Glamping locations near Bourneville, Ohio sit within the rolling Appalachian foothills at elevations ranging from 600-1,100 feet. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter temperatures often dropping below freezing. Spring camping typically begins in April when seasonal campgrounds open, though several parks maintain year-round availability with reduced amenities during winter months.
What to do
Kayaking and canoeing: Water adventures are accessible at Waters Edge Canoe Livery, which offers equipment rentals for exploring the creek. "Very fun place to camp and enjoy the creek on a kayak or canoe. Very friendly staff, and one of my favorite places to go," notes Jonathan W.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple species can be caught at Rocky Fork State Park Campground. "Great campground... excellent fishing," shares Jeff P., while another visitor mentions that Stonelick State Park is a "Good place to fish for bluegill and catfish."
Miniature golf and games: Several campgrounds offer family recreation beyond hiking. At Top O' The Caves Campground, one camper explains, "It has mini golf, a pool, park and small game room which is awesome for camping with kids."
Trail exploration: Various difficulty levels are available at Tar Hollow State Park. One camper advises, "Beware if you are doing a backpacking trip. We have heard some frustrating on the trail markings. Part of the Buckeye Trail runs through the park."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Regular maintenance is a highlight at Long's Retreat Family Resort. "The bathrooms, showers and camping sites are always well maintained and clean! It is my favorite place to camp," reports Tammy B.
Cell service disconnection: Digital detox is noted as a benefit by some guests. Robin R. appreciates "Love no cell reception! Quiet clean and staff (owner) is always pleasant and helpful!" Similar experiences are reported at Tar Hollow, where one visitor advises, "There is no cell service. Enjoy the outdoors! You are off the grid!"
Spacious camping areas: Rocky Fork offers generous site dimensions. "This is a very nice campground. Nice lake, boating, playgrounds, bath houses, some full hook up sites. There are more good sites than bad," reports Jarrod M., suggesting specific site numbers for visitors.
Year-round options: While most glamping sites close to Bourneville, Ohio operate seasonally, Cowan Lake State Park Campground maintains year-round availability. Sites vary significantly in terms of shade and size, with a visitor noting, "Nice place, spread out, plenty of room between sites."
What you should know
Site selection is critical: Many campgrounds have significant variation in site quality. At Tar Hollow State Park Campground, "Many of the campsites are situated on pretty intense slopes. 106 wasn't too bad. I would guess 105 is probably the most level site in the campground."
Bathroom quality varies: Facilities range from well-maintained to basic. At Rocky Fork, "The shower house was very clean, the crew was around regularly to empty trash and clean. The hot water in the shower house left something to be desired (took forever, lasted about a minute and a half)."
Seasonal opening dates: Most glamping establishments near Bourneville operate from April through October. Cowan Lake State Park's cabins are available year-round, while Lake Hope State Park notes, "One of our visits was during hunting season and both the campground and the cabins were mostly being used by hunting parties."
Reservation timelines: Popular weekends fill quickly, especially at Lake Hope where the sites can feel like "a ghost town" during weekdays but fill on weekends. Campers recommend booking well in advance for holiday periods and summer weekends.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for children: Shawnee State Park Campground offers diverse recreation options. "Challenge your family members for a round of mini golf or basketball, or set out on a geocaching adventure," suggests Lisa S., adding that the park offers both camping and cabin accommodations.
Biking-friendly campgrounds: Look for level terrain and loop roads. At Stonelick State Park, one parent shares, "It is small enough to let my kids roam a bit on their bikes and feel comfortable not having eyes on them 24/7."
Entertainment options during rain: Several campgrounds provide indoor alternatives. Long's Retreat features "Swimming, water slides, canoeing, go-cart racing, mini golf, and a full arcade give plenty of variety," according to Rocky B.
Nature programs for children: Several parks offer structured activities. Lake Hope stands out for its wildlife programs, as one visitor recalls, "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!"
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at many campgrounds. At Deer Creek Camping Resort, one visitor found that "Our site was HUGE! The pad was very level, so setting up the TT was quick and easy," though this experience varies significantly between campgrounds.
Hookup limitations: Most glamping sites near Bourneville offer only electric hookups. At Cowan Lake State Park, "Has water to fill tanks and Dumping Stations to empty as needed, so great semi-boondocking."
Size restrictions: Larger rigs face limitations at several campgrounds. At Shawnee State Park, "be selective if you have a camper bigger than 25ft. I recommend site 82, 83, 85, or 78."
Water access planning: Centralized water stations are limited at many campgrounds. One RVer noted at Deer Creek that there was a "lack of a central fresh water fill station. Spigots are dispersed throughout the camp, which means sitting in the road for as long as it takes to fill your tank."
