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The rolling hills of central Ohio surrounding Howard feature a mix of state parks, private campgrounds, and water-oriented recreation areas. Kokosing Valley Camp & Canoe operates directly in Howard, offering tent and RV sites with electric hookups from May through mid-October. Within a 30-minute drive, the Mohican region provides several additional camping options, including Mohican State Park Campground in Loudonville with year-round availability and accommodations ranging from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV spaces and cabins. The area's campgrounds typically feature wooded settings near rivers and lakes, with many sites offering water access for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing.
Most campgrounds in the Howard area require advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends and fall color season. The camping season generally runs from April through October, though Mohican State Park and Pleasant Hill Lake Park remain open year-round. Winter camping requires preparation for potentially muddy conditions and freezing temperatures. Cell service varies throughout the region, with better coverage at developed campgrounds and spotty reception in more remote areas. As one camper noted about Mohican State Park, "It's not the most secluded spots but if you are looking for something tucked away there are a few sites. The ability to tube down the river and walk back to your camp site was so much fun."
Water recreation forms the centerpiece of camping experiences near Howard. The Kokosing and Mohican Rivers provide opportunities for paddling, fishing, and tubing, with several campgrounds offering canoe and kayak rentals or river access. Campers frequently mention the quality of hiking trails throughout the region, particularly at Mohican State Park where well-maintained paths connect directly to many campsites. Sites along waterways tend to fill quickly during summer months. Visitors appreciate the mix of natural settings and amenities, with one reviewer noting, "The forest is beautiful and trails well maintained." Campgrounds vary in privacy levels, with some offering spacious, shaded sites while others feature more open layouts with limited separation between neighbors.
"It’s not the most secluded spots but if you are looking for something tucked away there a few sites. The ability to tube down the river and walk back to your camp site was so much fun."
"The tent sites (short walk from parking lot) and one car per tent site. Our site was not the traditional walk up/park camp site. It was a nice change of pace. More space and great neighbors. "
from $27 - $220 / night
Check Availability"They also offered several bathroom locations and a shower house which were sufficiently clean. Definitely would recommend."
"If you like canoeing, kayaking, rafting, high ropes courses, mini golfing, go carting, hiking, swimming (indoor pool and in a lake), fishing, and paddle boating, then you will LOVE this place!!"
"We come back to MW each year and try to get the same sites (323-322) as they are very private with access to the water while still being super close to the store and walkable to the bathrooms:showers."
"They are full of amenities like: horse back riding, shooting sports, canoeing, playground, swimming lake, putt putt and more."
from $25 - $44 / night
Check Availability"Perfect river location for kayaking or tubing. Fantastic fishing."
"We set up camp here and ride the kokosing gap trail into mt vernon and back. They keep the bathhouses very clean and the water is hot. Would love to go back once the apocalypse is over."
"Positives: Lots are spacious
- Lots of activities: WhoaZone, boating, fishing, horseback riding, near Mohican Adventures for rafting, hiking
- Quiet and with friendly staff and seasonal campers
- Large"
"The bike/walking paths for kids/adults is a great addition for campers with young kids. The shower houses are clean as well as the grounds."
from $27 / night
Check Availability"Rustic is down a gravel road, well off the beaten path, and a little more remote than the boondocks. Frank, the owner, and his team are great."
"Campground is in a beautiful area of mid-Ohio near Mohican State Park. A bit of a drive to get anywhere that has a decent size store (Loudenville)."
"Very close to Mohican State Park for canoeing and scenery. Also cleanest restroom/showers that i've seen at a campground."
"Can go canoeing on the nearby river with canoe rental available and shuttle pickup at the end of your journey back to where you started."
"This location has great facilities and, if you get lucky, you might have a silent campsite."
from $10 - $35 / night
Check Availability"There’s no reservations, you show up, see what sites are available, sign in and drive to the appropriate parking area."
"Take a walk down a dirt beaten path with mature trees towering and hang a right and the path gets more eroded from rains, then you go up a slight steep hill and a big area is open for several tents to"
"Met with the host, very nice campground with electric and water - not full hookup, but there was a septic drain accessible near the site. Will definitely stay again!"
from $54 - $75 / night
Check Availability
ScoutWe camped here for the first time this year and ended up booking 2 more trips here. We just finished our last trip. We love this campsite. No other place has sites this big and give you this much space. Awesome place to camp
GuideThis is the cleanest park we've ever used! The bathroom is tidy; the showers are roomy and convenient to use. There is a nice playground for younger kids as well as a pickleball court and basketball court for teens and adults. There also is a pleasant hiking trail. We stayed in Site 42, a concrete site, which was fantastic for my spouse's mobility issues. The sites are not super spaced apart, but, with the graduated elevation, we didn't feel smashed together. We visited Amish Country to absorb the beautiful fall scenery, to shop at local stores, and to relax by a campfire in the evening . The campground was perfect for us. If you're seeking a wilderness adventure , this park is not for you .
ScoutCould not ask for a better site. Absolutely beautiful setting. A nice small lake for fishing, and a perfect shallow stream for kids to play in, running right by the sites. The pool house and facilities are spotlessly clean. On top of that, the staff are extremely friendly and helpful. We even needed a jumpstart for our truck when we were towing the camper out on a rainy Monday morning and someone came around to help. 100% will come back and 100% would recommend to anyone.
GuideWell maintained campground with friendly staff. Super spacious and clean bathhouse. Close to Berlin and Millersburg for exploring Amish country. Some road noise due to location on main highway.
GuideWe found site F26 at the far end of the loop. Short paved pad with electric very near a simple clean bathroom with flush toilets. Sites are treeless and fairly close together but the sites in our mini loop all backed up to the woods. Surprised to encounter mosquitoes in October. Overall the campground is huge with 5 separate loops that are spread far apart. The check in station is a significant distance from the first loop A and more than a mile from loop F so if you don’t have reservations, go to the website to find out which sites are available then drive around to make your selection -then call or go online to register. $45.50 for electric only site includes booking fee.
TravelerWe arrived in the evening after reserving our spot earlier. We selected a non-electric site that as near the entrance and despite a surprising number of campers on a Wednesday, it was quiet and peaceful.
Very well maintained and a visible presence of security and maintenance personnel who were friendly and helpful.
A very nice way to start our car camping trip.
ScoutRight close to Columbus this campground is a staple for locals trying to just get away for the weekend. There is an amphitheater, a camper’s beach, nature center, and more all within the campground. Alum creek state park is a larger facility surrounding the campground with a public beach, walking paths, mountain bike trails, archery range, hunting areas, boat marina and more. The public beach is rather gravelly but has nice shower houses and grills available. We are attending during fall fest where they put on many activities for the campers and it is a lot of fun. You have to reserve 6 months in advance to be able to get in on fall fest unless there is a last minute cancellation. Our site is relatively flat parking, we didn’t need to level the rig. It did rain the morning we got here and the area around the fire pit was a bit muddy. The view out the back of this camp site is nice and wooded, you’re not looking at your neighbors out the back window. The sides you can definitely see each other but it’s still wooded and secluded enough between the sites here.
RangerGreat campground. My favorite is each loop has their own shower house! Nice playgrounds for kids. Nice private sites. Lots of woods and trails. Good lake for boating fishing and kayaking. Park is very clean and well maintained. They have a kids fishing pond! It’s also great for biking.
RangerThis campground has a lot to do for kids. It on the Mohican River for tubing or kayaking. They have a swimming pool, playground, putt putt, climbing wall, and recreation room. There were plenty of showers that were cleaned daily. Nice laundry facilities and camp store. The bad part is the sites are too close. Your fire ring is a few feet from your neighbor.
The Howard, Ohio area sits along the Kokosing River, with elevations ranging from 900-1,100 feet in this portion of central Ohio. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-85°F with winter lows often dropping below freezing. Camping options include both full-service facilities and primitive sites within a 30-minute drive radius, with several locations providing direct river access for water recreation.
River recreation: At Kokosing Valley Camp & Canoe, campers enjoy various water activities right on site. "Perfect river location for kayaking or tubing. Fantastic fishing," notes reviewer Ann H. The Kokosing River provides opportunities for beginners and experienced paddlers alike.
Mountain biking: Several trails wind through the region, particularly around Mohican Wilderness. "We have camped here 3 times now and even though it's a large park the sites are huge so you still feel like you can kick back and relax," writes Andrea F., who appreciates the combination of trails and river access.
Primitive camping: Free backpacking sites in Mohican Memorial State Forest offer a more remote experience. "There are 10 free camp sites for backpackers in Mohican, each is about a mile hike in, no vehicles can reach these sites," explains John H. These sites require signing in at a kiosk but offer solitude not found at developed campgrounds.
Large sites: Campers consistently mention appreciating spacious camping areas. At Mohican State Park Campground, one reviewer noted, "Well maintained campground with roomy camp sites. Nice heated pool and many activities in the area. Hiking, canoeing, biking, etc." The extra space provides privacy even during busy periods.
Amenities for beginners: First-time campers often find Howard area campgrounds accessible. "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," writes Jenny K. about Mohican State Park.
Winter options: Some campers specifically seek off-season experiences. "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. No cell service with Verizon at this park," notes Andrea F. regarding late-season camping.
Cell service limitations: Mobile phone coverage varies widely throughout the Howard region. Several campgrounds have little to no service. One camper at Rustic Knolls Campground notes, "If you are looking for a quiet little place to relax, this is it. Rustic is down a gravel road, well off the beaten path, and a little more remote than the boondocks."
Registration requirements: Many primitive sites require on-site registration. For backpacking sites, one camper advises: "Make sure you get a reservation at the kiosk by the ranger station in the forest. Do not go to the state park as that is completely different."
Weekend crowding: Summer weekends bring significant crowds to popular campgrounds. During peak times, visitors report difficulty finding available sites, especially along the river. Holiday weekends often fill months in advance, requiring early reservations.
Pool access: Pleasant Hill Lake Park Campground offers swimming amenities beyond river access. "Fun times during Covid-19 on Memorial Day Weekend. The bike/walking paths for kids/adults is a great addition for campers with young kids," reports Tina D. The lake beach area provides a good alternative to river swimming.
Activities beyond water: For families seeking variety, consider campgrounds with multiple recreation options. "Super super big place as far as campsites go and quantity. They do have a suspension bridge which is pretty cool, some trails to hike on and camp spots right on the river," shares Katie Jo B.
Kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds specifically cater to families with children. "Amazing campgrounds, with great amenities, clean and updated restrooms & shower house. Indoor pool perfect for the super hot summer months. So much for the kids to do!" writes Nicole S. about Mohican Adventures Campground and Cabins.
Site leveling: Several campgrounds have terrain challenges for RVs. One camper at Mohican Adventures notes, "Nice clean and friendly staff the only complaint is that the sites are not flat." Bringing leveling blocks is recommended for most locations.
Off-season accessibility: Winter camping near Howard requires preparation but remains possible. "We went for a Bluegrass Festival and spent most of the time in the campground because it rained a lot. They do have a suspension bridge which is pretty cool, some trails to hike on and Camp spots right on the river," reports one camper about shoulder season conditions.
Full hookup availability: Limited full hookup sites exist in the area, so early reservations are essential. "Large landscape sites that are full hookup with large concrete pads. Each with its own picnic table and fire pit. They also have a boat dock for the campers to use," writes Andrea F. about Pleasant Hill Lake Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Howard, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Howard, OH is Mohican State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 48 reviews.
What parks are near Howard, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Howard, OH that allow camping, notably Dillon Lake and Alum Creek Lake.
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