The terrain surrounding Chillicothe, Ohio ranges from rolling hills to densely wooded valleys with elevations between 600-1,200 feet. The region experiences distinct seasons with summer highs averaging 85°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. Primitive camping areas typically require hikers to carry gear up to 150 yards from parking areas to reach established campsites.
What to do
Hiking with elevation changes: Pike Lake State Park Campground offers multiple trails with varied terrain. "Parts of the CCC trail were overgrown with briars and narrow," notes Leon H., while another visitor mentions that "We hiked the Greenbriar and CCC Trails. They are not too challenging but beautiful."
Paddling on smaller lakes: Several campgrounds offer water access for non-motorized boating. At Pike Lake State Park Campground, "There is a small lake with a beach. You can kayak, but it's really small," explains Shannon G. The lakes are typically under 100 acres, making them perfect for beginners.
Creek exploration: Waters Edge Canoe Livery provides access to local waterways. Jonathan W. describes it as a "Very fun place to camp and enjoy the creek on a kayak or canoe. Very friendly staff, and one of my favorite places to go."
What campers like
Walk-in tent camping: For those seeking more seclusion, Tar Hollow State Park Campground offers a primitive experience. "The north ridge campground is in an entirely separate area of the park than the RVs and there aren't many campsites, so in that way it feels a little more remote and secluded," explains Sydney.
Spacious sites: Several campgrounds offer larger sites for those wanting more room. At A.W. Marion State Park Campground, Cassandra C. found that "Site #9 is probably the biggest in the primitive section. This site has plenty of room for a few small tents."
Well-maintained facilities: Despite being rustic, many campers appreciate the clean amenities. At Scioto Trail State Park, Anna S. noted, "Walk-in sites with pit toilets and potable water. All sites appeared to have a picnic table and fire ring. Many miles of trails/dirt roads for hiking and biking."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Be prepared for connectivity issues. At Scioto Trail State Park Campground, Aaron S. mentioned it's "a nice campground. We camped three times this summer and fall. The set-up is good. There are at least three water spigot, and they are easy to get to."
Variable site quality: Campsite conditions can differ dramatically within the same campground. At Pike Lake, Kristin L. observed that "It rained the first day we were there and people were literally bailing there sites out with buckets. The places that weren't flooded were very muddy."
Bathroom facilities: Know what to expect with facilities. At Tar Hollow State Park, Sydney explained, "The bathrooms are pit latrines. However…these are some of the dirtiest I've experienced. The bathrooms are also very narrow and perhaps most importantly, they are not lit."
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: Some sites offer immediate access to play areas. At Pike Lake State Park, Shannon G. noted their site was "right across the site is the playground. It's a little noisy but if you have kids, it works."
Educational opportunities: Many parks offer ranger-led activities. Jonathan W. described Tar Hollow: "There is a small two-room nature center, and there is a naturalist who conducts several activities. In past years we've been able to let the kids go off with the naturalist on an hour+ guided hike."
Swimming options: Walnut Creek Campground and Resort provides multiple recreation options. Kelly W. noted it "Has fishing, kayaking, golf cart trails, volleyball set up, basketball court, swimming pool and super nice cabins."
Tips from RVers
Site selection cautions: Many campgrounds have limited level sites. At Hocking Hills State Park Campground, Meghan H. reported, "Ironically, we stayed at the worst campsite there, it was downslope, and they had recently cut down many trees and the site was a muddy mess. Every single other campsite they were perfect."
Check hookup availability: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. At Sun Valley Campground, Andrew S. notes it "has a lot to offer with electric and water hookups for RVs with back-in and pull through sites. They have a dump station as well as an onsite bathroom/shower house."
Site layout challenges: Some campgrounds have tighter spacing than others. At Hocking Hills, Laura C. observed, "The camping however left a lot to be desired. The sites were extremely close together."
Traveler
