Recreation

Come see why Mercer County is such a great place to PLAY.

You might like it so much you make it your great place to LIVE!

A decade average of “750,000 tourists a year” can’t be wrong…

You can be as busy or relaxed as you want in Mercer County. Sitting in the heart of the Grand Lake St. Marys Region of West-Central Ohio, Mercer County has been a vacation destination for millions of people over decades – with tourism averaging 750,000 people each year in the last ten years alone. Whether you are looking for a great escape weekend away from the bustle of everyday life, or planning a relaxing summer adventure sojourning from one state park to another – The Grand Lake St. Marys Region has something for everyone.

Check out these listings for great water sport activities, nature trails, museums, historic architecture, religious sites, country road treasures, and much more!

Grand Lake St. Marys

Mercer County has 11,722 acres in state parks, forests, nature preserves, and wildlife areas. Grand Lake St. Marys State Park is the largest. The lake, by itself, was known as the largest man made lake in the world during the 1840s when it was constructed as a feeder lake for the Miami-Erie Canal. Today it is affectionately called Ohio’s Other Great Lake, and is distinguished as Ohio’s largest inland lake. With over 13,500 acres and 52 miles of shoreline (much of it accessible to the public).

Grand Lake Pontoon Rentals

Call 419-586-BOAT (2628) or email pontoondealer@aol.com.

Bayview Sun and Snow Pontoon Rentals

Grand Lake Regional Trails Map (walking & bicycling paths)

Love the outdoors? Looking for a great place to bike, walk, run, or skate? Then you will love exploring the following trails and pathways of Mercer County.

Celina – Coldwater Bike Path (4.5 Miles)
Celina – St. Marys Bike Path on Route 703 (9 Miles)
Franklin Township Greenway Trail (7 Miles)
Grand Lake St. Marys’ East Bank Path (2 Miles)
Grand Lake St. Marys’ West Bank Trail (7,000 Feet)
Miami-Erie Canal Towpath (40 Mile Historical Trail along State
Route 66 from Delphos to Ft. Loramie) To learn more about the Miami-Erie Canal Corridor, visit: www.meccainc.org.

Celina Lynx Golf Club (formerly Fox’s Den)

1221 Irmscher Blvd
Celina, OH 45822
Phone: 419-586-3102

The Celina Lynx Golf Club is located on Irmscher Boulevard just off State Route 29 at the east edge of Celina. Formally know as the Fox’s Den Golf Course, the Celina Lynx has been open to the public since May 1995 and offers 18 holes of challenging golf play. The 18 hole championship lynx course was designed by Jim Fazio, measures 6874 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 125 and a 72.4 USGA rating.

Mercer County Elks Golf Club

3242 US Route 127
Celina, OH 45822
Phone: 419-925-4215

The Elks Golf Club 18 hole course is located on U.S. 127 south of Celina. Located in the heart of Mercer County and farm country, you will find the Mercer County Elks Golf Club, one of the finest golf courses in West Central Ohio. The Mercer County Elks was started in 1960 with the purchase of a 138 acre farm located just off of US Rte. 127. The Mercer County Elks Golf Club is a great place to either test your game or just get away from the rigors of life. Located just 7 miles south of Celina, the Mercer County Elks is a great location for you to come visit.

Auglaize-Mercer Counties Family YMCA

Phone: 419-586-9622

The YMCA has two facilities in the area, Celina and New Bremen. The Celina facility is located on S.R. 703E adjacent to Wright State University – Lake Campus.

Greater Grand Lake Region Visitors Center

Phone: 419-394-1294 or 800-860-4726

Additional information on tourism in the area can be provided by the visitors bureau.

Ohio Historic West

Ohio’s Historic West” is a State Designated Heritage Area dedicated to the development of cultural and heritage tourism in a ten county area; Auglaize, Champaign, Clark, Darke, Hardin, Logan, Mercer, Miami, Shelby, Van Wert. It is truly a patchwork of diverse places, and highlights many historic, cultural, scenic, and agricultural sites and attractions.

Parks & Recreation

There are many parks in the area, belonging both to Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the City of Celina. ODNR parks are West Bank, located on the West Bank of Grand Lake off U.S. 127 in Celina; Windy Point located on the south side of Grand Lake off State Route 219; Grand Lake Park on the east side of the lake off 703 E.; Harbor Point on the north side of the lake off 703 E. on Harbor Point Drive.