Get In Touch
Want to talk diving, camping, or adventuring?
We’re ready! Drop us a line.
Contact Info
(419) 456-3300
info@gilboaquarry.com
3763 Old State Rte 224,
Ottawa, OH 45875
High-Season Hours
(May 16 – Oct 12)
Our Standard Hours of Operation adjust with the dive season. Check back often or contact us.
Monday-Thursday: 9:00am to 6:00pm
Friday: 9:00am to 7:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am to 7:00pm
Sunday: 8:00am to 5:00pm
*Hours Subject to Change*
Off-Season Hours
(Nov 1 – May 15)
Our Standard Hours of Operation adjust with the dive season. Check back often or contact us.
Monday-Friday: by appointment only
Saturday & Sunday: 9:00am to 5:00pm
*No check-ins after 3:00pm – OFF SEASON ONLY*
**Hours Subject to Change**
Directions
Address
3763 Old State Rte 224, Ottawa, OH 45875
Looking for clear directions to our location just outside Ottawa, Ohio?
We’re conveniently located along Old State Route 224, making us easy to reach from many surrounding towns and highways in Putnam County and northwest Ohio.
From Ottawa, OH (Downtown)
Head east on OH-15 E/OH-65 S/E Main St. Continue onto US-224 E for about 3 miles. Turn left onto Old State Route 224 — we’re just ahead on the right.
From Findlay, OH (25 minutes)
Take US-224 W out of Findlay for approximately 22 miles. Turn right onto Old State Route 224, and you’ll find us shortly down the road.
From Lima, OH (35 minutes)
Head north on I-75 N for about 13 miles. Take exit 135 for US-224 E toward Ottawa. Stay on US-224 E for roughly 20 miles. Turn left onto Old State Route 224 — we’ll be just a short drive in.
From Bowling Green, OH (40 minutes)
Drive south on OH-25 S to US-6 E, then take OH-235 S to US-224 W. Continue west on US-224 for about 10 miles, then turn right onto Old State Route 224.
Welcome to Gilboa Quarry – Ohio’s Premier SCUBA Diving Destination
Located just outside Ottawa, Ohio, Gilboa Quarry is the Midwest’s top freshwater destination for SCUBA diving, freediving, snorkeling, paddle boarding, and kayaking. This spring-fed quarry offers crystal-clear waters, a wide variety of aquatic life, and an unforgettable range of underwater attractions that make it ideal for both beginners and experienced adventurers.
For over 30 years, Gilboa Quarry has been a trusted training site for novice, advanced, and technical divers across Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and beyond. With depths ranging from 60 to 140 feet, the quarry is perfect for deep diving, open water certification, and technical practice.
Whether you’re here for a weekend dive, a scenic paddle, or a camping getaway, Gilboa Quarry is your go-to destination for freshwater fun in Northwest Ohio.
Why Divers Choose Gilboa Quarry
- Spring-fed waters with exceptional visibility
- Ideal depth zones for a range of dive training levels
- Sunken vehicles, aircraft, swim-throughs, and dive platforms
- Welcoming to dive schools and instructors throughout the Midwest
- Incredible aquatic life, including:
- Bass, bluegill, and catfish
- The famous paddlefish gliding gracefully through the depths
- The lone sturgeon, a rare and legendary resident
- Trout swirling together in the iconic “troutnado”
Not a Diver? You’re Still Welcome!
We welcome snorkelers, paddle boarders, kayakers, and swimmers too! Our designated swim beach area is perfect for relaxing and soaking up the sun. Plus, you can now enjoy the quarry from the surface with our new paddle board and kayak rentals.
Learn to Dive Near Gilboa Quarry
While Gilboa Quarry doesn’t offer its own dive school, we’ve partnered with highly rated SCUBA shops across Ohio and the Midwest to help you get started. Whether you’re coming from Toledo, Columbus, Cincinnati, Detroit, or Indianapolis, there’s a dive center nearby.
Camp at Gilboa Quarry
Want to stay overnight? We’ve got you covered:
- Tent camping – first come, first serve
- RV parking – reservation required
- 24/7 bathhouse access – hot showers and changing rooms
Note: Concessions are limited to snacks and cold beverages, so please bring your own meals and drinks. Our on-site food truck “Gilboa Grindz” offers a selection of foods and accepts cash, tap payment, and venmo.
Coming Soon: Bathhouse renovations, outdoor showers, expanded retail space, additional dive amenities, and enhanced food options.
Visit Us in Northwest Ohio
We’re located at 3763 Old State Route 224, Ottawa, OH 45875, easily accessible from US-224 and close to Findlay, Lima, Bowling Green, and Leipsic. Whether you’re planning a weekend dive, a scenic paddle, or a camping getaway, Gilboa Quarry is your go-to destination for freshwater fun in Northwest Ohio.
A Look Into Our Past
Gilboa Quarry began its life as a limestone rock quarry back in the 1890s. While detailed records are scarce, we know that the Ottawa Stone Company operated the site from the late 1950s through the early 1980s. The primary material mined here was dolomite, a type of limestone prized for its durability and use in construction and concrete production.
In 1957, mineralogists reported the presence of purple fluorite crystals within the quarry. Though small—measuring up to just 1mm in size—these fluorite crystals stood out for their vivid violet hue and classic cubic form. Fluorite is well-known in geological circles for its vibrant coloration and optical clarity, making even tiny specimens noteworthy. Their presence adds a unique and colorful layer to the quarry’s geological legacy.
Since 1990, Gilboa Quarry has been transformed into a premier SCUBA diving site. Under the leadership of former owner Mike Williams, the quarry became a training ground for both technical and novice divers. Williams introduced a variety of underwater attractions to enhance the experience, including a Grumman airplane, a Sikorsky helicopter, and other submerged structures.
Thanks to the quarry’s consistent bottom temperatures—rarely rising above the low 40s (°F)—the water provides ideal conditions for preserving submerged objects. This cold, stable environment helps maintain the integrity of features like our airplane, helicopter, school bus, and other sunken installations, offering divers a shipwreck-like experience right here in Northwest Ohio.
