Eastern Ohio's camping landscape near Dover ranges from lakeside sites to woodland areas positioned within rolling Tuscarora Sandstone formations. The region lies at elevations between 900-1,100 feet, creating moderate terrain for campers seeking both water-based and wooded settings. Winter temperatures typically drop to 20-30°F, with occasional snowfall making year-round campgrounds particularly valuable for off-season visitors.
What to do
Horseback riding opportunities: At Canton / East Sparta KOA Holiday - Bear Creek Ranch, families can ride horses directly from the campground. "Took the kids on the horse ride and they loved it," mentions Bradley B., who found the staff friendly and the facilities clean.
Lake activities: Atwood Lake Park Campground offers water-based recreation with docks near waterfront sites. Susan S. explains, "We could leave our camper, take the boat over to the beach and drop off the grandkids and me the Nana for swimming at the beach dock. Good fishing, clean clean clean."
Ziplining and active recreation: Woods Tall Timber Resort features ziplining among its recreational offerings. Ashley S. notes, "We have never experienced so much fun all in one place, from the clean swimming lake, to ziplining, to rv camping, and well kept bath houses."
What campers like
Lakefront camping spots: Waterfront sites at Atwood Lake Park offer direct water views and access. Lisa S. recommends, "Location, location, location! Grab a lake front spot and just hang out there! The park is in excellent condition and the facilities are just as clean and comfortable."
Clean facilities: Evergreen Park RV Resort maintains exceptionally clean accommodations and facilities. One camper, Andrea F., describes her winter visit: "It was a great place to stay. Friendly staff and everything was so clean. The game room was nice as well as the indoor pool."
Historical significance: Towpath Trail Peace Park provides primitive camping along the historic Erie Canal towpath. Brannon M. explains the significance: "The property line is on one of the most significant places in Ohio history. You are literally camping 200 yards from where Native American wigwams used to stand."
What you should know
Winter camping options: While many campgrounds close seasonally, Evergreen Park RV Resort remains open during winter months. Beth G. notes, "Beautiful, and I mean beautiful park. It rained and rained most of our visit. No mud puddles, not even at water hook up. Dog run is fabulous."
Site spacing considerations: Campsites at certain locations may be closely positioned. At Amish Country Campsites, Jeffrey observed, "Very small campgrounds literally next to if not part of a corn field, extremely cramped, back of our camper was 2ft from the camper behind us."
Terrain and flooding: Heavy rain can affect some campgrounds in the area. At Atwood Lake Park, Jason S. mentioned, "Biggest downfalls were the construction, small sites and bath houses being spread out. Not great when it rains, grounds flood quickly."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly environments: Atwood Lake Park Campground provides established recreational opportunities for children. Leslie C. shares, "My kids and I have been coming to Atwood for the last 10 years. We look forward to it every summer. The people are friendly and there is always something to do!!"
Community atmosphere: Woods Tall Timber Resort fosters a supportive environment for families. Lori C. appreciates that there's "a community of campers who watch out for all the kids like they're their own! Love Talo Timbers!"
Indoor recreation options: Salt Fork State Park Campground offers varied activities regardless of weather conditions. With a lake, trails, and lodge facilities, Gretchen R. confirms, "Nice trails, good fishing, clean pool, boat rental - always fun no matter the season."
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Many campgrounds near Dover offer complete services for RVs. At Evergreen Park RV Resort, Bob R. notes it's "a somewhat upscale campground with full hookups at each site - big rig friendly and perfect for families."
Level sites: Woods Tall Timber Resort accommodates larger vehicles with appropriate sites. Judy M. reports, "Even with a large RV we were accommodated. Lots of fun activities, and the trees are tall!"
Dump station considerations: When planning your departure, note facility limitations. Jeffrey mentions that at Amish Country Campsites, "The dump station isn't the best, it is on a hill so dumping ones waste tanks completely could be a challenge."
