Best Campgrounds near New Lexington, OH

The rolling hills of southeastern Ohio surrounding New Lexington feature a diverse array of camping options within a 30-mile radius. Burr Oak State Park Campground and Burr Oak Cove Campground in Glouster provide year-round access to lakeside camping with both developed and primitive sites. Hocking Hills State Park Campground, approximately 25 miles southwest, stands as one of the region's most popular destinations with its distinctive rock formations and caves. Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail in Wayne National Forest offers free dispersed camping for those seeking a more primitive experience. Dillon State Park near Zanesville and Lake Hope State Park in McArthur round out the major public lands options, each providing a mix of tent, RV, cabin, and glamping accommodations.

Reservations become essential during peak seasons, particularly for weekend stays from May through October. As one camper noted, "It's hard to find legit, free dispersed camping in Ohio," highlighting the importance of advance planning. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with Verizon typically providing the most reliable coverage in rural areas. Many campgrounds feature a combination of reservable and first-come sites, though Ohio state parks have increasingly moved toward online reservation systems. Weather conditions can change quickly in the hills and valleys, with spring bringing occasional flooding and fall offering spectacular foliage. Winter camping remains available at several parks but with reduced services and winterized facilities.

Campers consistently praise the natural features of the area, particularly the unique geological formations in Hocking Hills. "Lake Hope gave me a new way to experience an area I grew very close to and appreciate but cannot stand the swarms of people," wrote one visitor, highlighting the value of exploring less crowded alternatives. The proximity of water features to campsites represents a common theme in positive reviews, with many campgrounds situated on or near lakes. Bathroom facilities vary widely, from modern shower houses at larger state parks to primitive pit toilets at more remote locations. Fall emerges as the preferred season for many visitors due to moderate temperatures, reduced crowds, and colorful foliage displays throughout the hills.

Best Camping Sites Near New Lexington, Ohio (129)

    1. Burr Oak State Park Campground

    33 Reviews
    Glouster, OH
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 767-3683

    "Wayne National Forest shares the area with Burr Oak State Park near Glouster, Oh.

    Wayne National Forest is split into three areas in southeastern Ohio."

    "The Blue Trail goes through here and provides a fun hike. There is a bathroom across the road and access to water at the entrance of the site. Showers are 15 minutes walk or a quick drive away."

    2. Hocking Hills State Park Campground

    109 Reviews
    South Bloomingville, OH
    27 miles
    Website

    $29 - $46 / night

    "There are lots of caves, trails, camping options and activities in the area. Be careful, however, every year someone is injured or dies going off trail, often falling from a cliff."

    "If you stay away from the main roads, you might feel like you're in a smaller campground."

    3. Campbell Cove Camping

    17 Reviews
    Logan, OH
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 385-2994

    "This is a very nice campground near all of the attractions of Hocking Hills, Ohio. We had full hookups that were excellent, but if we didn't there were several new restrooms throughout the grounds."

    "Our site was waterfront and also set away from other sites."

    4. Dillon State Park Campground

    26 Reviews
    Nashport, OH
    21 miles
    Website

    "I camped at this state park in the very scenic rolling hills of central Ohio on a hot and sunny weekend and was happy to find plenty of shade."

    "I have been extremely disappointed with Ohio State Park campgrounds."

    5. Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail Dispersed

    9 Reviews
    Corning, OH
    13 miles
    Website

    "Nice trails to walk. nice area to visit i'll be back againg sometime this year."

    "Great spot for walk in or hike in camping! There are a couple of campsites at the trailhead and quite a few all along the trail."

    6. Burr Oak Cove Campground

    9 Reviews
    Glouster, OH
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 753-0101

    $10 - $15 / night

    "Some sites are close to each other, some are more spread out - see attached map. The ones you need to walk to (3-7) aren’t far - I wish I noticed them when I drove by."

    "A friend and I were just traveling through Ohio and needed a place to stay."

    7. Pops Place Camping

    3 Reviews
    Corning, OH
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 683-3361

    $15 - $125 / night

    "This is an ideal base camp for riding your motorcycle on the scenic roads in that area of Ohio such as the triple nickel.  The owners are very nice people and helpful. "

    "This prime location is 15 minutes from the National Park.  On site drinking water and firewood available. Book your stay today and leave them some love."

    8. Old Stone Church Campground

    2 Reviews
    New Lexington, OH
    7 miles
    Website

    "A short distance further down the road, just after it turns to gravel, at the Old Stone Church trailhead, there are grassy places to back in smaller campers/RVs."

    9. Lake Hope State Park Campground

    35 Reviews
    New Plymouth, OH
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 596-5253

    "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..."

    "Lake Hope has plenty of recreational opportunities for everyone and the campground is close by! The campground is quiet and well kept."

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Recent Reviews near New Lexington, OH

690 Reviews of 129 New Lexington Campgrounds


  • Kathy L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Seneca Lake Park Campground

    Okay campground

    Nice campground on the lake. Some mosquitos& gnats. Much of the campground has sites/ trailers that are owned(or leased), with some campsites for daily/ short-term reservations. Someone we met explained that the short-term ones are on flood areas so they can’t let people build on those sites. Another aspect is that there are boat slips that are owned(or leased) and those can even be in front of one of the short-term campsites so water access is blocked by those no trespassing private docks. Okay place to stay on our way across the country.

  • Aly M.
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Blennerhassett RV Park

    Friendly campground

    The owner was great. I called when I was on my way, he gave me a space number, and I was able to go straight to it. Weekly and monthly pricing is great too.

  • Alex A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Baileys Trail Tent Camping

    Peaceful Stay

    Wonderful little location. We drove for about 3 hours to get from where we are. Nice wide open space surrounded by woods. There were other campers but very friendly and had plenty of space to ourselves. Very nice bathroom/shower compared to what we expected. Will visit again.

  • Joe B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Campbell Cove Camping

    Nice campground

    We stayed at site 63 , on the water. Big site, water view and plenty of space. The road across the lake has an uphill section and people like to race up it. Trucks, motorcycles and cars. Really loud. I know the campground doesn’t control the road, so it’s just a note about the noise. The site is amazing, and I would come back.

  • Reb S.
    Aug. 11, 2025

    A.W. Marion State Park Campground

    Horrible

    Really disgusted with out last stay here. We ended up next to some tent campers who were homeless which isn't the issue because things in life happen it was the way they acted that just grossed me out. I spent the first few days listening to them arguing and fighting amongst each other about their welfare checks being spent on their cigarettes beer and weed. They had 2 kids one that was autistic that they called a retard the other one they called stupid and it was just heartbreaking. I ended up having to go inside my camper and turning my ac on to escape their screaming and yelling and fighting that went into the midnight hour. My dog has a heart murmur and it made him anxious. I felt like I was camping in the bottoms of Columbus Ohio. The camp host said they are there all the time which is disturbing that they condone this behavior and makes me question the integrity of this location. Luckily after contacting ODNR we were able to move to a location far from them and given a gift card for our troubles. This was after they moved their camp stuff practically across the front bumper of my 100,000 RV. My husband and I pay way to much for our RV and for our stays to put up with this trash. We'd be hard pressed to come back here and be exposed to this kind of drama again.

  • Andrea H.
    Jul. 25, 2025

    Dillon State Park Campground

    Campground is quiet

    My partner and I have been here for 3 days , were staying for a week. So far everyone has been friendly or keeps to themselves. The bathrooms and showers are clean and the deer are plentiful and beautiful

  • Ravi G.
    Jul. 9, 2025

    The Caves Campground

    Great campsite!

    Pulled up right to the site- directions well marked. Met with the host, very nice campground with electric and water - not full hookup, but there was a septic drain accessible near the site. Will definitely stay again!

  • L
    Jul. 5, 2025

    Zaleski State Forest

    Nice get away

    Trails are nice and kept well, campsites are clean and well maintained. at each backpacking camp (3 in total) there is water and a toilet (nothing to wipe with) water is definitely well water tastes meh better off bringing a filter just in case. I will say there is some noise pollution from cars and planes near campsite 1. We ended up meeting our guide kitty friend at camp 1- most likely dumped which sucks but very friendly. tried bringing him home but he didn’t follow us. Besides Kitty and 2 other groups i saw no one else was here which was nice especially during a holiday weekend. NO SERVICE PLAN ACCORDING make sure you have a map especially to get out of the park!!!! PS if someone sees kitty please say hi :)


Guide to New Lexington

Camping near New Lexington, Ohio, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From scenic hikes to family-friendly amenities, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful region.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the stunning trails at Hocking Hills State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, “Beautiful area with great hikes and views close by,” making it a perfect spot for nature lovers.
  • Fishing and Boating: At Alum Creek State Park Campground, you can enjoy fishing and boating. A visitor shared, “The sites have level pads... The park is very neat and clean,” highlighting the well-maintained facilities.
  • Wildlife Watching: Salt Fork State Park Campground is known for its wildlife. One reviewer noted, “We saw deer, heard coyotes and even saw a flying squirrel one night,” making it a great spot for animal enthusiasts.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and shower houses. A visitor at Deer Creek State Park Campground remarked, “The shower houses and restrooms were recently redone and in great shape!”
  • Spacious Campsites: Many campers enjoy the large sites at Dillon State Park Campground. One happy camper said, “Dillon is one of our favorite camping destinations. They have very large sites.”
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Tar Hollow State Park Campground is noted for being great for families. A long-time visitor shared, “Been going here since I was a child,” indicating its appeal for family camping trips.

What you should know:

  • Site Conditions: Some campgrounds have uneven or sloped sites. A camper at Forked Run State Park Campground mentioned, “Sites are very bad for tent camping and not the best for RVs.”
  • Noise Levels: Expect some noise, especially on weekends. One reviewer noted, “It was rather noisy when we were there too,” at Forked Run, so plan accordingly if you prefer quieter surroundings.
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A visitor at A.W. Marion State Park Campground pointed out, “The flush toilets are closed for the season so only the vault toilets were open,” which is something to keep in mind.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for spots like Lake Hope State Park Campground, where one reviewer said, “The lake is beautiful and there is a very nice lodge for meals.”
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities. A camper at Alum Creek State Park Campground mentioned, “Amenities include boating, fishing, disc golf,” which can keep the whole family entertained.
  • Pack for Comfort: Bring along items like hammocks or outdoor games. One family enjoyed their time at Burr Oak State Park Campground and noted, “The non-electric site's are a little hilly but we slept in our Kia Soul next to the picnic table and fire ring.”

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Forked Run State Park Campground advised, “Ensure your rig can fit into your selected site prior to booking as sites can be small and hilly.”
  • Look for Electric Hookups: Many campgrounds offer electric sites, which can be a lifesaver. A visitor at Salt Fork State Park Campground mentioned, “The electric only sites were priced at $33/night,” making it affordable for RVers.
  • Plan for Waste Disposal: Be aware of dump station locations. A reviewer at Dillon State Park Campground noted, “The bathrooms we had access to were heated and perfectly clean,” which is a plus for RVers needing facilities.

Camping near New Lexington, Ohio, has its perks and quirks. With the right preparation, you can enjoy a fantastic outdoor experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near New Lexington, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, New Lexington, OH offers a wide range of camping options, with 129 campgrounds and RV parks near New Lexington, OH and 7 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near New Lexington, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near New Lexington, OH is Burr Oak State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 33 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near New Lexington, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near New Lexington, OH.

What parks are near New Lexington, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 21 parks near New Lexington, OH that allow camping, notably Dillon Lake and Wayne National Forest.