Best Glamping near West Portsmouth, OH

Shawnee State Park Campground and Lazy Village Campground & RV Park house upscale glamping accommodations near West Portsmouth, Ohio. Shawnee's secluded glamping sites are nestled among wooded hills, offering climate-controlled canvas structures with comfortable beds, electricity, and private decks overlooking the surrounding forest. One visitor noted, "The 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." Lazy Village provides luxury canvas tents and yurts with plush bedding, kitchenettes, and outdoor seating areas. Both locations feature eco-friendly amenities including solar lighting options, composting facilities, and sustainable construction materials, making them ideal destinations for environmentally conscious travelers seeking comfort in nature.

The surrounding Shawnee State Forest, known as "The Little Smokies of Ohio," provides glamping guests with extensive hiking opportunities on the 40-mile backpacking loop and shorter day trails. Carter Caves State Resort Park, within driving distance, offers guided cave tours, rock climbing, and gem mining activities for glamping visitors. According to a camper, "My family have been coming here for 5 generations. Canoe the Tygart, take a trail ride, spelunk a Cave, eat a S'more, hike the red trail, see the natural bridge." The glamping resorts maintain year-round availability with seasonal activities including fall foliage tours, summer water recreation at Pine Lake, and winter stargazing events. Most luxury camping sites require reservations, with peak season bookings recommended 3-6 months in advance for premium accommodations.

Best Glamping Sites Near West Portsmouth, Ohio (14)

    1. Shawnee State Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    Friendship, OH
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 858-6652

    $24 / night

    "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."

    "Unlike many Ohio State parks I've visited, the Shawnee campground has a variety of great tent sites.   Several of these are hidden in the trees at the top of some steps and up a short path. "

    2. Carter Caves State Resort Park Campground

    46 Reviews
    Olive Hill, KY
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (606) 286-4411

    $20 - $120 / night

    "Yes it can get crowded, yes there are kids and lots of noise. they’re coming here to have fun too! I grew up in the primitive campground with a huge canvas tent."

    "Park was nice, clean and has friendly staff. We liked that we could walk to the bathrooms and not have to drive there. We stayed at site 100 and really enjoyed the shade trees."

    3. Lazy Village Campground & RV Park

    1 Review
    Friendship, OH
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 858-2409

    $40 / night

    "When you pull in you are welcomed by the big yellow welcome sign!"

    4. Long's Retreat Family Resort

    13 Reviews
    Sinking Spring, OH
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (937) 588-3725

    "Of course, relaxing by the campfire, grilling hot dogs and making s’mores is really what makes the time with the kids special."

    "Rv sites could use some solid level pads to set up your rv on the place can get muddy fast bring your 4 x 4. Also no cell service at all which is good and bad."

    5. Ashland Huntington West KOA

    17 Reviews
    Grayson, KY
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (606) 929-5504

    "The staff was extremely nice and helpful, bath house and laundry was clean. The water at our site was inoperable and they offered to move us without me even having to ask which was nice."

    "KOA staff was very friendly and accommodating. We were able to stay extra days with out any problems. It was A practice run for us since we just started camping ."

    6. Iron Ridge - Lake Vesuvius

    8 Reviews
    Pedro, OH
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 534-6500

    $20 / night

    "The hiking trails are scenic and pretty and the lake while not overly big, is clean and great for swimming(there's a beach) , kayaking, and fishing."

    "Great campground with super easy access to the trail and lake. The sites are spread apart enough so you aren’t right beside someone - and shaded."

    7. Oak Hill - Lake Vesuvius

    3 Reviews
    Pedro, OH
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 534-6500

    $20 / night

    "Each site has a picnic table, fire ring with grill, and water & electric hookups."

    "Nice view and close to the lake as well! There is a beach about a 10 minute drive away from the camp. Very nice showers and bathrooms!"

    8. Rocky Fork State Park Campground

    17 Reviews
    Hillsboro, OH
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (937) 393-4284

    "Air conditioned shower houses. Very nice size spaces, we were in a full hookup site."

    "Upon arrival at Rocky Fork we realized even with a map it took 40 minutes to find our site. This was not so much due to the darkness as it was to the poor road and site markings."

    9. Tar Hollow State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Adelphi, OH
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 887-4818

    $4 - $27 / night

    "We weren’t too keen on most of the parks amenities, but enjoyed just sitting around the fire the whole time."

    "We were on site 106, which is at the far end of the campground. The campground is about 2-3 acres large, situated on a hill with a path dug out around the perimeter. "

    10. Grayson Lake Damsite Shelters

    1 Review
    Grahn, KY
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (606) 474-5815

    $75 / night

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Glamping Reviews near West Portsmouth, OH

154 Reviews of 14 West Portsmouth Campgrounds


  • Beth Ann W.
    May. 25, 2020

    Tar Hollow State Park Campground

    Memorial Weekend 2020

    After being cooped up, we (3 young adults) decided to get out and decided on this campground that was new to all of us. The campground was very low key and made for an easy going weekend! We weren’t too keen on most of the parks amenities, but enjoyed just sitting around the fire the whole time. Pros: -staff was cleaning common areas (bathroom and showers) either once or twice a day -campsite 12 was incredible space and had an added bonus of a deck structure over the creek

    Other notes: -WiFi available, but only right by the main office/general store -no service for AT&T or Verizon -Fire tower not accessible -Lake tested high for a bacteria and swimming is not recommended

    Corona Virus Notes: -only Ice and Firewood available for purchase at General Store -putt putt, boat and bike rentals, and game box rentals not available -nearby Hocking Hills trails were closed

  • K
    Jul. 18, 2021

    Rocky Fork State Park Campground

    Nice family friendly area

    Very nice grounds, lots of paved pathways for bike riding, skateboarding, ect.. Air conditioned shower houses. Very nice size spaces, we were in a full hookup site.

  • MiKayla M.
    Aug. 14, 2021

    Oak Hill - Lake Vesuvius

    Well Maintained Sites

    Paved, well maintained sites but a bit close together. Don’t expect privacy if it’s booked. Reservations close 4 days prior, after that it’s first come, first serve. However, surprisingly very quiet during my visit. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring with grill, and water & electric hookups. Cannot comment on the showers because no running water at the time of my visit (water line break, scheduled for repairs).

  • Todd C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 11, 2023

    Ashland Huntington West KOA

    Nice Campground Close to Interstate

    KOA Review

    The campground it’s self is very clean and taken care of. We were there in early March with winter temps. The staff was extremely nice and helpful, bath house and laundry was clean. The water at our site was inoperable and they offered to move us without me even having to ask which was nice. The site could be maintained better ours had lots of tire ruts and fire pit could have been better for the price. Overall it’s a good campground with amenities in great shape. A good little dog park that was extremely clean, putt putt, and more. I would come back again in the off season just cause we like camping with less crowds.

  • Becky H.
    Jun. 6, 2018

    Carter Caves State Resort Park Campground

    5 generations of my family have loved this place

    my family have been coming here for 5 generations. it’s definitely a family favorite. Yes it can get crowded, yes there are kids and lots of noise. they’re coming here to have fun too! I grew up in the primitive campground with a huge canvas tent. We’ve graduated to an RV and are on the other side of the campgrounds now but still loving it. I’ve never stayed on the side with the horse camping but we usually run down there for the showers. Canoe the Tygart, take a trail ride, spelunk a Cave, eat a S’more, hike the red trail, see the natural bridge, come for pioneer week, Halloween is a hoot, watch out for skunks, hope you see a wildcat or two, tell a ghost story, play some corn hole, watch out for bears. Anyway go to the caves, you’ll love it.

  • Chase G.
    Jun. 9, 2019

    Rocky Fork State Park Campground

    Meh

    We chose this campground for its proximity to Serpent Mound. It's very middle of the road. The camp store is better than average, but the grounds themselves leave a lot to be desired. Very little privacy, small, uneven sites, bathhouses out of an 80s slasher movie. So much goose poop. The firewood we purchased from the camp store was just awful. Wouldn't light, it just smoked. It's not the first time we've had this problem with wood from an Ohio state park camp store.

    The staff was super friendly and everyone we encountered was very nice, but it's certainly not somewhere I would want to spend more than a night.

  • Rocky B.
    Apr. 10, 2018

    Long's Retreat Family Resort

    My family’s favorite place.

    We’ve had a permanent site at Long’s for a couple of years now. My wife and kids want to live there for the summer, and I sure can’t argue. There is LOTS to do. Swimming, water slides, canoeing, go-cart racing, mini golf, and a full arcade give plenty of variety. Of course, relaxing by the campfire, grilling hot dogs and making s’mores is really what makes the time with the kids special. The owners are wonderful people who take pride in what they do, and very carefully select the right people to be part of their team. The showers and bathrooms are always squeaky clean and the grounds are exceptionally well maintained. I’ve found permanent campers and weekenders alike to be a great group of folks. Long’s Reatreat is the perfect place to unplug and unwind.

  • Jana H.
    Sep. 3, 2018

    Carter Caves State Resort Park Campground

    Enjoyed our stay

    Park was nice, clean and has friendly staff. We liked that we could walk to the bathrooms and not have to drive there. We stayed at site 100 and really enjoyed the shade trees. Showers are small but they work and there are only 3 stalls of toilets and 3 showers ( I believe) in the women’s side- unsure of men’s. Plenty to do, including a playground, pool, miniature golf, bike riding, horse back riding, hiking, etc. All sites have a picnic table and a grate over the fire pit. Water wells are easily accessible and they have washers and dryers as well. Check-in location was a bit confusing but eventually figured it out.

  • Megan M.
    Nov. 6, 2024

    Shawnee State Park Campground

    Some secluded sites in woods- nice!

    This 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. You have to carry all your gear up a hill or stairs to set up. You will not be near your car, which can get annoying.

    The bathrooms were average, not great but not gross. 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, and when we finally could, someone was in our parking pot for the next hour. 

    The lakes are quite tiny. The one at the campground is more like a large pond- fine for paddling around on a paddleboard for practice, but don't think you'll get in any meaningful kayaking or sight-seeing on this pond. The other lake is slightly bigger, but still not big enough for kayaking more than a couple hours at most.

    The new campground is on the river on what used to be the golf course- I will write a separate review for that.

    The lodge has some amenities (pool, hot tub, cafe, bar), but we ate in the restaurant and it was terrible. I do not recommend. Get some apps at the bar if you have to but keep your expectations low. We had pork nachos and the pork tasted old, everything was cold and it gave me a terrible stomachache.


Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near West Portsmouth, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near West Portsmouth, OH is Shawnee State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 20 reviews.

What is the best site to find glamping camping near West Portsmouth, OH?

TheDyrt.com has all 14 glamping camping locations near West Portsmouth, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.