Cabin camping options near Carroll, Ohio range from tent-friendly sites to full-service accommodations across wooded landscapes in central Ohio. This region sits within rolling hills at elevations around 800-1,100 feet, creating natural drainage on campsites during rainfall. Most cabin rentals operate from April through October, with limited wintertime availability at select properties.
What to do
Swimming at campground beaches: At Alum Creek State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy both a small beach inside the campground and a larger public beach a short drive away. According to a visitor, "There is a campground beach and boat launch. Lost of hiking paths in the campground and in the park area. A great dog park with lake entrance for the pups."
Disc golf courses: Jackson Lake Park offers disc golf among its recreational options. One camper shares, "My wife and I spent Labor Day weekend here as it was close to Columbus and allowed family to come spend a night or two... if you have kids, the pool and the lake activities will keep them busy all day."
Outdoor arcade games: Buckeye Lake-Columbus East KOA provides entertainment beyond standard camping. A visitor notes, "The KOA was what one expects of the KOA lots of features and not very secluded. The Kabins were lovely... The front office includes a little gift shop, ice cream, and pizza."
Fishing opportunities: Campbell Cove Camping provides waterfront access for anglers. A reviewer states, "Our favorite place to camp. Kayaking on the lake is amazing and hiking is abundant. Beautiful sunset view."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Alum Creek State Park Campground receives praise for its spacious layout. As one camper describes, "The camp sites are spacious and private, surrounded by trees and brush. Beautiful walking trails. There's also a great mountain biking trail in the vicinity."
Direct waterfront access: At Campbell Cove Camping, guests appreciate lake views. One visitor explains, "We stayed at site 63, on the water. Big site, water view and plenty of space. The road across the lake has an uphill section and people like to race up it. Trucks, motorcycles and cars. Really loud."
Seasonal activities: Many cabin rentals offer scheduled events during peak season. At Jackson Lake Park, a guest notes, "They had quite a big staff to take care of the place, life guard, and run the children's events like Tye-dye, archery, etc. if you have kids, the pool and the lake activities will keep them busy all day."
Clean bathroom facilities: Hocking Hills KOA Holiday maintains quality shower houses. A camper observes, "The bathhouse was very clean...The shower houses were immaculate. The front office includes a little gift shop, ice cream, and pizza."
What you should know
Cabin size variations: Most cabin rentals sleep 4-6 people, with differing layouts. At Hocking Hills KOA Holiday, a visitor explains, "The staff were friendly and professional, the sites were clean, and there were a wide variety of sites to choose from. From primitive tent sites tucked back in the woods to large RV sites with water/sewer/electric/cable hookups."
Firewood delivery services: Many campgrounds deliver firewood directly to sites upon purchase. One camper at Buckeye Lake KOA notes, "At the camp store, they would drop off the wood via golf carts as you purchased it. I was able to buy three bundles for $18.00 as it is cheaper that way."
Wi-Fi availability: Internet access varies by location. A camper at Jackson Lake Park mentions, "The Wi-Fi was good but not free and was worth the $2/day to do some late night binge watching."
Reservation requirements: Booking policies differ between properties. A Campbell Cove visitor states, "We've already booked for fall 2021. We stayed in one of the rustic cabins. With other family members bringing their RVs."
Tips for camping with families
Look for playgrounds and activities: Hocking Hills Canoe Livery offers family-friendly recreation. A visitor notes, "Best kept secret in Hocking County! Located on the Hocking river the sites are very Private and not on top of each other... Cabins are super quaint and clean We stay here even when not using the river."
Check pool schedules: Pool availability depends on seasonal timing. A Jackson Lake visitor explains, "I was upset The pool was not open since there was no post about it being closed and the website says it would be open the weekend of Memorial Day... they really did everything in their power to have the pool open and it just did not work out."
Confirm bathroom proximity: Bathroom location matters for young families. At Alum Creek State Park Campground, a camper shares, "We had an absolute blast at the campsite! We stayed in L and the kids loved being close to the water. The campground beach is an absolute must and we even got close to wildlife (aka some pesky raccoons)."
Pack linens and toiletries: Most cabin rentals require guests to bring their own bedding. At Campbell Cove, a camper advises, "We stayed in one of the rustic cabins... The bathroom facilities were some of the nicest and cleanest we've experienced."
Tips from RVers
Check hookup configurations: Available utilities vary by campground. At Hocking Hills KOA, a camper shares, "We are first-time owners of a 29 ft Fifth Wheel and got a pull-through site... Our site included a fire ring and a picnic table, along with all the hook ups."
Consider site leveling needs: Terrain impacts RV setup. A visitor at Hocking Hills KOA observes, "The sites were nice and wide but not all level but it's an area that has lots of hills."
Look for pull-through sites: Some campgrounds offer easier access. At Jackson Lake Park, a visitor notes, "We appreciated the full hook-ups and pull through site. The staff came through every morning to pick up the trash. But, the water hook ups were accessible through a hole/pipe and we had to 'fish' down to connect our hose."
Check road conditions: Access routes may present challenges. A Hocking Hills KOA visitor cautions, "The little road going up to the campground is VERY bumpy. It's not the campground road, it belongs to the Township, so its completely out of their ability to make improvements."
