Camping sites near Blue Creek, Ohio range from full-service campgrounds with riverfront views to more primitive options tucked into the hills. The region sits at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains with elevations ranging from 500-1,000 feet. Seasonal considerations include high humidity during summer months, with temperatures typically ranging from 70-90°F, while spring and fall offer more moderate conditions ideal for hiking and outdoor exploration.
What to do
Paddling on Roosevelt Lake: At Shawnee State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy boating on the small lake near the campground area. As one camper notes, "The lakes are quite tiny. The one at the campground is more like a large pond- fine for paddling around on a paddleboard for practice, but don't think you'll get in any meaningful kayaking or sight-seeing on this pond."
Mountain biking trails: Pike Lake State Park Campground offers trail options for mountain biking enthusiasts. The newly paved roads in the campground provide easy access to trailheads. According to a recent visitor, "We enjoyed our stay here. Some good trails here. The campground has been recently renovated with newly paved roads & camp pads."
Cave exploration: At Carter Caves State Resort Park Campground, visitors can explore several cave systems with ranger-guided tours. "One of my all time favorite places in Ky to camp. The scenery is always relaxing, and the campgrounds are always welcoming. The park has a lot to do, not just the caves. There's tons of waterfalls off the trails, and other things to see," reports one visitor.
Disc golf and outdoor sports: East Fork State Park offers a range of activities for sports enthusiasts. According to a camper, "Pike Lake State Park features a disc golf course along with mini golf, soccer, basketball, tennis, volleyball, corn hole, boating, and bicycling."
What campers like
Riverfront camping: Sandy Springs Campground receives consistently positive reviews for its river views and peaceful setting. "We had a riverfront site. The camp hosts are very nice and attentive to your needs," notes one visitor. Another adds, "We had a wonderful weekend stay at this campground; we were fortunate to get a river view site which was amazing. It is so peaceful to watch the river and see the occasional boat or barge go by."
Private tent sites: Tent campers appreciate the secluded options at Shawnee State Park Campground. A recent visitor observed, "Unlike many Ohio State parks I've visited, the Shawnee campground has a variety of great tent sites. Several of these are hidden in the trees at the top of some steps and up a short path. We stayed in 12. If you don't mind hauling your gear a short distance from your car, sites like this are perfect as they're for tent campers only."
Clean facilities: Long's Retreat Family Resort maintains high standards for their facilities. As one camper notes, "We go here at least once a year! Usually with a large group! Lots for kid to do! The bathrooms, showers and camping sites are always well maintained and clean! It is my favorite place to camp."
Quiet atmosphere: Pike Lake State Park receives praise for its tranquil environment. "We visited when the leaves were changing and it was absolutely gorgeous. Hiking was great. Campground is small, some sites too small for our 20' trailer and truck," states one review.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Many camping areas near Blue Creek have poor cellular coverage. At East Fork State Park Campground, "For a park so close to a large city (Cincinnati), I was surprised the cell service was so lacking (on Verizon). We eked out one and occasionally two bars of 4G."
Shared hookup posts: Some campgrounds require sharing electrical hookups between sites. At Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, a camper warns: "They advertise the sites with 30 and 50 amp hookups. What they didn't say was that you had to share a post. The people beside me already had the 50 amp. I pulled everything to run on propane that I could and plugged into the 30 amp."
Site drainage issues: During rainy periods, some campgrounds experience flooding. At Pike Lake State Park, one visitor noted, "Just an fyi to others- it rained quite a bit and many of the sites got flooded. The ground here doesn't drain well."
Seasonal operating hours: Several campgrounds have limited seasons or restricted access to amenities. Carter Caves State Resort Park operates from April 1 to October 31, while other parks may have limited shower or bathroom facilities during off-peak seasons.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for kids: Long's Retreat Family Resort offers numerous water-based activities. "We have been going here for the last 6 summers with a big group. Everyone always has such a great time and it is the highlight of all the kids summers. The kids can either swim up at the lake (with multiple water slides and a huge floating dock with diving board), the little kids can have fun in the splash pad right at the beach," shares one regular visitor.
Halloween events: Several campgrounds host special Halloween activities. At East Fork State Park, a visitor discovered: "When we reserved months earlier, we knew that our first night (a Saturday) was 100% full as we got the very last site. What we did not know is that there was a HUGE Halloween celebration complete with 30-40 decorated golf carts parading through the campground."
Playground access: Consider campsite proximity to playgrounds. A Pike Lake State Park camper explains: "Site 57 - this site backs up to the ravine and is nice and large. It has a lot of shade and grass. We were able to run a line between trees for a dog run. Great neighbors on both sides but right across the site is the playground. It's a little noisy but if you have kids, it works."
Digital detox opportunity: Many campgrounds offer limited connectivity, creating opportunities for family bonding. At Long's Retreat, a camper appreciated: "Best part is there is no phone service.....everyone has to actually spend time together and it's a great reset!"
Tips from RVers
Extension cord needs: Many sites require additional cords or hoses to reach hookups. At Carter Caves State Resort Park, one RVer advised: "You will need extra water hose and extension cords to get hooked up in a lot of the sites though."
Site selection for larger rigs: Shawnee State Park-Ohio River Campground offers spacious sites for larger RVs. "This campground has some of the largest and best spaces camp sites of any full hookup we have visited. There are great walking paths and biking/scooter options," reports a satisfied camper.
Leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the hilly terrain present leveling difficulties. At Shawnee State Park Campground, one RVer shared their experience: "We were told that the site we'd been assigned was room enough for 52'. Our RV is only 34' so that would be more than enough. We got there and it was maybe 20-24" in length, with no wiggle room because one end was the park road/driveway, the other end a hill."
Site pad information: When making reservations, check for paved pads and their length. A visitor to Pike Lake State Park notes, "All camper pads are paved and most appeared level or just very slightly sloped. A picnic table and fire ring complete the site."
