Located in southeast Ohio's Appalachian foothills, the Nelsonville area sits at approximately 700 feet elevation with heavily wooded terrain across Wayne National Forest. The region experiences distinct four seasons with warm, humid summers reaching high 80s and winter lows regularly below freezing. Local campgrounds typically operate mid-April through October due to seasonal rainfall patterns and colder winter temperatures.
What to do
Hiking at Lake Hope State Park: The park connects to extensive trail networks with varied difficulty levels. "Trails are superb...tall canopies, fern ground cover, a wild assortment of fungi and wildlife at every turn. The terrain is undulating but very doable," notes one visitor to Lake Hope State Park Campground.
Water activities at Burr Oak Lake: Rent watercraft for day use on this 664-acre lake. "Going to rent a pontoon boat today and check out the beach, as well. In the 90's so very few spots taken!" reports a camper at Burr Oak State Park Campground. The lake permits limited horsepower boats with rentals available May through September.
Wildlife observation: Several parks offer organized nature programs. At Tar Hollow 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 campers like
Secluded camping options: Many visitors appreciate the less-crowded alternatives to busy Hocking Hills sites. "Lake Hope State Park is the unsung hero of Logan county, Ohio. Hocking Hills State Park gets the crowds because of its amenities and closer proximity to Old Man's Cave...but...Each time I have stayed at Lake Hope State Park, I have marveled at why there are only a few stray campers in a state park of 190 sites."
Family-oriented activities: Hocking Hills KOA Holiday provides organized activities and amenities for children. "Nice good size sites. Very clean bathhouse. Excellent views. Great WiFi! Close to Old Mans Cave," according to a recent visitor.
Private bathroom facilities: Some campgrounds offer modern bathroom amenities. "The bathroom/shower facility are private individual units and are the cleanest we have ever seen!" notes a visitor to Hilltop Resorts and Campgrounds.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Many camping areas have poor or no cellular coverage. At Strouds Run State Park, a camper noted: "There is no cell service. Enjoy the outdoors! You are off the grid!"
Site conditions vary significantly: Level sites can be difficult to find at some parks. "Camp sites are very small and very unlevel, had to raise back of camper and put front about a 1/4" off ground to get close to level. Site around is sloped in all directions," reports a visitor to Lake Hope State Park.
Bathroom quality concerns: Forked Run State Park Campground receives mixed reviews on facilities. "The pit toilets were filthy- covered in flies, spiderwebs and dirt. They look like they have not been hosed out since the 70's," reported one camper, though others had better experiences.
Tips for camping with families
Glamping options for comfort: For luxury camping near Nelsonville, Ohio, consider the cabins and yurts. At Top O' The Caves Campground, "It offers mini golf, a pool, park and small game room which is awesome for camping with kids. It offers rustic cabins for those that dont tent camp or have a rv."
Easy access to swimming: Children appreciate water recreation during summer months. At Burr Oak State Park, "They have a nice beach and the lake is awesome. There are adequate shower facilities," according to a satisfied visitor.
Organized activities: Look for campgrounds with scheduled programs. At Tar Hollow State Park, one visitor appreciated that "The campground has a nice clean lake, nature room, bike rentals, paddle boat rentals, putt putt golf course and a movie stand. Great place to stay."
Tips from RVers
Advance planning for site selection: Research specific sites for levelness and size. "Sites are not very wide - you are close to your neighbors and there is nothing separating the sites," notes a reviewer about Strouds Run State Park.
Road conditions: Some access roads require careful navigation. At the Hocking Hills KOA, "The little road going up to the campground is VERY bumpy. It's not the campground road, it belongs to the Township... we just drove slow and our truck handled it just fine."
Hookup availability: Electric sites are limited at certain parks. At Burr Oak State Park, "There are some really beautiful sites, but there are only a few with electric. The addition of concrete pads and electric would improve the campground considerably and attract more campers to this beautiful area."
