Best Glamping near Chillicothe, OH

For those who want to experience Chillicothe, but still want the creature comforts of home, consider glamping for your trip. The Dyrt can help find the best glamping in and around Chillicothe, OH. Glamping offers quick access to one or more of Chillicothe's most popular destinations.

Best Glamping Sites Near Chillicothe, Ohio (22)

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Recent Glamping Reviews near Chillicothe, OH

244 Reviews of 22 Chillicothe Campgrounds


  • Dave B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Kenpocentaur K.'s photo of glamping accommodations at Cowan Lake State Park Campground near Chillicothe, OH
    Oct. 27, 2024

    Cowan Lake State Park Campground

    Large Campground

    Autumn is the best time to camp in Ohio. Lots of small bathrooms. Lake access. Only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was due to the fact there was no quick reentry. Had to wait for rvs in front of me to register.

  • Ruby W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo at Lake Hope State Park Campground near Chillicothe, OH
    Aug. 30, 2019

    Lake Hope State Park Campground

    Swimming in History

    Lake Hope State Park is a cute area nestled in the foothills of Ohio. With Zaleski right next door, there are a ton of cool things to do around the area. There’s a swimming, boating, camping, hiking, backpacking, and a ton of cool historical sites to see. I would recommend getting an Ohio Lizard Map to find some cool secret sites that most don’t get to find in the area.

  • A
    Kenpocentaur K.'s photo of glamping accommodations at Tar Hollow State Park Campground near Chillicothe, OH
    Jul. 4, 2021

    Tar Hollow State Park Campground

    Clean, tons of amenities

    Great for families who need lots of entertainment. There was showers and washing machine, general store, movie night, playgrounds and more. We stayed in the S loop which is for tent campers which was lower fidelity than the other loops. Our site didn’t have a table, it had been moved to another site so we had to commandeer it. The drive there was a very interesting tour of trump flags Amish buggies and more. Would come back if I was stranded in Ohio, but overall great pit stop for cleaning up on a long journey. They were the only camp with spot open 4th of July weekend in Ohio.

  • Ron H.
    Camper-submitted photo at Old Man's Cave Campground near Chillicothe, OH
    Jun. 8, 2020

    Old Man's Cave Campground

    Bucket List

    One of the most beautiful places in Ohio. Some amazing trails, most of the trails are fairly easy to hike and most are not long (less then 2 miles). Several waterfalls to see, and rock over hangs. Campgrounds has all the bells and whistles for camping.

  • Jonathan W.
    Camper-submitted photo at Old Man's Cave Campground near Chillicothe, OH
    Jul. 11, 2018

    Old Man's Cave Campground

    Nice camping experience

    At old mans cave campgrounds in southern Ohio, you can enjoy time at a nice campsite, the campgrounds also provide a nice in ground swimming pool as well as a nice shower house. Many things do outside of the campgrounds such as cave exploring and trail hiking.

  • C
    Kenpocentaur K.'s photo of glamping accommodations at Shawnee State Park Campground near Chillicothe, OH
    Jul. 25, 2020

    Shawnee State Park Campground

    Great little camp gound

    Most of the campsites have great privacy, despite being fairly close together. The beach is very nice! There are plenty of trails for the hikers, and 2 lakes if you're the boating/swimming type. Lots of elevation for Ohio.

  • B
    Shelly S.'s photo of glamping accommodations at Rocky Fork State Park Campground near Chillicothe, OH
    Sep. 10, 2020

    Rocky Fork State Park Campground

    Are we there yet.

    We broke our own cardinal rule, don’t travel unfamiliar roads at night. We were blessed as the journey to the park was uneventful, but we missed some wonderful countryside. Upon arrival at Rocky Fork we realized even with a map it took 40 minutes to find our site. This was not so much due to the darkness as it was to the poor road and site markings. The camp grounds we stayed in was nearly full and had every conceivable form of camping from tents to full size motor coaches. There were a few that appeared to have been here for sometime and that doesn’t bother us other than their site wasn’t getting yard of the month.The surrounding campers were very friendly and eager to share more local attractions. For us south Louisiana Cajuns the mild weather was a blessing, coolest night was in the 50’s 😎. We are fast becoming eastern Ohio fans. We plan on two more Ohio park stops as we move northerly. Stay tuned to the adventures of the Lost Cajuns.

  • Dave V.
    Camper-submitted photo at Lake Hope State Park Campground near Chillicothe, OH
    Sep. 28, 2016

    Lake Hope State Park Campground

    Variety, solitude and immersed in history!

    Lake Hope State Park is the unsung hero of Logan county, Ohio. Hocking Hills State Park gets the crowds because of its amenities and closer proximity to Old Man's Cave...but...

    Each time I have stayed at Lake Hope State Park, I have marveled at why there are only a few stray campers in a state park of 190 sites. Granted...I am usually camping during the week...but its a ghost town. Which is fine by me...solitude...peace and quiet.

    The main reason is pit latrines...well, that's my guess, anyways. LHSP still has hot showers. I guess because it doesn't have a pool, it doesn't have the crowds. Shoot! I'd stay home if I wanted a pool. Whatever the reason, you rarely, if ever, will have to contend with neighbors.

    Trails are superb...tall canopies, fern ground cover, a wild assortment of fungi and wildlife at every turn. The terrain is undulating but very doable. The campsites are pretty open, so if you did have neighbors...you'd know it. We'd usually snatch up site 98 or 99...or both. No one would usually go that deep into the park. It was private...pit latrine nearby...flat and airy. Foot trails were nearby and the bike trail wasn't too far away.

    If you brought your boats...Lake Hope is a nice flatwater paddle. Get there early and watch the water lilies open. Hope furnace is just outside the campground and next to the first "put-in" for the lake. As history buffs will know that Ohio was one of the nation's leading iron producers back in the day. There is also a swimming beach on the opposite end of Lake Hope...if you just have to get wet.

    The haunted Moonville Tunnel is nearby and worth the short drive and hike. Unfortunately, it is becoming defaced by disrespectful taggers...still cool nonetheless.

    You are plopped down smack dab in the Zaleski State Forest...so pick a trail, any trail.

    A short drive away are amazing trails and formations...Old Man's Cave, Cantwell Cliffs, Cedar Falls, Conkle’s Hollow, Rockhouse and Ash Cave. Each one a must see! Give youself time to hike the trails and enjoy the natural beauty of southern Ohio. Not only will you be glad you did...you will want to return year and year!

  • Chase G.
    Shelly S.'s photo of glamping accommodations at Rocky Fork State Park Campground near Chillicothe, OH
    Jun. 9, 2019

    Rocky Fork State Park Campground

    Meh

    We chose this campground for its proximity to Serpent Mound. It's very middle of the road. The camp store is better than average, but the grounds themselves leave a lot to be desired. Very little privacy, small, uneven sites, bathhouses out of an 80s slasher movie. So much goose poop. The firewood we purchased from the camp store was just awful. Wouldn't light, it just smoked. It's not the first time we've had this problem with wood from an Ohio state park camp store.

    The staff was super friendly and everyone we encountered was very nice, but it's certainly not somewhere I would want to spend more than a night.

  • W
    Kenpocentaur K.'s photo of glamping accommodations at Tar Hollow State Park Campground near Chillicothe, OH
    May. 27, 2018

    Tar Hollow State Park Campground

    Great, primitive camping

    We have been camping at Tar Hollow for years. Sites 32-37 are huge and flat and near the playground so great for families (therefore avoid if you want peace and quiet!). Sites 38-40 and 64-66 are the most idyllic (completely shaded, quiet yet accessible). The non-electric sites feel really remote. There is a weird generator hum at night but you sort of ignore it after a while. 93-96 are the best non electric sites as they are right against water and under the trees. The primitive restrooms often have bees and wasps and mosquitoes so take care. The showers are reliable and I have always had hot water. There is absolutely no cell service excoet if you hike up to the fire tower. we go back, year after year after year. Fav park for camping and hiking in Ohio!!!

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Kenpocentaur K.'s photo of glamping accommodations at Shawnee State Park Campground near Chillicothe, OH
    Jul. 6, 2017

    Shawnee State Park Campground

    Preparation is key

    Shawnee State Park was totally without any phone signal. Right on the border of Kentucky, in Ohio, you are in the small town almost South.

    Beautiful countryside, fortunately I was on Rt 125 when I lost all clue where the park entrance was. Then I saw the Shawnee Range and kept on driving. Definitely get a map because the whole park offers a lot of out door opportunities.

    Backpack trail, 23 and 40 miles loops with 7 camping areas, register and enjoy. Equestrians get 70 miles and primitive camping.

    The camping area is small ( a good thing ) the restrooms are clean and basic. Showerhouse and laundry. The attendant was super helpful and knowledgeable.

  • Lisa S.
    Kenpocentaur K.'s photo of glamping accommodations at Shawnee State Park Campground near Chillicothe, OH
    Apr. 16, 2019

    Shawnee State Park Campground

    Outstanding jaw-dropping slice of beauty

    Nestled close to the Ohio River and the Shawnee State Forest, you will find rolling hills and valleys that offer serene beauty and picturesque landscapes. Wildflowers run rampant throughout this enchanted state park, and deer, raccoons, and turkey frolic throughout the more than 1,160 acre paradise. Challenge your family members for a round of mini golf or basketball, or set out on a geocaching adventure. Cruise along one of the numerous hiking trails and or set off on a relaxing ride on the two bridle trails. Rest your head at one of the campsites offering a dump station and showers, or stay in a cabin. If neither of those are your thing there is a beautiful lodge that provides swimming pools, a game room, and breathtaking views of either the river or forest.

  • Semaj C.
    Kenpocentaur K.'s photo of glamping accommodations at Tar Hollow State Park Campground near Chillicothe, OH
    Jul. 5, 2021

    Tar Hollow State Park Campground

    I will return

    It was better than decent😀. The bathrooms and bathhouse were clean .. one broken shower head but the other three were functional. Clean hot water without an odor. The general store employee (SANDY) was everything and exceptional. She went over and waaayyy beyond to help us as we were new to the area. I appreciate her generosity with her time. She is a true gem:) The park was clean with very neighborly neighbors. We did not hit the trails as it was only a 1-night stop on our journey. It was a back in -concrete trailer site (our trailer was 32 feet ) with electric only (no problems) and there was a potable water faucet nearby. We noticed a dump station as we were leaving the park.

    Call ahead so that the employee Can tell you the best way into the park .. the alternate way we didn’t take apparently had winding narrow turns with steep hills. Also… please go there in the daytime silly us arrived at night and it was quite a challenge. Overall, we enjoyed our stop at this Ohio state park. Thanks again Sandy!!! You will not be forgotten:)

  • S
    Kenpocentaur K.'s photo of glamping accommodations at Cowan Lake State Park Campground near Chillicothe, OH
    Aug. 16, 2021

    Cowan Lake State Park Campground

    Cowan Lake Campground Site B09

    I've stayed here in the past and Cowan Lake does not disappoint. The B site campground is all non-electric tent camping, and far enough away from the larger RV pads that it's a quiet little campsite! Also, these sites are super close to the bathrooms on the beach, which were very clean during our stay. I was incredibly impressed, because the beach gets pretty busy during the day. The beach itself was clean (for a lakeside beach- there are geese, it's Ohio) and the lake was gorgeous! I will say, the only MILD annoyance is that some of the other campers would drive to the parking lot in front of our campsite and park there into the evening hours to fish or head down to the docks. I'm an early riser, so the headlights and car doors slamming were mildly annoying after about 10p. Not enough to make me choose a different campsite, but worth noting. We rented a tandem kayak and explored the lake, and the equipment was all in good condition. The Commisary is pretty limited but they do have a small kitchen and ice cream, as well as the basics like firewood and ice, as well as the boat rentals. Overall, one of my favorite lakeside campgrounds!

  • Megan M.
    Kenpocentaur K.'s photo of glamping accommodations at Cowan Lake State Park Campground near Chillicothe, OH
    Sep. 23, 2019

    Cowan Lake State Park Campground

    Pretty lake. Campground like a parking lot

    Wow! Beautiful place, huge lake, very peaceful out by the water.

    Campground was not the best- sites were VERY close together, with most of the campground completely exposed with no shade. It was like trying to relax on a huge parking lot jammed with RVs and people. At most of the sites, you'd literally have a family up against you 20 feet to the left and a family 20 feet to the right. This might be fun for kids, but not fun if you are looking for some peace and quiet.

    The bathrooms were average for Ohio State parks- icky and grungy, but not gag-worthy. I'm used to the ickiness of state park bathrooms, so I wasn't grossed out. The showers and toilets nearest my site had big puddles of standing water full of dirt, bandaids, plastic wrappers and other gross items floating there the duration of the weekend. One sink was full of dirt the entire weekend. Showers were hot though, which is always a plus.

    Great place for kayaking. There was a little free library, which is a great idea. The snack bar was hopping the whole time. They need to make more than one pot of coffee at a time in the mornings (1 pot when they have 249 sites? They are missing out on $$!!), but I only buy coffee on the morning I'm packing up.

    Overall, I enjoyed it here, but I'd only go if there are LOTS of free sites and you know you aren't jammed up against 2-3 other groups of people.

  • L
    Camper-submitted photo at Old Man's Cave Campground near Chillicothe, OH
    Aug. 27, 2020

    Old Man's Cave Campground

    Ok campground in a beautiful place

    Hocking Hills State Park is a very beautiful natural wonder in Ohio, but the state park campground was ok. The main complaint my group had was with the bathrooms. The women's bathroom near our site had 4 stalls- none of which had doors which would close. They were beautiful big, heavy wooden doors, but each was too big to actually close and lock the door! Fixing this may take 1-2 days work, but someone could easily remove the locks, run the doors through a saw to cut off an inch, stain and seal the exposed wood, and re-attached the locks. Old Man's Cave has a brand new welcome center, but the campground still has bathroom doors that don't close. It doesn't make sense to me. The only other complaint is that the asphalt parking areas at each site are fairly small and there is no parking provided for extra vehicles. Having a large group with people driving separately makes it difficult as there is one parking spot on a site(if you set up a camper). Other general notes: Many of the sites have a lot of slope, as you are in the hills, though each appeared to have at least one small flat area. The showers are fairly open, with curtains on each shower and a large curtain separating the shower area from the rest of the bathroom. They have a bench, hangers for towels, and a shelf for soap. The showerheads themselves are very nice and always had warm water! Another newer bathroom we visited(near the pool) had been remodeled recently, but was significantly dirtier than the old one. There was mud and toilet paper all over the floor and it was smelly. Overall, the campground is in a great location. You can easily hike to Old Man's Cave, Rose Lake, Cedar Falls, and the Devil's Bathtub. Most of these trails lead to other areas 4-5 miles away as well. And being within walking distance of the trails, you don't have to worry about parking(and boy was it crowded this Labor Day weekend).

  • K
    Kenpocentaur K.'s photo of glamping accommodations at Cowan Lake State Park Campground near Chillicothe, OH
    Jul. 1, 2021

    Cowan Lake State Park Campground

    Big Improvements Happening

    Cowan Lake State Park is near Wilmington, Ohio and they have been making a lot of improvements to the park.  It is a great location between Cincinnati and Columbus with easy access from the highway.  This is good if you want to meet with friends somewhat in between.  It isn't too close to the highway so you don't hear the road noise as it is a few miles away but it is an easy drive to the park. 

    They have been revamping the Nature Center to make it more accessible to folks as they have recently added a ramp. The Nature Center actually has two buildings side by side used for different purposes.  Then behind the Nature Center they have a location where several birds are located in cages.  Then next to where the birds are kept you will notice a new paw print trail that is a short but informative hike.

    The commissary has great pizza and ice cream.  We also bought our firewood and ice from them as well.  We didn't need to leave the park.  We had a few trails to pick from and picked two of the shorter ones for members in our group.  

    The cabins have been revamped as well.  They are all close to each other so if you wanted to have a family reunion or a get together this would be a great spot to do so.  At the end of the main road it will lead you to the lake.  You can use the dock to put your boat out (kayak and certain motor boats).  Folks are fishing at the lake or simply enjoying the beauty of the lake.  

    The beach is simple but that is part of the charm.  It is clean and we were able to swim on the hot days that we had while camping.

  • K
    Kenpocentaur K.'s photo of glamping accommodations at Cowan Lake State Park Campground near Chillicothe, OH
    Sep. 23, 2019

    Cowan Lake State Park Campground

    Full Moon night paddle on the Lake

    Cowan Lake State Park - A friend and I were able to kayak on the lake the night of a Friday the 13th moon. It was beautiful. Sadly, no pictures as I do not have a water proof camera. The next day we also went out for another paddle under the bright sun.  The boat ramp and parking lot is easy to use and has a good layout.  They do have some tent sites close to the boat ramp area and you can see the lake from those tent sites. 

    Our campsite did not have any trees but they have planted a lot of new trees. I assume this due the previous trees having to be cut down due to Emerald Ash borer damage. Our campsite didn't have any shade but others did so you really have to pick wisely. 

    The trails here are easy and short.  I loved the informational boxes and tags that they had on the trees or plants.  This is helpful if you have little ones with you or if you are like me and just like to learn about the animals/plants on the trail. 

    The park also had a lending library and walking stick lending program. I thought these were simple but memorable features for this park. 

    Our campsite was close to two different bathroom structures.  One right behind our site was toilets only. This did mean that sometimes folks would walk on the edge or through the camp site at times.  The other bathroom structure was further down the road and it had both toilets and showers.  The larger bathroom had an ADA shower in it as well. 

    The camp store was well stocked and you could rent bikes from the store. These bikes were often all over the campground so be extra careful when driving in the park.  They do have the orange flag but as they are low to the ground it is hard to see them at times. 

    The cabins here have both a fire ring and grill. This isn't the case at all Ohio State parks so it was a nice surprise.  They also have a porch that is screened in with a view of the lake. You are not able to walk down to the lake from the cabin but it is a lovely view. 

    For those who want to "Walk-On" camp please take a look at the photo of the neon yellow paper as how the park approaches this will be different in the future. 

    **Not all photos or videos uploading so some information may be missing. I will try to upload again later.

  • K
    Kenpocentaur K.'s photo of glamping accommodations at Shawnee State Park Campground near Chillicothe, OH
    Jul. 1, 2021

    Shawnee State Park Campground

    Little Smokies in Ohio

    In the short videos I posted you will notice that I did not add a transcript.  Please turn on your Google Accessibility for Live Captions to access the spoken information within the video clips. 

    Shawnee State Park (Little Smokies of Ohio)

    Has a great ranger/naturalist (Jenny) she made the days go by in a memorable way as we were able to do a creek crawl with her one day, kayaked for free with her on the lake, and had several other activities that we enjoyed.  ODNR has a gem in Jenny as she was able to tailor the events to a wide range of abilities, interests, and ages. 

    Cell Phone service is weak at the park.  We didn't always have a signal at the camp grounds but if you go over to the lodge you will have a signal.  You can also access Wi-Fi while at the lodge if needed.  The lodge has a restaurant that you can eat at if you wish.  They also have an indoor pool, an outdoor pool, and an indoor hot tub. If you camp at the state park campsites you can pay for a day pass.  This is a great thing to do when you need a change of pace or if it is rainy and you want to swim indoors. They even have a game room (old school arcade). 

    Near the Shawnee State Park is a dairy bar that my family has gone to for many years. It is a part of the tradition to get Turtle Sundaes. https://www.facebook.com/Buckeye-Dairy-Bar-Miniature-Golf-166451746787194/

    In the Shawnee lodge if you look closely at the main mural you will notice Raven Rock. We totally overlooked this while we were growing up.  Thanks to the internet we now know this is a nature preserve. https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/raven-rock-state-nature-preserve

    Our first campsite was number 12.  We arrived at 5:55 PM and the camp office closes at 6:00 PM. The gal waited for us to check out the site and we promptly came back as she did indicate it was a rough site.  This site and 13, 14 is what I would expect for a backpacking campsite.  Not for a traditional car camping non-electric campsite.  If we had any older or younger family members with us it would have been inaccessible.  We didn't like the walk up to the site and the big draw back was the table in the poison ivy. We promptly for the 1st time in my camping career paid a fee to switch to a new site. Luckily the park was not super busy as it was a weekday.  

    Bathroom access such as the stairs, bathroom stalls ADA, and other access points will need to continue to be improved for those with mobility issues. This would have greatly impacted my friends and family had they been with me on this trip.  

    The showers in the bathhouse are motion sensor based. That means if you get too far from the sensor the shower will turn off.  Also, make sure you take your shampoo items etc. out with you before you get dressed as if you reach back in to grab your items you will promptly get sprayed. 

    Another favorite spot is the fire tower https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/copperhead-fire-tower  Please make sure to respect the fire tower as it is one of the few fire towers that you can still go up in and look at the beautiful view.  You will not have a signal here so make sure you also ask about how to get back as we didn't have a GPS signal for the way back and just explored our way back to civilization. 

    The park was not super busy while we were there in June.  It is a well kept secret as I found this to be one of the most charming parks that I have been to in a long time.  I suspect the cell phone signal and location has impacted folks coming to this park compared to others. It isn't super close to a major city but for me that is part of the charm. 

    For those of you who like to mountain bike do check out the new mountain bike trails. I cannot report on those as I am not talented enough to go out on those trails;)

  • Jonathan W.
    Camper-submitted photo at Waters Edge Canoe Livery near Chillicothe, OH
    Jul. 11, 2018

    Waters Edge Canoe Livery

    Very fun place to camp and kayak/canoe

    Very fun place to camp and enjoy the creek on a kayak or canoe. Very friendly staff, and one of my favorite places to go.

  • Matt L.
    Kenpocentaur K.'s photo of glamping accommodations at Tar Hollow State Park Campground near Chillicothe, OH
    Jun. 27, 2017

    Tar Hollow State Park Campground

    Tar Hollow? You've Probably Never Heard of It

    Ok, I'll admit I only picked Tar Hollow because I couldn't get into Hocking Hills. BUT, I am so glad we went here! The camp sites were clean, spacious enough, and easy to get to. The park itself is definitely a HIKING and/or HORSEBACK Riding park. The lake is small but offers some clean and fun swimming spots.

    I highly recommend hiking the Logan trail to the fire tower.

  • Renée C.
    Kenpocentaur K.'s photo of glamping accommodations at Tar Hollow State Park Campground near Chillicothe, OH
    Jul. 12, 2017

    Tar Hollow State Park Campground

    Group Camping

    This was such a great place to book a group site. The shelter was perfect for group lunch/dinner area and a nice place to put gear that we didn't want to get wet. The site is far away from other campers and so peaceful. There was 2 outhouses close enough to walk but not so close you could smell them. The campground has a nice clean lake, nature room, bike rentals, paddle boat rentals, putt putt golf course and a movie stand. Great place to stay.

  • Jonathan W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Kenpocentaur K.'s photo of glamping accommodations at Tar Hollow State Park Campground near Chillicothe, OH
    Jul. 20, 2017

    Tar Hollow State Park Campground

    Remote and peaceful

    Tar Hollow State Park sits adjacent to the State Forest, in a similar setup to Scioto Trail and Lake Hope. It is pretty remote (no cell phone coverage at even the top of the hills), and really is a chance to 'get away' from the modern life. All sorts of camping is covered: RVing, trailer camping, and tent camping at electric sites, and primitive tent camping at several locations. Most of the camping is down in the valley, upstream from the lake. There is a camping area (and large paved lot) just below the dam (during this trip we saw a Boy Scout Troop with a school bus parked down there, so for those looking a for a group camping experience with a heavy vehicle that's an area to consider). This lower dam lot sits on the access trail to the main Logan Trail loop (for those wanting some serious distance hiking).

    When we go, we tent camp with no electricity, so this review will focus on that style. The primitive camping is at the North Ridge campsite at the top of the hill to the north of the lake. There is a single gravel parking lot here, and you are carrying your gear in at most 100 yards, up hill, to the farthest spot. It is the crest of the hill, so the different spots have different amounts of slope. Pay attention to the descriptions in the reservation website if you're not prepared for this. The whole site is one large cleared oval, with a large grassy area (well mown) at the crest. There is room for the kids (or dog) to run around in circles, but you'll want to watch the thrown ball. It is really, really quiet. We could not hear anyone at the park down below. If you're lucky and have no clouds, there is virtually no light pollution and you can see the Milky Way. You are not within walking distance of the main park or trails, so plan on driving down to the main park or to the trail head you intend to use. There is water (drinking fountain and spigot) and his/hers pit toilets with antibacterial soap (you know the brand name).

    Activities: it is a state park, so there are some things aimed at kids and there were lots of kids this past week running around looking busy and happy (even the teenagers). The lake has a sand beach and designated swim area. It is blocked off from the rest of the lake by a wooden dock from which you are able to shallow dive (it's only seven or eight feet deep). Swim at your own risk. There are peddle boats to rent (two drivers, two passengers). We rented canoes, but there is also a rowboat and several kayaks. The main lake is large enough that an hour's rental is just fine for your canoe time. Separately there is a boat launch, and a fishing dock. There is a small two-room nature center, and there is a naturalist who conducts several activities. In past years we've been able to spend an hour or so at the nature rooms, and then let the kids go off with the naturalist on an hour+ guided hike down the creek to explore for wildlife and plants. Call the camp store to get information on that. The camp store is friendly and welcoming, with a small selection of mementos (magnets, hiking sticks), a few nature-themed toys, last-minute forgets (duct tape, popcorn, table cloth and the like) and ice cream. The front porch has a swing and rocking chairs, and will definitely block a heavy thunderstorm for you. There is miniature golf, but don't expect a major chain's high quality production--this is a state park. There is a foosball table and air hockey as well in a separate game room. The park is well looked after, and the staff are friendly and helpful--everyone knows why they are there.

    For committed outdoors people, it is a good base from which to explore Hocking Hills (25 minutes away) and the Tar Hollow State Forest trails. You're near the Buckeye Trail (accessed from the trail below the dam, 1.5 miles up to the Fire Tower), and the Logan Trail loop in the state forest. For the family looking to get away for a day or two, there is much to do so long as you aren't expecting a resort. And to get the kids off the electronics...oh, sorry, there's no cell phone access at all. Just listen for the hawks, the tree frogs, and the rest of nature.

  • Megan M.
    Kenpocentaur K.'s photo of glamping accommodations at Tar Hollow State Park Campground near Chillicothe, OH
    Sep. 4, 2018

    Tar Hollow State Park Campground

    Tiny lots, terrible toilet smell

    I can see how this state park appeals to families- there is putt putt, a cute general store, an outdoor movie screen, a small beach and paddle boats. But if you don't have kids, I'd find a better place to camp. 

    The campground sites are tiny and all squished together. I had a literal 9-foot rectangle of grass, right up against RVs on both sides. It didn't help that the families, who were mere feet away from me the whole time, spent the weekend screaming at their kids and dogs (four dogs with one family. Four. Why aren't there rules about that?) and later beating their dogs. Yep. I got to see dog beating all weekend long. That's the kind of clientele this park seems to attract. 

    The trails didn't seem that great- barely marked, going through a dense forest, with not much to see besides the trees themselves. The "lake" is really a pond, or an extremely small lake. The swimming was decent but the bottom is quite slimy- bring water shoes if you want to swim. 

    Also, my campsite was literally 10 yards away from a disgusting pit toilet that reeked the entire time. Why do they put campsites right up against sewer pits? I had to breathe in feces fumes all weekend long, and I doubt that is healthy. 

    The shower was hot, I'll give them that. I will not return to this park. I called the reservation agency to tell them about my experience but they did not get back to me.

  • M
    Kenpocentaur K.'s photo of glamping accommodations at Tar Hollow State Park Campground near Chillicothe, OH
    Apr. 18, 2019

    Tar Hollow State Park Campground

    Great off season!

    We went to Tar Hollow state Park campground on April 11,2019 and it was as quiet as can be!! Not one camper by us. Perfect spot lot 71, it has plenty of room for a couple tents or pop up and tents and still have room for 2-3 cars. But this is probably the only campsite you can do that in. The rest are tight and with little to no space. Lots 1-27, I would say are for campers, RVs etc very little to no space for tents. Lots 67-70 I would say are for tents. Tight road getting in and out. Lot 71 I would say is for both tents and campers. Behind lot 71 is woods so you can do off trail hiking. Be ready for a climb but it’s pretty. There’s a playground for the kids and a wooden swing for the parents to sit and watch there kids. The bathrooms down on this site are pit toilets but the bathrooms by lots 1-27 have flushing toilets and that is where the shower house is located. I don’t recommend lots 32-37 because from what can see you have to drive through the grass to get to them. Lots 30-31A would be nice it you have kids (not toddlers) because there’s a small stream to play in and on the other side of the stream is the playground. The stream is only like 3 ft wide so easy for kids to cross but yet parent can sit at campsite and watch kids at playground. Staff was nice but rarely saw a ranger. General store did say they just opened today. I would probably never come here when it is busy. I would have no idea how everyone would drive by each other roads are not wide and some campsites have little space to park. But for as of now - beginning of season its great! There is a small beach that we didn’t go to and a movie screen that we didn’t go to nor know if they use. The store staff said there is fish in the lake. Naturally breed not stocked.


Frequently Asked Questions

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