Mohican State Park and surrounding areas provide camping sites near Loudonville, Ohio across diverse terrain from riverfront locations to forest settings. The region sits within the unglaciated Allegheny Plateau with elevations ranging from 900-1200 feet above sea level, creating varied camping environments throughout the area. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing from December through February, while summer camping season typically runs from May through September when daytime temperatures average 75-85°F.
What to do
Hiking the free primitive sites: Mohican Memorial State Forest offers ten free primitive campsites along hiking trails about a mile from parking areas. "There are 10 free camp sites for backpackers in Mohican, each is about a mile hike in, no vehicles can reach these sites. There are 4 on the mountain bike trail and 6 on the horse trails, first come first serve, no reservations," notes John H. from Mohican State Park Campground.
Swimming options beyond the river: Pleasant Hill Lake Park Campground has a beach area for swimming, though water levels can affect accessibility. "The lake was high this weekend and the beach was a bit under water, but still fun. The boats and sounds of summer with children laughing and splashing while adults sit on the sand," explains Tina D.
Horseback riding access: For equestrian campers, Pleasant Hill Lake Park offers specific facilities. "We arrived Friday late afternoon and set up in the rain. Didn't see much of the park on Friday, but Saturday we went exploring and saw the marina, beach, horse camp area, and walked some of the bridle trails," reports Andrea F.
What campers like
Large, private campsites: Mohican Wilderness gets consistently high marks for spacious sites. "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. Quiet neighbors and friendly staff plus everything is mowed and well maintained," shares Andrea F.
Year-round camping options: While many private campgrounds close seasonally, some facilities remain open in winter. "Another Thanksgiving spent in our camper and it was so nice and relaxing. There were more campers than expected this weekend. I guess everyone likes to social distance in their campers too. Camping in the off season is our favorite time of year," notes Andrea F. from Mohican State Park Campground.
Indoor pool facilities: Mohican Adventures Campground offers heated indoor swimming when weather doesn't permit outdoor water activities. "The staff is friendly and the indoor pool and shower houses were amazing. The sites seemed a little small so it might feel crowded during peak season," reports Renee L.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Mobile connectivity varies significantly throughout the Mohican region. At Pleasant Hill Lake Park, one reviewer notes: "The lightning bugs even put on a nightly show," but warns "No cell service with Verizon at this park." Similarly, at Mohican Memorial State Forest, a camper reports: "No cell phone service for Verizon at this time."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking during peak season. For primitive sites, a different system applies: "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."
GPS navigation challenges: Several campgrounds have reported issues with navigation apps. "Getting here proved to be tricky, as it seems all of the GPS apps and my Garmin routed us on a county road that is not fit for RVs of any type," warns a visitor to Wally World.
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly options: Some sites specifically cater to new campers. "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 Campground.
Kid-friendly campground layouts: Charles Mill Lake Park offers family-oriented areas with easy supervision. "We stayed in a small group of sites which made it safe for kids to run around and play," notes Katelyn P., adding that there's "a lake with a boat launch near by a playground and beach for families to swim."
Activity options for rainy days: Weather contingencies matter when camping with children. Mohican Adventures provides indoor alternatives: "The campgrounds covers all the basics. We fished and swam in the indoor pool which was not heated at the time," shares Lo H.
Tips for RVers
Site selection advice: RVers should carefully consider seasonal site differences. "The new F sites have concrete pads and plenty of space. Only lacking in mature trees to offer shade," notes Michelle H. about Pleasant Hill Lake Park.
Winter camping preparation: For cold-weather RVers, note specific winter amenities. "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," explains a camper at Mohican State Park.
Weight restrictions on access roads: Large rigs face specific access limitations. "Do note the bridge you need to cross has a weight limit of 10 tons, so larger rigs will need to come up Wally Road from the south. If your GPS says to take ANY township roads, just don't. They are not paved, steep, and/or have sharp turns."
