Camping near Waverly, Ohio offers varied terrain across the Appalachian foothills with elevations ranging from 600 to 1000 feet. The region typically experiences mild spring and fall temperatures between 50-75°F, with summer highs regularly reaching 85-90°F. Campgrounds in this area often feature wooded sites that provide natural shade during the warmer months, and many maintain operation from April through October due to seasonal weather patterns.
What to do
Paddling opportunities: Lake Vesuvius provides a smaller, more manageable waterway for beginners and families. "The lake while not overly big, is clean and great for swimming (there's a beach), kayaking, and fishing. They have plenty of crappie, bass, and catfish stocked in the lake and there are bait shops close by," notes a visitor to Iron Ridge - Lake Vesuvius.
Hiking trails: Tar Hollow State Park offers multiple marked trails through mature forests. "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," shares one camper. However, another camper at Tar Hollow State Park Campground warns, "The hiking paths are not clearly marked and I am embarrassed to admit I did get lost in the woods."
Family activities: Rocky Fork State Park has designated swimming areas and playgrounds. A visitor reports, "Great place to camp with children. Tons of things for them to do. Beach was clean and lake nice to swim and play in. Fishing was good."
What campers like
Natural surroundings: Lake Hope State Park campsites are situated among rolling hills and dense woodland. "The terrain is undulating but very doable. The campsites are pretty open, so if you did have neighbors...you'd know it," explains one reviewer. Another camper at Lake Hope State Park Campground appreciated that "There were plenty of hiking trails and at the lake you can rent kayaks for the day!"
Escape from technology: Many visitors value the lack of connectivity at Long's Retreat. One guest notes, "Love no cell reception! Quiet clean and staff (owner) is always pleasant and helpful!" Another camper at Long's Retreat Family Resort commented, "Best part is there is no phone service.....everyone has to actually spend time together and it's a great reset!"
Privacy options: The Iron Ridge campground offers more secluded sites compared to other nearby options. "Most of the sites shaded and separated by trees. Love the privacy this provides. Our favorite 'close to home campground'!" shares one regular visitor.
What you should know
Site selection matters: At Tar Hollow's North Ridge campground, choose carefully based on terrain. "Many of the campsites are situated on pretty intense slopes. 106 wasn't too bad. I would guess 105 is probably the most level site in the campground," advises a camper.
Water pressure concerns: At some campgrounds, water utilities can be inconsistent. At Iron Ridge, one camper warns, "Beautiful place to camp. Some sites are more difficult for parking a camper than others. We stayed at site 6 which wasn't too difficult to park but the water pressure was extremely high."
Limited cell service: Most camping areas near Waverly have minimal connectivity. At Shawnee State Park Campground, a visitor notes, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Pack games for downtime: Top O' The Caves Campground offers recreation facilities that may need supplementing. "The mini golf is not even in use it is so bad. The pool was not open and looked like it hadn't been in some time (even though when we called they said they were opening it right then)," shares one family. Another visitor to Top O' The Caves Campground had a better experience: "We have returned to this camp ground four times! Everything is quite outdated especially the park and mini golf. With that said it was a great time."
Consider glamping close to Waverly, Ohio: For families seeking cabin accommodations, KOA offers accessible options. "The staff were friendly and professional, the sites were clean, and there were a wide variety of sites to choose from. From primitive tent sites tucked back in the woods to large RV sites with water/sewer/electric/cable hookups," notes a first-time KOA visitor.
Check reservation policies: Some campgrounds have strict cancellation rules. One visitor to Hocking Hills KOA warns, "Had reserved two tent sites, had to put down $45 for each site. On Friday the weather was to be awful. Forecast calling for 3-4" of rain. Flash flood watches for entire area. So being in tents we cancelled our reservations. Campground would not return our $90 deposit."
Tips for RVers
Site leveling challenges: At Lake Hope, RV sites require additional preparation. "The sites we stayed in with the motorhome was fairly level, sites are mostly small and tight on hilly terrain. That said, I would still recommend this as a nice weekend getaway," explains one RV camper.
Hookup variations: Full services aren't available at all sites when glamping in Waverly-adjacent campgrounds. At Lazy Village Campground & RV Park, one visitor explains, "We stayed on the creek which has water and electric but they will empty your tanks for you if you stay longer than 3 nights."
Accessibility limitations: Some campgrounds have difficult access roads. At Hocking Hills KOA, a reviewer warns, "The little road going up to the campground is VERY bumpy. It's not the campground road, it belongs to the Township, so its completely out of their ability to make improvements. This was only our second time out in our fifth wheel camper so it was a little scary, but we just drove slow and our truck handled it just fine."
