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.
What to do
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."
What campers like
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."
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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.
