Primitive camping sites near Lancaster, Ohio range from established campgrounds with basic amenities to more secluded locations along waterways. The region sits within the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, with elevation changes creating varied terrain for camping experiences. Overnight temperatures can drop significantly even in summer months, especially in lower elevation areas near water.
What to do
Fishing access: A.W. Marion State Park Campground offers shoreline fishing with multiple access points along its 5-mile lake loop trail. "A.W. Marion is near 23 and easy access to the highway to get to Columbus... Walked around near camp and checked out group camping sites that had plenty of space and trees for hammocking and tent set up," notes Karen K.
Swimming opportunities: Jackson Lake Park features both a swimming pool and a lake with inflatables during summer months. One visitor explained: "If you have kids, the pool and the lake activities will keep them busy all day and give them a great opportunity wear themselves out for a good night sleep."
Water recreation: Campbell Cove Camping provides direct kayak access to Lake Logan. As reviewer Ann H. states: "Kayaking on the lake is amazing and hiking is abundant. Beautiful sunset view." Rentals are available onsite for those without personal watercraft.
Disc golf: Multiple campgrounds provide access to nearby disc golf courses, with Jackson Lake Park offering an on-property course. The area has several established courses within 20-minute drives of most campgrounds.
What campers like
River proximity: Hocking River RV Park offers sites directly along the Hocking River. According to Shianne G., it's "Beautiful, and peaceful! Perfect right on the river... decent shower houses... peaceful little campground." Many sites provide views of passing canoes and kayaks.
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention bathroom quality at area campgrounds. At Big Sycamore Family Campground, "The shower house and bathrooms were clean and adequate. There is a small playground for kids. It is pet friendly."
Spacious sites: Several campgrounds offer large, private sites away from crowds. At A.W. Marion State Park Campground, one camper noted: "This site is probably the biggest in the primitive section. It is right next to the entrance road (and dumping station), which is a bummer, but the size of the site made it totally worth it."
Quiet atmosphere: Geneva Hills Camp and Event Center receives praise for its peaceful environment. One camper mentioned: "Tent site was nice. We could make dinner and there weren't any mosquitoes even though it was right above a swamp."
What you should know
Walk-in sites reality: Some Hocking Hills State Park Campground sites marked as "walk-in" require significant hiking with gear. As Amanda P. explains: "Make sure to pay attention to 'walk-in' sites. It's more like 'hike a half mile with your gear' sites! All in all we had a blast and a good laugh about our trek with all our stuff!!"
Seasonal closures: Most campgrounds in the area operate from April through October, with limited winter access. A.W. Marion State Park transitions to electric-only sites with vault toilets during winter months.
Site conditions: Campsite quality varies widely at the same campground. At Hocking Hills State Park Campground, one camper reported: "Ironically, we stayed at the worst campsite there, it was downslope, and they had recently cut down many trees and the site was a muddy mess. Every single other campsite they were perfect."
Highway proximity: Several campgrounds sit near highways with noticeable traffic noise. Hocking River RV Park has sites directly alongside State Route 33, with additional noise from a nearby train track approximately 200 yards away.
Tips for camping with families
Bathroom access: When camping with children, consider campsite proximity to restrooms. At Hocking Hills State Park Campground, one camper warned: "The campsites are so close together, which you think would at least mean the bathrooms were close, but no, they were a serious hike. Not good with kids."
Kid-friendly activities: Buckeye Lake-Columbus East KOA offers numerous organized activities for children. "Tons of stuff for kids, they had a blast! Great atmosphere, friendly staff! Will deliver wood to site & had lots of amenities," reports Bob H.
Cabin options: For families new to camping, several campgrounds offer cabin accommodations. Campbell Cove Camping receives positive reviews for their family cabins: "We loved the location of Campbell Coves to Old Man's Cave and hiking trails. We do a family trip to the area every fall and this will be our go-to location."
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature playground equipment. Big Sycamore Family Campground maintains a small playground central to the camping area, allowing parents to monitor children from nearby sites.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven sites requiring significant leveling. At A.W. Marion State Park, one RVer mentioned: "We chose site #56 which had electric. It's one of the best sites we found there for it's size, shade and privacy."
Dump station locations: Most campgrounds offer dump stations rather than full sewer hookups. Lakeview RV Park is one exception, featuring full hookups at most sites. "Staff is very friendly and we got a nice pull through site for a quick stop over my way to upper Michigan," notes one reviewer.
Water access challenges: Several campgrounds have unusual water connection configurations. One camper at Jackson Lake Park observed: "We had to 'fish' down to connect our hose" through an underground pipe access point.
