Campgrounds near Manchester, Ohio sit in the rugged foothills where the Appalachian Plateau meets the Ohio River Valley. Most sites are situated between 500-900 feet elevation in terrain that transitions from flat river bottoms to rolling hills. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-90°F with higher humidity levels near the water features that attract many campers to this region.
What to do
Water recreation on the Licking River: The Ole Cornfield provides kayaking opportunities with shuttle service from the dam. "The ride from the dam down to the campground is beautiful and serene. It is great for beginning kayakers," notes Karen P. The river at the campground stays shallow, "about 1 to 2 feet deep at this location. Great for wading and catching minnows, crawdads, and such."
Cave exploration: Carter Caves State Resort Park Campground offers multiple cave systems with ranger-guided tours. "The park has a lot to do, not just the caves. There's tons of waterfalls off the trails, and other things to see. The caves are great to explore as well," shares Chris B. The park also features "wonderful landscape designed by nature, good hiking trails," according to Lisa S.
Family activities: Long's Retreat Family Resort provides numerous recreational options beyond standard camping. "Swimming, water slides, canoeing, go-cart racing, mini golf, and a full arcade give plenty of variety," reports Rocky B. The resort includes "a huge floating dock with diving board" and "the little kids can have fun in the splash pad right at the beach," adds Kristi J.
What campers like
Quiet riverside camping: The Ole Cornfield offers peaceful sites along the Licking River. "The tent sites are very cool. They have a large flat grassy area with lots of sites right beside the river," explains Joseph R. Campers appreciate the tranquility, with Karen P. noting it's "far enough away from the road that we didn't hear any noise, just the river running."
Clean facilities: Several campgrounds maintain high cleanliness standards. At The Ole Cornfield, "the bathrooms are kept very clean and offers quality toilet paper and paper towels." Paige B. reports that "Bath houses are extremely clean and the camp ground is meticulous, with level spots."
Digital detox opportunities: Some campgrounds provide a break from technology. Long's Retreat Resort has "no cell service at all which is good and bad," according to Dustin C. Another camper, Robin R., actively appreciates the lack of connectivity: "Love no cell reception! Quiet clean and staff is always pleasant and helpful!"
What you should know
Extension cords needed: Many campgrounds require additional equipment. At Carter Caves State Resort Park Campground, Ron & Bonnie D. advise "You will need extra water hose and extension cords to get hooked up in a lot of the sites." This issue appears at multiple parks, with one reviewer noting that "some of the sites were around 50 ft from the electric hook up."
Space considerations: Site layouts vary significantly between campgrounds. At Carter Caves, one camper observed "the campground is a bit tight, especially when lots of cars are in visiting the campers." Another noted "There is no space between sites. I was turned off when I saw a Lazyboy by a camper."
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds in this region operate seasonally. Long's Retreat Family Resort runs "Apr 1 - Oct 31" according to their listing information, while Carter Caves State Resort Park Campground operates "April 1 to October 31."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for all ages: Outpost Campground & RV Park features water recreation suited for families. "The pool was a nice addition," notes Dustin L., who also mentions they have "a great, centrally located playground where the kids were able to run around after being in the truck for eight hours."
Safety first: When exploring natural features like caves and waterways, proper guidance matters. At Carter Caves, Chris B. advises families to "Grab a ranger-guided tour and learn something! Great for the kids! (don't touch the bat poo :P)."
Plan electronics-free entertainment: With limited connectivity at many campgrounds, families should prepare non-digital activities. At Long's Retreat, Kristi J. observes how the lack of cell service creates opportunities: "everyone has to actually spend time together and it's a great reset!"
Tips from RVers
Site conditions vary: For RV camping near Manchester, Ohio, be prepared for different ground surfaces. At The Landing at Bear Creek RV Park, Elana C. notes "The ground is all sand. So while if it rains you won't get muddy, but the sand is a pain and gets everywhere."
Check site dimensions: Some campgrounds have smaller-than-expected spaces. Before booking, confirm your RV will fit comfortably. Jason G. at Outpost Campground appreciated that "The pull through sites were all flat and oriented well. We were fully set up in 15 mins."
Full-hookup availability: Lazy Village Campground & RV Park offers comprehensive RV services. Rebecca F. explains, "Check out the website for details on the full hookup sites. We stayed on the creek witch has water and electric but they will empty your tanks for you if you stay longer than 3 nights."
