Cabins near Bourneville, Ohio sit at elevations between 700-900 feet in the Appalachian foothills. The region features a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons and average summer temperatures ranging from 60°F to 85°F. Fall brings dramatic foliage changes from mid-October through early November, with valley areas often experiencing morning fog that burns off by mid-day.
What to do
Hiking at Tar Hollow State Park: Access multiple trail systems with varying difficulty levels. The Logan Trail loop offers more challenging terrain while shorter trails around Pine Lake provide easier options. "Beautiful, secluded group camping. Shelter and pit bathrooms. Wide open space for lots of campers. Nice access to trails. Beach area is clean & small little lake," notes one camper at Tar Hollow State Park Campground.
Kayaking on Paint Creek: Rent kayaks or canoes at the marina for half-day or full-day water excursions. "Easy access to boat ramp. Campsites are small. Wish the hiking trails by the campground had more of a lake view," shares a visitor at Paint Creek State Park Campground.
Winter camping options: Several area cabins remain open year-round for cold-weather visits. "A winter camping gem! Heated bathroom with showers are available for winter campers at Paint Creek State Park. An excellent disc golf course, hiking and beautiful lake views," reports a winter visitor.
Fishing opportunities: Stock up on basic tackle at camp stores and try your luck at multiple lakes. "Nice little lake to fish or kayak," mentions a Pike Lake visitor, noting the smaller, quieter atmosphere compared to larger lakes in the region.
What campers like
Secluded cabin settings: Many cabin sites offer more privacy than typical campgrounds. "The site was nicely shaded with a small creek behind it. We had a lot of shade and didn't feel like we were on top of our neighbors," according to a camper at Pike Lake State Park Campground.
Family-friendly amenities: Playgrounds, swimming areas, and organized activities keep children entertained. "We love it here! Staff is very friendly and lots to keep the kids entertained," says a visitor about the facilities at Paint Creek.
Night sky viewing: Limited light pollution creates excellent stargazing conditions. "If you're lucky and have no clouds, there is virtually no light pollution and you can see the Milky Way," explains a Tar Hollow camper.
Clean facilities: Most cabin areas maintain well-kept bathroom facilities. "Very nice campgrounds. Very well kept. Bathrooms above average but typical for state parks," notes a camper at Paint Creek.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Many cabin areas have minimal to no cellular coverage. "There is no cell service. Enjoy the outdoors! You are off the grid!" reports a camper at Tar Hollow.
Seasonal accessibility: Some cabins close during winter months. "Open areas but still allows for some nice, wooded spots. Has mountain bike trails that can get to other areas, but it's a car ride to most park amenities," notes a visitor at Rocky Fork State Park Campground.
Drainage issues: After heavy rains, some cabin areas experience standing water. "It rained the first day we were there and people were literally bailing their sites out with buckets. The places that weren't flooded were very muddy," warns a Pike Lake visitor.
Pet policies vary: Each location has different rules regarding pets in cabins. "We stayed for just one night at site #34. It ended up being a great site for us and our dogs," shares a Paint Creek visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Choose cabin sites based on playground access. "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," advises a Pike Lake reviewer.
Multiple recreation options: Long's Retreat Family Resort offers extensive family activities beyond standard camping. "We have been going here for the last 6 summers with a big group (nearly 30 kids with us). 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, go carts, rock wall climbing, basketball, arcade and so much more," shares an enthusiastic family camper.
Short hiking trails: Several parks offer kid-friendly walking paths under one mile. "We hiked the Greenbriar and CCC Trails. They are not too challenging but beautiful," notes a Pike Lake visitor.
Tips from RVers
Limited full hookup availability: Book well in advance for sites with full utilities. "This is our first trip to Rocky Fork State Park. We are impressed with the campground amenities and spacious camp sites. Over 40 full hook up sites! Will definitely be returning," advises an RVer at Walnut Creek Campground and Resort.
Site leveling challenges: Bring leveling blocks as many sites have slight grades. "Not all the sites were as spacious as ours so be careful which one you choose. In fact, there was one so small, I'm not sure where a tent would go...maybe plan on sleeping in your vehicle?" cautions a Pike Lake camper.
Well-stocked camp stores: Most locations maintain good supply inventories. "Spacious park. Well maintained. Paved sites, most of them fairly level. Well stocked camp store," notes a visitor to Paint Creek.
