Cabin camping near Waverly, Ohio offers access to the rural foothills of Appalachia where elevations range from 700-1,200 feet. The area receives approximately 42 inches of annual rainfall, creating lush woodland settings for camping. Seasonal considerations impact cabin availability, with many locations requiring reservations several months in advance for summer stays.
What to do
Hiking through forests: Pike Lake State Park features multiple trail options with varying difficulty levels. "We hiked the Greenbriar and CCC Trails. They are not too challenging but beautiful. Parts of the CCC trail were overgrown with briars and narrow," notes one visitor who stayed in a cabin.
Water recreation: Many campgrounds offer fishing and paddling opportunities on small lakes and creeks. At Pike Lake State Park, "nice little lake to fish or kayak" is available according to one camper, while another mentions "the lake is smaller, but nice beach area and pedal boats are fun."
Off-grid relaxation: Long's Retreat Family Resort provides a true disconnected experience. "Love no cell reception! Quiet clean and staff (owner) is always pleasant and helpful!" reports one reviewer. Multiple visitors note there is "no phone service at all," making it ideal for those seeking to unplug.
Disc golf: Tar Hollow and other parks maintain courses for disc golf enthusiasts. "There is a disc golf course it was over grown and had so much poison ivy we could only play two holes," mentions one camper, suggesting calling ahead to verify course conditions before planning this activity.
What campers like
Cabins with enhanced amenities: Walnut Creek Campground and Resort offers "super nice cabins" with additional recreation options. "Great time! Has fishing, kayaking, golf cart trails, volleyball set up, basketball court, swimming pool and super nice cabins," reports a satisfied guest.
Secluded tent sites: Some parks offer more private tent camping options. At Tar Hollow State Park, "the sites are mostly far apart from one another and the area is fairly dense woods leaving you feeling a peaceful solitude," according to one camper who stayed in the walk-in family campground.
Cabin size and comfort: Cabin accommodations at Shawnee State Park receive positive feedback for their comfort. While the existing cabins mentioned vary in amenities, some parks offer "attractive campground with variety of sites and amenities" including cabins suitable for different group sizes.
Park maintenance: Well-kept facilities are commonly highlighted in reviews. "Clean well maintained. Lots of amenities. Paddle boats, marina, 18 hole disc golf, bike park, huge dog park, store, archery range, playground and trails," notes one visitor to Shawnee State Park.
What you should know
Varying cabin amenities: Equipment and furnishings differ significantly between locations. Cabins often include beds, basic kitchens, air conditioning, and sometimes bathrooms, but specifications vary widely.
Cell service limitations: Many parks have limited or no connectivity. Beyond Long's Retreat's noted lack of service, Tar Hollow State Park similarly notes "there is no cell service. Enjoy the outdoors! You are off the grid!"
Seasonal drainage issues: Paint Creek State Park and other locations experience weather-related challenges. "It rained quite a bit and many of the sites got flooded. The ground here doesn't drain well," reports one camper at Pike Lake State Park, suggesting booking on higher ground during rainy seasons.
Site-specific considerations: Campsite layouts and sizes vary dramatically, even within the same park. "Not all the sites were as spacious as ours so be careful which one you choose. In fact, there was one so small, I'm not sure where a tent would go," warns a Pike Lake visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for kids: Several parks feature child-friendly water options. At Pike Lake, one family noted, "We rented a peddle boat but there are canoes and kayaks as well... all in all a great time!"
Nature programs: Lake Alma State Park and other parks offer educational opportunities. "The rangers and naturalists have many activities going on and are very knowledgeable," shares a Tar Hollow visitor, suggesting checking park calendars for scheduled programs.
Playgrounds and facilities: Multiple parks feature recreation areas specifically for children. Pike Lake State Park has "two playgrounds, one in the campground and one right across the way," providing options for different age groups.
Camp store supplies: Most parks maintain stores with essential items. Pike Lake State Park offers "a camp store which had a ton of items. If you forgot to bring it, they probably had it," eliminating the need to leave the park for forgotten supplies.
Tips from RVers
Site selection by length: Match your RV size to appropriate campsites carefully. "Super small campground with one road in/same road out. The sites were too short for my camper, which is odd because when booking I indicated the length of my camper," warns a visitor to Lake Alma State Park.
Limited full hookups: Many state parks offer only electric hookups. At Sun Valley Campground, "This campground has a lot to offer with electric and water hookups for RVs with back-in and pull through sites. They have a dump station as well as an onsite bathroom/shower house," providing more options for RVers requiring more amenities.
Cell service for work needs: Working remotely requires planning for connectivity issues. "We were working most of the time and when we weren't it was raining so we didn't see much of the park," notes one RVer who needed to consider signal strength when selecting their site at Shawnee State Park.
