No detected openings were recorded in the last 90 days. Campsite Sniper monitors Michael J. Kirwan Damsite Recreation Area continuously and will alert you if that changes.
Of the 6 tracked reservation dates (May 1 – May 3, 2027): 6 open for online reservation.
Where the open windows are
Load status
May 1 – May 3, 2027Of the open reservation dates on mapped day-use units, 2 fall on weekdays and 4 on weekends (Fri–Sun).
Open dates by month
May 2027 – May 2027May holds the most room. 6 of 6 reservation dates are still open there.
Holiday windows — day use
Units open per date · of 2 shelters| Window | Date | Units open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memorial Day | FRI May 28 | 0 | None open |
| SAT May 29 | 0 | None open | |
| SUN May 30 | 0 | None open | |
| MON May 31 | 0 | None open |
Memorial Day: no online availability on any tracked date.
Availability by shelter
Most open reservation dates · tracked window| Shelter | Open reservation dates |
|---|---|
| Michael J. Kirwan Damsite Shelter AM | 3 |
| Michael J. Kirwan Damsite Shelter PM | 3 |
The 2 shelters with the most open reservation dates in the current snapshot. Pair a bookable date with a free alert to cover everything else.
Tracked window
CoverageCampsite Sniper's data for this facility starts May 1, 2027. That is about 180 days after the current snapshot was taken, so dates before May 1, 2027 are not covered by what Campsite Sniper tracks here — they are not known to be unavailable. The reservation dates shown on this page describe May 1, 2027 onwards only. Check Recreation.gov for earlier dates.
Reservation dates
All 2 shelters with current availability
| Shelter | Open reservation dates | Consecutive dates | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael J. Kirwan Damsite Shelter AM | 3 | 3 dates | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| Michael J. Kirwan Damsite Shelter PM | 3 | 3 dates | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
About Michael J. Kirwan Damsite Recreation Area
Overview
The Michael J. Kirwan Dam Site Recreation Area provides an attractive setting where visitors can spend the day picnicking, fishing, hiking or enjoying nature's beauty. The Michael J. Kirwan Dam Site Recreation Area is located adjacent to the Visitor Center on Wayland Road. The area provides easy access to the causeway of the dam --a popular hiking, biking, and fishing destination-- and includes exercise equipment, a swing set, and gardens on site.
The shelter is reservable from May to September and is first-come-first-serve the remainder of the year. The shelter is located within walking distance of the dam and electric, tables, and grills are included. Reservations can be made at Recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777
Recreation
Visitors to the park will find numerous, well maintained facilities available for fishing, hiking, picnicking, camping, boating, and other year-round outdoor activities. Visitors of all ages are invited to explore the rich history and fascinating features of the Visitor Center located on Wayland Road. A series of programs are offered highlighting the natural, cultural and historical significance of the reservoir and its surrounding area. You may also experience our unique wildlife platform, where you can see the flora and fauna of the area and maybe even catch a glimpse of wild turkeys.
The reservoir and the majority of its surrounding lands are leased by the Corps of Engineers to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources as West Branch State Park.
Natural Features
Surrounded by the lush, green farmland of Northern Ohio, Michael J. Kirwan Dam & Reservoir provides miles of clean waters and scenic countryside for your enjoyment. The reservoir is located on the West Branch of the Mahoning River and covers over 3,000 acres. The shores of the reservoir boast shady hardwood forests where deer, turkey, and other wildlife are plentiful and the lake provides excellent opporunities for fishing. The numerous deep feeder channels and shallow shoreline provide habitat for a variety of fish species including walleye, muskie, striped bass, large and smallmouth bass, crappie, and bluegills.
Nearby Attractions
There are 1.3 miles of hiking trails on Corps managed lands, including the Discovery Recreation Area Trail System located off Kestrel Way, and the Tailwaters Trail located on Wayland Road. The wildlife platform is located on the Discovery Trail. The Buckeye Trail loop now crosses the dam and encompasses the entire lake for more information on the Buckeye Trail, visit www.buckeyetrail.org. The ODNR maintains several other hiking, mountain bike and bridle trails as well as a horse camp area.
Getting there
From East or West: Take Exit 48 (State Route 225) off of interstate 76 and travel north 2 miles to Cable Line Rd. There will be a left turn lane there and a cemetary on right. Turn left on Cable Line Road. Go 1 mile to Wayland Rd. and turn right. Travel approximately 3/4 mile on Wayland Rd., the Visitor Center will be located on your left side. From North: Take State Route 14 South, turn left onto State Route 5 East and travel 8 miles. You will pass Ravenna Arsenal on the left side. Turn right on Wayland Rd. and travel approximately 2 miles. The Visitor Center will be located on your right side.
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
Photo gallery
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Michael J. Kirwan Damsite Recreation Area?
Reservations for Michael J. Kirwan Damsite Recreation Area are made through Recreation.gov. The current snapshot shows substantial availability: 6 of 6 tracked reservation dates are open (100%), though availability can change. Pick the shelter on the map to see its reservation calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this facility for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Nov 2, 2026 19:20 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
Which month has the most availability at Michael J. Kirwan Damsite Recreation Area?
May 2027, with 6 open reservation dates in the current snapshot of 6.
When is the next open date at Michael J. Kirwan Damsite Recreation Area?
Campsite Sniper cannot answer that from the current snapshot. The availability data held for Michael J. Kirwan Damsite Recreation Area begins May 1, 2027 — about 180 days after this snapshot was taken, so any earlier dates are outside what Campsite Sniper is tracking here rather than known to be unavailable. Check Recreation.gov for dates before May 1, 2027.
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Choose the reservation dates you want at Michael J. Kirwan Damsite Recreation Area.
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When a selected date becomes available, you get a push with a Recreation.gov link so you can review and book it yourself.