Punderson State Park is a 741-acre park in Geauga County built around Ohio‘s largest and deepest natural kettle lake, with an English Tudor manor lodge, cabins, and a campground. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
This guide was updated in July 2026. Two details worth flagging: the park’s nature center has recently been renovated, and the lodge’s indoor and outdoor pools are open to the public only Sunday through Thursday, at $12 per person, rather than daily or free of charge.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | 6am–11pm, daily |
| Ticket prices | Free day-use entry; lodge pool $12/person (Sun–Thu) |
| Address | 11755 Kinsman Road, Newbury, Ohio 44065 |
| Nearest transport/parking | No public transit; free on-site parking |
| Typical time needed | Half a day to a full day |
Punderson State Park opening hours
Punderson State Park is open daily from 6am to 11pm. Certain activities are permitted outside these hours; check with the park office if your plans require it.
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Punderson State Park ticket prices
There is no entrance fee to visit Punderson State Park, since Ohio state parks don’t charge for day use.
The lodge’s indoor and outdoor pools are open to the public Sunday through Thursday for $12 per person; this is separate from general park admission and doesn’t run every day of the week.
Disc golf is free to play on the park’s 36-hole course, though equipment can be rented seasonally from the camp store. Golf on the 18-hole Punderson Manor course carries its own green fees; reservations are advisable, and required for weekend play.
Cabins (26 available, year-round) and 31 lodge guest rooms are booked separately through Punderson Manor Lodge, and campsites are booked through reserveohio.com or by calling (866) 644-6727.
Hours and facility details were checked on the official Punderson State Park page and last updated in July 2026.
How to get to Punderson State Park
Punderson State Park is in Newbury Township, Geauga County, about 40 miles east of Cleveland. From I-480 east, continue onto I-422 east, take the Route 44 exit north to the intersection with Route 87, then turn left onto Route 87 west; the park entrance is about 2 miles ahead.
There’s no public transit service to the park, so a car is the most practical way to visit.
Parking at Punderson State Park
Free parking is available throughout the park, including at the marina, campground, and lodge.
How long to spend at Punderson State Park
Most visitors spend half a day to a full day at Punderson State Park, given the range of activities on offer, from the lake and trails to golf and disc golf.
Overnight guests staying in the lodge, cabins, or campground often build a full weekend around the park.
Accessibility at Punderson State Park
Punderson State Park doesn’t publish a detailed accessibility guide online. Contact the park office at (440) 564-2279 for specific accessibility questions ahead of a visit.
Inside Punderson State Park: what to see
Punderson Lake, the largest and deepest natural kettle lake in Ohio, formed roughly 14,000 years ago as the last glacier to cover the state retreated. Hand-powered boats and electric-motor boats are permitted, with one launch ramp and kayak, canoe, and paddleboard rental at the camp store.
The English Tudor manor lodge took nearly 20 years to build, with construction starting in 1929 but not finishing until 1948; it reopened to the public in 1956 after a full remodel, and has long carried a reputation among guests for reported ghost sightings.
The disc golf course has 36 holes and is open year-round, including the only island basket found anywhere in the Ohio state park system.
The trail network covers about 11 miles across seven hiking trails and one multi-use trail, several of which open to snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in winter.
In winter, a lighted sledding hill with a tow rope for rented tubes operates alongside marked snowmobile and cross-country ski trails, weather permitting.
Beyond the main lake, Pine Lake, near the disc golf course, and Stump Lake, near the campground, are also open to fishing for bluegill, largemouth bass, rainbow trout, and catfish, with bow fishing permitted for carp.
Practical visitor tips
| Topic | Tip |
|---|---|
| Timing | Visit on a weekday for a quieter lake and fewer golfers on the course. |
| Crowds | Winter weekends can be busy at the sledding hill, so arrive early if tubing is the plan. |
| Layout | Start near the marina for boating and the beach, then explore the trail network from there. |
| Entry process | There’s no gate or ticket for day use; lodge, cabin, and campsite guests check in separately. |
| On-site logistics | Call the trail hotline at (440) 564-7825 for current winter trail conditions before a snow-based visit. |
Frequently asked questions about Punderson State Park
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Punderson State Park free to visit? | Yes, day-use entry is free; some activities like the lodge pool and golf carry separate fees. |
| Do you need to book the lodge or cabins in advance? | Yes, rooms, cabins, and campsites should be reserved ahead, especially on weekends. |
| Is Punderson State Park open year-round? | Yes, it’s open daily, with winter activities like sledding and skiing when conditions permit. |
| Are dogs allowed at Punderson State Park? | Pets aren’t allowed on the swimming beach, though they’re welcome in select cabins. |
| Is there a fee to play disc golf at Punderson? | No, the 36-hole course is free to play; only equipment rental carries a charge. |
Things to do near Punderson State Park
The Century Village Museum in Burton, a collection of historic Geauga County buildings, is about 15 minutes away.
Big Creek Park, part of the Geauga Park District, is about 15 minutes away.
Chardon Square, the historic centre of the Geauga County seat, is about 15 minutes away.
West Woods Park, another Geauga Park District nature area with trails, is about 20 minutes away.
Nelson Ledges State Park, known for its rock formations and hiking trails, is about 25 minutes away.
What to visit tomorrow
Mosquito Lake State Park, a large reservoir with boating and camping, is about 40 minutes away.
West Branch State Park, another lake-centred park with camping and trails, is about 45 minutes away.
Pymatuning State Park, straddling the Ohio-Pennsylvania border on a large reservoir, is about 1 hour away.
Mohican State Park, with a lodge, cabins, and forested gorge trails, is about 1 hour 30 minutes away.
Salt Fork State Park, Ohio’s largest state park, with a lodge and lake, is about 2 hours away.
More Ohio travel
Other Ohio travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- What you need to know before visiting the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland.
- Visitor guide to the Cleveland History Center.
- Review of the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.
- What to expect at the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Meet the wildlife at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.
- Practical guide to visiting Brandywine Falls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
