RV parks near New Matamoras, Ohio are situated among the Appalachian foothills where elevation ranges between 600-1,200 feet. The Ohio River forms the eastern border of the region, creating scenic waterfront camping opportunities. Most campgrounds remain accessible year-round, though winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that frequently drop below freezing from December through February.
What to do
Fishing access: Riversedge Campground offers tent sites directly along the riverbank with convenient fishing opportunities. "Our tent was right on the river and Kelli was the best host ever! On our last day she brought us warm cinnamon rolls and coffee. We enjoyed them by our fire as we watched the mist gently float over the river," notes camper Eric S.
Rail trail exploration: North Bend State Park contains extensive biking opportunities on former railway paths. As one visitor explains, "Fantastic biking on the 72 mile North bend trail which is an abandoned rail way with multiple tunnels including one that is a quarter long and haunted." The park maintains these trails for multi-use recreation throughout the camping season.
Water activities: Several campgrounds offer boat launches or river access points. At Riversedge Campground, "If you decide to rent a kayak they will even drop you off upstream to start your trip," according to Ken P., making river exploration accessible without bringing personal watercraft.
What campers like
Riverside camping spots: Tent campers particularly appreciate waterfront access. As one Riversedge guest shared, "We stayed at one of the riverside tent sites. It was beautiful!!! The sites are well maintained & the bathrooms are clean."
Value pricing: Harris RV Park offers competitive rates compared to surrounding facilities. "Right on the Ohio River. Tight spots, but pretty level. The owner, Max, is amazing. He met us with a welcome packet in a reusable bag... Full hookup alone is worth more than 25 bucks. Cash or Check only," according to one visitor.
Peaceful surroundings: The rolling hills create naturally secluded camping environments. At Zion Retreat & RV Park, visitors appreciate the "Peace and quiet, with a view!" One camper notes: "The views are amazing! If you love peace and quiet this is the place for you. All sites are amongst the very tall trees. There are several ponds around the campground for fishing and bird watching."
What you should know
GPS navigation challenges: Many campgrounds warn about difficult access roads. At Cokeley Campground, staff emphasize: "Do not follow GPS to get to North Bend SP(Cokeley or River Run) Call the park office directly. GPS took us up some nasty horse-shoe hills! Park personnel said some GPS will bring campers up a bad gravel road!"
Reservation policies vary: Some campgrounds don't accept advance reservations. "Reservations are not accepted at Cokely but you can call the morning of your intended arrival to see if there is availability," advises one camper who visited North Bend State Park.
Wildlife encounters: Wildlife sightings are common at several facilities. One visitor to Shadow Lake RV Resort mentioned, "We see deer almost every evening," and another at Zion Retreat advised, "Be sure to keep an eye out for deer as you come into the park! We had to stop a few times for them to move out of the driveway."
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: For families seeking water play areas, look for campgrounds with designated swimming spots. "The tent sites are right next to the water and there is a beach and dock nearby also," notes a father who stayed at Riversedge Campground with his son.
Seasonal considerations: Weather patterns affect facility operations. At Shadow Lake RV Resort, a winter visitor observed: "I stayed here in the worse month possible for camping in ohio but the owner made it a great experience. They are very accommodating. Even though every thing was snowy and muddy I could tell this is a very well taken care of place."
Hiking opportunities: The region offers various trail difficulties suitable for different age groups. One visitor to Shadow Lake mentioned, "There are several hiking trails nearby (Piatt Park and Raven's Rock) which have incredible rock formations in the gorges," providing natural features that engage children's interest.
Tips from RVers
Campground access routes: Approach directions matter significantly for large rigs. One RVer at Ashland RV Park notes it's "Very close to the nice little downtown Marietta, Ohio but still very rural location. Large sites. Great staff." Another visitor to Cokeley advised, "Come in via Harrisville as the way in via Cairo has very bad roads."
Site spacing considerations: Privacy between sites varies by location. A Zion Retreat camper observed, "The sites are a bit close, think KOA close. This might be a turnoff if the campground was full. The weekend we stayed there were 8 total campers, lots of empty sites between campers."
Dump station facilities: Not all parks offer sewer hookups at individual sites. At Cokeley Campground, an RVer noted, "Campground is very nice and well maintained. Sites have electricity and water; dump station is very well done and easily accessible with any RV configuration."
