Yurt and cabin camping opportunities near New Matamoras, Ohio, span across the Ohio-West Virginia border. The region sits along the Ohio River valley with elevations ranging from 600-900 feet and features rolling Appalachian foothills. Fall camping season brings temperatures between 45-65°F with occasional frost starting in mid-October, while summer months typically see highs around 85°F.
What to do
Hiking at Barkcamp State Park: This Ohio state park offers multiple trails for hiking enthusiasts. "Lots of bridle trails and a really quiet park. Also a nice dam and beach area," notes Andrea F., who appreciated the park's natural features. The park contains equestrian camping areas and designated hiking paths through wooded terrain.
Water recreation at Salt Fork State Park: With one of Ohio's largest lakes, Salt Fork provides extensive boating opportunities. As Jay B. describes, "Large lake allows for all types of boating. Has large campground only beach and plenty of hiking trails/destinations." The park maintains separate swimming areas for campers away from day-use visitors.
Archery at Hook Lake: Hook Lake (Campground A) — Jesse Owens State Park features dedicated archery ranges for target practice. One reviewer mentions, "Archery range and lots of fishing spots. Great for families with pets too!" The archery facilities are open year-round with designated shooting areas.
Frisbee golf at Forked Run: Forked Run State Park Campground offers disc golf courses through wooded areas. A visitor explains, "disc golf. fishing. swimming. hiking. I would go camping here again." The course weaves through the park's natural landscape with multiple challenging holes.
What campers like
Private yurt accommodations: For those seeking yurt camping near New Matamoras, Ohio, Bigfoot Ridge provides themed yurt experiences. Reviews highlight unique features beyond those mentioned in standard descriptions.
Spacious camping sites: Campers frequently mention site size as a significant advantage at regional campgrounds. At Ashland RV Park, one camper notes, "Very close to the nice little downtown Marietta, Ohio but still very rural location. Large sites. Great staff. Absolutely love this place. Slow pace and quiet."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The natural setting provides excellent wildlife observation chances. At Shadow Lake RV Resort, a visitor shares, "We see deer almost every evening." Many campsites throughout the region are positioned to maximize nature viewing opportunities, especially during early morning and evening hours.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds maintaining their amenities receive positive feedback. At Grand Vue Park, a reviewer stated, "The Sites were fully paved and the entire campground was super nice! The blacktop was super nice and the campground was easy to navigate the bathhouses were really clean!"
What you should know
Seasonal water availability: Some campgrounds shut off water during colder months. At Barkcamp State Park, one camper observed, "We stayed here November 21, 2020 (in the midst of Covid). The campground had no water hookups, about 90% of the sites were not level (and....I mean by A LOT)."
Site levelness varies significantly: Many campgrounds in the hilly region have uneven sites. A visitor to Grand Vue Park mentioned, "The lots are gravel and somewhat level." Bringing leveling blocks is recommended for both RVs and tent platforms.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely throughout the area. At Hook Lake, a camper reported, "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)."
Bathroom conditions vary by season: Facility maintenance schedules affect comfort levels. One visitor to Forked Run noted, "The pit toilets were filthy- covered in flies, spiderwebs and dirt. They look like they have not been hosed out since the 70's."
Tips for camping with families
Free camping options: Budget-friendly sites exist for family outings. At Hook Lake, one reviewer shared, "We drove thru Sand Hollow, Bicentennial and Maple Grove before choosing Hook Lake. All of these Jesse Owens State Park/AEP campgrounds are free for up to 14 days."
Swimming areas with safety features: Several parks maintain designated swimming zones. At Barkcamp State Park, Lindsay W. mentions, "Great place to take kids for cookout and swimming/boating. Many area's with grills set up, but Holliday, it fills up fast. Wear your swimsuit under your clothes."
Playground accessibility: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas near camping loops. At Lone Pine Campground at Dodridge County Park, a visitor noted, "Our family loves to camp at this local campground, super clean bathrooms and pool with kids area is so much fun."
Wildlife awareness: Local fauna includes active raccoons. A camper at Hook Lake reported, "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
Power options: Electric service varies between campgrounds. At Spring Valley Campground, a reviewer mentioned, "We have been staying here for 25 years and is always a delight. We usually stay about a week to attend conventions or go antiquing. Wish they still had cable. Nice wide pull thrus."
Proximity to supplies: Some campgrounds offer convenient access to shopping. A visitor to Ashland RV Park noted, "While an RV park, you can also tent camp with the amenities, making it really nice. Electrical hookups and water at your site, plus clean bathrooms and a shower house on the property."
Road conditions inside campgrounds: Internal campground roads affect larger rigs. One Spring Valley camper observed, "Roads in the campground are very rough with large potholes. Decent WiFi. Easy on and off from the interstate."
Sewer hookup placement: Site layouts can present challenges. A recent Spring Valley visitor noted, "Sites are very close, like we felt bad hooking into all of our full hook up because the sewer hose was right in the middle of the next campsite."
