A picnic site at Van Buren State Park.

City / town · Ohio

Van Buren

A picnic site at Van Buren State Park.

Best timeApr–Oct
From you
Nearest airportTOL · 32 mi
On this page

Overview

Van Buren is a village in Hancock County in Northwest Ohio. Located next to I-75, it is primarily visited as either a brief stop for travelers on the interstate, or as a destination for those visiting the large state park located there.

1 sights · 4 things to do · 1 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Van Buren

Village Square

Village Square

The historic village square is easily walkable, and has some quaint architecture.

Van Buren State Park

Van Buren State Park

A large public park surrounding a lake with hiking and horse trails, as well as camping sites. Boating and fishing is allowed on the lake with a licence. Bow hunting is permitted with a licence.

Black Knights

Van Buren Schools has a variety of sports teams that play as the Black Knights. Sports include Football, Baseball, Soccer, and Basketball.

Allen Township Sports Plex

Has open baseball diamonds and soccer fields for recreation.

Van Buren Lions Club Apple Butter Festival

A festival of apple butter, foodstuff from food trucks, crafts, and music.

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 20°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: May and Apr. (climate data from nearby Toledo)

Jan: 2.4 in rain2.4"Jan: high 35°F, low 20°F35°20°JanFeb: 2.3 in rain2.3"Feb: high 38°F, low 22°F38°22°FebMar: 2.6 in rain2.6"Mar: high 48°F, low 30°F48°30°MarApr: 3.5 in rain3.5"Apr: high 62°F, low 40°F62°40°AprMay: 3.8 in rain3.8"May: high 73°F, low 51°F73°51°MayJun: 3.5 in rain3.5"Jun: high 83°F, low 60°F83°60°JunJul: 3.3 in rain3.3"Jul: high 86°F, low 64°F86°64°JulAug: 3.2 in rain3.2"Aug: high 84°F, low 63°F84°63°AugSep: 2.9 in rain2.9"Sep: high 78°F, low 55°F78°55°SepOct: 2.6 in rain2.6"Oct: high 65°F, low 44°F65°44°OctNov: 2.7 in rain2.7"Nov: high 51°F, low 34°F51°34°NovDec: 2.4 in rain2.4"Dec: high 39°F, low 26°F39°26°Dec

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

  • From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
  • TOL Eugene F. Kranz Toledo Express Airport, Toledo — 32 mi away. Directions
  • DTW Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Detroit — 76 mi away (major hub). Directions

I-75 runs along Van Buren North of Findlay and south of North Baltimore

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Sample 1-day itinerary

Day 1

  • Morning Village Square, Black Knights, Van Buren State Park
  • Lunch Iron Skillet
  • Afternoon Allen Township Sports Plex, Van Buren Lions Club Apple Butter Festival
  • Evening Dragon's Lair

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

Cuisine (tap to filter)

What to ask about, for your diet

    Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

    Photos

    A picnic site at Van Buren State Park.Village SquareVan Buren State ParkDragon's LairVan Buren Lake

    Map

    Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

    Understand

    Van Buren was founded in 1833 and was named after the then vice president Martin Van Buren, who would later go on to become the 8th President.

    Get in

    By car

    I-75 runs along Van Buren North of Findlay and south of North Baltimore

    By bike

    Go Slippery Elm Trail

    A trail that goes from North Baltimore to Bowling Green. The trailhead in North Baltimore is 5 mi north from Van Buren on flat country roads.

    ⚠ Last checked Mar 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Get around

    As a small village, Van Buren is easy to get around with a car, bike, or on foot.

    See

    Village Square

    See Village Square

    The historic village square is easily walkable, and has some quaint architecture.

    💲 Free⚠ Last checked Oct 2018 — confirm before you go
    Maps

    Do

    Van Buren State Park

    Do Van Buren State Park

    A large public park surrounding a lake with hiking and horse trails, as well as camping sites. Boating and fishing is allowed on the lake with a licence. Bow hunting is permitted with a licence.

    📍 12259 Township Road 218💲 Free⚠ Last checked Jun 2021 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Do Allen Township Sports Plex

    Has open baseball diamonds and soccer fields for recreation.

    📍 12829 State Route 613⚠ Last checked Sep 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Do Black Knights

    Van Buren Schools has a variety of sports teams that play as the Black Knights. Sports include Football, Baseball, Soccer, and Basketball.

    📍 217 S Main St☎ +1 419 299-3384⚠ Last checked Dec 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Do Van Buren Lions Club Apple Butter Festival (Apple Butter Festival)

    A festival of apple butter, foodstuff from food trucks, crafts, and music.

    🕒 Early October⚠ Last checked Oct 2018 — confirm before you go
    Maps

    Buy

    As a small village, Van Buren does not have many regularly open shopping opportunities.

    Shop Pilot Convenience Store

    Has some chain food outlets and basic travel goods.

    ⚠ Last checked Sep 2019 — confirm before you go
    Maps

    Eat

    Eat Iron Skillet (Petro)

    In a travel plaza off of I75. It's not fancy but can provide a filling meal on a road trip.

    📍 12906 Deshler Rd, North Baltimore☎ +1 419 257-3744⚠ Last checked Feb 2017 — confirm before you go
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    MapsWebsite

    Drink

    Dragon's Lair

    Drink Dragon's Lair (New York Pizza & Pub)

    Pizza

    Typical thin crust pizza place, with a wide variety of toppings.

    📍 109 S Main St☎ +1 419 299-3620⚠ Last checked Sep 2020 — confirm before you go
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    Maps

    Sleep

    Stay Van Buren State Park

    The park offers a few different lodging options. There's a regular camp, an equestrian camp with special amenities for horses, and handicap accessible cabins.

    ⚠ Last checked Dec 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Go next

    Place Findlay

    The closest city to Van Buren, and the biggest city in Hancock county.

    Travel south on I-75, or take main street south.⚠ Last checked Jul 2017 — confirm before you go
    Maps

    Place Bowling Green

    The next closest city, the county seat of the nearby Wood County. Easily reachable by car on I75, or by bicycle on the nearby Slippery Elm Trail.

    Travel north on I-75⚠ Last checked Jul 2017 — confirm before you go
    Maps

    Place Bluffton

    A small college town south of Findlay.

    ⚠ Last checked Mar 2019 — confirm before you go
    Maps

    Nearby

    My experience

    Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.