Cabin camping options near Laurelville, Ohio range from basic to fully equipped accommodations throughout the Hocking Hills region. Located in south-central Ohio about 50 miles southeast of Columbus, the area features varied terrain with elevations between 700-1,200 feet. Fall temperatures average 45-65°F, while summer ranges from 65-85°F with moderate humidity.
What to do
Hiking trails with water features: At Lake Hope State Park Campground, trails wind through dense forest with fern ground cover. "Trails are superb...tall canopies, fern ground cover, a wild assortment of fungi and wildlife at every turn. The terrain is undulating but very doable," notes one visitor who appreciates the natural surroundings.
Kayaking and canoeing: The rivers near Laurelville provide multiple paddling options. "Creek adjacent, hiking trail nearby, small lake... the only down side was the sound of the water treatment thingy across the creek," reports a camper about the non-electric sites at one location. Water levels vary seasonally, with spring typically offering the best flow conditions.
Nature programs: Wildlife observation is popular at several parks. "The naturalists feed hummingbirds at the nature center. They pull the feeders for awhile leading up to a 'Feed the Hummingbirds' program. So cool! The birds come right to you!" shares an enthusiastic Lake Hope visitor.
Torch light paddling: Evening water activities create unique experiences. "[We] went on the torch light canoe trip on 8/18/18. The basic set-up is a standard canoe with a tiki torch in the back of it. You set off at 7:30-8pm," explains a reviewer who enjoyed the Hocking Hills Canoe Livery experience despite some logistical challenges.
What campers like
Secluded camping areas: Primitive cabin and tent options provide peaceful surroundings. "The north ridge campground is in an entirely separate area of the park than the RVs and there aren't many campsites, so in that way it feels a little more remote and secluded," explains a camper who stayed at Tar Hollow State Park Campground.
Private lakefront access: Waterfront sites offer direct lake access. "We stayed at site 63, on the water. Big site, water view and plenty of space," notes a visitor to Campbell Cove Camping, though they mention road noise as the only drawback.
Equestrian facilities: Several cabins accommodate horses with nearby trail access. "This cabin also comes with two horse stalls. Bridle trail access right from campground," mentions a visitor who appreciated the horse-friendly accommodations at one location.
Recreational amenities: Beyond hiking, many campgrounds offer additional activities. "There is a great playground for kids and a swimming hole. The bathrooms are so clean. You can kayak on the lake and they do have rentals," shares a Campbell Cove camper who found plenty to keep their family engaged.
What you should know
Uneven tent sites: Many campgrounds have sloped terrain that affects site comfort. "Camp sites are very small and very unlevel, had to raise back of camper and put front about a 1/4" off ground to get close to level. Site around is sloped in all directions," warns a Lake Hope visitor.
Water facilities vary: Water quality and availability differs between parks. "I couldn't get the latch to lock on the doors, but maybe that was user error. There is toilet paper and hand sanitizer (but I always double sanitized with my own sanitizer back at our tent--such was the state of these bathrooms)," shares a Tar Hollow camper about their experience with the facilities.
Limited cell service: Many parks have poor connectivity. "There is no cell service. Enjoy the outdoors! You are off the grid!" notes a Tar Hollow visitor, which can be either a blessing or challenge depending on your needs.
Weather impacts: The terrain makes sites vulnerable to precipitation. "Beware of parking down there if its raining or you expect rain. There were a lot of people, from cars to trucks, that got stuck down that little hill and had to be towed out!" cautions a visitor to Top O' The Caves Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some parks offer dedicated play areas. "There is a nice little pool, but it wasn't open for the season yet. The shower houses were immaculate. The front office includes a little gift shop, ice cream, and pizza," explains a visitor to Hocking Hills KOA Holiday.
Kid-friendly activities: Look for parks with structured recreation options. "The camp store is friendly and welcoming, with a small selection of mementos (magnets, hiking sticks), a few nature-themed toys, last-minute forgets (duct tape, popcorn, table cloth and the like) and ice cream," shares a Tar Hollow visitor.
Multi-generational accommodations: Various cabin types accommodate different family needs. "We do a family trip to the area every fall and this will be our go-to location. We've already booked for fall 2021. We stayed in one of the rustic cabins. With other family members bringing their RVs," explains a Campbell Cove camper.
Guided nature programs: Structured activities keep children engaged. "In past years we've been able to spend an hour or so at the nature rooms, and then let the kids go off with the naturalist on an hour+ guided hike down the creek to explore for wildlife and plants," recommends a Tar Hollow visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for leveling: The hilly terrain makes leveling crucial. "The sites were nice and level. Nice playground and clubhouse building," notes a visitor at Campbell Cove about their experience with a well-maintained RV site.
Hookup availability: Electric options vary between parks. "We have stayed here a couple of times in a tent and a class a motor home. While the site we stayed in with the motorhome was fairly level, sites are mostly small and tight on hilly terrain," observes a Lake Hope camper.
Access roads: Park entrances can challenge larger vehicles. "The little road going up to the campground is VERY bumpy. It's not the campground road, it belongs to the Township, so its completely out of their ability to make improvements," explains a Hocking Hills KOA visitor who navigated the approach with their fifth wheel.
Seasonal availability: Off-season camping requires planning. "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," notes a Hocking Hills State Park camper who appreciated the balance of convenience and natural surroundings.
