Jefferson Lake State Park Campground is located about 35 miles from Bowerston, Ohio, in the rolling hills of eastern Ohio. The park features 18 miles of multi-use trails that connect directly to camping areas. Sites accommodate trailers and RVs with five electric sites available, though extension cords may be needed due to outlet placement.
What to do
Hiking in Beaver Creek State Park: Trails range from easy to moderate difficulty with connections to the North Country National Scenic Trail. "We took advantage of some of the hiking trails around and they were good in some areas, but definitely needed to be kept up on more often. Very over grown and difficult to follow the trails, but overall we were able to hike for about 3 hours without running into anyone else," notes a visitor to Beaver Creek State Park Campground.
Horseback riding on maintained trails: The trail system at Jefferson Lake accommodates riders of various experience levels on fairly level paths. At Canton / East Sparta KOA Holiday - Bear Creek Ranch, "Horseback riding on site" is available according to one camper, making it a convenient option for those without their own horses.
Fishing in local waterways: Multiple parks offer fishing opportunities in lakes and streams. "Bass fishing is really fun because we caught a few nice ones!" reports a camper at Beaver Creek State Park, where the creek provides good fishing spots along hiking routes.
What campers like
Spacious sites under mature trees: Many equestrian camping areas near Bowerston offer shaded sites. At Beaver Creek, one camper describes "an unbelievably spacious site under towering pine trees. The site sits back off the road and really makes you feel like you have the place to yourself."
Clean facilities despite rustic settings: Hidden Hollow Campground — Fernwood State Forest maintains good standards despite being a no-frills option. "Very well kept, completely free 1st come campground just outside the very small town of Bloomingdale, OH. Pit toilets and no source of safe, clean water anymore. Very quiet everytime I've camped there," reports one regular visitor.
Dark night skies for stargazing: Rural settings provide excellent viewing conditions. One camper at Beaver Creek notes, "The sky was dark enough to see far more stars than you'd see near any larger towns or cities. To cap it off, we laid in our tent dozing off to the sounds of owls and coyotes!"
What you should know
Limited water access: Several campgrounds have restricted water supplies. At Jefferson Lake State Park Campground, one visitor noted, "No showers or potable water. As a result it was so peaceful!" Beaver Creek operates on a well system with limited water, and doesn't permit filling onboard tanks.
Site terrain varies significantly: Many sites in the region have sloping terrain. At West Branch State Park Campground, a camper reported, "Our site was labeled slight slope. That was a joke. We were only off 2 inches side to side but front to back we had to lower the front 15 inches."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds have unexpected noise sources. At Hidden Hollow, a camper warns, "Gun range 5 mins away or so... you can hear gunshots all day until 11pm." Train noise affects some parks, while others remain very quiet.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites near playgrounds: Some campgrounds offer family-friendly amenities. "We got a site near the playground, which my 3 year old enjoyed. The campground wasn't busy and we had a lot of privacy," reports a visitor to Beaver Creek State Park.
Visit historical attractions: Regional parks often include educational opportunities. "The best part about the area was the history that surrounds it. There is a pioneer village near the park office that offers some picnicking areas around it. It also has original buildings from the pioneer days (church, school, etc)," notes a Beaver Creek visitor.
Consider non-electric sites for quieter stays: Less developed areas often mean fewer neighbors. At Salt Fork State Park Campground, a camper found that "Stayed here in the 'primitive' camp. You are basically staying with your neighbors in small cleared areas where you can see everything everyone else is doing and if you have one of the sites nearer to the parking areas, you will have people walking through your campsite all day and night from the ones in the rear."
Tips from RVers
Check power connections before setup: Electric sites may have unusual configurations. At Jefferson Lake, a camper noted, "Electric is a little far behind pad. We almost needed extension cord."
Bring leveling blocks: Many sites in the region sit on uneven ground. A West Branch camper advised, "Check to make sure to bring stuff to level" after experiencing significant sloping issues despite the site being labeled as "slight slope."
Fill water tanks before arrival: Limited water access is common at parks. One Beaver Creek visitor warns, "They are on a well so there is limited water and they don't allow you to fill up your on board tank. Make sure you fill up before you go!"
