Camping spots near Hamden, Ohio sit within the foothills of the Appalachian Plateau, with elevations ranging from 700 to 1,000 feet. This transitional terrain creates diverse habitats with mixed hardwood forests dominating the landscape. Temperatures typically range from 20°F in winter to upper 80s in summer, with spring and fall offering milder conditions between 50-70°F during prime camping seasons.
What to do
Hiking the backpack trails: Zaleski State Forest offers a well-marked trail system popular with backpackers of all experience levels. "I have backpacked the trails here since the 1980s. More recently, I have taken my kids for several treks on the lower loop. Get there early and get to the campsites first, there are decidedly better sites in each camp," explains a regular visitor to Zaleski State Forest.
Water activities on multiple lakes: Lake Alma State Park provides accessible fishing, boating, and swimming opportunities. "The lake is nice with a small island," notes one visitor to Lake Alma State Park Campground. For paddle sports enthusiasts, Lake Hope offers a calm paddling experience with seasonal highlights. "Lake Hope is a nice flatwater paddle. Get there early and watch the water lilies open," recommends a camper.
Explore historic sites: The region's iron-producing past is preserved at several locations. "Hope furnace is just outside the campground and next to the first 'put-in' for the lake. As history buffs will know that Ohio was one of the nation's leading iron producers back in the day," shares a visitor to Lake Hope State Park. The Moonville Tunnel nearby attracts history enthusiasts, with a camper noting, "We spent one afternoon hiking over to the Moonville Tunnel and it was one of the coolest parts of our four day trek."
What campers like
Secluded camping options: For those seeking quieter experiences away from crowds, Lake Hope State Park provides a welcome alternative. "Each time I have stayed at Lake Hope State Park, I have marveled at why there are only a few stray campers in a state park of 190 sites. Granted...I am usually camping during the week...but its a ghost town. Which is fine by me...solitude...peace and quiet," shares a frequent visitor to Lake Hope State Park Campground.
Primitive camping in Zaleski: The backpacking experience at Zaleski offers designated camping areas with basic amenities. "All of the campsites have multiple areas for different hikers and each is relatively secluded from the others so you can be by yourself. All campsites have an outhouse and potable water all within easy reach from all camping areas," notes a regular at Zaleski State Forest.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The forests and waterways support diverse wildlife populations. "We have seen salamanders, deer, snakes, a wild turkey even wandered into our camp in May 2018," reports a Zaleski visitor. At Lake Hope, one camper highlights that "The naturalists feed hummingbirds at the nature center. They pull the feeders for awhile leading up to a 'Feed the Hummingbirds' program. So cool! The birds come right to you!"
What you should know
Water conditions vary by location: While potable water is available at most developed campgrounds, natural water sources require treatment. "Not supposed to filter the water in the creeks. Thankfully there is pretty tasty water at camp," advises a Zaleski backpacker. At some locations, water quality may be inconsistent: "The water spigots were well, of course, but you better let it run for a long bit! I've never seen such brown water at camp," warns a visitor to Top O' The Caves Campground.
Weather preparedness is essential: The region experiences significant seasonal variations. "At lake hope you need to watch out for the FOG on the lake at night! It gets so bad you can't see past the end of your boat," warns a camper. Another visitor at Lake Snowden cautions, "If it has been rainy the campsites and dirt roads can get muddy - turning the area officially into Mudville."
Trail markers can be confusing: Navigation challenges exist on some trail systems. "The hiking paths are not clearly marked and I am embarrassed to admit I did get lost in the woods. The map they have is in black in white but the park uses a color system," shares a Zaleski hiker. Another camper advises, "I would recommend printing maps & seeing additional information about the area & trails."
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with amenities: Several locations offer family-friendly facilities and activities. "The grounds were very large, plenty of spaces no need for reservation in off season. Also they offer primitive, electric and rv sites and are pet friendly there," notes a visitor to Tar Hollow State Park Campground. The park also features "a beautiful little spot to fish, rent a paddle boat, or just relax" at Pine Lake.
Consider walk-in family camping: Some parks offer specialized family camping areas. "We stayed in the walk-in family campground, not the main campground. The sites are mostly far apart from one another and the area is fairly dense woods leaving you feeling a peaceful solitude," shares a visitor to Hocking Hills State Park. However, they caution that "It helps to have a friend because most of the outhouses don't lock."
Look for educational opportunities: Nature programs enhance the camping experience for children. A visitor to Tar Hollow notes, "In past years we've been able to spend an hour or so at the nature rooms, and then let the kids go off with the naturalist on an hour+ guided hike down the creek to explore for wildlife and plants."
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain that can challenge RV setup. "Sites are mostly small and tight on hilly terrain. That said, I would still recommend this as a nice weekend getaway," advises an RVer at Lake Hope. Another camper at Hocking Hills KOA Holiday notes, "Sites are reasonably level, we had to use one 3/4-inch leveler under the wheels on one side."
Check site dimensions carefully: Some campgrounds have limitations for larger rigs. "Super small campground with one road in/same road out. Check-out time created quite the backup," reports a visitor to Lake Alma. "The sites were too short for my camper, which is odd because when booking I indicated the length of my camper. I had to back in camper, drop it, move truck, hook camper back up and finish backing in to site."
Consider seasonal timing: RV campers should plan for seasonal conditions. "Owner planning to stay open all year working on some big upgrades to campground to accommodate winter weather camping," notes a visitor to Hocking Hills KOA. For fall camping, advance reservations become crucial as temperatures moderate and foliage colors peak in October.
