The Amanda, Ohio area offers access to multiple camping options within an hour's drive. The region sits at the foothills of the Appalachian Plateau with elevations ranging from 800-1,100 feet. Campgrounds in this region typically feature wooded terrain with occasional limestone outcroppings characteristic of the Hocking Hills region. Rural highways provide access to most camping areas, though some secondary roads may require careful navigation during winter and early spring.
What to do
Canoe or kayak on rivers: Hocking Hills Camping & Canoe offers riverside camping with direct water access. "We had a great time. River right next to us and port a potty near. Allows dogs. Showers are at the check in but they are nice," notes one visitor who appreciated the proximity to water activities.
Hiking to natural features: Hocking Hills State Park Campground provides access to numerous hiking trails. "We enjoyed a full hookup site. The spots aren't very spacious but there's lots of trees nearby and an easy walk to get to Old Mans Cave. We enjoyed swimming in the pool," mentions one camper highlighting the direct trail access.
Fishing at established lakes: A.W. Marion State Park Campground offers fishing opportunities at its lake. "AW Marion is near 23 and easy access to the highway to get to Columbus. Plenty of space and shade in not electrical campsite for a hot summer day," reports one visitor who enjoyed the lake access.
Disc golf nearby: Campbell Cove Camping provides access to a disc golf course in the area. "We hope to come back someday," mentioned one camper who noted the course was "down the road" from the campground among other recreational activities.
What campers like
Well-maintained shower facilities: Tar Hollow State Park Campground receives praise for its facilities. "The grounds were clean and fairly well maintained. There are shower facilities, potable water and vault toilets. Pine Lake is nice, but the beach is a bit small," notes one visitor.
Quiet, secluded camping spots: Big Sycamore Family Campground offers peaceful sites. "The owners here are really great. Small campground and kind of close to the highway, but the sites are a good size, mostly shaded, and bathhouse was adequate," reports one camper who valued the size of individual sites.
Lake swimming opportunities: Campbell Cove Camping provides lake swimming options. "Our favorite place to camp. Kayaking on the lake is amazing and hiking is abundant. Beautiful sunset view," mentioned a camper who appreciated the water activities.
Playgrounds and recreational facilities: Jackson Lake Park features amenities for families. "I was pretty impressed with the park. Lots of fun for kids with the swimming pond and arcade," noted one visitor, highlighting the additional recreational options beyond standard camping.
What you should know
Winter camping limitations: Many campgrounds in the region operate seasonally. Big Sycamore Family Campground runs "April 15 - October 31" according to their listing, which reflects the typical operating season for many private campgrounds in the area.
Road conditions: Access to some campgrounds requires attention. "The little road going up to the campground is VERY bumpy. It's not the campground road, it belongs to the Township, so its completely out of their ability to make improvements," noted a camper at Hocking Hills KOA Holiday.
Reservation requirements: Hocking Hills KOA Holiday operates a structured reservation system. "They escort you directly to your site so you don't get lost or go down a one-way road the wrong way," mentioned a visitor, indicating the formalized check-in process at more developed campgrounds.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly across the region. "It is pretty remote (no cell phone coverage at even the top of the hills), and really is a chance to 'get away' from the modern life," observed one camper at Tar Hollow State Park, highlighting the limited connectivity.
Tips for camping with families
Cabin options for easier stays: Top O' The Caves Campground provides cabin alternatives. "We have returned to this camp ground four times! Everything is quite outdated especially the park and mini golf. With that said it was a great time. It has mini golf, a pool, park and small game room which is awesome for camping with kids," noted a visitor who appreciated the family-friendly amenities.
Look for swim areas: Several campgrounds offer swimming opportunities. "The tent site was nice. We could make dinner and there weren't any mosquitoes even though it was right above a swamp," mentioned a camper at Geneva Hills Camp and Event Center who found the site comfortable for family camping.
Select sites near bathroom facilities: When camping with children, bathroom proximity matters. "We were on site 106, which is at the far end of the campground... Since site 106 is at the far end, you don't have anyone walking by your campsite to and from the parking lot," noted a Tar Hollow State Park visitor, highlighting site location considerations.
Check entertainment options: Campgrounds offer varying activities. "My family recently stayed at Campbell Cove for the weekend. Everything appeared new and updated. The sites were nice and level. Nice playground and clubhouse building," reported a visitor, emphasizing the importance of on-site entertainment for families.
Tips from RVers
Check site levelness: Site conditions vary greatly across the region's campgrounds. "We were on site #31 in January and my husband thought this site was more level than #31," noted a camper at A.W. Marion State Park who found site variations even within the same campground.
Seasonal camping options: Some campgrounds accommodate long-term stays. "Most of the campers are year round. In the back of the campground is a beautiful area to access the lake," reported a visitor at Campbell Cove Camping, indicating opportunities for seasonal arrangements.
Hookup availability: Big Sycamore Family Campground offers various site types. "Some sites are full hook up, some sites are electric and water, and some are primitive. The dump station is easily accessible if you need it," explained a camper describing the variety of RV accommodations available.
Maneuverability concerns: Big rig access varies by location. "We had some issues with someone else using our spot when we arrived tried to call the park office to get a resolution with no result. had to use another open spot," noted a Hocking Hills State Park visitor, highlighting potential challenges with site accessibility.
