Campgrounds around New Concord offer varied terrain across the foothills of Appalachia with elevations ranging from 800-1100 feet. The region experiences distinct seasons with summer highs averaging 82°F and winter lows often dropping below freezing. Fall camping is particularly popular when hardwood forests display vibrant color changes, typically peaking in mid-October.
What to do
Archery practice: Hook Lake Campground at Jesse Owens State Park maintains a dedicated archery range for visitors. "Lots of hiking, mountain biking and The Wilds are near by. McConnelsville is about 20 min away for all your gas, food (Kroger) and propane," notes a reviewer who appreciated the additional recreational options.
Wildlife observation: Early mornings at campgrounds throughout the region offer prime wildlife viewing opportunities. At Salt Fork State Park, one camper reported, "Just driving in saw turkeys and 'turkets':) and two 6 point bucks. You can hike, swim, boat, bike and horseback ride."
Covered bridge exploration: The area features several historic covered bridges within short driving distance of camping areas. A visitor to Sand Hollow mentioned, "My favorite thing about this area is the covered bride, weird I know, but I like seeing the old covered bridges."
Water recreation: Fishing opportunities exist at multiple dog-friendly campgrounds near New Concord. According to a Fish Farm Camp visitor, "Found this location last minute. Booking and directions were super easy. Met the owner who is a real nice guy. Beautiful views, great fishing, and a super clean set up."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacing at Bicentennial Campground, with one reviewer noting, "We stayed at this campground for two weeknights, and it was almost completely deserted. The site we stayed in was AMAZING- on a hill, lots of space, lots of privacy; the sites by the pond were smaller, but the non-pond sites were very spacious."
Dark skies for stargazing: The rural setting provides excellent night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. A camper at National Road Campground mentioned this benefit directly: "Good night sky viewing" among their list of campground pros.
Fall foliage: Autumn brings spectacular color changes to the forests. One Wolf Run visitor shared, "We love Wolf Run if you are just planning to chill at the campsite. Choose one of the 'premium' sites for beautiful lakeside views! We got engaged on the lake view site in early fall and also spent Halloween weekend there!"
Pet exercise areas: Several locations offer dedicated spaces for dogs. One Salt Fork visitor was particularly enthusiastic: "Dog park!! and right on the lake!! Found this by mistake on our way out, and the dogs loved it. Access to lake, a beach, well fenced. I would give Salt Fork SP extra stars for this one."
What you should know
Seasonal facility closures: Many campgrounds reduce services during off-peak months. At Spring Valley Campground, a visitor noted, "But note everything shuts down at 6. Store, pool, laundry room…everything."
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly between providers and locations. At Hook Lake, a reviewer shared practical details: "While most of the sites at Hook Lake do not have cell coverage we were lucky enough to find that at the 'top of the hill' we were able to get both att and verizon at around 2 bars (3 to 5gb download but under 1 upload)."
Vault toilet conditions: Maintenance of toilet facilities can vary widely between locations and seasons. At Bicentennial Campground, one candid reviewer reported, "Unfortunately, the vault toilets were really gross and had not been restocked with toilet paper."
Tick activity: Wooded areas, particularly in warmer months, can have significant tick populations. A Salt Fork visitor warned, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Wolfie's Campground offers multiple recreation facilities for children. A family reported, "Small campground but very nicely maintained. Small 5ft deep pool, very nice playground. Kids and I spent many quarters playing pool in the game room, which also has a 90's Sega arcade game."
License-free fishing: Some properties allow fishing without state licensing requirements. At National Road Campground, a visitor noted, "The ponds are stocked with fish and because it is private land no fishing license is required. basketball courts and a playground."
Nature programs: Seasonal educational activities run at some state parks. A Blue Rock State Park camper shared, "The activities with the naturalist (Cayden) were fun and engaging. The hiking was wonderful, the equestrian trails looked very nice, and the fire tower was a fun climb."
Weather preparation: Pack clothing for temperature fluctuations, especially in spring and fall. One Hook Lake camper advised, "Our site was big enough for 3 6 person tents but most sites are smaller and fit 1-2 4 person tents... The raccoons were a little to close for comfort in the evening make sure you lock your food and trash in your car at night."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Be prepared with leveling blocks at most area campgrounds. A National Road visitor reported, "Pull-thru site #18 was very unleveled from front-to-back; hitch was on ground and rear stabilizers were fully extended with blocks underneath."
Big rig accessibility: Some pet-friendly campgrounds near New Concord accommodate larger vehicles. As one Hook Lake reviewer advised, "I chose a site on a hill that I was able to get my 40+ rig into, I was all by myself with a great view... Both of the Camp Grounds mentioned there is no danger of getting a big rig into and not out of so don't be afraid."
Narrow entrance roads: Access points at some campgrounds present challenges for larger vehicles. One Wolfie's visitor warned, "They only challenge is you don't want to meet a rig going out while you're coming in. We are a 38 foot class A and met a 36' 5th wheel on the curve at the entrance. We literally passed with less than an inch between us."
Hookup limitations: Free campgrounds generally lack utility connections. A Hook Lake camper noted practical advice: "This campground was very quiet, lots of shade (not ideal if you are running on solar only). The DNR make rounds on a regular basis."
