Camping options near Richwood, Ohio provide accessible outdoor retreats within an hour's drive of Columbus. This agricultural region features several campgrounds along small lakes and rivers, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 70-85°F. During peak season from Memorial Day through Labor Day, weekend reservation wait times often exceed three weeks at popular locations.
What to do
Kayaking on local waters: At Kokosing River Campground, visitors can enjoy paddling on the lake where "kids playing on the lake" create a family-friendly atmosphere according to reviewer Madeleine B. The campground provides lake access for "kayaking on the lake" which Mark B. describes as "great" during their Labor Day weekend visit.
Bike trail access: Campers at River Trail Crossing appreciate direct access to paved trails. "Bike trail access right from the campground" notes reviewer Bob M., who stayed for four nights. The B&O trail runs behind the campground, providing convenient routes for walking and cycling without needing to transport equipment.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple ponds serve different purposes at Arrowhead Lake RV Park, where Brad R. found "multiple fishing spots for young and old." Another reviewer mentioned the campground has "two ponds, one for fishing and one for swimming" with a dock for children to jump from, though the water remains relatively shallow at "3.5-4 feet deep at the deepest point."
What campers like
Community activities: Many Richwood area campgrounds organize regular events that bring campers together. At Poor Farmer's Campground, "They usually have a lot of activities for the weekends planned," according to Vance M. The stream running through the property "is nice for the kids to play in when it's too hot for them on the play ground."
Clean facilities: Maintaining sanitary conditions ranks high in camper preferences. "Bathrooms and showers were very clean," notes Brian E. about River Trail Crossing. Similarly, at Poor Farmer's Campground, loud F. appreciated the "clean family oriented and spacious" grounds with "good restrooms and showers."
Affordable rates: Value matters to Richwood area campers. Bryatt S. found Arrowhead Lake RV Park "pretty nice + cheap" at just "$45 a night" with large weekend camper sites and convenient pull-through access while seasonal campers use back-in sites.
What you should know
Site arrangements: Campground layouts vary significantly around Richwood. At Welcome Woods RV Campgrounds, Ashley R. found that "The site we were at had a very large spacious area. It was a grassy patch no actual pad to park but as we drove around there were plenty of areas that had gravel pads available."
Bathroom considerations: Facility types differ between campgrounds. Welcome Woods has two bathroom varieties, as Ashley R. explains: "One is a outhouse type room it's a concrete 'toilet' with a toilet seat on it that drops into a hole in the ground and the other is a porta potty" which can have "a pretty strong odor."
Water depth awareness: Swimming areas in the region tend to be relatively shallow. At Arrowhead Lake RV Park, the swimming pond "only goes to about 3.5-4 feet deep at the deepest point" according to Bryatt S., making it suitable for families with younger children but potentially limiting for stronger swimmers.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Pools provide structured water recreation at several campgrounds. Brad R. found Arrowhead Lake RV Park's "pool was relaxing with laid back feel," making it suitable for families seeking supervised swimming areas as an alternative to natural water features.
Weekend timing: Plan ahead for holiday weekends which fill quickly. Mark B. visited Kokosing River Campground during "Labor Day Weekend" and found it "peaceful and great for kids" with particularly helpful staff who were "very friendly and helpful."
Quieter locations: For families seeking less crowded experiences, timing matters. About Kokosing River Campground, Shelly S. noted it "wasn't crowded when we visited in Sep. but I can imagine when it's full it's a little crowded," suggesting mid-week or shoulder season visits for more space.
Tips from RVers
Overnight convenience: Alton RV Park serves as a practical stop for travelers. Morgan F. describes it as "not a sightseeing destination, but very convenient place to stop for the night if you're on a road trip doing a lot of driving," with the added benefit of "a kroger right down the street" for supplies.
Hookup variations: Many rv parks near Richwood, Ohio offer different utility connections depending on location. At River Trail Crossing, Brian E. explains "Sites located on the river are water and electric. Sites off the river have 50 amp and 30 amp," helping RVers select sites based on their specific needs.
Spot selection strategy: When camping at Richwood area RV parks, location within the campground matters. Brian E. chose "spot 32, farthest site to the right on the river" at River Trail Crossing but notes "State route 95 runs to the right of the campsite so if you reserve any sites on the river (right side) you will have some traffic noise from the bridge."
