Marsha S.
Traveler
TravelerDeer Creek State Park Campground
Beautiful State Park & Campground
My favorite state park in Ohio (so far). Very clean, lots of activities, nice size sites. Easy to get to from Columbus and lots of activities.
Camping near Peebles, OH
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Campgrounds near Peebles, Ohio range from state parks to family-friendly resorts, with campsites offering access to lakes, forests, and water recreation. Several developed campgrounds operate within a 30-mile radius, including Pike Lake State Park Campground and Rocky Fork State Park, both offering year-round camping options. Shawnee State Park provides tent camping, RV sites, and cabin accommodations with varying levels of privacy and proximity to water. Long's Retreat Family Resort near Latham offers multiple accommodation types including glamping options alongside traditional camping, making the region suitable for various camping preferences.
The camping season in southern Ohio generally peaks from April through October, with some campgrounds like Rocky Fork and Shawnee State Park remaining open year-round. Most established sites require reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays. A camper noted, "Autumn is the best time to camp in Ohio," highlighting the seasonal appeal beyond summer months. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with several reviews mentioning Shawnee State Park as "totally without any phone signal." Campground terrain features modest hills and varied elevations, with some tent-only areas requiring campers to carry equipment from parking areas to their sites, as reported at Tar Hollow's North Ridge Campground.
Several campgrounds in the area feature water recreation as a primary attraction. The Ohio River provides scenic backdrops at Sandy Springs Campground, where visitors enjoy watching barges travel along the water. Lake access at Cowan Lake and Rocky Fork State Parks supports fishing, kayaking, and swimming activities during warmer months. Campground density and privacy vary considerably across the region. A reviewer described Tar Hollow's tent sites as "right next to your camping neighbors," while sites at Shawnee State Park were praised for offering "great privacy, despite being fairly close together." Bathroom facilities typically include shower houses at the larger, developed campgrounds, though cleanliness and maintenance conditions vary. Several mixed-use campgrounds accommodate both primitive tent camping and full RV hookups, with some locations offering specialized tent-only areas separated from RV sections.
Best Campgrounds near Peebles (91)
1. Long's Retreat Family Resort
"We have been going here for the last 6 summers with a big group (nearly 30 kids with us). Everyone always has such a great time and it is the highlight of all the kids summers."
2. Sandy Springs Campground
"The campground offers something for everyone: playground equipment, basketball hoop and various balls, access to the river for fishing, and absolutely stunning views of the Ohio as well as the surrounding"
"We actually walked down boat ramp (which they have) and went swimming in the Ohio River! It’s nice to sit outside and watch the river and barges traveling up and down."
from $35 - $125 / night
Check Availability3. Rocky Fork State Park Campground
"The camp grounds we stayed in was nearly full and had every conceivable form of camping from tents to full size motor coaches."
"Camp sites available next to the lake. Beautiful lake for kayaking, boating and swimming. Only downfall is that you have to drive a few miles to get to the beach."
from $27 - $250 / night
Check Availability4. Paint Creek State Park Campground
"Cute, charming Ohio State Park. Enjoy 4 lovely hiking trails that showcase the parks features by taking you through the woods and fields. Fish is offered and their is boat dock ."
"An excellent disc golf course, hiking and beautiful lake views. Just past the town of Bainbridge, Ohio is Seip Mound to explore and hike the trails."
from $37 - $60 / night
Check Availability5. Pike Lake State Park Campground
"Ranger Review: Morsel Spork at Pike Lake State Park Campground Review:
We stayed at site 67 next to the camp host. The camp site was nicely shaded with a small creek behind it."
"The lake is smaller, but nice beach area and pedal boats are fun. We hiked the Greenbriar and CCC Trails. They are not too challenging but beautiful."
from $33 - $200 / night
Check Availability6. Turkey Creek Campground — Shawnee State Park
"Unlike many Ohio State parks I've visited, the Shawnee campground has a variety of great tent sites. Several of these are hidden in the trees at the top of some steps and up a short path. "
"Nestled close to the Ohio River and the Shawnee State Forest, you will find rolling hills and valleys that offer serene beauty and picturesque landscapes."
from $25 - $60 / night
Check Availability7. East Fork State Park Campground
"This is your standard Ohio State Park campground. It has the usual parking, water, restrooms, camp store, and activities. East Fork is rather nice as it has the lake and long trails. "
"Our favorite campsite for the outskirts of Cincinnati. Lots of great spots available! You can get to the lake in about a 15 minute drive."
from $39 - $52 / night
Check Availability8. Shawnee State Forest Backpack Trail Campsites
"Right on the border of Kentucky, in Ohio, you are in the small town almost South. Beautiful countryside, fortunately I was on Rt 125 when I lost all clue where the park entrance was."
"The entire loop is around 36 miles. There are seven campsites along the trail, and all but one has water access, which was really nice on our trek."
9. Ohio River Campground and Marina — Shawnee State Park
"There are plenty of trails for the hikers, and 2 lakes if you're the boating/swimming type. Lots of elevation for Ohio."
"These are located away from the RV's; therefore, the campground was very quiet and peaceful. Nearby was a marina, fishing access, and an archery range. The surrounding hills are pretty."
from $65 / night
Check Availability10. Lizzy’s Acres
"Lizzy's Acres is a new listing on the Dyrt, but they offer a great location for those looking to explore the area. Check them out and show them some love!"
from $25 - $35 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 1 hr 11 min from Cincinnati, OH
- 1 hr 24 min from Huntington, WV
- 1 hr 45 min from Springfield, OH
Recent Camping Photos near Peebles, OH
145 Photos of 91 Peebles Campgrounds
Jarrod M.
Rocky Fork State Park Campground
Shannon G.
Pike Lake State Park Campground
Anna S.
Turkey Creek Campground — Shawnee State Park
Shawn J.
Paint Creek State Park Campground
Kelsey H.
Ohio River Campground and Marina — Shawnee State Park
Joseph T.
Sandy Springs Campground
Rick U.
Trackside Camping
Anna S.
Caldwell Lake Campground — Scioto Trail State Park
Lee D.
East Fork State Park Campground
zarian F.
Stonelick State Park Campground
Danny C.
Little Bear Island Campground
Recent Reviews near Peebles, OH
506 Reviews of 91 Peebles Campgrounds
Chelsea M.TravelerThe Edge Cave Run's Glamping Getaway
A Glamping Getaway MUST!
The Edge Cave Run's Glamping Getaway is a MUST experience on your bucket list!
Beautiful scenery right on the Licking River!
Modern amenities, wi-fi, close to local attractions, comfortable beds. Perfect family getaway!
- ddrewTraveler
Deer Creek State Park Campground
Peacefull
Great quiet area. Can sit and listen to the birds singing and the breeze rustling the leaves. Somehow we were lucky enough to book the only pull through site and it had full hookup on top of that. The woman that checked us in said it’s the most popular site they have because of this reasons. If you have little ones with you, they have a really nice nature center that’s open Friday and Saturday
Don K.
ScoutEast Fork State Park Campground
Great State Park Camping & very nice lake plenty of fishing. Boating & water craft
They have horseback riding trails , bring your own horses , witch they have accomidations for or rent from near by stables . Basketball courts , bike rental, Bridle Path , Cornhole , drinking water ,dumpsters. Hiking , kayak rentals , nature center , mini golf ,mountain bike trailhead parking , pickle ball , ping pong , playground ,recycling , shelter house , shower houses ,soccer , volleyball ,wifi , all play courts are ADA accessable , full hookups , electric only hookups , boat ramps both camping & public sandy beeches , Really Nice Eauestrian Camping , golf cart use 416 sites
Heidi R.ScoutSandy Springs Campground
This place is a gem!
Love this place! The owners are a family and they treat guests like an extension of family. We stayed at RV campsite 10 which was a river front site. It was full hook up which was convenient. The view of the Ohio river was really lovely. There was a boat launch very close by and we took our inflatable SUPs and put in at the boat launch which was nice and sandy. The owner gave us lots of good ideas of things to do. We ended up going on two nature hikes in preserves that are part of the Arc of Appalachia, one being literally across the road from Sandy Springs. We also drove down to Portsmouth to check out the flood murals at the suggestion of the owers which was pretty cool. I loved having a view of the river in one direction and a view of the Appalchian foothills in the other direction. This place is peaceful, quiet, and you can tell the owners are very thoughtful about infrastructure with the experience of their campers in mind. There's also small cabins to rent, including a houseboat!
- Kerry C.Scout
Sandy Springs Campground
Great site, right on the river
This is our first time here, and we very impressed! Owners are wonderful, very accommodating. We arrived a day late, and they were so friendly and helpful! Even upgraded us to a site with a deck. Right on the river bank, everything is very clean. Will definitely make this a yearly trip!
Chasity S.TravelerThe Landing at Bear Creek RV Park
Worst management! I’m afraid to even still be here!
The lady at Bear Creek started out in June 2025 a quiet place with friendly management and their friendly family entire family that all live at one end of the park so no one else can have their spaces a family that causes nothing but gossip and drama that is the reason why I stopped going to throw in dinners and events. The campground itself is a mess management let potholes go all winter long to the point that it was so bad people were complaining. I myself complained, and they acted like they were doing us a favor by getting some gravel and trying to half ass fill the holes the porta potties were out of commission all summer last summer and so far are still out of commission. The splash pad is a joke. The pavilion is just a place with some picnic tables and they have allowed DJ or live band on Friday or Saturday nights where they can all get drunk and act. Accordingly we asked for the owners number to voice our complaints to the people that own the landing at Bear Creek, but management refuses to give the owners information and we had to go other routes to get that information since then they have been harassing us taunting us. They called the police and tried to kick us out without our campers without my therapy cats without our pets without our belongings without our homes we sold our four bedroom house and bought two big campers and this is where we live full-time we will be leaving in April 2026. It is now March 2026 the middle of March and the harassment hasn’t stopped. They have told people things about us that are not true. They’ve been returning our mail just a laundry list of things that are not only illegal, but scary that two people could be that unhinged that they would act this way toward anybody, especially people like myself who have never had a complaint. I never really leave my camper because I have a small business that I run never caused any problems never caused a disturbance and I’ve been here since June 2025 once they found out that we were moving and that we wanted to talk to the owners to follow voice our complaints. It’s been nothing but police and harassment and it’s to the point where I’m afraid to even stay here. I’m afraid they’re going to harm my cats or myself. I’ve never seen two people more unhinged and crazy and spiteful and vengeful as I have the managers that are currently managing the landing at Bear Creek. I’ve never had this much interaction with police officers over managers of a property harassing so badly, knowing that I have mental health issues and using those mental health issues as a threat against me, I do not recommend people come. They stay for maybe a month or two and leave because they realize how awful this place is the gossip the drama there’s been drugs. There’s been a guy that had a knife and was trying to stab all his neighbors, and they found cocaine in his camper. There have been numerous incidents. Someone passed away out here in a strange fashion. This place is a wasteland. It is a routing negative energy and management is childish petty and the most spiteful, crazy, insane unhinged people I have ever seen in my entire life, the way that they have been behaving with their children in their truck driving up to my camper, harassing me outside of my camper, returning my mail just all this craziness. I can’t believe it. I can’t even put together in words to leave this post right now I’m so sorry this is the worst place I’ve ever seen and neither of the worst type of people I’ve ever met in my entire life. Please do not stay here for your own safety. If you’re trying to reach the owners to file a complaint about management the first picture shows you how to do so because management will not give you the owners information.
- RRoy G.Traveler
Jackson Lake State Park Campground
A day a life in the office
I drove an hour and a half to get here because dyrt showed that we had full AT&T service here that is not the trucks we have between one and two bars of AT&T service so we’ll see if we drove here for me to be able to work for a couple days and be out in God’s creation
Shelby I.ScoutRocky Fork State Park Campground
A place to sleep
Camp sites are very tightly packed together and feels like I'm in someone's backyard that is having trouble growing grass.
Guide to Peebles
Camping near Peebles, Ohio offers visitors access to the rolling hills of southern Ohio's Appalachian foothills. The region sits at elevations ranging from 700-1,100 feet and features mature deciduous forests with seasonal wildflower displays. Sites in this area typically have moderate to good tree cover, with limestone outcroppings and small streams common throughout local campgrounds.
What to do
Hiking trails: Pike Lake State Park Campground provides several miles of hiking paths through wooded terrain. A visitor noted, "We hiked the Greenbriar and CCC Trails. They are not too challenging but beautiful. Parts of the CCC trail were overgrown with briars and narrow."
Water recreation: Sandy Springs Campground offers direct access to the Ohio River with unique views. One camper shared, "We stayed in site 10 right on the river and the views were great. Lots of green area to play. We had a great hike at a trailhead directly across the street from the campground."
Limited cell coverage: Many campgrounds in the region have poor or non-existent cellular service. A visitor to Long's Retreat Family Resort remarked, "Love no cell reception! Quiet clean and staff (owner) is always pleasant and helpful!"
Seasonal activities: Local campgrounds often host special weekend events, particularly during fall. A camper visiting East Fork State Park observed, "What we did not know is that there was a HUGE Halloween celebration complete with 30-40 decorated golf carts parading through the campground."
What campers like
Water features: Many campers appreciate the lakes and rivers available for recreation. A Rocky Fork State Park Campground visitor stated, "Nice lake, boating, playgrounds, bath houses, some full hook up sites. There are more good sites than bad. 4,5,9,10, 147-165 those were my favorites."
Tent-specific areas: Shawnee State Park Campground offers dedicated tent camping zones separated from RVs. A reviewer noted, "Unlike many Ohio State parks I've visited, the Shawnee campground has a variety of great tent sites. Several of these are hidden in the trees at the top of some steps and up a short path."
Quiet settings: Many campgrounds in the area provide peaceful environments. A camper at Pike Lake State Park Campground shared, "Love this spot, very secluded and quiet... not many spots, but makes it nicer, minimal noise... nice little lake to fish or kayak."
River views: Sites along the Ohio River are particularly popular. At Sandy Springs Campground, a visitor commented, "It is so peaceful to watch the river and see the occasional boat or barge go by. The campground is a very nice facility with unique cabins and nice full hook up sites."
What you should know
Site selection matters: Many campgrounds have variable site quality. A Pike Lake State Park camper advised, "Not all the sites were as spacious as ours so be careful which one you choose. In fact, there was one so small, I'm not sure where a tent would go."
Road conditions: Some parks have poorly marked internal roads. A visitor to Rocky Fork State Park Campground observed, "Upon arrival at Rocky Fork we realized even with a map it took 40 minutes to find our site. This was not so much due to the darkness as it was to the poor road and site markings."
Drainage issues: Heavy rain can affect camping conditions in the region. According to a Rocky Fork visitor, "It rained quite a bit and many of the sites got flooded. The ground here doesn't drain well."
Maintenance varies: Trail and facility upkeep differs between parks. A camper reported, "The trails here were all over grown with down trees everywhere, they have a disc golf course it was over grown and had so much poison ivy we could only play two holes."
Tips for camping with families
Activity-focused options: Paint Creek State Park Campground offers diverse recreation options. A visitor mentioned, "A winter camping gem! Heated bathroom with showers are available for winter campers at Paint Creek State Park. An excellent disc golf course, hiking and beautiful lake views."
Entertainment amenities: Long's Retreat Family Resort provides numerous kid-friendly activities. A camper shared, "The kids can either swim up at the lake (with multiple water slides and a huge floating dock with diving board), the little kids can have fun in the splash pad right at the beach, go carts, rock wall climbing, basketball, arcade and so much more."
Space for play: Some campgrounds feature open areas for recreation. A Sandy Springs Campground visitor noted, "Lots of green area to play. Huge open field as well by playground."
Bathroom facilities: Campgrounds have varying levels of bathroom amenities. A Pike Lake State Park Campground reviewer described, "They had a great shower house. There were four in total that had the toilet and shower all in one. There are baby changing stations in each of them as well."
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: Most state parks have varying pad quality. At East Fork State Park Campground, a camper observed, "Camp sites are all blacktop, level, and clean. Nice bath houses, and playgrounds. Some trails but not a lot else to see. We stayed in 69 and 70. C loop is all nice."
Hookup availability: Full-service sites are limited in the region. A Rocky Fork State Park Campground visitor noted, "Small town with stores and restaurants was only 8 min away. There is a distinct lack of charm. It's geared more toward those who own Boats and like fishing over hiking."
Site spacing: Campground layouts vary significantly. At Shady Trails Campground, a reviewer cautioned, "Campsites are right on top of each other, it advertises WiFi (but apparently that's for the permanent campers)."
RV pad materials: Surface conditions can impact setup and comfort. A Long's Retreat Family Resort visitor suggested, "Rv sites could use some solid level pads to set up your rv on the place can get muddy fast bring your 4 x 4."
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds near Peebles, Ohio?
What are the best campgrounds near Peebles, Ohio?
Shawnee State Park Campground is a top option with excellent tent sites nestled in the trees and beautiful countryside views. The park's secluded location offers a true nature escape with no phone signal. Pike Lake State Park Campground near Bainbridge is another great choice with drive-in and walk-in access. For those seeking a riverside experience, Sandy Springs Campground provides stunning views of the Ohio River, fishing access, and friendly atmosphere. Long's Retreat Family Resort near Latham offers family-friendly amenities including water features and various camping options.
What outdoor activities are available near Peebles camping areas?
What outdoor activities are available near Peebles camping areas?
Cowan Lake State Park Campground offers excellent lake access for fishing, boating, and swimming. The park is particularly beautiful in autumn and provides a convenient location between Cincinnati and Columbus. East Fork State Park Campground features a large lake and extensive hiking trails—just be prepared for the size of the park as it's easy to get turned around on the longer paths. The region around Peebles also offers excellent opportunities for hiking in the foothills of Appalachia, with trails ranging from easy walks to challenging terrain in the surrounding state forests.
Are there any free or primitive camping options in Peebles?
Are there any free or primitive camping options in Peebles?
Tar Hollow State Park Campground offers primitive camping at their North Ridge campsite, which is tent-only and provides a secluded experience with just basic pit latrines. It's an excellent option for those seeking a more rustic camping experience. Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area has Iron Ridge Campground with several sites that sit below the road, offering more privacy for a primitive camping feel. Be sure to stop at the Camp General Store to pick up your permit before heading to your campsite at Tar Hollow.
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