Park is located along the banks of the beautiful Maumee State Scenic River, an area of Ohio that doesn't get nearly the attention it deserves.
The Maumee Valley area where Independence Dam State Park is located was once home to a vast forest. Today the Maumee Valley's forest is much smaller, much of it along the Maumee River. Great sycamores, black locusts, beech and maple trees can still be seen lining the river through the park, however, and there is an abundance of woodland wildflowers, including jewelweed, violets, and spring beauties within its acreage.
A place where land and water meet, the dam at Independence Dam State Park was built in 1924, replacing the original wooden dam on the Maumee River. Canals once had a great influence on the area, in fact; large cities were built along the canals and developed into important trade and industrial centers during the heyday of this unique form of commerce.
One of the best hikes in the area, come and walk along the three-mile hiking trail once the towpath of the Miami and Erie Canal. The trail meanders between the canal and river and through a hardwood forest and is considered quite accessible for most.
Before you "come back" to reality, stop and enjoy a sunset at this Ohio State Park. The way the waters seem to come ablaze in color with the setting sun is a scene worth sticking around to see!
