Tara R.
Ranger
RangerBurr Oak State Park Campground
Small
Not our favorite. Very small campground. Good hiking trails. Decent beach. Very hilly. Shower house was kinda gross.
Camping near Caldwell, OH
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Southeastern Ohio's rolling hills surrounding Caldwell feature a mix of state parks and reclaimed lands offering diverse camping experiences. Wolf Run State Park Campground, located directly in Caldwell, centers around a 1,000-acre lake with campsites wrapping the shoreline. Within a short drive, Jesse Owens State Park encompasses several campgrounds including Sand Hollow, Hook Lake, Maple Grove, and Sawmill, all formerly part of American Electric Power (AEP) recreation lands. The region transitions between Ohio farmland countryside and more forested areas, with Salt Fork State Park and Seneca Lake Park providing additional options within 30-45 minutes of Caldwell. Most campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, with varying levels of amenities from primitive sites to those with full hookups.
Camping facilities range from basic to well-developed across the area. Wolf Run offers electric sites with convenient latrines and a shower house, though some visitors note facilities could use updating. Jesse Owens State Park campgrounds generally provide more primitive experiences with vault toilets and limited amenities. As one camper noted, "This is bare basic camping with pit toilets and no electricity. Print out a permit and stake your claim for a free, quiet, entertaining stay in the AEP wilderness." Cell phone coverage is spotty throughout the region, with Verizon providing the most reliable service. Weather conditions significantly impact camping experiences, with winter bringing snow and mud, while summer offers clear waters for fishing and kayaking. Many campers recommend printing maps before arrival due to limited connectivity.
Water recreation forms the centerpiece of camping experiences near Caldwell. Lakes at Wolf Run, Salt Fork, and Seneca provide opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and swimming. "The water is clearer than most lakes here in Ohio," reports one visitor to Wolf Run, adding "Since it is a smaller lake, there isn't any high speed water activities to interrupt your fishing." Wildlife viewing is common, with deer frequently spotted in the evenings. The area's historical mining heritage is accessible through nearby attractions like the Miner's Memorial Park featuring the Big Muskie bucket. Local towns like McConnelsville offer supplies and attractions including a brewery, wharf, and opera house. Campers particularly value the quiet atmosphere and spacious sites found throughout the region's campgrounds.
Best Campgrounds near Caldwell (134)
1. Wolf Run State Park Campground
"Wolf Run State Park is in Caldwell, Oh right off Rt 77. No big cities round here. Lots of Ohio farmland countryside though."
"Great smaller park, (1,000+acre) with easy access to the interstate. My Grandsons Love that the water is clearer than most lakes here in Ohio!!"
from $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability2. Sand Hollow (Campground C) — Jesse Owens State Park
"It's not listed on maps, but it is right across the way from hook lake, there is an access road you'll go on that will take you there. It's right off 83 in McConnellsville, outside Caldwell, ohio."
"Very secluded, perfect for those nature lovers looking to get away from it all. No cell service and very little light pollution at night so perfect for looking at stars."
3. Bicentennial Campground
"We were camping there as volunteers with the Buckeye Trail Association to assist with trail cleanup. The Buckeye Trail is easily accessible from the campground for hiking."
"I showed up at 1am and drove around looking for a spot, settling for the one that was closest to the entrance, and much more private."
4. Hook Lake (Campground A) — Jesse Owens State Park
"Hook Lake AEP is I think the second largest of the campground areas, outside McConnellsville, Oh. Hook Lake campsites are spread throughout the woodland loop above the lake recreation area."
"We did buy wood from a private home in a near by town. Great deal. $10 for a whole wheel barrow full of wood. Quality wood (dry and well cut). "
5. Salt Fork State Park Campground
"**Salt Fork State Park of Ohio is for individual, couples or group camping. Salt Fork lake is natural spring fed water supply that fills this lake."
"Backed up to the woods, has a view of the lake, shade, privacy, hammock trees, medium size, electric, bathroom directly across the street, water and grey water dump directly across the street."
from $24 - $52 / night
Check Availability6. Maple Grove (Campground G) — Jesse Owens State Park
"It has recently been purchased by the State of Ohio. The ReCreation AEP campsites has an outstanding FB (Facebook) page."
"Maple Grove AEP is located outside McConnellsville, Oh and was ReCreated by American Energy Power. The campsite is clean, basic and free with permit."
7. Sawmill (Campground D) — Jesse Owens State Park
"Just outside the towns of Zanesville and Cumberland where you can find Ohio's famed Wilds there's heat opportunity for free camping."
"How special is that:) I also liked this campsite as you could be by the cattails, grassy area, pine tree area, on a small island behind the covered bridge."
8. Fish Farm Camp
"Found this location last minute. Booking and directions were super easy. Met the owner who is a real nice guy. Beautiful views, great fishing, and a super clean set up."
"Great fishing and a beautiful lake. We are planning another trip soon."
from $25 / night
Check Availability9. Seneca Lake Park Campground
"Views of the lake and ability to launch and dock your boat within walking distance of sites. Beach with concessions within walking distance of sites as well. Top rated campground."
"We stayed at Seneca Lake in our tent, while seeing other attractions in the area. The campground is full of trailers for the weekend and others that are staying all summer."
10. Seneca Lake Park
"We stayed near the beach and the wifi worked well."
"Great Lake and campground!"
Drive Time
- 33 min from Parkersburg, WV
- 57 min from Wheeling, WV
- 1 hr 25 min from Weirton, WV
Recent Camping Photos near Caldwell, OH
153 Photos of 134 Caldwell Campgrounds
Rachael
Bicentennial Campground
Tammy M.
Sawmill (Campground D) — Jesse Owens State Park
Tony M.
Hook Lake (Campground A) — Jesse Owens State Park
Joaquim P.
Maple Grove (Campground G) — Jesse Owens State Park
Madison S.
Sand Hollow (Campground C) — Jesse Owens State Park
Mike B.
Seneca Lake Park Campground
Shelly S.
Blue Rock State Park Campground
salena
Riversedge Campground
James P.
Ashland RV Park
Seth V.
Hune Bridge Campground
Shari G.
Lane Farm Campground
Recent Reviews near Caldwell, OH
406 Reviews of 134 Caldwell Campgrounds
- Tara R.Ranger
Wolf Run State Park Campground
Needs some love.
We were there 3 night. With no kids. More of a tent camping campground. Not two many spots could fit bigger campers.
Vidalia S.
LegendMountwood Park Family Campground(Wood County Park)
Lovely gem
Lovely gem of a campsite close to the highway. Used by atv enthusiasts, the quiet wooded full service campground is clean, quiet, and heavily wooded. Almost empty in July on a weekday. Showers, flush toilets, electric water and pumpout for $30 a night. Non-Electric sites no longer available.
Chanda J.
ScoutHarris RV Park
A Peaceful, No‑Frills Gem on the Ohio River
I spent 28 nights at this laid‑back little campground from late May through June, and honestly, it was exactly the kind of no‑frills spot I love. Every site is a pull‑through, long enough for just about any rig and tow vehicle, with a simple grass‑and‑gravel setup that only needed minimal leveling. There’s no shade, so be ready for full sun, but the tradeoff is wide‑open views—especially if you snag sites 11 or 12, which overlook the river beautifully. Hookups were solid across the board: 30/50 amp electric, normal water pressure, and full sewer. Connectivity was fantastic, which made working remotely a breeze. Starlink ran between 250–300 Mbps, Verizon had five bars. I didn’t have a single issue streaming, attending meetings, or getting work done. Amenities are basically nonexistent—no bathrooms, no showers, no pool, and the laundry across the street was closed the entire month I stayed. But honestly, the price reflects that, and I wasn’t paying for extras I didn’t need. Pets are welcome, though there’s no dog park, and families might find it a bit dull since there’s nothing for kids to do. For me, the simplicity was part of the charm. The atmosphere is relaxed and quiet, with moderate road noise from Route 7 and occasional train and barge traffic along the Ohio River. I actually enjoyed the sounds—they added character. There’s also a nearby church whose bells I found lovely. Most of the other campers were long‑term workers who kept to themselves and were consistently respectful. I rarely saw anyone, which made the whole stay feel peaceful and private. The location is great if you need essentials: gas, ice cream, a post office, and even the occasional food truck. Scenic views and parks are close by, and I stayed here mainly because my family lives nearby and I’ve always loved the area. The staff made the experience even better. Paul greeted me when I arrived, helped me pick a great site, and even assisted with unhooking. Max, the owner, stopped by on the weekend with a packet of local attractions and chatted for a bit. Both were incredibly friendly and welcoming. As for pros, the location, views, and price are hard to beat. The cons are pretty mild—no trees to buffer the road noise and sites that could be a bit roomier—but nothing that ruined the stay. Remote workers, vacationers, and anyone craving a quiet retreat will feel right at home here. My work‑from‑RV score was excellent across connectivity, noise, and comfort, and I’d absolutely work remotely here again. In the end, I genuinely loved my time at this campground. The owner and manager were wonderful, the grounds were well maintained, and the no‑frills vibe fit me perfectly. I fully plan to make this a regular summer stop.
Kathy C.ScoutHocking Hills Jellystone Campground
Shouldn’t be called Jellystone
Jellystone Hocking Hills Ohio Don’t waste your money! I reserved a full hook up deluxe site with patio. Was supposed to be a level concrete slab. It was not! It was all gravel and dirt. No concrete whatsoever. This deluxe site sloped down so when you had a fire( weren’t allowed to move fire pit) your chairs went down hill and I fell almost every night. They brought in a crushed zone but it didn’t help the situation. Owner told us he would credit us some money back since the site wasn’t as promised, he did not. The playground was a mess. Old and nasty. The jump pad didn’t hold much air, so kids would jump on and sink right o the ground. The mining area was not locked so kids got into the pump and electrical areas which was dangerous for the little ones. YOGI BEAR MADE ONE 15 MINUTE APPEARANCE IN 5 DAYS. The schedule showed daily appearances at least daily if not more than once daily, which is how other Jellystones have been for us. MY GRANDSON was so sad. He had been looking forward to this trip for months, and recalled our prior JELLYSTONE stay at Watts Bar Lake in Tennessee, which was a totally different experience than this awful Hocking hills Jellystone. We repeatedly asked about Yogi appearances and were told“Yogi was busy and maybe he would come tomorrow“. The owner made so many excuses like,“my concrete guy didn’t show up last week” that’s why we didn’t have our concrete level patio site that we paid for. The playground didn’t have mulch cause his guy didn’t show up last week. The jump pad didn’t work right because his guy didn’t show up. The new pool wasn’t completed because his guy didn’t show up. Even the yogi bear statue they show in their picture wasn’t there. The pool they did have was in the owners backyard and you had to drive to it. It was slimed and disgusting. I have never been so disappointed. We drove 4.5 hours to get there specifically so my grandkids could camp at a Jellystone with Yogi Bear around. I don’t know how they are allowed to be a Jellystone, they are definitely not up to par. I’m sure we aren’t the only family to pay jellystones higher prices so the kids could see Yogi and friends daily. I could go on…there really were so many bad things about this place, but I see this review is very long. I will attach some photos
Christina W.ScoutMountwood Park Family Campground(Wood County Park)
Almost empty
This was a gem of a park to find. There is hardly anyone here and you have your pick pretty much of the camping spots. The spots are mostly level and there are two bath houses onsite. The bathrooms are pretty basic but they have hot water and so far I’ve had them mostly to myself. And it’s only $30 a night.
Pam H.
GuideDorr-Run Red Oak Trailhead
Great for a night or two
Clean bathrooms. Nice park rangers. Open areas with fire pits.
Mathew C.ScoutRiver Run Campground — North Bend State Park
Nice /clean
Nice clean Campground not to crammed but not a lot of space either. Small pond with bluegill a few large fish but pretty scummy to fish on top of. Nice wide river beside us also swimming pool available Lodge with restaurant. Porta potties on site short walk across the trail to bathhouse and showers. A lot of geese! 😅🤷♂️
JSHScoutBig Muskie Campground — Jesse Owens State Park
Perfect little known place
Site 18 was a little tight to back in our 32’ fifth wheel due to a river rock swale across from the site but I is a good site with no neighbors on your camp side.
Guide to Caldwell
Camping sites near Caldwell, Ohio feature primarily reclaimed mining lands with varying terrain elevations from 700 to 1,100 feet above sea level. The area's camping options sit within the unglaciated Allegheny Plateau region, characterized by deeply dissected hills and valleys with significant relief. Most campgrounds don't permit alcohol, and Verizon provides the most reliable cell service throughout the scattered camping areas.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Fish Farm Camp offers direct lake access with catch-and-release fishing opportunities. "Beautiful views, great fishing, and a super clean set up," notes Guy, who found the location at the last minute. The small, private lake allows for both swimming and fishing.
Kayaking and canoeing: Water activities dominate recreation options in summer and fall. "We didn't try the trails due to the weather but if you are just looking to chill at the site with a great view this will do the trick," mentions Jessica R. from Wolf Run State Park Campground. The smaller lake size means quieter water activities without high-speed boat traffic.
Explore historic structures: Visit the covered bridge at Sawmill Campground. "This is an easy find but be careful as the address can lead you astray. It is easy to see from the main road as they have a good sign up to alert you to the campground. This was one of our favorite AEP ReCreation campgrounds. It has its own covered bridge," reports Kenpocentaur K.
What campers like
Privacy and space: Sand Hollow Campground provides spacious sites for groups and families. "Very secluded, perfect for those nature lovers looking to get away from it all. No cell service and very little light pollution at night so perfect for looking at stars. Many waterfront sites, picnic tables, fire pits and bathrooms," says Greg K.
Free camping options: Many campgrounds in the Jesse Owens State Park system offer no-cost camping. "This is a free campsite that was part of the AEP reclamation lands. If you are unfamiliar with these lands then go to https://www.aep.com/recreation/areas/recreationland make sure you do your homework before coming down to the area," explains Kenpocentaur K.
Stargazing: The remote location makes for excellent night sky viewing, particularly at the more distant campgrounds. "No cell service and very little light pollution at night so perfect for looking at stars," notes Greg K. about Sand Hollow Campground.
What you should know
Bathroom facilities: Most campgrounds feature primitive toilet facilities only. "The downfalls of this campground is the water was recently shut off so you need to be sure to bring plenty of jugs of water, not a big deal though. Also, the bathroom houses not my favorite part to say the least," warns Haley J. about Sand Hollow.
Bug activity: Insects can be intense during warm months. "After a morning hike down wooded Trail, we spent A LONG TIME pulling ticks from dogs...even though the temps were in the 30's overnight and everyone was treated with flea & tick protection," shares Staci R. about Salt Fork State Park.
Water quality concerns: Some lakes may have water quality issues during certain seasons. "From up on the hill looking down on the lake, it looked quite clear. I was excited to grab my canoe and jump in. I carried my boat to the waters edge. As I was going to put my canoe into the water, I noticed some really nasty stuff in the water," reports Joey Z. about one visit to Sand Hollow.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Seneca Lake Park features a clean beach area with amenities. "The campground is full of trailers for the weekend and others that are staying all summer. If you have a boat or jet ski, it's a fun place to play. The beach was very clean and our kids enjoyed it," mentions Mike B.
Evening activities: Some campgrounds offer family-friendly evening programs. "Saturday evening the campground provided a movie for kids. It was a very family friendly campground we are likely to return to," notes Mike B. about Seneca Lake.
Site selection for families: Choose carefully at Wolf Run for the most family-friendly spots. "Our first visit to this campground with a whim on picking a site. The pad was level and not bad in length. It had a tree on site for a little shade and some grass. A lot was dirt so watch out for the rain," advises Shannon G.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring preparation. "Would advise to visually check the sites, due to terrain which is rolling," suggests Jay B. from Wolf Run State Park Campground.
Hookup availability: Full hookups are limited to certain campgrounds, with Bicentennial Campground offering electric hookups but no water connections. "There is no electric so come ready to boondock or bring a generator. There are sites on the hill or right next to the lake," explains Shannon G.
Site size considerations: Some sites accommodate larger rigs better than others. "I chose a site on a hill that I was able to get my 40+ rig into, I was all by myself with a great view," shares James D. about Hook Lake Campground, adding, "Both of the Camp Grounds mentioned there is no danger of getting a big rig into and not out of so don't be afraid."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Caldwell, OH?
What camping is available near Caldwell, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, Caldwell, OH offers a wide range of camping options, with 134 campgrounds and RV parks near Caldwell, OH and 8 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Caldwell, OH?
Which is the most popular campground near Caldwell, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Caldwell, OH is Wolf Run State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 19 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Caldwell, OH?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Caldwell, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 free dispersed camping spots near Caldwell, OH.
What parks are near Caldwell, OH?
What parks are near Caldwell, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 parks near Caldwell, OH that allow camping, notably Dillon Lake and Wayne National Forest.
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