RV camping near Lancaster, Ohio provides access to rolling hills and wooded terrain in central Ohio's Fairfield County. Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Plateau, this area combines forest lands with riverfront camping at elevations between 800-1200 feet. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing from November through March, while summer camping season brings humid conditions with temperatures typically between 75-85°F.
What to Do
Riverside activities: Hocking River RV Park offers direct river access for watching passing kayakers. "This small and cost effective campground is so awesome! The river is small and is perfect to have a fire right next to. We also just went up the highway a little to a rafting rental place called murrys landing to raft down the river," reports Aysia C.
Swimming options: Jackson Lake Park maintains a swimming pond with inflatable features for children. "The little lake was so much fun. My children were upset we had to leave early due to the storm coming in," notes samantha H., who visited with her family.
Cave exploration: Access to the region's renowned rock formations and caves requires a short drive. "The hocking hills park itself is awesome. Great trails, beautiful waterfalls, wonderous caves. They are all pretty short hikes and easy access," reports Laura C., who visited with both a toddler and large dog.
What Campers Like
Private bathroom facilities: Hilltop Resorts and Campgrounds receives praise for its clean facilities. Tiffani C. noted, "The bathroom/shower facility are private individual units and are the cleanest we have ever seen!"
Kid-friendly amenities: Many campgrounds offer specific children's activities. "There is a nice sized sand ground play set with swings and 2 slides, an air pillow (blob) putt putt, a trail to the lake, a dog run, poop pickup stations, an A/C'd game room and very pleasant staff," writes Mitchell C. about Hilltop Resorts.
Proximity to towns: Lakeview RV Park provides convenient access to shopping and supplies. "Staff is very friendly and we got a nice pull through site for a quick stop over my way to upper Michigan. There's a really nice pond and has water activities if you stay longer. Easy in/out," notes Bucky W.
What You Should Know
Site spacing varies significantly: Campgrounds range from spacious to tightly packed. At Hocking Hills State Park Campground, "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," cautions Jenny K.
Seasonal facility conditions: Bathroom maintenance can vary throughout the season. At Jackson Lake Park, one camper warned, "The bathrooms were the most disgusting thing ever!! Their was actually a sign that said ecoli was found in one of the bathrooms."
Walk-in site logistics: Some campgrounds require hiking gear in from parking areas. "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!!" advises Amanda P. about Hocking Hills State Park.
Tips for Camping with Families
Check bathroom proximity: When booking with children, verify bathroom distance from your site. "The sites were quiet and clean! Make sure to pay attention to 'walk-in' sites. It's more like 'hike a half mile with your gear' sites!" says Amanda P. about her experience at Hocking Hills.
Research on-site activities: Alton RV Park has different rules than other campgrounds. "This place is small and quiet. That is the only good thing about park. Campfires not allowed. They yell at you for everything," warns Dennis D., highlighting the importance of matching campground atmosphere to family needs.
Prepare for varying terrain: Some sites require additional equipment for comfort. "We enjoyed a full hookup site. The spots aren't very spacious but there's lots of trees nearby and an easy walk to get to Old Mans Cave. We enjoyed swimming in the pool," reports Elana C. about her stay at Hocking Hills State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site preparation needed: Wet conditions may affect parking stability at some campgrounds. "There was some mud where camper wheels were situated in the spot (needs material)," noted one camper at Hocking River RV Park.
Access challenges: Water hookups can be difficult to connect at some sites. At Jackson Lake Park, "the water hook ups were accessible through a hole/pipe and we had to 'fish' down to connect our hose," explains Chris C.
Check fire ring locations: Not all campgrounds position fire rings conveniently near RVs. "Fire rings are not near RV but behind across the road on the river," reports a camper about Hocking River RV Park, indicating the need to plan evening activities accordingly.
