Salt Fork State Park and Dillon State Park offer modernized glamping accommodations within 30 miles of New Concord, Ohio. The region contains diverse terrain ranging from rolling hills to wooded ravines, with elevations between 800-1200 feet. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F with high humidity, while spring and fall bring temperatures between 50-70°F with increased rainfall.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Blue Rock State Park's 15-acre lake provides year-round fishing access with good catches reported even during colder months. "There are several areas to pay for camping as well as primitive camp. It's near the water and they offer several trails. Other than the trails, there is a stone house to view as well as a cave," notes Jacqueline F.
Hiking options: Salt Fork State Park Campground offers multiple trail difficulty levels across its 17,000+ acres. "Trails that lead along shore line to old stone house built in early days of Ohio. Caves to be explored that are easy to access," explains camper JH T. For equestrians, the park provides extensive riding opportunities as one visitor mentioned, "The horse trails go on for miles and miles so if you have horses this is a great place to trail ride."
Seasonal activities: Burr Oak State Park transitions dramatically between seasons, offering distinct experiences. "The change of season brings a very different atmosphere to the park and the people staying in it. The Trailhead's located throughout the area give you a good workout on the hilly terrain and offer some awesome fall scenery," shares Shelly S.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Hook Lake Campground provides secluded spaces for nature observation. The free dispersed camping area offers quiet surroundings perfect for wildlife spotting. "Just driving in saw turkeys and 'turkets' and two 6 point bucks," one camper reported about the general area.
Water recreation: Burr Oak State Park Campground features lake activities beyond swimming. "The lake is pretty beautiful. The trails are well marked and the horse trails go on for miles and miles," according to one visitor. Another notes, "Campers can rent pontoons or enjoy a day kayaking the lake, or swimming on the beach."
Fishing: Several campgrounds offer stocked ponds with accessible fishing for various skill levels. "The ponds are stocked with fish and because it is private land no fishing license is required," explains Terry F. about National Road Campground. Hook Lake's fishing areas allow children under 15 to fish without a license, while adults need to fish at designated spots.
What you should know
Site selection considerations: At National Road Campground, site quality varies significantly. "We stayed one night on our way out west and this place was not far from the highway and it was super quiet. Perfect restful night it's just what we needed," notes Julie F. When selecting sites, check for levelness as many campers report challenges with uneven terrain.
Facility limitations: Many campgrounds have restricted shower hours and limited amenities. "No flush toilets, only pits and no sink to wash hands, but there was hand sanitizer at least," reports Nicole C. about Blue Rock State Park. At Dillon State Park, "Shower/bathroom facilities look to be from the 70's," according to one reviewer.
Weather considerations: The area experiences significant seasonal changes affecting camping comfort. "The bathrooms on the campsite we stayed in were atrocious! I've never smelled anything so bad in my life and dirty, dirty, dirty!" reported one camper about facilities during peak summer season. Spring camping often means muddy trails, while fall offers the most comfortable temperatures.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: LA-Z Acres Campground provides organized activities for children throughout summer. "A lot of activities for the kids. The staff was nice," shares Jessica P. Several campgrounds offer playgrounds, with National Road Campground featuring a splash pad that's particularly popular during hot summer days.
Safety considerations: Tick prevention is essential when hiking with children in this region. "TICK WARNING!!!! After a morning hike down wooded Trail, we spent A LONG TIME pulling ticks from dogs...even though the temps were in the 30's overnight and everyone was treated with flea & tick protection," warns one Salt Fork visitor.
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer ranger-led programs during summer months. "The activities with the naturalist (Cayden) were fun and engaging," shares Ryan W. about Blue Rock State Park. Many campgrounds feature interpretive trails and nature centers where children can learn about local ecology.
Tips from RVers
Site access: Dillon State Park Campground offers varied site quality for RVs. "Huge park with lots of options (electric, water, etc.). Very well maintained, and showers better than the one I have at home," notes Rob G. However, another camper cautions, "Many sites are not level. Many sites have NO shade. Only Electric available at each site."
Hookup availability: Most campgrounds offer limited full-hookup sites that book quickly. "We were able to get level without any blocks," reports one RVer about a 33-foot travel trailer at Hook Lake. At Spring Valley Campground, "Fairly large sites with full hookups. Good mix of seasonal and overnight," according to Dave B.
Road conditions: Several campgrounds feature rough interior roads. "Roads in the campground are very rough with large potholes," warns one reviewer about Spring Valley. For larger rigs, scout your route and campground beforehand, as some access roads have sharp turns or steep grades that can be challenging.
