Camping options near Hillsboro, Ohio center around a series of man-made lakes formed by damming local streams in the mid-20th century. The terrain consists primarily of rolling hills with mixed hardwood forests and open meadows at elevations between 900-1,100 feet. Most campgrounds in the region experience hot, humid summers with temperatures averaging 85°F in July and August, while spring and fall offer milder conditions with occasional thunderstorms.
What to do
Hiking trails for all abilities: Pike Lake State Park Campground offers several marked paths through the surrounding hills. "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 Leon H., who visited in September.
Water recreation on multiple lakes: Rocky Fork State Park Campground provides boating access to one of the larger lakes in the region. A visitor notes, "Great campground with good facilities. Nice lake, boating, playgrounds, bath houses, some full hook up sites. Small town with stores and restaurants was only 8 min away."
Fossil hunting with permits: Caesar Creek State Park Campground offers a unique activity for nature enthusiasts. "We even got a permit to collect fossils. Great visitor centers too," shares one camper. The park issues free collection permits for specific areas, making this a budget-friendly educational activity.
Disc golf courses: Several parks maintain disc golf facilities, including Pike Lake. "They have a disc golf course it was overgrown and had so much poison ivy we could only play two holes," warns one visitor, suggesting checking course conditions before planning this activity.
What campers like
Clean bathroom facilities: Visitors consistently mention the bathroom quality at Cowan Lake State Park Campground. One camper noted, "The restrooms were decent. They weren't new; however, they were very clean." This differs significantly from some other facilities in the region.
Variety of site types: Campgrounds offer diverse site configurations. "There was significant variety in the types of sites: some were quite wooded while others were full sun. Some sites were much larger than others," reports a Cowan Lake camper, giving options for different camping preferences.
Organized activities: Long's Retreat Family Resort stands out for its recreational offerings. "Everyone always has such a great time and it is the highlight of all the kids summers. 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," shares Kristi J.
Nature programs: State parks like Stonelick offer educational opportunities. "I loved the informational boxes and tags that they had on the trees or plants. This is helpful if you have little ones with you or if you are like me and just like to learn about the animals/plants on the trail," writes a visitor.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds in the region have spotty connectivity. At Long's Retreat, a camper advises, "No cell service at all which is good and bad." This is important for those needing to stay connected or who prefer to unplug.
Variable shade conditions: Stonelick State Park Campground and others have undergone tree management. One visitor to Cowan Lake observed, "Very little shade as they have cut down a whole lot of trees." This impacts summer camping comfort.
Seasonal operations: Most private campgrounds operate from April through October only. Beechwood Acres Camping Resort follows this pattern, while state parks like Rocky Fork maintain year-round operations.
Drainage issues: At Pike Lake, "it rained quite a bit and many of the sites got flooded. The ground here doesn't drain well," reports Bob M. This occurs at several campgrounds in the region after heavy rain.
Tips for camping with families
Choose loop location strategically: At Pike Lake, one camper advises, "Site 57 - this site backs up to the ravine and is nice and large. It has a lot of shade and grass. We were able to run a line between trees for a dog run. Great neighbors on both sides but right across the site is the playground."
Consider rental options: East Fork State Park Campground provides equipment rentals for water activities. "Many activities can be enjoyed here including mini golf (small nine-hole course), soccer, basketball, tennis, volleyball, corn hole, boating, and bicycling," notes one visitor.
Look for themed weekends: Many campgrounds host special events. "If that's your thing, great but it wasn't necessarily ours!" warns a camper about East Fork's massive Halloween celebration with "30-40 decorated golf carts parading through the campground."
Book water-adjacent sites early: Lakefront locations fill quickly at Paint Creek State Park Campground. "We stayed for just one night at site #34. It ended up being a great site for us and our dogs. There was space between us and our neighbors and we had access to the water," reports Shannon G.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Bring leveling equipment for Stonelick sites. "We stayed in Site 78. The lot was VERY large and well maintained. The asphalt pad was decently level; a picnic table and fire ring were included," reports a camper, noting that some locations require significant adjustment.
Full hookup availability: Rocky Fork offers complete services. "This is our first trip to Rocky Fork State Park. We are impressed with the campground amenities and spacious camp sites. Over 40 full hook up sites! Will definitely be returning," shares Sandy O.
Internet connectivity options: Service varies by provider. One RVer at Paint Creek reports, "Internet here on t-moble 5G home is 90Mbps down and 6 to 20Mbps up. Verizon on cellphone, only 10Mbs down, 1-3Mbps up. ATT cellphones are similar to Verizon. Great enough for work or play."
