Cabin rentals around Nelsonville, Ohio offer varied camping options within Wayne National Forest and the Hocking Hills region. The area sits at elevations between 700-1000 feet with hilly terrain typical of the Appalachian foothills. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing with summer highs averaging 80-85°F, making seasonal considerations important when booking cabins.
What to do
Hiking to historic sites: At Burr Oak State Park Campground, numerous trails connect to nearby attractions. "Lots of great trails. We hope to come back and back pack one of the trails," shares one winter visitor who stayed at the lodge.
Watercraft rentals: Lake access provides opportunities for boating at several locations. "Strouds is a great place to rent a paddle board, kayak, canoe, or pontoon," notes a reviewer at Strouds Run State Park Campground, adding "there are pic nic tables, a beach volley ball area, and bathrooms."
Stargazing opportunities: The region offers excellent night sky viewing due to minimal light pollution. "Amazing at night for stargazing!" exclaims a visitor to Strouds Run, who also mentions discovering "an abandoned train cart" while exploring the park's trails.
What campers like
Private rustic settings: Some cabins provide a more secluded experience. At Benton's on the Baileys, a camper notes, "Excellent campground that is tucked out of the way. You have to walk to the site, up a steep hill, but it is very private and quiet."
Family-friendly activities: Many campgrounds offer amenities beyond basic lodging. "There is a great playground for kids and a swimming hole. The bathrooms are so clean. You can kayak on the lake and they do have rentals," describes a visitor at Campbell Cove Camping.
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting attracts various animals. At Lake Hope State Park, "The naturalists feed hummingbirds at the nature center. They pull the feeders for awhile leading up to a 'Feed the Hummingbirds' program. So cool! The birds come right to you!"
What you should know
Water conditions vary: Not all water sources are consistently clear. A Lake Hope State Park camper warns about evening conditions: "But watch out for the FOG on the lake at night! It gets so bad you can't see past the end of your boat!"
Site terrain challenges: Many cabin and tent sites require preparation for uneven ground. A Lake Hope visitor explains: "Lake Hope was super crowded and the sites felt like they were literally on top of each other. It also was not super clear on which site was which. Our site was on a hill."
Bathroom facilities: Quality and accessibility of restrooms differ between locations. At Hocking Hills KOA Holiday, "The shower houses were immaculate. The front office includes a little gift shop, ice cream, and pizza."
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly programs: Some campgrounds offer specific activities for younger visitors. Hocking Hills Jellystone Campground provides "Free tricycles to ride around. Bouncy area, lake with a trampoline and activities all the time."
All-weather options: For inclement conditions, cabins provide shelter while maintaining the camping experience. A Campbell Cove Camping visitor recommends, "We loved the location of Campbell Coves to Old Man's Cave and hiking trails. We do a family trip to the area every fall and this will be our go-to location."
Water recreation: Several locations feature swimming areas with additional amenities. At Lake Snowden Campground, "During the summer they set up large inflatable slides and create a makeshift lake waterpark! I camp here EVERY year during the Annual Pawpaw Festival in mid September."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: Choosing the right location matters for larger vehicles. A Burr Oak State Park camper advises, "While the site we stayed in with the motorhome was fairly level, sites are mostly small and tight on hilly terrain. That said, I would still recommend this as a nice weekend getaway."
Hook-up variations: Electrical connections differ between campgrounds. A Lake Snowden visitor cautions, "The website advertises electrical hookups but it fails to mention that some sites on the premises are only 50 amp hookups and not 30 amp and 50 amp."
Road conditions: Access routes can present challenges for larger rigs. A visitor to Hocking Hills KOA notes, "The little road going up to the campground is VERY bumpy. It's not the campground road, it belongs to the Township, so its completely out of their ability to make improvements."
