COLUMBUS, OH -- Late fall and winter specials make it easier than ever to get away to a woodland cottage in a scenic and secluded Ohio State Park, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
Now's the time to make reservations for a family holiday gathering or a mid-winter escape to a cozy cottage with all the amenities and comforts of home.
"Off-season cottage stays in Ohio State Parks offer advantages not found during the busy summer months," said Dan West, Ohio State Parks chief. "Discounted rates make getaways especially appealing in the fall and winter."
Beginning November 1 and running through April 30, overnight visitors will receive $20 off the regular Sunday through Thursday night rate and $10 off the Friday and Saturday night rate on cottage stays at Cowan Lake State Park in Clinton County, Hocking Hills State Park in Hocking County and Pike Lake State Park in Pike County. The cottage special is available from November through March at Buck Creek State Park in Clark County and Pymatuning State Park in Ashtabula County. Lake Hope State Park in Vinton County offers the special rates after the Thanksgiving holiday period through March, while Dillon State Park in Muskingum County and Mohican State Park in Ashland and Richland counties begin offering the special rates in January through April.
From November 1 through April 30, overnight visitors get three nights for the price of two in cottages at Hueston Woods State Park in Preble County, Shawnee State Park in Scioto County, Burr Oak State Park in Morgan County, Salt Fork State Park in Guernsey County, Maumee Bay State Park in Lucas County and Punderson State Park in Geauga County. Off-season cottage specials are available now through April at Deer Creek State Park in Pickaway County. Overnight visitors can stay two or more nights for $129 per night. That's a $30 savings over the regular season rate!
Cottage reservations can be made for any state park (except Deer Creek) by calling 1-800-AT-A-PARK. Reservations for Deer Creek State Park cottages are available at 1-877-678-3337.
Each heated and carpeted family cottage is a complete home away from home. All feature two bedrooms, fully equipped kitchens with microwaves, baths with showers, and living rooms with televisions and sleep sofas. Dishes, cookware, utensils and linens are provided. Many locations also offer gas-log fireplaces and cable television, and a few cottages feature hot tubs.
Ohio State Parks offering year-round cottage rentals are:
Northeast:
Punderson State Park - Stay three nights for the price of two between November 1 and April 30 in any of 26 family cottages. Some holidays excepted.
Pymatuning State Park - Get $20 off the regular rate Sunday-Thursday and $10 off the Friday and Saturday rate from November 1 to March 31 in any of 26 family cottages. Special does not apply to holiday periods.
Northwest:
Maumee Bay State Park - Stay three nights for the price of two from November 1 to April 30 in any of 24 family cottages. Special does not apply to some holidays.
Southwest:
Hueston Woods State Park - Stay three nights for the price of two between November 1 and April 30 in one of 25 family cottages or two premium cottages. Some holidays excepted.
Buck Creek State Park - Get $20 off the weeknight rate and $10 off the Friday and Saturday rate between November 1 and March 31, excluding holidays. Twenty-seven family cottages available.
Cowan Lake State Park - Get $20 off the weeknight rate and $10 off the Friday and Saturday night rate between November 1 and April 30, excluding the Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day period. Special applies to the 25 family cottages.
Southeast:
Pike Lake State Park - Save $20 off the regular weeknight rate in October and May for the park's 12 family cottages. Save $20 off the regular weeknight rate and $10 off the Friday and Saturday night rate from November 1 to April 30. Special rates do not apply from November 28 - December 6.
Shawnee State Park - Get three nights for the price of two between November 1 and April 30 in any of 25 family cottages. Some holidays excepted.
Hocking Hills State Park - Get $20 off the weeknight rate and $10 off the Friday and Saturday rate between November 1 and April 30 on the park's 40 family cottages. Special does not apply to the Thanksgiving Day and Martin Luther King Day holiday periods.
Lake Hope State Park - Get $20 off the regular weekday rate and $10 off the Friday and Saturday rate for the park's 25 wildlife cottages.between December 7 and March 31. Save $20 off the regular weekday rate only in the park's 21 iron furnace cottages and 20 forest cottages between January 1 and March 31. Specials do not apply to some holiday periods.
Burr Oak State Park - Stay three nights for the price of two in the park's 30 family cottages between November 1 and April 30. Does not apply to some holiday periods.
Dillon State Park - Get $20 off the regular weeknight rate and $10 off the Friday and Saturday rate between January 1 and April 30 in the park's 29 family cottages. Special not available during some holiday weekends.
Salt Fork State Park - Get three nights for the price of two between November 1 and April 30 in the park's 54 family cottages. Special does not apply to some holidays.
Central:
Deer Creek State Park - Stay two or more nights for $129 per night year round. Regular weeknight rate is $159 per night, $169 per night on weekends.
Mohican State Park - Get $20 off the regular weeknight rate and $10 off the Friday and Saturday night rate between January 4 and April 30 in the park's 25 family cottages. Special does not apply to holidays.