Campers traveling to West Portsmouth, Ohio find themselves in an area where the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains meet the Ohio River valley. The region's terrain ranges from 500-800 feet in elevation with humid summers and moderately cold winters. Late spring through early fall brings temperatures between 60-85°F, creating optimal conditions for outdoor recreation at area campgrounds.
What to do
Fishing and water recreation: At Little Bear Island Campground, campers can spend entire days on the water. "We fished all day and night. Caught a bunch of fish and had a catfish fry. The mountain views are awesome and for once it wasn't another RV parking lot," reports Danny J.
Cave exploration: The region offers unique underground adventures within a short drive. At Carter Caves State Resort Park Campground, visitors can take ranger-guided tours through limestone caverns. A camper notes, "The park has a lot to do, not just the caves. There's tons of waterfalls off the trails, and other things to see."
Disc golf and outdoor activities: Several parks in the area maintain recreational facilities beyond camping. "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," writes John R. about local recreation options.
Hiking trails: The area features numerous hiking paths through varied terrain. "The new campground is on the river on what used to be the golf course," mentions one visitor about recent developments in trail access near camping areas.
What campers like
Secluded tent sites: Many campers appreciate the availability of more private spots. "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," explains Megan M. about Shawnee State Park Campground.
Family-friendly activities: Long's Retreat Family Resort receives praise for its recreational options. "We have been going here for the last 6 summers with a big group. Everyone always has such a great time and it is the highlight of all the kids summers. The kids can either swim up at the lake (with multiple water slides and a huge floating dock with diving board), the little kids can have fun in the splash pad right at the beach," shares Kristi J.
Full-service RV accommodations: "The campground is very well maintained. It's quite and tucked away. Nature trails, ponds for relaxing and watching the wildlife or fishing," writes Angelia C. about Sheltowee RV Park & Cabins, highlighting amenities appealing to RV campers near West Portsmouth.
Clean facilities: Many reviewers note the upkeep of campground bathrooms and common areas. "The shower houses were clean and the small camp store convenient. All the Shawnee State Park staff I met were super friendly and helpful," reports Jay T.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Mobile connectivity varies significantly between locations. "I enjoyed every second I spent at this camp ground... very friendly staff.. great cabins.. awesome environment!! Best part is there is no phone service.....everyone has to actually spend time together and it's a great reset!" notes Emma C.
Site selection considerations: When planning RV camping near West Portsmouth, Ohio, careful research of specific sites can improve your stay. "We stayed on campsite 057, which is in full sun as it has no shade but does have full hookups. The site was very well kept and clean but could use some privacy from the roadway. Be sure to look at google maps satellite before arriving as most of the sites that are labeled electric share one electric box for 2 campsites and can be pretty far from your pad," advises Amanda S.
Seasonal options: While some parks remain open year-round, others have limited operations. Carter Caves State Resort Park Campground operates from April 1 to October 31, and Long's Retreat Family Resort runs April 1 through October 31.
Reservation needs: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially for weekend stays during summer months. Many facilities allow advance booking through online systems.
Tips for camping with families
Entertainment options for children: "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," shares Rocky B. about activities at Long's Retreat Family Resort.
Special events: Some campgrounds host themed weekends. "We went to the campground during the Halloween festivities in October 2017. There are a lot of activities to do while at the state park, caving, hiking, kayaking, mini golf, golf, etc," explains Karen P.
Tent sites away from RVs: Families with tents can find dedicated spaces in some parks. "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. We stayed in 12. If you don't mind hauling your gear a short distance from your car, sites like this are perfect as they're for tent campers only," advises Jay T.
Kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer specialized facilities. "The campground had fun amenities for kids, like a very small mini golf course and an outdoor screen for movie nights," notes one reviewer about recreational options designed for younger campers.
Tips from RVers
Hookup location challenges: When RV camping near West Portsmouth, Ohio, prepare for utility connection distances. "The only issue was that some of the sites were around 50 ft from the electric hook up. Thankfully we were able to switch spots instead of renting an extension cord," mentions autumn L.
Level site considerations: Lazy Village Campground & RV Park receives positive feedback for site conditions. "We stayed on the creek witch has water and electric but they will empty your tanks for you if you stay longer than 3 nights," explains Rebecca F.
Big rig accommodations: Some parks specifically accommodate larger vehicles. "This is one of the more unique campgrounds we have stayed. The sites did hold a bit of water after a strong rain, be prepared if bad weather is expected," advises Jason G. about site conditions at Robert Newlon Airpark RV Park.
Satellite service setup: Signal access can require site changes. "They were flexible. The first site we had we were unable to set up our StarLink so we scoped out another site where there were no trees and then asked to switch and they were accommodating," shares Shirley M.
