Campgrounds near New Plymouth, Ohio offer rural retreat options within the Appalachian foothills, with elevations ranging from 700-1000 feet. The region experiences seasonal temperature swings with summer highs averaging 85°F and winter lows dropping to 20°F. Most campgrounds in this area close seasonally, though Lake Hope State Park Campground maintains year-round RV camping with limited winter services.
What to do
Kayaking and canoeing on the Hocking River: Visitors can enjoy water activities directly from their campsite at Riversedge Campground. "We chose rivers edge for our annual father son getaway and we were not disappointed. The tent sites are right next to the water and there is a beach and dock nearby also... If you decide to rent a kayak they will even drop you off upstream to start your trip," reports Ken P.
Hiking nearby trail systems: Hocking Hills State Park Campground offers direct access to numerous hiking trails. "Great hiking trails. Very busy on holiday weekends so I think it is best to go when that is not the case or even through the week," advises Renée C. The park connects to miles of trails featuring rock formations and waterfalls.
Family recreation activities: Hilltop Resorts and Campgrounds offers multiple recreation options beyond hiking. "There is a nice sized sand ground play set with swings and 2 slides, an air pillow (blob) putt putt, a trail to the lake, a dog run, poop pickup stations, an A/C'd game room and very pleasant staff," notes Mitchell C.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Some campgrounds offer more secluded options than others. At Lake Hope State Park Campground, "We stayed in the walk-in family campground, not the main campground. The sites are mostly far apart from one another and the area is fairly dense woods leaving you feeling a peaceful solitude," explains Kate W.
Direct river access: Many campers appreciate riverside camping options. "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 water," shares Eric S. about Riversedge Campground.
Clean facilities: Several campgrounds maintain high standards for their bathroom facilities. "The bathroom/shower facility are private individual units and are the cleanest we have ever seen!" reports Tiffani C. about Hilltop Resorts and Campgrounds.
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Many RV sites in this region require additional equipment for proper setup. At Lake Hope State Park Campground, "Camp sites are very small and very unlevel, had to raise back of camper and put front about a 1/4" off ground to get close to level. Site around is sloped in all directions," warns Daniel.
Walk-in site distances: Some tent sites require significant hiking with gear. At Hocking Hills State Park, "Make sure to pay attention to 'walk-in' sites. It's more like 'hike a half mile with your gear' sites! All in all we had a blast and a good laugh about our trek with all our stuff!!" shares Amanda P.
Seasonal variations: Campground experiences change dramatically with seasons. "We had some issues with someone else using our spot when we arrived tried to call the park office to get a resolution with no result. had to use another open spot," reports Tanner G. about Hocking Hills State Park during a busy period.
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with recreational facilities: For families with children, select sites with activities. "Great campground outside of Columbus. Perfect for a quick weekend away that you don't want to spend a whole day driving. Plenty of things to do including: jump pad, mini golf, basketball, hiking, fishing and kayaking. Our 5 year old had a blast!" recommends Tiffani C.
Consider campground layout: Look for campsites with convenient bathroom access when camping with kids. "The campsites are so close together, which you think would at least mean the bathrooms were close, but no, they were a serious hike. Not good with kids," cautions Jenny K. at Hocking Hills State Park.
Look for educational programs: Some parks offer nature programs for children. At Ashland RV Park, "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," notes Jackie D., making it suitable for families who want tent camping with amenities.
Tips from RVers
Pull-through navigation: RV camping near New Plymouth, Ohio can present challenges for larger rigs. "Staff is very friendly and we got a nice pull through site for a quick stop over my way to upper Michigan. There's a really nice pond and has water activities if you stay longer. Easy in/out," mentions Bucky W. about Lakeview RV Park.
Site selection based on size: Larger RVs need to research site dimensions. "The RV sites were a bit narrow, but otherwise nice and shaded. We took a couple of the hikes down by the lake and it was great," reports Kevin F. about Lake Hope State Park Campground.
Seasonal road conditions: Winter RV camping requires preparation. "While the site we stayed in with the motorhome was fairly level, sites are mostly small and tight on hilly terrain. That said, I would still recommend this as a nice weekend getaway," advises Marshall P. about Lake Hope, one of the few year-round options for RV camping near New Plymouth, Ohio.
