RV campgrounds near Hanging Rock, Ohio sit among the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, with most facilities located within a 30-mile radius of the area. The camping region features a mix of reclaimed mining lands, riverside spots, and wooded areas with limited cellular coverage in more remote locations. Winter camping options remain available at several year-round facilities despite seasonal closures elsewhere.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Iron Ridge at Lake Vesuvius offers access to multiple fishing spots with various species. "The lake while not overly big, is clean and great for swimming(there's a beach), kayaking, and fishing. They have plenty of crappie, bass, and catfish stocked in the lake and there are bait shops close by," notes Jackson B. about Iron Ridge - Lake Vesuvius.
Cave exploration: Carter Caves State Resort Park features numerous underground formations and guided tours. "The park is amazing and I have no idea how it took me 39yrs to find it so close to home. The caves are absolutely amazing and the park has some of the best natural bridges I have ever seen," reports Amanda S. about Carter Caves State Resort Park Campground.
Water recreation: Several campgrounds offer swimming and water activities for summer visitors. At Oasis Point, "They have a large pond that has a nice beach, a huge slide and a zip line. They have kayaks, paddle boards and floats first come first serve," according to Karen P.
What campers like
Lakeside amenities: Campers appreciate the water features at many campgrounds. "Great fishing, kind people, and wonderful views," writes Trent T. about Oasis Point RV Resort & Adventure Lake, which offers water recreation without leaving the property.
Wooded campsites: Some visitors prefer more natural settings with tree cover. "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," shares Jackson B. about Iron Ridge at Lake Vesuvius.
Concrete pads: Virginia Point Campground features solid foundations for easier setup. "Every RV site has a level concrete pad, making setup easy. Otherwise the rest of the RV area is gravel, without any trees or obstructions," notes Jon C. about Virginia Point Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal differences: Some facilities change operations during winter months. Valley Breeze RV Campground remains open year-round but Creekside Cabins & RV Park also offers all-season access with limited amenities.
Varied campsite privacy: Spacing between sites differs significantly between campgrounds. "Not a lot of privacy, but sites are comfortably spaced out," mentions Corey M. about Iron Ridge, while another reviewer notes: "Most of the sites shaded and separated by trees. Love the privacy this provides."
Electrical connections: Some campgrounds have shared or distant power hookups. At Carter Caves, "make sure to check in the details, which sites have sewer as they don't label it full hookups up front. The line of sites along the road into the campground all have sewer holes," advises Amanda S.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Several campgrounds offer child-friendly water features. "Super nice, especially if you have kids. There is a good size lake for swimming, they have stand up paddle boards and kayaks. On the other side of the lake there is a large water slide and a zip line that both end in the water," shares Dustin M. about Lazy Village Campground & RV Park.
Hiking options: Multiple trail systems accommodate different skill levels. "Great hiking and Lake Vesuvius is small but beautiful. Also, there's a hidden gem of a cave/overhang along one of the hiking trails," shares Corey M.
Holiday events: Some campgrounds host seasonal activities. At Carter Caves, "We went to the campground during the Halloween festivities in October 2017. There are a lot of activities to do while at the state park, caving, hiking, kayaking, mini golf, golf, etc."
Tips from RVers
Site layout considerations: RV campers should check site dimensions before booking. "We stayed on site 20 which is considered the 'Backyard'. There are about 20 or so sites that are back in for the 'Backyard' that has fire pits, picnic tables, playground equipment, and large tent," explains Dustin M.
Utility management: Some campgrounds require additional equipment. "You will need extra water hose and extension cords to get hooked up in a lot of the sites," warns one camper about Carter Caves State Park, while another mentions: "Beautiful place to camp. Some sites are more difficult for parking a camper than others."
Local attractions: Several RV campgrounds offer unique features beyond standard amenities. "This is one of the more unique campgrounds we have stayed. The park is located on a local airstrip with parachutists, apparently jumping on Sundays," notes Jason G. about Robert Newlon Airpark RV Park.
