Campgrounds in the Stout, Ohio area offer water activities along the Ohio River and Licking River, with elevation ranging from 500-1,000 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall provide cooler camping conditions in the 60-70°F range. The region's campgrounds often experience seasonal closures during winter months from November through March.
What to do
River recreation: The Licking River provides opportunities for beginning kayakers with shuttle services available. At The Ole Cornfield, "there is access to the river for those who wish to kayak. Beautiful place!" The water is "about 1 to 2 feet deep at this location. Great for wading and catching minnows, crawdads, and such."
Cave exploration: Visit underground formations at Carter Caves State Resort Park Campground where "the caves are absolutely amazing and the park has some of the best natural bridges I have ever seen. Make sure to get a permit for Horn Hollow on a day of no rain or else you will not be able to enter it."
Disc golf: The 18-hole course at Shawnee State Park provides a recreational option for campers of all skill levels. "Just a beautiful park. Clean well maintained. Lots of amenities. Paddle boats, marina, 18 hole disc golf, bike park, huge dog park, store, archery range, playground and trails."
What campers like
Quiet atmosphere: Many campgrounds prioritize peaceful settings. At Valley Breeze RV Campground, "the folks that run this RV park are very nice and obviously have a lot of pride in their place. Valley Breeze is very well kept and clean."
Outdoor water features: The Oasis Point RV Resort & Adventure Lake offers unique water amenities beyond standard pools. "On the other side of the lake there is a large water slide and a zip line that both end in the water. There is a smaller pond for fishing, I'm pretty sure it's catch and release."
Technology breaks: Limited connectivity encourages family interaction at many rv campgrounds near Stout, Ohio. At Long's Retreat Family Resort, "best part is there is no phone service.....everyone has to actually spend time together and it's a great reset!"
What you should know
Site spacing varies: Campground layouts differ significantly in the area. At Carter Caves State Resort Park Campground, "the campground was busy, but scouts enjoy that. Various levels of cabin experience at a reasonable cost. Lots of hiking, fairly well marked."
Water hookup distances: Be prepared with extra equipment at some locations. "You will need extra water hose and extension cords to get hooked up in a lot of the sites."
Limited cell coverage: Many Stout, Ohio RV campgrounds have minimal connectivity. At Shawnee State Park Campground, "there is absolutely no cell service in the Campground. The lodge at the top of the hill has a weak signal, but is better than nothing if you really need to check in with outside world."
Seasonal restrictions: Check operating dates before planning trips, especially at private campgrounds. "We went to the office, asked for 4 nights, I have a 2021 travel trailer. He said 'overnight only'."
Tips for camping with families
Hidden tent sites: Seek out more secluded spots for tent camping. "The Shawnee campground has some features that are nicer than what is found in many state campgrounds. There are some secluded sites back in the woods, so you don't feel like you are camping in a parking lot in a few places. NOTE that most of these secluded sites (along the back edge of the campground) are up a flight of stairs."
Kid-friendly activities: Lazy Village Campground & RV Park offers unique history features. "This is a really cool campground because it's situated on an old racetrack. Check out the website for details on the full hookup sites."
Themed events: Look for special weekend programming during peak seasons. "We were there on their Halloween weekend, with a fun site-decorating contest and trick or treat in the afternoon, which was mildly annoying for us because they closed the roads from 2 to 6 so we could not drive back to our site."
Tips from RVers
Variable site lengths: Confirm exact measurements when booking at Stout, Ohio RV campgrounds. "We were told that the site we'd been assigned was room enough for 52'. Our RV is only 34' so that would be more than enough. We got there and it was maybe 20-24" in length, with no wiggle room because one end was the park road/driveway, the other end a hill."
Assistance availability: Some parks offer additional services beyond standard amenities. At Sheltowee RV Park & Cabins, "the campground is very well maintained. It's quiet and tucked away. Nature trails, ponds for relaxing and watching the wildlife or fishing."
Setup help: Staff assistance can make arrival easier. At The Ole Cornfield, "when you arrive the host (Justin), brings you wood and a picnic table. Helps if you need anything. The campground is always extremely clean as are the bathrooms."
