115 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Public lands near Ashville, Ohio feature a range of camping environments spanning rustic tent sites to full-hookup RV areas. Campgrounds like A.W. Marion State Park and Tar Hollow State Park provide developed sites within a reasonable drive of Ashville. Hocking Hills State Park, approximately 25 miles southeast, stands as a camping destination with tent sites, RV accommodations, and cabin rentals. The region includes several state parks with varying amenities, from primitive tent-only areas to campgrounds with electric hookups, water access, and shower facilities.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally with peak availability from April through October. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for weekend stays during summer and fall when visitation increases. A review on The Dyrt noted, "Only weekend stays and it ends in wintertime. I'm sure it's pretty and all, but it's hard to find legit, free dispersed camping in Ohio!" Many state park campgrounds require advance booking through Ohio's reservation system, while some maintain a limited number of first-come, first-served sites. Road access to most campgrounds is suitable for standard vehicles, though some tent-only areas may require walking gear from parking areas to campsites. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with more remote areas having limited or no coverage.
The camping experience around Ashville features both lakeside opportunities and wooded settings. Several visitors mentioned proximity to water as a significant draw, with fishing, boating, and swimming available at parks like Alum Creek State Park and A.W. Marion. Campers report varying levels of site privacy depending on the specific campground. One reviewer described Tar Hollow State Park's tent camping area as having "very secluded campsite so it really feels like you're one with nature," though noted sites are "right next to your camping neighbors." Hiking trails connect many campgrounds to surrounding natural features, with Hocking Hills State Park receiving particular praise for its scenic value. Proximity to small towns provides convenient access to supplies while maintaining a natural camping experience in Ohio's rolling terrain.
"They had a scavenger hunt which made us really experience the nature around us, going through the woods off trail, going to the lakeside, walking around looking for different things on a list."
"October weekends in Ohio State Park campgrounds are super popular so we weren’t able to make a reservation here. "
from $25 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Some are smaller, close to neighbors while other have seclusion with trees. From past experience, if it rains, some of the sites do flood. We had great weather this weekend."
"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."
from $39 - $52 / night
Check Availability"There are lots of caves, trails, camping options and activities in the area. Be careful, however, every year someone is injured or dies going off trail, often falling from a cliff."
"If you stay away from the main roads, you might feel like you're in a smaller campground."
from $20 - $70 / night
Check Availability"No driving your vehicle any further than the bottom of the hill. Great location, very beautiful. Spacious in between 5 campgrounds and right next to the Scioto River."
"Got lucky and found an opening for site 5 which was right on river and away from the busier parts of park - didn’t see a single person. Nice tent pads, campfire ring, and provided wood."
"As a moto camper, we really lucked out with a flat plot and didn’t have anyone in the spots next to us. My #1 complaint was the bathroom situation."
"Easy access to sites. Staff could take a lesson in hospitality and giving directions on park."
from $40 - $139 / night
Check Availability"Happened to be next to the park host. No choice of where to locate my large tent. Showers/bathrooms were OK--older facilities. "
"First off we have to say that Ohio State Park campgrounds are some of the best we’ve ever stayed in."
from $23 - $70 / night
Check Availability"The campground is about 2-3 acres large, situated on a hill with a path dug out around the perimeter. "
"The drive there was a very interesting tour of trump flags Amish buggies and more. Would come back if I was stranded in Ohio, but overall great pit stop for cleaning up on a long journey."
from $27 - $75 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $30 / night
Check Availability"Not only one but was using 4 buckets at a time before dumping keeping in her camper before caught dumping behind camper and trying to fit it down a small hole where the honey pots go that you are suppose"
"The lake was pretty. Watching the herons was relaxing. The people in our section were courteous. All seemed to obey the quiet hours."
from $60 / night
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RangerOur area was hilly and near impossible to find a flat spot for the tents. Sites were so close together that it was honestly interesting to figure out who’s fire pit was whose.
Pit toilets and regular flush ones available.
Not much to write home about
ScoutThe cops pulled in and said we wasn't allowed to drink
ScoutEasy to make reservation, easy to check in and very friendly staff
TravelerMy 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.
ScoutJellystone Hocking Hills Ohio Don’t waste your money! I reserved a full hook up deluxe site with patio. Was supposed to be a level concrete slab. It was not! It was all gravel and dirt. No concrete whatsoever. This deluxe site sloped down so when you had a fire( weren’t allowed to move fire pit) your chairs went down hill and I fell almost every night. They brought in a crushed zone but it didn’t help the situation. Owner told us he would credit us some money back since the site wasn’t as promised, he did not. The playground was a mess. Old and nasty. The jump pad didn’t hold much air, so kids would jump on and sink right o the ground. The mining area was not locked so kids got into the pump and electrical areas which was dangerous for the little ones. YOGI BEAR MADE ONE 15 MINUTE APPEARANCE IN 5 DAYS. The schedule showed daily appearances at least daily if not more than once daily, which is how other Jellystones have been for us. MY GRANDSON was so sad. He had been looking forward to this trip for months, and recalled our prior JELLYSTONE stay at Watts Bar Lake in Tennessee, which was a totally different experience than this awful Hocking hills Jellystone. We repeatedly asked about Yogi appearances and were told“Yogi was busy and maybe he would come tomorrow“. The owner made so many excuses like,“my concrete guy didn’t show up last week” that’s why we didn’t have our concrete level patio site that we paid for. The playground didn’t have mulch cause his guy didn’t show up last week. The jump pad didn’t work right because his guy didn’t show up. The new pool wasn’t completed because his guy didn’t show up. Even the yogi bear statue they show in their picture wasn’t there. The pool they did have was in the owners backyard and you had to drive to it. It was slimed and disgusting. I have never been so disappointed. We drove 4.5 hours to get there specifically so my grandkids could camp at a Jellystone with Yogi Bear around. I don’t know how they are allowed to be a Jellystone, they are definitely not up to par. I’m sure we aren’t the only family to pay jellystones higher prices so the kids could see Yogi and friends daily. I could go on…there really were so many bad things about this place, but I see this review is very long. I will attach some photos
GuidePaved roads and camp sites. Electric only; no sewer or water hookups. Dump station and potable water filling station available.
ScoutGreat location beautiful lake for. Camping fishing and boating
ScoutWe love this park. Nice camp sites. Lots of wooded areas. Very nice lake. Has lots to do, put put golf, shuffle board, disk golf. But our last camp there was disappointing. 3 of the campers in area D where we were did nothing all day and evening smoking Marijuana. We had to smell the skunk smell all day long from them as well as them letting there kids ride around on a golf cart all day and night with no head lites not even tagged for on road.I brought it to the camp stores attention and they said there's nothing they can do, we don't enforce the rules here . They said if I had a problem to call odnr. There was a camp host at the restroom area and watched a lady take her dog inside and said nothing to her.what are the parks rules for if the host won't even enforce them. Not one ranger through the park for 3 days..
TravelerIts a reasonably small campground, but I found that as long as you are mindful of tent placement- the sites are quite reasonably spread out. Additionally, im solo- but seems like a great place for families considering easy restroom access and the playground in the center. Also only a 30 minute drive from Columbus or so- and when I came in May, there were plenty of open spots to park.
Campsites near Ashville, Ohio sit between 800-1,000 feet above sea level amid rolling hills and creek valleys. The area experiences four distinct seasons with camping conditions best from mid-April through October. Winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that regularly drop below freezing, with seasonal facilities closing at many locations.
Hiking at Pine Lake: Tar Hollow State Park offers multiple trail networks accessible from campground areas. "Beautiful, secluded group camping. Shelter and pit bathrooms. Wide open space for lots of campers. Nice access to trails. Beach area is clean & small little lake," notes Renée C. about Tar Hollow State Park Campground.
Water activities: Alum Creek State Park Campground provides both fishing and beach access. A camper mentioned, "We stayed in L and the kids loved being close to the water. The campground beach is an absolute must and we even got close to wildlife (aka some pesky raccoons)," according to Jenny C. about her stay at Alum Creek State Park Campground.
Disc golf: A.W. Marion State Park offers a disc golf course alongside traditional camping activities. "AW Marion is near 23 and easy access to the highway to get to Columbus. Plenty of space and shade in not electrical campsite for a hot summer day," reported Karen K. The park's layout allows for convenient access between camping areas and recreational facilities.
Cave exploration: Within driving distance of Ashville, rock formations at Hocking Hills State Park provide unique exploration opportunities. A reviewer noted, "The hocking hills park itself is awesome. Great trails, beautiful waterfalls, wonderous caves. They are all pretty short hikes and easy access."
Private camping spots: Many campers value separation between sites at Alum Creek. "Space and Privacy...the two things that bring me back to this campground year after year. We have never had a 'bad' campsite at the Alum Creek State Park Campground. Each camping space is separated by trees and brush," wrote Sandy O.
Overnight backpacking options: The REI backpacking trail at Scioto-Grove Metro Park offers free, reservable backpacking sites. "Scioto Grove is great if you're looking to test out some new backpacking gear. There are 5 reservable sites along the river trail and they all have tent pads and a fire pit, besides that they're totally primitive," explained Zach about Scioto-Grove Metro Park.
Lakefront access: Jackson Lake Park provides swimming and beach facilities that campers appreciate. "Easy access to sites. Staff could take a lesson in hospitality and giving directions on park," reported Paul G. about Jackson Lake Park. The lakefront swimming area includes inflatables during summer months.
Campground amenities: Facilities vary widely between parks. A camper at A.W. Marion observed, "This site is big and spacious and backs up to trees. Only electric and vault toilets are available in the winter. You might scrunch your nose about the vault toilet, but they were kept very clean."
Winter camping limitations: Most campgrounds reduce services during colder months. "A cold but sunny weekend in February at site #32. No other campers there for the weekend, but a lot of foot traffic... Only electric and vault toilets are available in the winter," shared Shannon G. about A.W. Marion.
Walk-in site requirements: Some tent-only areas require carrying gear from parking areas. "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!!" warned Amanda P. about Hocking Hills State Park Campground.
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies significantly between parks and seasons. At Tar Hollow's North Ridge campground, "The bathrooms are pit latrines. Normally, I wouldn't be too concerned about this... However these are some of the dirtiest I've experienced. The bathrooms are also very narrow and perhaps most importantly, they are not lit."
Reservation requirements: Many sites must be booked well in advance. Scioto-Grove's backpacking sites have limited availability: "It is a tricky site to reserve as they only do it for a short season and in that season two weekend a month to avoid over use," explained a reviewer.
Swimming options: Several parks offer swimming areas specifically for campers. At Jackson Lake Park, "We went to the lake and at the desk was the new managers. They have only had it for 2 weeks now. They were super super sweet," reported a visitor, noting the lake was enjoyable despite the pool being closed.
Activities beyond hiking: A.W. Marion State Park Campground offers organized programs for younger campers. "Small adequate camp store. Movie for the kids at the outdoor theater," mentioned Karen H., highlighting amenities beyond standard camping.
Site selection for families: Choosing the right site impacts experience significantly. At Hocking Hills, a camper reported, "We enjoyed a full hookup site. The spots aren't very spacious but there's lots of trees nearby and an easy walk to get to Old Mans Cave. We enjoyed swimming in the pool."
Kid-friendly trails: Several parks offer shorter trails manageable for children. "We enjoyed it with our large breed dog and toddler. The camping however left a lot to be desired," noted a Hocking Hills visitor, contrasting excellent trails with crowded camping.
Full hookups availability: Options for complete services vary seasonally. "We appreciated the full hook-ups and pull through site. The staff came through every morning to pick up the trash. But, the water hook ups were accessible through a hole/pipe and we had to 'fish' down to connect our hose," shared Chris C. about Jackson Lake Park.
Site leveling: Terrain at many campgrounds requires preparation. "Our site was HUGE! The pad was very level, so setting up the TT was quick and easy," reported Kim H. about Deer Creek Camping Resort, noting the convenience of well-maintained sites.
Water access: Some parks have limited water access points. "The only negative was the lack of a central fresh water fill station. Spigots are dispersed throughout the camp, which means sitting in the road for as long as it takes to fill your tank," noted a Deer Creek visitor.
Seasonal limitations: Winter camping offers different experiences. At A.W. Marion, "You register on your own in the winter and it's walk-ins only at this time. Great little campground to visit if you don't need a lot of amenities," explained a regular visitor describing the quieter off-season camping experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Ashville, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, Ashville, OH offers a wide range of camping options, with 115 campgrounds and RV parks near Ashville, OH and 5 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Ashville, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Ashville, OH is A.W. Marion State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 35 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Ashville, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Ashville, OH.
What parks are near Ashville, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 parks near Ashville, OH that allow camping, notably Deer Creek Lake and Alum Creek Lake.
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