Best Glamping near Friendship, OH

Shawnee State Park Campground and Lazy Village Campground & RV Park house some of the most accessible luxury outdoor accommodations near Friendship, Ohio. Both sites feature boutique camping options with elevated amenities beyond traditional camping. Carter Caves State Resort Park offers specialized glamping cabins with climate control, premium bedding, and upgraded furnishings to provide a wilderness experience without sacrificing comfort. "The office is quaint and has a limited supply food and drinks but there is a Dollar General just down the street and a small gas station the other direction for your beverage needs," notes one guest. These eco-friendly glamping options include private fire pits, picnic tables, and access to modern shower facilities while maintaining proximity to natural surroundings. Most locations provide electricity, drinking water, and reservable sites for those seeking premium outdoor stays.

Several hiking trails connect directly to the glamping areas, with Shawnee State Park offering particularly scenic routes through densely wooded terrain. The park's two lakes provide opportunities for paddling, swimming, and fishing without venturing far from glamping accommodations. Safari-style tents and upgraded yurt options at Ashland Huntington West KOA remain open year-round for all-season glamping experiences. According to a camper, "The hiking was beautiful and accessible - the campsites were equipped with tables and fire pits - the firewood was plentiful." Most glamping sites require reservations, especially during peak summer months when outdoor movie screenings, mini-golf, and naturalist-led activities enhance the experience. Local attractions within driving distance include scenic viewpoints from Copperhead Fire Tower and guided cave tours at Carter Caves, providing day trip options for glamping guests seeking adventure beyond their comfortable accommodations.

Best Glamping Sites Near Friendship, Ohio (17)

    1. Shawnee State Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    Friendship, OH
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 858-6652

    $24 / night

    "We arrived on Friday afternoon a little before check in time and were allowed to check in and go to our site."

    "There are some secluded sites back in the woods, so you don't feel like you are camping in a parking lot in a few places."

    2. Carter Caves State Resort Park Campground

    46 Reviews
    Olive Hill, KY
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (606) 286-4411

    $20 - $120 / night

    "Yes it can get crowded, yes there are kids and lots of noise. they’re coming here to have fun too! I grew up in the primitive campground with a huge canvas tent."

    "Park was nice, clean and has friendly staff. We liked that we could walk to the bathrooms and not have to drive there. We stayed at site 100 and really enjoyed the shade trees."

    3. Lazy Village Campground & RV Park

    1 Review
    Friendship, OH
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (740) 858-2409

    $40 / night

    "When you pull in you are welcomed by the big yellow welcome sign!"

    4. Ashland Huntington West KOA

    17 Reviews
    Grayson, KY
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (606) 929-5504

    "The staff was extremely nice and helpful, bath house and laundry was clean. The water at our site was inoperable and they offered to move us without me even having to ask which was nice."

    "KOA staff was very friendly and accommodating. We were able to stay extra days with out any problems. It was A practice run for us since we just started camping ."

    5. Long's Retreat Family Resort

    13 Reviews
    Sinking Spring, OH
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (937) 588-3725

    "Of course, relaxing by the campfire, grilling hot dogs and making s’mores is really what makes the time with the kids special."

    "Rv sites could use some solid level pads to set up your rv on the place can get muddy fast bring your 4 x 4. Also no cell service at all which is good and bad."

    6. Iron Ridge - Lake Vesuvius

    8 Reviews
    Pedro, OH
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 534-6500

    $15 - $20 / night

    "The hiking trails are scenic and pretty and the lake while not overly big, is clean and great for swimming(there's a beach) , kayaking, and fishing."

    "Great campground with super easy access to the trail and lake. The sites are spread apart enough so you aren’t right beside someone - and shaded."

    7. Zilpo Campground

    49 Reviews
    Salt Lick, KY
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (606) 768-2722

    $28 - $94 / night

    "We brought our small a-frame, kayaks, ez-up, kitchen set up and one of our dogs, Butters, with us for this trip."

    "The second room has four single bunk beds. The grounds around the cabin are nice with gravel area for setting up an outdoor kitchen or tent or lounge chairs."

    8. Twin Knobs Recreation Area

    43 Reviews
    Salt Lick, KY
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (606) 780-7818

    $31 - $128 / night

    "We love how the outer loop sites have such quick access to the water. Both sites are shaded very well and the sites themselves are huge."

    "Twin Knobs Campground We stayed in the F loop on site F22 primitive camping. It had a short path to the lake, easy access for shore swimming or fishing. Great for kids and adults."

    9. Oak Hill - Lake Vesuvius

    3 Reviews
    Pedro, OH
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 534-6500

    $20 / night

    "Each site has a picnic table, fire ring with grill, and water & electric hookups."

    "Nice view and close to the lake as well! There is a beach about a 10 minute drive away from the camp. Very nice showers and bathrooms!"

    10. Rocky Fork State Park Campground

    18 Reviews
    Hillsboro, OH
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (937) 393-4284

    "Air conditioned shower houses. Very nice size spaces, we were in a full hookup site."

    "Upon arrival at Rocky Fork we realized even with a map it took 40 minutes to find our site. This was not so much due to the darkness as it was to the poor road and site markings."

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Glamping Reviews near Friendship, OH

230 Reviews of 17 Friendship Campgrounds


  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 25, 2021

    Zilpo Campground

    A Week of Relaxation

    This was a week long trip for our 7th Anniversary. We brought our small a-frame, kayaks, ez-up, kitchen set up and one of our dogs, Butters, with us for this trip. We've never been to this campground before so we tried to do some research on reviews - the good, the bad the ugly. We found that the H loop seemed to be the way to go so we reserved H006. It had a very level pad for our camper - that was a plus and it included electric. There was a tent pad at the top where we would sit in the morning with coffee. When you follow the steps down, there was a very large camping area with the fire ring. We were able to set an RV mat with our ez-up and then set up our cooking kitchen across the way. The picnic table was huge (no gaps!) and provide plenty of seating for more than just the two of us. There were three lantern/food polls available to use, one at the top and two at the bottom. Across the street was extra parking and a path that led down to your own private beach. We didn't have to go to the beach (which was closed for the season) to enjoy the lake. We loved our site and although we had sites on either side - you weren't on top of each other. 

    There was a man-made path you could follow down to the lower road and take a short walk to the shower house. The shower house was ok - three toilets (one broken) and three showers (the handicap out of order). The toilets flushed "hard", in other words, be read to step out as you hit the flush button as it tends to splash more than it should. The showers had a door, a small bench for clothes and a very small stall. It was kept clean, but still covered in bugs/cobwebs/etc. There are two shower houses in H loop.

    We walked the H loop at least twice a day - almost a mile around. There are not very many electric sites on the loop. Some sites were single and some were double (much larger). We did get to walk/drive through the other loops - they were ok as well, but I would only go back knowing we'd be in H. 

    We drove out to do a couple of short hikes. No bears, but lots of nature - tons of mushrooms! We even drove through the Clear Creek campground - not a lot there, drop toilets and the water main was broken. Very low key if that's what you're looking for. We stopped by a small park and saw the old iron furnace, pretty cool and lot's of places to picnic. 

    We loved our site, the H loop and the variety of things we got to do while we were there.

  • D
    Aug. 4, 2022

    Zilpo Campground

    Great semi rustic

    Stayed at cabin D11. Nicely maintained.  A bit on the small side but good for a place to lay your head. This cabin is directly opposite the restrooms for this loop. Cabin is about 10 x 20. The front room has two chairs a bench and table and the air conditioner. The second room has four single bunk beds.

    The grounds around the cabin are nice with gravel area for setting up an outdoor kitchen or tent or lounge chairs.

  • Chris H.
    Oct. 27, 2020

    Twin Knobs Recreation Area

    Hidden Gem

    We've stayed at Twin Knobs twice now in our popup camper. First time was at F26, second was at F24. We love how the outer loop sites have such quick access to the water.

    Both sites are shaded very well and the sites themselves are huge. We could see other campers through the trees but we felt pretty well secluded.

    Each site has several tall poles with hooks for trash bags/food storage. as well each site has a large fire pit with flip-over grill for cooking.

    The firewood bundles are a bit pricey ($7) at the checkin shack, but I'm glad they are available. we purchased at least 7 bundles to have a pretty much constant fire through the day and night.

    The bathrooms are clean and easily accessible. There was a bit of an overflow issue our first day on site but it was resolved in less than an hour by the loop hosts.

    Pop's bbq was a hit both nights we were there. We ordered carryout (covid) and ate at camp on the provided picnic tables. The Dollar General is also adequately stocked.

    All in all a fantastic visit which we will repeat ASAP. it's too bad they close at the end of October. I bet winter camping there would be a treat.

    Cheers,

    Chris

  • K
    Jul. 18, 2021

    Rocky Fork State Park Campground

    Nice family friendly area

    Very nice grounds, lots of paved pathways for bike riding, skateboarding, ect.. Air conditioned shower houses. Very nice size spaces, we were in a full hookup site.

  • Big Tank F.
    Oct. 25, 2021

    Zilpo Campground

    Amazing experience !

    Took my son on a 3 day trip and stayed on site G17. It was on a high place with great drainage (it rained quite a few times). Well kept and the tent pad was gravel. The bath house had good hot water for showers, and for its age, very well kept. We took our jon boat out on the lake and had a blast! The scenery was breathtaking, from the drive up the mountain to the park, all the way down to the lake. Great fall trip to say the least. Very much recommended

  • David C.
    Jul. 20, 2020

    Zilpo Campground

    Zilpo Campground

    The website to reserve campsites needs a lot of work but otherwise it was a great weekend of camping. E-12 was close enough to the bathrooms that it wasn’t a bad walk but we didn’t have to smell anything. Water pump was across from the campsite. Plenty of space for four tents. Sturdy pic-nic table. Fire pit with a grill connected. Two poles to with four hooks each to hang lanterns or bags. We tied a line across it and hung our towels and wet clothes. The camp ground sits next to Cave Run Lake. There is a place to launch a boat and a nice beach area for swimming. They have a store next to the beach but we didn’t go in. “Billy” did chase away from the beach after hours though. The check in station sells ice and fire wood. We saw plenty of rabbits, a wild turkey, and a deer got about 20 feet from out camp site.

  • Wesley S.
    Jun. 4, 2018

    Twin Knobs Recreation Area

    Twin Knobs Campground

    Twin Knobs Campground

    We stayed in the F loop on site F22 primitive camping. It had a short path to the lake, easy access for shore swimming or fishing. Great for kids and adults. Bathhouse was close and had private bathrooms/ showers.

    We rented a pontoon boat from Scott's Creek Marina about 5 minutes away and had a great day on the lake. Be sure to stop into the Cave Run Bait Shop and ask them about Jiggin the Bondy.

    Clean sites, clean bathrooms, firepits with grill attached, walking trails close to the water, good tree coverage around the sites

  • MiKayla M.
    Aug. 14, 2021

    Oak Hill - Lake Vesuvius

    Well Maintained Sites

    Paved, well maintained sites but a bit close together. Don’t expect privacy if it’s booked. Reservations close 4 days prior, after that it’s first come, first serve. However, surprisingly very quiet during my visit. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring with grill, and water & electric hookups. Cannot comment on the showers because no running water at the time of my visit (water line break, scheduled for repairs).

  • David C.
    Aug. 16, 2020

    Zilpo Campground

    Great Spot

    This time we camped at H-36. This spot was a double and had plenty of space for 5 tents. It was set in a beautifully shaded area. The water pump was right next to the site. The bath house was a very short walk away. There was a path from the site that lead right down to Cave Run Lake and we were able to swim, kayak fish (although we didn’t catch anything), and hang out on the shore without really leaving the campsite. There aren’t any campsites directly to the right or left, the only neighbor is across the road. The campsite had a fire pit with a grill that can be lowered or raised to cook on. It had three lateen poles and two picnic tables.


Guide to Friendship

Camping options near Friendship, Ohio extend through the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, with elevations ranging from 500-1,200 feet. The region features a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons, where summer temperatures average 75-85°F with moderate humidity levels. Fall camping from September through November offers cooler temperatures and colorful foliage displays, making it a popular season for experienced campers.

What to do

Hiking through diverse terrain: Iron Ridge - Lake Vesuvius offers several trails with distinct natural features. "I LOVE camping here, unlike a lot of camp grounds they're actually within the woods so you feel like you're actually part of the forest and the nature. The hiking trails are scenic and pretty," notes Jackson B., who adds that "there's a hidden gem of a cave/overhang along one of the hiking trails."

Water recreation beyond swimming: Shawnee State Park Campground provides access to its small lakes for various activities. According to Jay T., "The campground had fun amenities for kids, like a very small mini golf course and an outdoor screen for movie nights." For fishing enthusiasts, Jarrod M. advises, "Not much access to a good town for supplies so bring what you need. If you want to take a drive for a great hole in the way steak house try The Ribber. But go early 45 min wait at 4pm and it gets worse."

Seasonal glamping opportunities: Glamping close to Friendship, Ohio includes winter options at certain locations. Ashland Huntington West KOA offers four-season luxury camping accommodations. "We stayed for an overnight. Site was NOT very level. On gravel. Picnic tables and fire ring," reports Felicia H., highlighting the year-round accessibility of this premium camping destination.

What campers like

Secluded tent sites: Many campers appreciate the privacy options at certain campgrounds. Marc H. shares about Rocky Fork State Park Campground: "There are 2 tent camping sites (111 and 112) that provide separation from other campers but you have to park and carry your gear back to the sites." These walk-in tent sites provide a more isolated glamping experience near Friendship, Ohio for those willing to carry their gear.

Family-oriented recreation: Long's Retreat Family Resort stands out for its diverse activities. "The kids can either swim up at the lake (with multiple water slides and a huge floating dock with diving board), the little kids can have fun in the splash pad right at the beach, go carts, rock wall climbing, basketball, arcade and so much more," explains Kristi J. The resort also offers "canoeing, go-cart racing, mini golf, and a full arcade give plenty of variety," according to Rocky B.

Clean facilities: Campground maintenance receives consistent positive mentions. "The shower houses were clean and the small camp store convenient. All the Shawnee State Park staff I met were super friendly and helpful," says Jay T. Similarly, Rebecca F. notes about Oak Hill Campground: "The restrooms are clean, the sites are well maintained and the lake is close by for some good kayaking and fishing."

What you should know

Limited cell service: Many campgrounds in the area have spotty or no connectivity. Shelly S. advises about Shawnee: "Shawnee State Park was totally without any phone signal. Right on the border of Kentucky, in Ohio, you are in the small town almost South. Definitely get a map because the whole park offers a lot of outdoor opportunities."

Water and electric hookup challenges: Several campgrounds have limitations with utilities. At Carter Caves State Resort Park Campground, Ron & Bonnie D. mention, "You will need extra water hose and extension cords to get hooked up in a lot of the sites." Similarly, autumn L. reports, "The only issue was that some of the sites were around 50 ft from the electric hook up."

Weather considerations: Proper preparation for rain is essential. Aaron S. notes about Rocky Fork: "The hot water in the shower house left something to be desired (took forever, lasted about a minute and a half)," which can be challenging in colder weather. Shirley M. reports about Shawnee: "They were flexible. The first site we had we were unable to set up our StarLink so we scoped out another site where there were no trees and then asked to switch and they were accommodating."

Tips for camping with families

Water activities for various ages: The area offers numerous family-friendly water options. At Long's Retreat, Rocky B. shares that "There's a small lake at the campground with a swimming beach and canoe rentals. They also have a gift shop and miniature golf." This provides diverse recreation for children of different ages.

Scheduled activities check: Many campgrounds offer organized events. Megan M. shares about Shawnee: "We were there on their Halloween weekend, with a fun site-decorating contest and trick or treat in the afternoon, which was mildly annoying for us because they closed the roads from 2 to 6 so we could not drive back to our site." Checking event schedules can help plan around such closures.

Site selection for privacy: With children, selecting the right site matters. According to Jay T., "Unlike many Ohio State parks I've visited, the Shawnee campground has a variety of great tent sites. Several of these are hidden in the trees at the top of some steps and up a short path." However, he notes these require hauling gear uphill, which may be challenging with young children.

Tips from RVers

Hookup planning: RVers should carefully select sites based on utility needs. Carrie S. notes about Shawnee State Park: "Most sites are only 30 amp electric, no sewer or water hookup, which can be typical of state parks." This requires advance planning for water usage and power needs.

Site leveling considerations: Many campgrounds in the region require additional equipment for leveling. At Ashland Huntington West KOA, Felicia H. mentions, "Site was NOT very level," suggesting RVers bring leveling blocks. Similar terrain challenges exist throughout the region's luxury camping options near Friendship, Ohio.

Length limitations: RV site dimensions vary considerably. Carrie S. explains, "We were told that the site we'd been assigned was room enough for 52'. Our RV is only 34' so that would be more than enough. we got there and it was maybe 20-24" in length, with no wiggle room because one end was the park road/driveway, the other end a hill." This highlights the importance of confirming exact site dimensions before arrival.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Friendship, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Friendship, OH is Shawnee State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 20 reviews.

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Friendship, OH?

TheDyrt.com has all 17 glamping camping locations near Friendship, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.