Photo Provided A recent addition to Seneca Lake Park is an extensive splash pad with long water slides, many fountains and covered seating areas.

TAPPAN — Area residents wanting to get away don’t need to drive far to immerse themselves in scenic beauty and outdoor recreation.

Under the direction of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, Tappan Lake in Deersville and Seneca Park in Senecaville offer some new recreational opportunities while retaining the lovely, natural settings that has attracted visitors to them for many years.

Many youth have enjoyed taking a dip in Tappan Lake’s swimming area or building sand castles on its beach.

But more recent visitors to the park also will find, not far away, two bicycle pump tracks with slopes and turns designed to thrill riders of all ages.

Another new addition is an activity zone with courts in which to play basketball, pickleball and gaga ball, the latter a sport similar to dodgeball but played with a softer ball.

There also are corn hole boards and a community fire pit.

Tappan Lake stretches across 2,350 acres and is well suited for fishing, boating and kayaking.

It’s surrounded by 5,000 acres of park with multiple trails, picnic areas and campsites, including rustic tent sites, cozy cabins and spots for recreational vehicles with all hook-ups.

Those who enjoy sailing may rent a pontoon or launch their own boat. The park’s full-service marina offers fuel, snacks and other supplies.

Occupying 3,550 acres, Seneca Lake has been a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

It offers comfortable cabins, rustic camp sites and opportunities for boating, fishing, swimming, hiking and wildlife watching.

A recent addition to the park is an extensive splash pad with long water slides, many fountains and covered seating areas. Offering a fun way to cool off, it complements the lake’s swimming area.

Seneca Lake Park includes many miles of trails. For families with young children, there’s a storybook trail on which visitors may stop to read posted pages of a children’s book along the way.

Vacation cabins at both parks include a bathroom, fully equipped kitchen, two bedrooms and an outdoor eating area with picnic table, charcoal grill and fire ring.

Seneca Lake Park also offers patio and camper cabins, which are more rustic but are an alternative to sleeping in tents.

Trail lovers planning to visit any of nearly a dozen Ohio parks overseen by the Muskingum Watershed District may use OuterSpatial, a free app, to plan their outdoor adventures.