Harrison Lake State Park and surrounding areas offer several cabin rental options for those seeking overnight accommodations near Montpelier, Ohio. The region features a mix of state park and private camping facilities within 30-50 miles of Montpelier. Most cabin rentals in this area require reservations, with availability varying seasonally across northwestern Ohio and neighboring Michigan and Indiana.
What to do
Kayaking on quiet lakes: Lake Hudson Recreation Area provides excellent kayaking opportunities on its peaceful waters. "The lake was much bigger than we thought and lots of campers with boats," notes one visitor, highlighting the expansive waterway that remains calm with no wake restrictions.
Nature trails year-round: Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground connects multiple small lakes with hiking paths suitable for all skill levels. A camper mentions, "There is so much to do. Between the hiking trails, boating, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and biking. You won't ever get bored."
Winter recreation: For those seeking cabin accommodations during colder months, consider the seasonal activities at Pokagon State Park Campground. "There's 500+ sites, but all nicely separated and shaded. There's an inn, restaurant, cabins, boat rentals, horseback riding, bike trails, beach, toboggan run, etc," reports a camper who appreciated the diverse off-season offerings.
What campers like
Peaceful camping atmosphere: Many visitors praise the quiet environment at Lake Hudson Recreation Area. "The best part of this campground is the stars at night! This is a dark sky preserve campground and the stars are the show," writes one camper who visited during the Perseid meteor shower.
Family-friendly amenities: Gateway Park Campground receives consistent praise for its child-oriented facilities. A recent visitor detailed the offerings: "Pool 3ft-5ft, Air pillow, Large playground (very clean), Half basketball court, Sand Volleyball net, Rec room, Crafts on weekends, Corn hole boards, Horse shoe pits."
Clean facilities: Harrison Lake State Park maintains high standards for its amenities. One camper noted, "Nice family campgrounds sites are roomy, asphalt, and generally level. Restrooms and showers are clean and well maintained."
What you should know
Site selection considerations: At Harrison Lake, there are distinct camping areas with different advantages. "This is actually two different campgrounds -- North and South. The North Campground has larger sites spaced a bit apart to afford you some privacy. The grounds and facilities looked to be in good condition, too," explains a visitor who provides valuable context for cabin seekers.
Reservation timing: Most cabin accommodations require advance booking, especially during summer months. This is particularly true for Angola/Hogback Lake KOA Holiday, where a camper noted, "We arrived late to find an envelope with our name on it with all of our info inside."
Utilities vary widely: Water access points and electrical options differ significantly between campgrounds. At Lake Hudson Recreation Area, "The only place to get water is a hand pump right when you enter the campground." Another visitor mentioned, "There is a yellow service phone at the headquarters to check-in."
Tips for camping with families
Accessible water activities: Many campgrounds feature lakes with kid-friendly swimming areas. At Harrison Lake State Park, one visitor reported, "The lake is nice for swimming and there are bike rentals which was fun as well. We did not use it, but there is a dog beach as well."
Entertainment options: Buck Lake Ranch offers unique historical attractions beyond standard camping amenities. A camper noted, "The little store was adorable, stage area with the names of all the performers is awesome, great musical history, friendly staff, beautiful lake and a fun beached whale to pose with."
Spacious sites for groups: Several campgrounds accommodate larger family gatherings with appropriately sized spaces. Harrison Lake features sites that can handle extended family setups, with one visitor noting, "It is very clean and quite. Nice size sites."
Tips from RVers
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds have specific access constraints for larger vehicles. For travel trailers and large RVs, Harrison Lake State Park offers accommodations but with limitations. A camper observed, "The South Campground has smaller sites that were much more closely packed together. There are non-electric sites that are a bit deeper but still quite narrow."
Hookup availability: Electrical connections are standard at most facilities, but water and sewer options vary significantly. Angola/Hogback Lake KOA Holiday provides full-service sites as noted by one RVer: "Water, electric, sewer, cable TV all worked great. We will definitely stay here again in the spring."
Site surfaces: The type of pad at each campground affects leveling and setup. Gateway Park Campground features "Cement slabs with all the hook ups. Some lots have shade, most are not. All spots have picnic tables and fire pits by the road."
