What makes Russell's Point sights so special is the way history can be felt here not only in dusty plaques, but in every crumbling wooden bench on the lake. I remember the first time I drove the old state route 235 by car – a short trip from the I‐70, and suddenly you are in the heart of Washington Township, surrounded by fields that have been ordered by pioneers since the 1800s. The city itself was officially founded in 1915, but the area was long before a magnet for fishermen who used the clear water of the Indian Lake to escape the hard life in rural Ohio.
When you arrive in the small village centre, you can immediately realize that people here have a self-conception: they like to talk about the good old times while at the same time they praise the latest food truck on the main road – a contrast that makes me sneak every time. I don't quite understand the hype about the annual boat races, but the colorful driving on the shore is really great if you're honest.
A short stop at the local market, which is easily reached by bus from Logan, delivers fresh apples and a smile that says more than any brochure. And yes, if you're looking for Russell's Point attractions that aren't in every guide, just follow the tracks of the locals – that's the best route I know.
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To find the exact point where the sun disappears behind the skyline, use the azimuth display on poi-travel.de. In Russells Point, the sun travels further northwest below the horizon in summer, while in winter it takes a more southwesterly angle. With the embedded line on the map, you can determine your tripod position down to the metre.
The first place I have to mention here is that Indian Lake State Park, which extends only a few minutes south of Russells Point and offers more water than you would normally expect in Ohio. I made a picnic on the grassy hills on a hot afternoon of July, while some unshielded families paddle around the corner with inflatables – a picture that was almost too cheesy for my ironic veins, but still was really great. Parking is usually a Klacks, as long as you don't arrive at the weekend between 12 a.m. and 4 p.m., then the field becomes a small battlefield from fighting campers.
A short detour to Indian Lake Marina is worth seeing the water from a different perspective. I rented an old rowing boat there, more squeaking than an old refrigerator, and I drove over the glittering surface until I realized that I was only driving in circles all the time – a perfect example that not everything that shines really brings forward. The docks are well signposted, and the staff is friendly as long as you do not try to balance the boat with a coffee cup.
For those who prefer to stay on solid ground, this is Indian Lake Golf Course an underestimated jewel. I played a few rounds there while I wondered why the bunkers are always so perfectly placed that they themselves force the best golfer into their knees. The clubhouse bar area serves an amazingly good coffee, and parking is practically directly at the entrance area – a small bonus when you sit in the car after a long day.
A bit further south, almost on the edge of Logan, this is Logan State Park. There are not only hiking trails that lead through dense forests, but also a small lake that offers a mirror image of the colorful leaves in autumn. I remember a morning when I studied the trail maps with a friend and suddenly was surprised by a curious roe from the underwood – a short but impressive moment that showed me that nature has not yet been overrun by tourists. The parking lot is large enough to accommodate larger groups as long as you don't come on the first Saturday in July, then it's full of a concert.
If you're ready to drive a bit further to Zanesfield, you'll hit the Zane Shawnee Caverns, a cave system that has more than just a few drip stones to offer. I have made a guided tour where the guide told more about the story of Shawnee when I've ever read in a history book – and that while we climbed through narrow corridors that were hardly larger than a wardrobe. The caves are well lit, and parking is right in front of the entrance, which makes the whole quite uncomplicated as long as you don't get to a huge camper.
A short trip to Zanesfield also leads to Zanesfield Covered Bridge, one of the few preserved covered bridges in Ohio. I took a picture there that I later posted in my social media feed, just to see that the bridge doesn't seem so romantic when you hear the constant traffic of trucks that roll over it. Nevertheless, it is a nice place to briefly represent the legs, and parking is practically right next to the small car park that the city provides.
Last but not least, Logan County Historical Museum not missing, which is located in downtown Logan and houses a surprisingly extensive collection of artifacts from the region. I found an old farmer's calendar that reminded me of how much life has changed here over the decades – and that, although the museum itself is hardly larger than an average supermarket. The entrance is free, and parking is possible at the back entrance of the museum, which means that you do not have to navigate through the busy main road.
Whether you are looking for a relaxing day in the water, an adventurous cave expedition or a small history excursion – the surroundings of Russells Point offer a colourful mix of activities that can satisfy every traveller. Despite some logistical stumbling stones, the region remains a real secret tip, and I can only say: Russells Point Attractions will quickly realize that there is more than one would suspect at first glance.
The story of Russells Point begins long before the first amusement park I discovered there – it starts with the shimmering water of Indian Lake, which has attracted generations of Ohio holidaymakers since the 1950s. I have to admit that I have never understood the whole hype about the “Lake-Lifestyle”, but the glittering panorama from the shore is a real eye-catcher, especially when the sun sinks over the water and the boats disappear like colorful points in the dunst.
When the first time Russells Point Marina you will immediately realize that more than just boats are waiting here. I met an old angler there who told me that he has been throwing his linen out here for over thirty years – and that, although parking on weekends is sometimes a small battlefield, because the few places are quickly occupied by campers. A short walk along the wooden pear groves leads you to a small kiosk where you get a surprisingly good fish and chips wrap – no joke, that is better than some expensive beach bar.
A short detour to Indian Lake State Park is almost obligatory if you are looking for the real outdoor feeling. The park offers hiking trails that not only lead through dense jaws, but also past hidden streams that allow a refreshing bath in summer. I once made a picnic with my neighbour who confessed that he actually prefers to stay in the living room because he is afraid of insects – yet he loved the crunchy applemus from the local bakery that we enjoyed next to the lake.
For those who prefer to stay on solid ground, there is Russells Point Beach. The sand is not exactly white as in Florida, but it has character – a bit rough, a bit crunchy, and that makes it an authentic place where you can dive your toes into the lake without feeling like standing in an artificial water landscape. The bath towel rental system is somewhat old-fashioned, but works, and parking is usually a Klacks, as long as you don't arrive on Saturday night, then it becomes a real problem.
Another highlight I always like to mention is that Indian Lake Golf Club. The place is right by the lake, so you almost feel like you're playing over the water. I met a friend there who claimed he was a “professional” although he hardly made a birdie more than a par – yet the view was so beautiful that I almost forgot that I had forgotten my golf clubs. The club has a small clubhouse where you get a cool iced tea, and this is almost as refreshing in the summer as a jump into the water.
If you want to make a little story, take a look at the Russells Point Water Tower. This rusty colossus is not only an orientation point for the locals, but also a popular photo motif for Instagram users who like to hold the “authentic Ohio feeling”. I once made a selfie there, which my friend later referred to as “artwork” – I think it meant more “a luscious photo of an old water tower”.
To finish my little tour through Russells Point Attractions I would like to Russells Point Library mention. It is small, but cozy, and the staff there knows every visitor by name – at least when you come by more often. I found a book about the local flora that made me plan a few hikes in the State Park, because I suddenly had the need to name the plants that I otherwise only saw voluntarily.
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