Cabins near Spencer, Ohio sit within Medina County's rolling countryside just 15 miles east of Ashland. The region features mostly hardwood forest and farmland at elevations ranging from 900-1,100 feet, creating moderate temperatures with summer highs around 82°F. Winter cabin camping requires extra preparation as temperatures typically drop to 20°F with occasional snowfall between December and February.
What to do
Hiking trails: Findley State Park Campground offers extensive hiking paths through mature forests. One visitor noted, "We can easily get lost on 3 mile hikes in the woods and still be on marked paths! The roads are paved and excellent for biking and skating."
Water recreation: American Wilderness Campground maintains a beach area for swimming and relaxation. A camper mentioned, "Beautiful clean serene park with absolutely stunning beach views at sunset."
Fishing opportunities: Maple Lakes Campground provides stocked fishing lakes with comfortable seating areas. According to a visitor, "Beautiful trees and the fishing lakes had lovely benches."
Organized activities: Cleveland/Sandusky Jellystone Park schedules regular events for guests. A camper explained, "Tons of planned activities for the kids. Movie nights, wibits (inflatable obstacle course on the pond), stocked pond, kayaks, Gaga Ball, RC track, jump pad, climbing wall etc etc etc!!"
What campers like
Clean facilities: Sunset Lake Campground in Spencer maintains well-kept grounds and restrooms. A visitor observed, "This is a very quiet and relaxing campground. The grounds are clean and the sites are very well spaced."
Family atmosphere: American Wilderness Campground creates an environment conducive to making memories. One camper shared, "We loved the beach and the fun we have had this is our favorite place to camp and we love this family local owned business because they love making people happy."
Natural setting: Hickory Lakes Campground offers water recreation with natural swimming areas. A review noted, "We had fun in the swimming pond... swimming pond that has a sandy bottom with clean water and a small beach."
Spacious sites: Maple Lakes provides ample room between camping spots. One reviewer commented, "This is a big campground where you are not on top of your neighbors. There is a lot offered and great place for kids."
What you should know
Advance planning essential: Findley State Park fills quickly during peak season. A camper advised, "Very nice, comfortable campground, kids loved it. Only downfall is trying to find an open spot for reservations. Place is booked most of the time. If you're planning a holiday weekend you need to book 6 months in advance."
Tent camping conditions: Some cabin rentals near Spencer have adjacent tent camping sites with varying ground conditions. A camper at Findley State Park noted, "Dirt in the campsites is packed super tight, it's hard to drive tent stakes. However, it's flat enough where it isn't really an issue."
Site selection matters: Mohican State Park Campground offers varied cabin locations with different experiences. A visitor recommended checking site maps: "The sites are nice and large with lots of trees throughout the park."
Seasonal availability: Most cabin rentals operate primarily April through October. American Wilderness Campground specifically runs "April 28 to October 15," while Maple Lakes Campground operates "Apr 15 - Oct 1."
Tips for camping with families
Look for multiple recreation options: Cleveland/Sandusky Jellystone Park provides numerous child-friendly activities in one location. A visitor described it as "Kids Paradise" noting the "Large campground with a nice mix of seasonal and overnighters. Clean common areas. Nice pool, camp store on site with a nice selection of camp gear."
Consider cabin proximity to bathrooms: When booking rustic cabin accommodations near Spencer, check bathroom locations. At Findley State Park, a camper noted that "site 118 had water 2 sites down, an outhouse 5 sites down and nice clean rest rooms just a short walk away maybe 9 sites down."
Pack for varied weather: Ohio's changeable weather means preparing for temperature swings even in summer. A camper at Mohican State Park described camping during Thanksgiving: "Camping in the off season is our favorite time of year. This particular park has potable water on by the dump station and the dump station is open."
Research cellular service: Cell reception varies significantly at cabin locations. At Mohican State Park, a visitor reported: "No cell service with Verizon at this park."
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Hidden Acres Campground provides water, electric, and sewer connections for RVs in addition to cabin rentals. Hickory Lakes Campground also offers "Full hook ups" according to a seasonal camper.
Pack extra bedding: Cabin rentals typically require bringing your own linens. At Hidden Acres, a visitor noted cabin amenities but mentioned "Bathrooms were dirty and the shower water was freezing. Other than that was a very awesome memorable weekend."
Check seasonal transition dates: Most campgrounds with cabin rentals adjust facilities during shoulder seasons. A Mohican State Park camper observed, "The water at the full hook up sites are turned off" during winter camping, while "potable water on by the dump station and the dump station is open."
Consider site layout: At Sunset Lake Campground, a visitor cautioned about potential issues: "Many of the sites are grassy and I could see the potential to get stuck if you ended up in heavy rains."
