Cabin options extend beyond Lake Hope State Park and Lake Snowden for campers visiting Albany, Ohio. The surrounding area offers diverse accommodation types ranging from primitive tent sites to RV hookups, all nestled within the rolling hills of southeastern Ohio. Water recreation features prominently at most local campgrounds, with fishing, kayaking, and swimming available from spring through early fall.
What to do
Hummingbird watching at Lake Hope: Visit the nature center where staff conduct special hummingbird feeding programs. According to a Lake Hope visitor, "The naturalists feed hummingbirds at the nature center. They pull the feeders for awhile leading up to a 'Feed the Hummingbirds' program. So cool! The birds come right to you!"
Mountain biking on dedicated trails: Benton's on the Baileys provides access to the Baileys Trail System, a major draw for cyclists. One reviewer notes, "Extremely private primitive camping surrounded by Wayne National Forest and steps from the Baileys Trail System."
Frisbee golf at nearby parks: Forked Run State Park offers disc golf courses approximately 45 minutes from Albany. A camper shared, "There is a general store on site with firewood, propane, food items, gifts, camping gear... There is a swimming pool and even an outdoor theater."
Paddling on calm lakes: Several parks rent kayaks, canoes and paddle boards. One Lake Hope visitor mentioned, "We spent some time at the lake and rented a paddle board and a water bike which was so much fun! we also did some kayaking as well as driving to different hiking paths around the area."
What campers like
Secluded camping spots: Lake Hope State Park Campground offers quieter camping experiences, especially during weekdays. A frequent visitor explained, "Each time I have stayed at Lake Hope State Park, I have marveled at why there are only a few stray campers in a state park of 190 sites... LHSP still has hot showers. I guess because it doesn't have a pool, it doesn't have the crowds."
Escape from crowded tourist areas: Smaller parks provide alternatives to the more popular Hocking Hills destinations. According to one camper, "Lake Hope gave me a new way to experience an area I grew very close to and appreciate but cannot stand the swarms of people... This is likely the only way we'll do the area moving forward."
Well-maintained trails: The path networks connecting campgrounds to scenic areas receive positive feedback. A visitor to Strouds Run State Park Campground commented, "Plenty of trails for hiking around the park. Sites were nice and level, but a bit on the smaller side."
Water activities for families: The lakes and water features provide recreation options beyond hiking. One Lake Snowden visitor mentioned, "The lake is large and clean, with an awesome new 'water park' opened during the summer. Great shelters, facilities, and optional bathrooms."
What you should know
Site selection matters: Many campgrounds have varied site quality and levelness. At Lake Snowden Campground, a reviewer advised, "Sites are very small and narrow (about 16 feet wide) and packed closely together. Each site was crowded way over capacity- think an RV with multiple tents, at least 2 cars if not 4 cars at one site."
Weather considerations: Some camping areas become problematic in rainy conditions. According to a visitor, "Beware of parking down there if its raining or you expect rain. There were a lot of people, from cars to trucks, that got stuck down that little hill and had to be towed out!"
Limited cell service: Several campgrounds have poor connectivity. A Hocking Hills camper noted, "This place really could be a 10. Zero cell service in the entire Hocking Hills park so that would have been great to know."
Walk-in site realities: Some sites require significant hiking with equipment. A camper explained, "Make sure to pay attention to 'walk-in' sites. It's more like 'hike a half mile with your gear' sites! All in all we had a blast and a good laugh about our trek with all our stuff!!"
Tips for camping with families
Inflatable water parks: Several lakes feature seasonal water attractions. A reviewer from Lake Alma State Park Campground reported, "The whole site is gorgeous and there's a lot of people who are walking around the lake... Overall we had a great night and hiked some of the trails they had."
Kid-friendly campground activities: Some parks offer organized programs beyond standard recreation. One visitor mentioned, "The rangers and naturalists have many activities going on and are very knowledgeable. Portable water is available at the parking lot only."
Camp location proximity: Consider which attractions matter most when selecting a cabin. A Burr Oak visitor suggested, "I would definitely go back to spend the day but will never camp there again. The campground is quiet and well kept. We tent camp so we usually have a non-electric site so the area we stay is away from most of the RVs."
Campground entertainment options: Some private campgrounds offer additional amenities. A camper at Hocking Hills Jellystone Campground shared, "We loved it. Our kids had a blast and didn't run out of things to do or kids to play with. We weren't very far from Old Man's Cave either."
Tips from RVers
Advance site research: Checking site dimensions before booking is crucial. An RVer at Lake Alma warned, "Super small campground with one road in/same road out. Check-out time created quite the backup. The sites were too short for my camper, which is odd because when booking I indicated the length of my camper."
Utility hookup variations: Electric and water access differ significantly between campgrounds. A visitor to Burr Oak State Park Campground noted, "The campground could use some updates. There are some really beautiful sites, but there are only a few with electric. The addition of concrete pads and electric would improve the campground considerably."
Shower house quality: Bathhouse facilities vary widely across parks. One camper observed, "Bathhouse had good pressure and hot water in mens bathhouse 1 but womens had low pressure, bath house 2 had low to no pressure at times, but they were very clean and nice."
Awning space considerations: Site spacing affects how comfortably RVs can set up. A frustrated camper reported, "When we put out our awning we touched camper in front of us. Camp host let us switch campsites."
