Manchester, Ohio sits along the Ohio River at approximately 500 feet elevation, where the rolling hills meet riverside camping areas. Campgrounds in this region operate primarily from April through October, though several sites offer year-round accommodations with varying levels of hookups and amenities for pets.
What to do
Hiking at Shawnee Forest: Located near Shawnee State Park Campground, the trails offer diverse terrain for all skill levels. "Beautiful countryside, fortunately I was on Rt 125 when I lost all clue where the park entrance was. Then I saw the Shawnee Range and kept on driving. Definitely get a map because the whole park offers a lot of outdoor opportunities," notes Shelly S.
Cave exploration: Carter Caves State Resort Park features unique geological formations within driving distance. "The park is amazing and I have no idea how it took me 39yrs to find it so close to home. The caves are absolutely amazing and the park has some of the best natural bridges I have ever seen. Make sure to get a permit for Horn Hollow on a day of no rain or else you will not be able to enter it," advises Amanda S.
Fishing and boating: Twin Knobs Recreation Area offers water access with dedicated fishing spots. "We stayed in one of the 'premium' sites, right on the water F19. The view was incredible. The campground was quiet and the facilities clean. Perfect spot," writes Paul K. The campground connects to the lake with boat launch access and swimming areas.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Sandy Springs Campground maintains high standards for bathrooms and common areas. "The bathrooms and laundry room are very clean. The surrounding area seeps in history and we enjoyed exploring the area," reports Sherry R. who spent five months at the campground.
Spacious sites: Lawrence Creek provides room for various camping setups. "We arrived this past weekend and I am very satisfied from our first night experience. We walked the trail Saturday morning and walked around the site (which is small but nice). We have a site right on the creek and have seen a few boats come through," shares Sallie M.
Privacy between campsites: East Fork State Park offers varied site layouts with natural buffers. "Camp sites are all blacktop, level, and clean. Nice bath houses, and playgrounds. Some trails but not a lot else to see. Close to food and shopping areas. We stayed in 69 and 70. C loop is all nice," notes Jarrod M.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. At Shawnee State Park, "there is absolutely no cell service in the Campground. The lodge at the top of the hill has a weak signal, but is better than nothing if you really need to check in with outside world," warns Carrie S.
Seasonal restrictions: Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park operates from April through October with specific amenities available only during peak season. "My absolute favorite campground. It's small, clean, level pads and just plain fun. They typically have nice activities for the entire family along with the pool and museum," mentions Gena M.
Hookup distance: At some sites, utility connections require additional equipment. "Thankfully we were able to switch spots instead of renting an extension cord," notes Autumn L. about Lawrence Creek. Similarly, at Carter Caves, "make sure to check in the details, which sites have sewer as they don't label it full hookups up front. The line of sites along the road into the campground all have sewer holes."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Sandy Springs Campground organizes regular events for children. "The campsite is totally geared towards family fun! The owners are so hospitable, that you feel like family! One of the most fun places we've ever stayed! My kids were busy nonstop with planned fun activities," Emily W. shares.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. "We just left and had a wonderful time! Campground is clean, seasonal campers are kind and the views are beautiful. Lots of green area to play. Huge open field as well by playground," reports Tiffani C. about Sandy Springs.
Special event weekends: Shawnee State Park hosts themed weekends during the camping season. "We were there on their Halloween weekend, with a fun site-decorating contest and trick or treat in the afternoon, which was mildly annoying for us because they closed the roads from 2 to 6 so we could not drive back to our site," notes Megan M.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Zilpo Campground offers options for various RV sizes. "One of my wife and I favorite spot! Great campground with great views of lake and easy way to the beach," writes Vince B. Many sites accommodate larger RVs, but reservation planning is essential during peak season.
Hookup management: Blue Licks has specific layout considerations. "Disappointed in the camping part - pads is very small for RV, the connections are far away, the pool & shop closed at 6pm (it's summer and they close at 6!) no room for vehicles and the trees were so close we couldn't op our awning up all the way," cautions Lisa P.
Level sites: The Captain's Quarters offers level pads suitable for RVs. "Semi-Private lot with outdoor bar, fire pit and firewood. Close to two distilleries and a winery just across the river in Kentucky. Tons of hiking trails and miles of the Ohio River for boating, jet skis and kayaking," shares Lizabeth L.
