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 Clifton, OH
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Camping options around Clifton, Ohio include both free and fee-based sites within the Jesse Owens State Park area and several state parks within driving distance. Several campgrounds offer waterfront camping, particularly near the Muskingum River, with most providing basic amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. The area features a mix of RV-friendly locations with full hookups like Ashland RV Park and Wolf Run State Park Campground, as well as more primitive tent camping areas within the Jesse Owens State Park system.
Access to camping varies significantly throughout the region, with some sites requiring reservations while others operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Many of the Jesse Owens State Park campgrounds offer free camping for up to 14-day stays. "This was an AEP ReCreation campsite. It has recently been purchased by the State of Ohio," noted one camper about Maple Grove Campground, highlighting the transition of these lands from AEP (American Electric Power) reclaimed mining areas to state park status. Cell phone coverage can be limited throughout the area, with Verizon typically providing the best service. Roads are generally well-maintained, though visitors should be prepared for gravel roads leading to more remote campgrounds.
The campgrounds within the Jesse Owens State Park system receive positive reviews for their peaceful settings and value. Several campers appreciate the free camping opportunities and natural surroundings. Tent sites at Riversedge Campground along the water's edge are particularly popular, with one visitor sharing, "Our tent was right on the river and Kelli was the best host ever!" Water access is a common highlight among reviewers, with fishing, kayaking, and canoeing opportunities available at several locations. While amenities vary widely between campgrounds, most provide basic facilities like vault toilets and trash disposal. The more developed campgrounds offer additional amenities including electric hookups, shower facilities, and drinking water.
Best Campgrounds near Clifton (140)
1. Wolf Run State Park Campground
"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!!"
"Lots of Ohio farmland countryside though. There is a nice size lake in the middle of Wolf Run so everything is based around it. Watch the traffic when driving from one area to another."
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. Ashland RV Park
"Very close to the nice little downtown Marietta, Ohio but still very rural location. Large sites. Great staff. Absolutely love this place. Slow pace and quiet."
"The highway traffic can be a little loud in the morning if you're on that side of the property, but who wants to sleep when there are trails to hit!"
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. Burr Oak State Park Campground
"The Blue Trail goes through here and provides a fun hike. There is a bathroom across the road and access to water at the entrance of the site. Showers are 15 minutes walk or a quick drive away."
"Wayne National Forest shares the area with Burr Oak State Park near Glouster, Oh. Wayne National Forest is split into three areas in southeastern Ohio."
from $25 - $55 / 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. 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."
8. Washington County Fairgrounds
9. 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."
10. Riversedge Campground
"We chose rivers edge for our annual father son getaway and we were not disappointed. The tent sites are right next to the water and there is a beach and dock nearby also."
from $30 - $60 / night
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Drive Time
- 29 min from Parkersburg, WV
- 1 hr 24 min from Wheeling, WV
- 1 hr 53 min from Weirton, WV
Recent Camping Photos near Clifton, OH
189 Photos of 140 Clifton Campgrounds
Jackie D.
Ashland RV Park
Shari G.
Lane Farm Campground
Joaquim P.
Maple Grove (Campground G) — Jesse Owens State Park
salena
Riversedge Campground
Tony M.
Hook Lake (Campground A) — Jesse Owens State Park
Tammy M.
Sawmill (Campground D) — Jesse Owens State Park
Seth V.
Hune Bridge Campground
Madison S.
Sand Hollow (Campground C) — Jesse Owens State Park
Matt H.
Bicentennial Campground
Dare To Everywhere .
Kinderhook Trailhead
Annika E.
Kinderhook Horse Trail
Recent Reviews near Clifton, OH
490 Reviews of 140 Clifton 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.
Courtnee H.
TravelerHilltop Resorts and Campgrounds
Ok
The campground was well maintained and it did offer some fun activities for the kids (pillow trampoline, basketball court, mini golf). We stayed in the RV section and although the sites are grassy, we prefer more trees and bigger sites for shade and privacy. This is more of an RV park feel that we prefer. However, it was within close driving proximity to Hocking Hills State Park, which was our reason for booking. So it did the job!
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
- Mikayla H.Scout
Snowden lake
First time camping
Had a wonderful time camping with my family ground were well kept and staff was super friendly and it wasn't super busy
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.
Guide to Clifton
Campsites near Clifton, Ohio range from free dispersed sites to developed campgrounds across a mix of terrain. The area's rolling hills and woodland settings create natural seclusion for campers, with elevations generally between 600-1,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F, while spring and fall camping seasons experience wider temperature swings requiring more adaptable gear.
What to do
Kayaking on calm waters: Hook Lake Campground offers easy access to peaceful paddling. "We 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," notes James D., highlighting the scenic paddling opportunities.
Stargazing without light pollution: The remote locations of many campsites make for exceptional night sky viewing. At Sand Hollow Campground, one camper reported, "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."
Hiking the Buckeye Trail: Multiple campgrounds provide access to this historic trail system. "The Buckeye Trail is easily accessible from the campground for hiking," notes a Shannon G. about Bicentennial Campground, adding that the trail offers good terrain for day hikes of varying difficulties.
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: Campers consistently highlight the value of water-adjacent camping spots. At Riversedge Campground, Ken P. shares, "The tent sites are right next to the water and there is a beach and dock nearby also."
Spacious camping areas: Many sites offer ample room for group camping. "The campsites were large. We had 5 people in 3 tents, and a pretty good size trailer with 5 kayaks loaded and still had more than enough room for everyone," says Derek C. about his experience at Sand Hollow.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The region's lakes attract diverse birds and animals. "The campground has a beautiful lake you fish or kayak on and there are a ton of birds so bring your binoculars," advises a camper about Bicentennial Campground.
What you should know
Vault toilets condition varies: Facilities at dispersed sites receive minimal maintenance. "The downfall is the cleanliness of the facilities. Bathrooms and showerhouses are somewhat neglected," notes Hannah B. about Wolf Run State Park.
Water availability limitations: Not all campgrounds provide drinking water. "The water station was broken at our site so we had to travel to another location to get more. No service and no electric hookup," reports Kelly L. about her stay at one campground.
Seasonal insect activity: Bugs can be problematic during warmer months. "I went for an overnight camping getaway...As I was going to put my canoe into the water, I noticed some really nasty stuff in the water...and then I noticed a lot of flies all around that particular area," shares Joey Z. about his experience.
Tips for camping with families
Fishing access for kids: Sawmill Campground offers special fishing opportunities. "At the campground children up to the age of 15 are allowed to fish. Adults need to go elsewhere to fish," explains one reviewer about nearby restrictions.
Playground amenities: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. "Has a playarea for kids with basketball court," mentions cyndy F. about recreation options at Wolf Run State Park.
Shallow water exploration: Several sites feature kid-friendly water access. "Plenty of shallow water for the kids to play in if they wanted to go exploring," notes a camper about Sawmill Campground, highlighting the natural play opportunities.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for vehicle size: Many campgrounds have variable site conditions. "Would advise to visually check the sites, due to terrain which is rolling," recommends Jay B. about Wolf Run State Park Campground.
Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at many sites. "Some of the electric sites were very small or had a very bad dip on the pad. Choose your site wisely," advises Shannon G. from her experience at Burr Oak.
Dump station access: Limited facilities exist for waste disposal. "They do have a place to empty your grey water, but no black water tank," notes Kelly L., adding important information for self-contained RV campers planning extended stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Clifton, OH?
What camping is available near Clifton, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, Clifton, OH offers a wide range of camping options, with 140 campgrounds and RV parks near Clifton, OH and 8 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Clifton, OH?
Which is the most popular campground near Clifton, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Clifton, OH is Wolf Run State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 19 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Clifton, OH?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Clifton, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 free dispersed camping spots near Clifton, OH.
What parks are near Clifton, OH?
What parks are near Clifton, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 26 parks near Clifton, OH that allow camping, notably Wayne National Forest and Dillon Lake.
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