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Oxbow Lake Wildlife Area
4.6 ★★★★★ 192 Google reviews · Running trail in Defiance, Ohio · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Oxbow Lake Wildlife Area's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
State park lake, featuring fishing as well as hunting and walking paths.
What runners say about Oxbow Lake Wildlife Area
“Oxbow Lake is a wonderful, serene and beautiful state park lake.”
Oxbow Lake is a wonderful, serene and beautiful state park lake. There are many fishing spots along the banks, but if you have a kayak, canoe or small boat you'll find some great fishing holes. There is a designated clay pigeon area and plenty of acres for deer and other small game hunting.
Nice place to have walk/run. Not to bad for fishing without a gas motor. They need to have like a park type area for maybe like picnics and playground or something for the kids.
Wonderful place for a quiet walk...dogs are allowed....i also see a a goid amount of fisherman
Nice nature area. Very relaxing and quiet. Attempted to fish but they were not biting. But I did enjoy the nature around me. The lake has 4 or 5 peninsulas you can walk out quite a ways on for better fishing. And a nice boat dock. Also sounded like a shooting range there.
Trail conditions & character
“Oxbow Lake is a wonderful, serene and beautiful state park lake.”
“Beware, there is no restroom due to some vandals burning down the porta-potty a few years back.”
Plan your run at Oxbow Lake Wildlife Area
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
- Websitewildlife.ohiodnr.gov
- Phone(800) 945-3543
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–7 PM |
Running trails near Defiance
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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