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."
