Southeastern Ohio's rolling hills and forested landscapes surround New Lexington, providing varied terrain from 900-1100 feet elevation. This region contains sections of Wayne National Forest and multiple state parks with camping facilities that stay open year-round, though services may be limited during winter months.
What to do
Hiking trails: Burr Oak State Park offers a lake loop trail that runs approximately 20 miles around the water. "The trail itself follows the outline of the lake, roughly, and offers some spectacular views of the lake. The terrain can be hilly at times but not overly so. And there are a great deal of interesting rock formations, wildflower groves, and various different kinds of environments to see along the trail," notes James W. about Burr Oak State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Blue Rock State Park provides fishing access with a small lake and creek running through the campground. Ryan W. reports, "The fishing was good, and the activities with the naturalist (Cayden) were fun and engaging. The hiking was wonderful, the equestrian trails looked very nice, and the fire tower was a fun climb." The park features multiple access points for anglers of all ages at Blue Rock State Park Campground.
Historical exploration: The Zaleski State Forest area contains interesting historical sites including old iron furnaces and abandoned railway tunnels. James W. recommends, "I highly recommend taking the short connector trail on the south loop to cut over to the Moonville Rail Trail. We spent one afternoon hiking over to the Moonville Tunnel and it was one of the coolest parts of our four day trek." The forest maintains multiple backpacking loops with established campsites.
What campers like
Lake activities: Dillon State Park offers water recreation options including kayak rentals. "There are boat launches for your boats at the marina but the only watercraft that can be rented are kayaks and canoes," explains Kay M. about Dillon State Park Campground. The park features a beach area, though it may not have lifeguards on duty.
Equestrian camping near New Lexington, Ohio: Dedicated horse camps exist in the region with specialized facilities. "Very quiet campground with little to no other riders around," notes Janessa S. about the Blue Rock State Park equestrian campground area. Zaleski State Forest also maintains horse-friendly trails and camping areas within 30 miles of New Lexington.
Primitive camping options: For those seeking a more rustic experience, Strouds Run State Park provides basic sites. Isaac K. mentions, "Sites are only rented in person once you arrive, they have clear instructions at the entrance. Sites were nice and level, but a bit on the smaller side. Plenty of trails for hiking around the park." These sites offer an alternative to the more developed campgrounds in the region.
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell service can be inconsistent throughout the region. Leon H. notes about Zaleski State Forest, "Fill your gas tank up before you head in and right your information down, signal coverage can be spotty." This applies to most camping areas near New Lexington.
Seasonal considerations: Many parks reduce services during winter months. "We stopped here on Thanksgiving on our way South. Self paying, off season was $15. But the restrooms were closed," reports Birgit H. about Strouds Run State Park. Check park websites for current operational status.
