Camping is one of Ohio's favorite pastimes, and campgrounds of every size and style can be found throughout the state.
Ohio was once the edge of frontier country, and if you're someone who enjoys the outdoors, sleeping under the stars, and cooking over an open fire, the Buckeye state has a seemingly endless supply of campgrounds and cabins available. Getting back to nature is one of Ohio's favorite pastimes, so whether you're going RVing, renting a small hut out in the woods, or sleeping in a tent on a secluded primitive site, campgrounds of every size and style can be found throughout the state.
One of Ohio's best resources is the state park system. With seventy-four sites, just about every part of Ohio includes a state park with camping and recreation facilities. In addition to campsites, each park includes a variety of activities, from swimming and hiking to horseback riding and boating.
Located in eastern Ohio, near Cambridge, Salt Fork is one of Ohio's best-known campgrounds. It's certainly the largest, boasting over twenty thousand acres of land and water. The two hundred campsites all include electricity, and are located near shower houses and flush toilets. Several of the sites are even handicapped-accessible. Pets are permitted in designated areas, as long as they're leashed. Salt Fork includes a boat landing, a beach for swimming, kids' activities, and golfing. Fishing is an incredibly popular way to spend time at Salt Fork, because the lakes are full of walleye, largemouth bass, crappies and bluegill. If tent or RV camping isn't really your thing, Salt Fork also has several two-bedroom cottages for rent, and there's a 148-room lodge overlooking the lake.
Centrally-located Alum Creek State Park is found just north of Columbus, and offers visitors some of the most beautiful scenery in the area. With its reservoir, tranquil coves, and gently rolling woodland, Alum Creek is a camper's paradise. It includes nearly three hundred sites with electrical hookups, dump stations, and fully operational shower houses. One of Alum Creek's most spectacular features is the system of hiking trails. Over forty miles of trail wind through wooded scenery, and can be utilized by either hikers or horseback riders. A primitive camp is available for horsepeople.
If you're planning a visit to the lake region, be sure to check out the Lake Erie Islands State Park. This is actually a combination of Catawba, Kelley's Island, Oak Point, and a few other areas. The scenic limestone cliffs and underground caverns make this camping area well worth the trip. It's conveniently located to wineries and shopping, but it's the outdoor scenery that commands the most attention. This historic area on Lake Erie was once the home to Ottawa and Wyandot tribes, and hikers can see ancient pictographs etched into the limestone boulder known as Inscription Rock.
Ask any Ohioan where the best autumn scenery is to be found, and chances are they'll tell you to head for the Hocking Hills. Located in southern Ohio, the Hocking Hills region becomes a stunning backdrop for the change in seasons as the leaves begin to turn in late September through early November. Over 150 electric sites and a dozen primitive campsites are available at the park, and historic Old Man's Cave is just a stone's throw from the campgrounds. The adjacent state forest offers rappelling and rock climbing, and there are endless miles of trails. Some of them are fairly steep and a few are potentially dangerous, so be sure to check the trail conditions before heading out.
In addition to the state park system, private campgrounds abound in Ohio. In the northeast, Mohican is the camp of choice. Located near Loudonville, Mohican Campgrounds and Canoeing offers electric sites and cabins from April to November. The riverfront sites are the perfect starting point for a weekend canoe adventure, and the family-friendly camp is also home to the Great American Indian PowWow, an annual event that draws Native Americans from all over the country.
Stony Ridge Campground is part of the KOA network, and is conveniently located near many of northwest Ohio's attractions. Just an hour from Cedar Point, and even closer to the city of Toledo, Stony Ridge has 58 RV sites, tent sites, and four cabins available. Open from March through November, this quiet country park offers a tranquil setting for visitors to relax and get away from it all.
Centrally-located Cross Creek Campground in Delaware is open year-round, and includes 200 sites, most of which have electricity and water. The swimming pool, tennis courts, shower house and planned kids activities make Cross Creek a great place for families to camp together. In addition, it's close to Columbus' premier upscale shopping center, Polaris Fashion Place.
Plenty of families head to Cincinnati's Paramount King's Island every year for entertainment, and one way to save on expenses is to hit the King's Island Campground. Over 350 sites, offered from March to October, are available for guests, and there's a volleyball court, horseshoe pitch, and playground for the little ones.
If you're planning on seeing the Hocking Hills but don't want to stay in the state park, consider setting up your tent or RV at Top O' The Caves in Lancaster. This privately run campground is located right in the heart of the Hocking Hills region, and offers hiking, swimming, fishing, horseback riding, and even spelunking for visitors. A game room and camp store are on-site as well.
Roll up your sleeping bags, pack your hiking boots, and head out to one of Ohio's magnificent campgrounds. Every part of the state has camps with activities for you to enjoy, whether you're a seasoned camper or someone just learning to set up a tent. Take advantage of all that Ohio's camps have to offer - whether you prefer fishing, swimming, hiking, or just sitting back and toasting a marshmallow over an open fire. Come see why Ohio is called "the heart of it all."
