Best Campgrounds near Cumberland, OH

Cumberland, Ohio sits within proximity to several state parks and recreation areas offering diverse camping experiences. Wolf Run State Park Campground provides a peaceful setting with both electric and non-electric sites for tent and RV camping along its 1,000-acre property. Several miles south, the Jesse Owens State Park area features multiple primitive campgrounds including Sand Hollow, Hook Lake, and Maple Grove. These public lands support both developed campgrounds with amenities and more rustic sites suited for self-contained camping.

Access to most campgrounds remains available year-round, though facilities and services vary seasonally. The Bicentennial Campground offers free camping with basic amenities including vault toilets and picnic tables. "It's a very pretty place with a small pond/lake which is alive with the music of nighttime bugs and frogs," noted one visitor about the Bicentennial area. Most sites are first-come, first-served, requiring self-registration upon arrival. While many campgrounds feature accessible roads, some areas may have rougher terrain, particularly during wet weather. Cell service can be limited throughout the region, with visitors noting spotty coverage even with signal boosters.

Waterfront camping represents a popular option near Cumberland, with several campgrounds offering lake access for fishing, kayaking and canoeing. Fish Farm Camp receives consistently high ratings for its lakeside sites, with campers praising the "beautiful lake" and private camping spots. Salt Fork State Park Campground, approximately 15 miles from Cumberland, provides more extensive facilities including showers, laundry and full hookups for RVs. For those seeking quieter experiences, the non-electric sites at Wolf Run State Park offer more seclusion, with one camper noting they "had the whole back section to ourselves." Wildlife viewing opportunities abound throughout the region, with campers frequently reporting beaver activity, bird watching, and evening amphibian choruses around the water bodies.

Best Camping Sites Near Cumberland, Ohio (140)

    1. Wolf Run State Park Campground

    18 Reviews
    Caldwell, OH
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 732-5035

    "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."

    2. Sand Hollow (Campground C) — Jesse Owens State Park

    12 Reviews
    McConnelsville, OH
    9 miles
    Website

    "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. Salt Fork State Park Campground

    36 Reviews
    Kimbolton, OH
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 432-1508

    $23 - $34 / night

    "**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."

    4. Bicentennial Campground

    8 Reviews
    Cumberland, OH
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 962-1205

    "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."

    5. Hook Lake (Campground A) — Jesse Owens State Park

    7 Reviews
    McConnelsville, OH
    9 miles

    "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). "

    6. Fish Farm Camp

    4 Reviews
    Cumberland, OH
    6 miles
    +1 (740) 421-1221

    $25 / night

    "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."

    7. Blue Rock State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Blue Rock, OH
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 674-4794

    "Blue Rock State Park is outside Zanesville, Oh off I70. Rt 60 takes you South and then you have a choice of routes in. Good Ohio farmland scenery."

    "Newer flush toilets near the group camp sites are nice. Camp store has showers for camper use. Really pretty lake!"

    8. Maple Grove (Campground G) — Jesse Owens State Park

    6 Reviews
    McConnelsville, OH
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 453-4377

    "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."

    9. Sawmill (Campground D) — Jesse Owens State Park

    4 Reviews
    Cumberland, OH
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 962-1205

    "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. Spring Valley Campground

    5 Reviews
    Cambridge, OH
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 439-9291

    $32 - $38 / night

    "We stayed one night on our way out west and this place was not far from the highway and it was super quiet. Perfect restful night it’s just what we needed."

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Recent Reviews near Cumberland, OH

439 Reviews of 140 Cumberland Campgrounds


  • David M.
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Lane Farm Campground

    Quiet little campground for only $10.

    It is getting difficult for travelling motorcyclists to find a campground to sleep for the night as most that call themselves campgrounds are RV parks and don't allow tent camping.  Lane Farm is a gem for travelling motorcyclists.  We stayed there a week after labor day.  The rate as of 2025 is $10 and it is first come, first served for the 4 sites.  We were the only ones there.  The  amenities there are a vault toilet (it was clean and stocked with toilet paper), trash bin by the toilet building, picnic tables, camp fire ring with cooking grate, and lantern post.    It is right on Ohio state route 26, but there was very little traffic noise.  The entire campground is paved and the parking spots and sites were very spacious. There are parking spots in front of the toilet building.  As with many rustic national/state forest campgrounds there is no potable water there.  That didn't bother us as we came prepared with our own water and toilet paper.  The Little Muskingum river on the east side of the campground was very shallow and slow moving in September.  I don't know what it would be like earlier in the camping season.  All four sites are close to the river.  I was surprised to find that a week after labor day weekend there was still plenty of laying dead wood in the woods available for camp fire wood.  The forest service changed their web site structure and you'll find most of the links posted online won't take you directly to the campground page.  The current working link for the campground is  https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/wayne/recreation/lane-farm-campground

  • Jeff P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Hune Bridge Campground

    What Bridge?

    OK, yes, there is a covered bridge, but it's closed and full of local yocal graffiti. Part of the draw for me was the river running alongside, but it is bone dry. Other than that, it's your typical midway NFS campground. By midway, I mean it's not a full campground, and it's not a primitive site. Since the bridge is closed, a detour is available on the site, although it is not entirely clear.

    As with most NFS sites the email for the ranger isn't correct, and they don't answer phones or return messages. You're on your own.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Tappan Lake Park Campground

    Nice seasonal camping

    Very clean great staff would be a solid 5 if they added a swimming pool

  • D
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Hook Lake (Campground A) — Jesse Owens State Park

    Can’t wait to come back!!!

    Beautiful campground with fire pit and table. Our site was big enough for 3 6 person tents but most sites are smaller and fit 1-2 4 person tents.

    Good trails to hike and wonderful scenery. No cell reception unless you have satellite.

    The raccoons were a little to close for comfort in the evening make sure you lock your food and trash in your car at night.

  • Kathy L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Seneca Lake Park Campground

    Okay campground

    Nice campground on the lake. Some mosquitos& gnats. Much of the campground has sites/ trailers that are owned(or leased), with some campsites for daily/ short-term reservations. Someone we met explained that the short-term ones are on flood areas so they can’t let people build on those sites. Another aspect is that there are boat slips that are owned(or leased) and those can even be in front of one of the short-term campsites so water access is blocked by those no trespassing private docks. Okay place to stay on our way across the country.

  • Aly M.
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Blennerhassett RV Park

    Friendly campground

    The owner was great. I called when I was on my way, he gave me a space number, and I was able to go straight to it. Weekly and monthly pricing is great too.

  • Alex A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Baileys Trail Tent Camping

    Peaceful Stay

    Wonderful little location. We drove for about 3 hours to get from where we are. Nice wide open space surrounded by woods. There were other campers but very friendly and had plenty of space to ourselves. Very nice bathroom/shower compared to what we expected. Will visit again.

  • Joe B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Campbell Cove Camping

    Nice campground

    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. I know the campground doesn’t control the road, so it’s just a note about the noise. The site is amazing, and I would come back.

  • Noel L.
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Scenic Hills RV Park

    Great campground

    Close to everything Amish in Berlin. Asked for a shaded area...got a perfect one that had shade all day. Friendly and helpful staff. Free firewood.Very clean and well kept park.


Guide to Cumberland

Primitive camping spots near Cumberland, Ohio offer a mix of public and private options, many providing lake access for water activities. The region sits on reclaimed strip-mining land at approximately 900 feet elevation, with rolling terrain that creates both challenges and opportunities for campers. Cumberland's location near Jesse Owens State Park provides access to numerous free dispersed camping areas with varying amenities and terrain conditions.

What to do

Kayaking on quiet lakes: Hook Lake Campground offers excellent water access for paddlers. "There is a pond for boating and fishing. Fish are bluegill, bass, red sun fish and catfish," notes one visitor who appreciated the fishing variety.

Wildlife viewing: Camping areas around Cumberland provide ample opportunity to observe local fauna. At Bicentennial Campground, visitors report the small pond/lake is "alive with the music of nighttime bugs and frogs," creating a natural soundtrack for evenings.

Hiking local trails: The Buckeye Trail runs through several camping areas. At Wolf Run State Park, hikers should note potential maintenance issues: "We hiked following their trail but had to turn around as a bridge was closed. Great flowers and mushrooms and the lake was gorgeous," reports one camper who found scenic compensation despite trail limitations.

What campers like

Seclusion in non-electric areas: Wolf Run State Park Campground offers particularly quiet camping in their non-electric sections. "We were in the non electric site area. It was pretty quiet, a great place to chill," shares one reviewer who appreciated the peaceful setting.

Free camping options: Sand Hollow Campground receives high marks for its no-cost camping. "This campground is wonderful for tents, hammocks or RV. It always has spots available and they are completely free. You have to fill out a permit online," explains a camper who valued the accessibility and value.

Private waterfront sites: Lakeside camping creates memorable experiences. "We found our way there and selected an open spot directly across from the bridge," shares a visitor at Sawmill Campground, highlighting the scenic setting many campers seek.

What you should know

Limited cell service: Most campgrounds around Cumberland have minimal connectivity. At Sawmill Campground, "Cell reception is nil unless you drive to the AEP tower. (Mile down the main road)," advises a camper who found a workaround for communication needs.

Variable bathroom conditions: Vault toilets are standard at most primitive sites. At Sand Hollow, campers should "Definitely need to have bug spray in hand and possibly your own TP. They were disgusting," according to one reviewer who found facilities lacking.

Water access considerations: Not all campgrounds provide potable water. One Sand Hollow visitor noted, "The water station was broken at our site so we had to travel to another location to get more," highlighting the need to bring extra water supplies.

Permit requirements: Some campgrounds require permits though they remain free. "You need to get a free permit to use this recreation area. Pick one up at local gas stations or convenience stores, it takes less than 5 minutes," explains a visitor about the straightforward process.

Tips for camping with families

Bug preparation: Insect activity can be significant, especially in summer months. "We used spray and still had so many bites. Also, lots of poison ivy in the area. We had a great weekend but itched for the next week," warns a Sand Hollow visitor who recommends extra precautions.

Spacious sites for groups: Fish Farm Camp offers room for family gatherings. "Found this location last minute. Booking and directions were super easy... Beautiful views, great fishing, and a super clean set up," reports a satisfied camper who found it accommodating.

Educational opportunities: The region's mining history provides learning experiences. "Go check out Big Muskie Bucket and learn a bit about Coal and power," suggests a visitor regarding the nearby Miners Memorial, which makes for an interesting day trip from most area campgrounds.

Tips from RVers

Site selection importance: The terrain at many campgrounds creates leveling challenges. A Wolf Run camper advises, "Our first visit to this campground with a whim on picking a site. The pad was level and not bad in length... Some of the electric sites were very small or had a very bad dip on the pad. Choose your site wisely."

Free RV camping: Jesse Owens State Park areas accommodate larger vehicles without fees. "Very secluded, perfect for those nature lovers looking to get away from it all... Also a very generous amount of room for parking right on your site," notes a Sand Hollow visitor who found ample space for larger rigs.

Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts site conditions significantly. "A lot was dirt so watch out for the rain," cautions a Wolf Run camper who experienced the effects of precipitation on camping surfaces, suggesting RVers monitor forecasts closely.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping options are available in Cumberland, Ohio?

Cumberland, Ohio offers diverse camping options for all preferences. Shadow Lake RV Resort provides well-maintained grounds with clean shower facilities and laundry amenities, perfect for RV enthusiasts seeking full hookups. For those preferring a more rustic experience, Hook Lake Campground in Jesse Owens State Park offers basic woodland sites spread throughout a loop above the lake, making it ideal for large groups or family reunions. Additional options include free primitive camping at various AEP Recreation Land locations near Cumberland, with no reservations needed – simply find an open spot that appeals to you.

Where is Cumberland, Ohio located?

Cumberland, Ohio is located in southeastern Ohio, nestled in the rolling hills of the Appalachian region. It sits near the larger towns of Zanesville and McConnelsville. The area is known for its proximity to Jesse Owens State Park, which offers beautiful natural landscapes and camping opportunities. Cumberland is also not far from 'The Wilds', Ohio's renowned conservation center and safari park, making it a strategic base for exploring this unique attraction.

What outdoor activities can I enjoy while camping in Cumberland, Ohio?

Cumberland offers abundant outdoor activities for campers. At Wolf Run State Park Campground, enjoy swimming and fishing in the remarkably clear lake waters, with campsites conveniently situated close to the shoreline. Hiking enthusiasts will appreciate the trails around Salt Fork State Park, which feature scenic paths along the shoreline and historic sites like an old stone house. The Muskingum River State Park offers excellent bank fishing opportunities and the chance to observe historic locks. Wildlife viewing is exceptional throughout the region, with butterflies and various bird species frequently spotted in the natural areas surrounding Cumberland.