Campers visiting Malvern, Ohio find themselves in the foothills of Appalachia where elevations range from 950 to 1,200 feet throughout the region. The area sits at the northern edge of Ohio's Appalachian Plateau with small streams feeding into larger waterways like Atwood Lake. Winter camping is available at select locations with temperatures typically ranging from 20-40°F from December through February.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Atwood Lake offers good fishing conditions for multiple species. One visitor at Atwood Lake Park Campground mentioned, "Good fishing. Nice to see sailboats on the lake. All new camping spots with full hookup." The lake supports bass, crappie, and catfish populations.
Water recreation: The lakes near Malvern provide various water activities beyond swimming. At Mill Creek Camping, visitors enjoy "numerous fishing and open swimming opportunities (basically anywhere you want along the water)" with "very clean fire rings and running water bathrooms."
Hiking options: Short trails exist throughout the area's parks. West Branch State Park offers "several short hiking trails" with terrain suitable for all skill levels. Many trails connect camping areas to lake access points, with most being under three miles in length.
What campers like
Full hookup sites: Many campgrounds in the region have recently added full hookup capabilities. One camper at Atwood Lake Park Campground noted, "The H campground loops are full hookups, some right on the water. Electric, and primitive sites too. Pets welcome on a leash, a beach and hiking also."
Lakefront camping: Direct water access is highly valued by visitors to Guilford Lake State Park Campground. A reviewer shared that "While our site wasn't lakefront, many of the sites are right on the water... we're really looking forward to returning with more time to stay so that we can take advantage of the kayak and paddle boat rentals."
Family amenities: Several campgrounds feature activities specifically for families. At Canton/East Sparta KOA Holiday, guests appreciate the "Horseback riding on site" and one family mentioned, "This is our favorite KOA! I have 4 kids and return at least 1x per year. Great family owned KOA."
What you should know
Site spacing varies: Privacy levels differ significantly between campgrounds. At West Branch State Park Campground, sites offer good separation with "many trees that provide separation between sites," while at Pride Valley Campground, a visitor noted sites are "pretty level, are newer so gravel still settling."
Bathroom facilities: Facility quality varies widely across campgrounds. At Guilford Lake, "Bathhouse is dated but clean and stocked," while West Branch offers "clean individual showers" that receive positive reviews.
Reservation timing: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. One camper at West Branch advised, "Make reservations! (6 months in advance). Waterside sites fill up quickly!" This is especially true for holiday weekends from May through September.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water features: Several campgrounds offer safe swimming areas for children. At Atwood Lake, there's a "Nice beach area with toys for the kids and adults," while another family mentioned, "My kids and I have been coming to Atwood for the last 10 years. We look forward to it every summer. The people are friendly and there is always something to do!!"
Playgrounds and activities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated children's areas. Salem-Lisbon Ohio KOA "Has activities for all ages. The general store has an ice cream shop and food," according to visitors. Some campgrounds also offer scheduled activities on summer weekends.
Space for bikes and scooters: Several campgrounds have paved roads ideal for kids' wheeled activities. As one Atwood Lake visitor shared, "Kids love the playgrounds and being able to bike or scoot all around. Shower house's are superb."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling needs: Be prepared with leveling equipment. At West Branch, one RVer reported, "Our site was labeled slight slope. That was a joke. We were only off 2 inches side to side but front to back we had to lower the front 15 inches."
Access to lake activities: Many RV sites offer convenient water access. At Woods Tall Timber Resort, an RVer shared, "Such a beauty, even with a large RV we were accommodated. Lots of fun activities, and the trees are tall!" Some locations allow you to launch directly from your site.
Off-season availability: Several campgrounds remain open year-round with reduced amenities. The Salem-Lisbon KOA is available for "Nice All Year Around Camping" with one winter visitor noting, "The tent sites were big and right on the lake. Everyone was so kind!"
