Several RV parks near Bourneville, Ohio offer camping opportunities in the foothills of the Appalachian region where elevations range from 700-1,300 feet above sea level. The surrounding Pike County landscape features rolling hills with mixed hardwood forests that turn vibrant during fall. Seasonal flooding can affect lower-elevation campsites from March through May when the region receives its heaviest rainfall.
What to do
Lake activities: Swimming and fishing at Pike Lake State Park Campground provide outdoor recreation options within a 30-minute drive from Bourneville. "We rented a peddle boat but there are canoes and kayaks as well," reports one camper, while another mentions that "you can kayak, but it's really small." The small lake has a beach area suitable for families with children.
Hiking trails: Varied terrain within 45 minutes of Bourneville ranges from beginner to moderate difficulty. At Pike Lake, "we hiked the Greenbriar and CCC Trails. They are not too challenging but beautiful. Parts of the CCC trail were overgrown with briars and narrow." Another visitor noted they "went on a short hike around the lake with the littles, there are longer hikes if you wish."
Water adventures: Tubing and rafting on nearby rivers offer cooling summer activities. At Hocking River RV Park, campers report "we also just went up the highway a little to a rafting rental place called murrys landing to raft down the river. It is one of my favorite places to camp!!" The location right on the river allows for watching "constant traffic of canoes and kayaks going past."
What campers like
Natural features: Riverside camping provides relaxing water views. "This small and cost effective campground is so awesome! The river is small and is perfect to have a fire right next to," notes a Hocking River visitor. Another adds that "it's nice that the sites are right on the Hocking river."
Secluded atmosphere: Quiet camping spots at Walnut Creek Campground and Resort receive positive reviews for privacy. "Friendly family owned campground with nice quiet environment," mentions one reviewer. Pike Lake campers similarly appreciate that the park is a "small hidden gem, very secluded and quiet...not many spots, but makes it nicer, minimal noise."
Onsite recreational options: Multiple activities keep families entertained without leaving the campground. Walnut Creek offers "fishing, kayaking, golf cart trails, volleyball set up, basketball court, swimming pool and super nice cabins." Long's Retreat visitors appreciate similar amenity variety: "Swimming, water slides, canoeing, go-cart racing, mini golf, and a full arcade give plenty of variety."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly across campgrounds in the region. At Long's Retreat Family Resort, visitors consistently report "no cell service at all," with one camper noting, "Best part is there is no phone service.....everyone has to actually spend time together and it's a great reset!"
Site drainage: Weather preparedness is essential when camping near Bourneville, as drainage problems can occur during rain. "It rained the first day we were there and people were literally bailing there sites out with buckets. The places that weren't flooded were very muddy," reports a Pike Lake camper.
Bathroom facilities: Capacity considerations vary by park. One Pike Lake visitor observed they have "79 sites plus a group site and they only have 4 flush toilets and 1 pit toilet to service all of them. None of the sites were full hook up so everyone had to use the four bathrooms."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Water amenities make Lakeview RV Park popular for families with children. "There's a really nice pond and has water activities if you stay longer," notes one visitor. The park's swimming pond provides a controlled environment for water play.
Noise consideration: Campground proximity to highways affects sleep quality at some locations. At Hocking River RV Park, campers report it's "right alongside State Route 33, so you hear freeway traffic constantly. Trucks and motorcycles woke me up all night, AND there is a train track right across the river."
Playground access: Child entertainment options vary between parks. One visitor at Pike Lake noted their "site backs up to the ravine and is nice and large... but right across the site is the playground. It's a little noisy but if you have kids, it works."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Terrain challenges exist at several RV parks Bourneville area visitors frequent. At Thousand Trails Wilmington, campers find "spacious sites on Loop C," though other loops may have more challenging terrain. A visitor to Hocking River noted, "We had a hard time getting our RV to be level."
Hookup availability: Electric options range from basic to comprehensive. Thousand Trails Wilmington offers three distinct camping areas with "A mostly full hookup, B loop Water and Electric and C loop is a mix." For those needing more comprehensive hookups, "plenty of hiking close by and either Dayton to the north or Cincinnati to the south for plenty of things to do."
Maneuverability: Size restrictions should be considered when selecting a site. One Hocking River camper found "sites 26 and 27 are real small and private. Big enough for a pop up," while another at Thousand Trails Wilmington noted some challenges: "pull through spots require a little bit of maneuvering with big rig (43' fifth wheel)."
