Campgrounds near Lithopolis, Ohio provide access to diverse terrain across central and southeastern Ohio. The area sits at elevations between 800-1000 feet with seasonal temperature variations that affect camping options. Most campgrounds remain open from April through October with limited winter availability at select locations such as Delaware State Park Campground.
What to do
Hiking to distinctive geological features: Access to unique natural formations is available at several campgrounds. At Tar Hollow State Park Campground, campers can explore multiple trails with varying difficulty levels. "Beautiful, secluded group camping. Shelter and pit bathrooms. Wide open space for lots of campers. Nice access to trails," notes one visitor, adding that "part of the Buckeye Trail runs through the park."
Outdoor recreation on lakes: The region offers several water bodies for recreational activities. At Alum Creek State Park Campground, visitors find "a campground beach and boat launch. Lost of hiking paths in the campground and in the park area. A great dog park with lake entrance for the pups. There is also some mountain bike trails. Plenty to do for everyone." Families can enjoy "being close to the water" with campsites where "the kids loved being close to the water."
Arcade gaming and activities: Some campgrounds maintain recreation facilities. At Jackson Lake Park, "there was a great arcade room for hanging out" according to one reviewer. Another visitor observed that the park has "quite a big staff to take care of the place, life guard, and run the children's events like Tye-dye, archery, etc."
What campers like
Privacy between campsites: Many campers appreciate well-spaced sites at certain locations. Delaware State Park Campground receives consistent praise for its layout, with one camper noting "the best thing about this campground is the fact that all the sites have privacy." Another explains, "The 'pod' layout of the campground made for large campsites with good separation between sites."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple locations feature fishing access. At Lakeview RV Park, visitors enjoy "a really nice pond and has water activities if you stay longer." Another camper mentions the "small swimming lake" and opportunities for "canoe rental."
Seasonal events: Some campgrounds coordinate special activities throughout the year. One reviewer at Buckeye Lake-Columbus East KOA shared, "Halloween weekend #3 was so much fun!!" At Top O' The Caves Campground, a visitor reported, "The campground put on a free BBQ for all of the guests one of the nights! It was very good and well thought out. They also put on a very long firework show that night which was awesome!"
What you should know
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly between locations. At Tar Hollow, visitors note "there is no cell service. Enjoy the outdoors! You are off the grid!" Similarly, one camper warns that Tar Hollow "is pretty remote (no cell phone coverage at even the top of the hills)."
Bathroom conditions: Facility quality varies between campgrounds. One visitor at Hocking Hills KOA Holiday reported "the shower houses were immaculate," while at other locations, conditions might be less ideal. A camper at Jackson Lake Park noted "bathrooms were the most disgusting thing ever!! Their was actually a sign that said ecoli was found in one of the bathrooms."
Site terrain: Campsite levelness varies across the region. At Tar Hollow's North Ridge campground, "many of the campsites are situated on pretty intense slopes." One visitor advises, "I would guess 105 is probably the most level site in the campground."
Tips for camping with families
Pool and water access: For families seeking glamping near Lithopolis with swimming options, consider campgrounds with maintained water facilities. "The kids would get dirty playing during the day," noted one Buckeye Lake KOA visitor, who appreciated shower access after swimming. At Top O' The Caves Campground, "a pool to swim in" is available, though one visitor mentioned it was "a little bit too dirty for me but the kid liked it enough to cool down in."
Kid-friendly activities: Many campgrounds offer organized recreation for children. At Buckeye Lake-Columbus East KOA, visitors noted "tons of stuff for kids, they had a blast!" with "a variety of site types available" plus amenities like "mini golf, bounce house, playground."
Cabin options for beginners: Alternative accommodations provide comfort for families new to camping. At Delaware State Park, "the campground also has yurts for rent (May through October) that are furnished with beds, table and chairs, a cooler, ceiling fan, outdoor charcoal grill and a picnic table with canopy."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary across campgrounds. At Delaware State Park, "there are 212 sites that have 50 amp electric. The campground also has yurts for rent." For full hookups, some RVers prefer Buckeye Lake-Columbus East KOA, where "sites are clean and well maintained sites" though some noted "our site was muddy when we arrived and only got worse due to only having 2 days with no rain."
Site dimensions: RV campers should verify campsite sizes before booking. At Delaware State Park, "some sites are over 90 feet in length and well suited for large RV's," while at other campgrounds, space might be limited. One RVer at Buckeye Lake KOA noted "the site we were on was HUGE! The pad was very level, so setting up the TT was quick and easy."
Road conditions: Access roads can present challenges for larger vehicles. When visiting Hocking Hills KOA Holiday, campers warn "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."
