Mount Sterling serves as a hub for several RV campgrounds in west-central Ohio, with most locations situated within a 45-minute drive of town. The region features relatively flat terrain with elevations around 900 feet above sea level, providing easy access for larger RVs. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-85°F during peak camping season, while spring and fall can see significant temperature swings.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Sky Lake Resort and Fishing, campers enjoy multiple connected lakes with excellent fishing access. "We loved our time at Sky Lake! It's a beautiful property, well maintained, and easy to make a reservation," notes reviewer Brittany S.
River activities: Hocking River RV Park offers direct river access for kayaking and canoeing. "This small and cost effective campground is so awesome! The river is small and is perfect to have a fire right next to. We also just went up the highway a little to a rafting rental place called murrys landing to raft down the river," shares Aysia C.
Family recreation: Many campgrounds offer activities beyond traditional camping. "Fun location just off the highway. Perfect for a family, has swimming pool, putt putt, and other child friendly activities... also has small fishing pond," reports Buck B. about Tomorrow's Stars RV Resort.
What campers like
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Campgrounds near Mount Sterling often receive praise for upkeep. "The bathrooms were nice though. No playground which made camping with kids very uneventful for them," notes one camper about Hocking River RV Park.
Spacious sites: Thousand Trails Wilmington offers roomier camping spots. "This is a very quiet campground with spacious sites on Loop C. The pool is large and heated," says Susan B. The campground is approximately 30 miles from Mount Sterling.
Quiet atmosphere: Many campers appreciate the peaceful settings. "This was the first stay of my full time RV life. I'm glad I started here. It's nice and quiet. People seem to be very friendly," writes Emerson F. about their stay at Thousand Trails Wilmington.
What you should know
Reservation systems vary: Some rv campgrounds near Mount Sterling require advance planning. Jackson Lake Park offers online reservations but campers note, "Easy access to sites. Staff could take a lesson in hospitality and giving directions on park."
Hookup quality differences: Water and electric connections can vary significantly between parks. "The sites are very close together - one family moved in late at night practically on top of me - their tent was literally 4 feet from my picnic table," explains one camper about certain sites at Hocking River RV Park.
Seasonal operation: Several campgrounds in the region close during winter months. Thousand Trails Wilmington operates from April 17 to October 30, while some other RV campgrounds near Mount Sterling maintain year-round operations with reduced services during colder months.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Jackson Lake Park offers a swimming pond and activities for children. "All around a beautiful area I was just very disappointed that the pool was closed! Very please with the stay so far," mentions Madison.
Arcade activities: Some campgrounds provide indoor entertainment options. "Lots of fun for kids with the swimming pond and arcade. As a moto camper, we really lucked out with a flat plot and didn't have anyone in the spots next to us," notes Jess N. about Jackson Lake Park.
State park proximity: For additional recreation opportunities, "We like the location to the State park nearby for hiking trails and mountain biking trails (Ceasar Creek)," says Melissa T. about Thousand Trails Wilmington, highlighting options beyond campground boundaries.
Tips from RVers
Level sites: RV campers emphasize the importance of site leveling. At Deer Creek Camping Resort, "Our site was HUGE! The pad was very level, so setting up the TT was quick and easy," according to Kim H.
Water fill considerations: Some campgrounds have limited central water fill stations. "The only negative was the lack of a central fresh water fill station. Spigots are dispersed throughout the camp, which means sitting in the road for as long as it takes to fill your tank," notes a reviewer at Deer Creek Camping Resort.
Self-check-in availability: Some Mount Sterling area RV parks offer convenient arrival procedures. "The one thing I really liked was that the entire reservation and check-in process was online, you didn't have to check in at the office, just put your info into the website and you were all set, which is really nice after a long drive," shares Gregory L. about Sky Lake Resort.