The Danville area sits at the northern edge of Ohio's Amish Country, nestled in the valleys formed by the Kokosing and Mohican Rivers. These waterways have carved scenic gorges through the region's hills, creating diverse terrain for camping ranging from 900 to 1,200 feet in elevation. Most campgrounds in the area maintain spacious sites, though availability becomes limited during summer weekends when water activities draw crowds.
What to do
Hiking trails: Mohican State Park Campground offers extensive hiking options beyond the riverfront. "Lots of hiking trails and waterfalls. Free hike-in camping available here too," notes Nicole K., highlighting the park's natural features beyond developed camping areas.
Paddling adventures: The Mohican River provides multiple access points for boating activities. At Mohican Adventures Campground and Cabins, "we fished and swam in the indoor pool which was not heated at the time. Across the street they have a Canoe livery, mini golf, go carts, ropes course and lots more," according to Lo H.
Primitive camping: For those seeking more isolation, Mohican-Memorial State Forest offers free backcountry sites. "There are 10 free camp sites for backpackers in Mohican, each is about a mile hike in, no vehicles can reach these sites. There are 4 on the mountain bike trail and 6 on the horse trails, first come first serve, no reservations," explains John H.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: At Mohican Wilderness, the sites provide ample room even during peak times. Julia A. mentions, "The campground was packed but you couldn't tell because the sites were all so spacious!" This spaciousness is particularly valued during holiday weekends.
River access: Direct water access ranks high among camper preferences. "We tent camped at one of the primitive riverfront sites. Site 810 in the Narrows. Our site was a little muddy and a little smaller than other sites but overall we were very happy with the campground and would camp there again!" reports CampgroundKaren about Mohican Wilderness.
Indoor amenities: Several campgrounds offer weather-proof facilities. Gregory L. from Wally World notes, "The store is nice, the sites are pretty level, the pool is decent, and the staff here are pleasant. The campground itself is nestled in the bend of the Mohican river, so most sites have a river view even if you aren't on a Riverside site."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly throughout the area. Andrea F. from Mohican State Park points out, "No cell service with Verizon at this park," which affects planning for remote work or emergency communications.
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds follow a defined operating calendar. Kokosing Valley Camp & Canoe runs from May 1 to October 15, while others like Mohican Adventures operate from April through October.
Registration requirements: For primitive sites, proper registration remains essential. Ryan R. explains for Park and Pack sites, "After signing in at the kiosk we drove and parked at the upper parking area for sites 8-10. The last 1/4 mile of the road is pretty rutted, so if you have a low profile vehicle you may need to park at the lower area."
Weekend congestion: Summer crowds impact the experience. Jacob W. observes at Mohican Adventures, "The only downsides in my opinion is that if you choose to walk by foot around the campground rather then drive your car to the activities across the road then you better be prepared to climb some steep hills. Also the campsites are very close together so should you choose a time when they're busy, chances are you will be very close to other campers."
Tips for camping with families
Off-season benefits: Visiting during shoulder seasons reduces crowds. Andrea F. shares about Pleasant Hill Lake Park Campground: "Camping in the off season is our favorite time of year. This particular park has potable water on by the dump station and the dump station is open. The water at the full hook up sites are turned off."
Beginner-friendly sites: Some locations cater specifically to new campers. Jenny K. recommends Mohican State Park: "As far as tent camping goes, it does not get any easier than this. Everything is clean and well organized. Perfect for first time campers."
Activity options: Multiple recreation choices keep children engaged. Shannon P. notes about Mohican Wilderness: "They are full of amenities like: horse back riding, shooting sports, canoeing, playground, swimming lake, putt putt and more. They also have little shops that allows visitors to watch loom and black smith demonstrations and the little ones can participate in candle and leather making."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Level sites vary between campgrounds. Renee L. from Mohican Adventures suggests: "We camped here off season and had the place to ourselves. We had a pull through site which was gravel. The staff is friendly and the indoor pool and shower houses were amazing. The sites seemed a little small so it might feel crowded during peak season."
Utility considerations: Hookup availability differs across facilities. Gregory L. advises about Wally World: "Only downside is most of the sites don't have a sewer hookup so make sure to bring a portable tank if you are staying for more than a couple of days."
Navigation challenges: Some GPS directions prove problematic. "Getting here proved to be tricky, as it seems all of the GPS apps and my Garmin routed us on a county road that is not fit for RVs of any type. To find this place, search for 1 Wally Bridge, Loudonville, OH and then follow Wally Road a few miles to the campground."
