Lake Hope State Park Campground

We have camped here in tents, pop up camper, cabins, backpacking the nearby Zaleski State Forest and most recently, in our travel trailer. It is our favorite State Park that we have camped at. The campground has been recently updated, new pavement on the road and in the campsites. The nature center runs a lot of programs, including hand feeding hummingbirds, Christmas trail of lights, movies, hikes and more. The dining lodge is excellent food, the Sunday Brunch is great and they have a wood fired pizza oven. The lake has kayak, canoe, peddle boat and other rentals. The swimming area is large for a state park and has a small playset. Trails to suit all ages and experience levels. Moonville tunnel and rail trail is nearby. The front shower house is closed for remodeling, however, there are very nice flush toilets near the camp office and a shower house at the back section of the campground.

RV Camping and much more

Lake Hope State Park is the unsung hero of Logan county, Ohio. Hocking Hills State Park gets the crowds because of its amenities and closer proximity to Old Man's Cave...but...

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.

The main reason is pit latrines...well, that's my guess, anyways. LHSP still has hot showers. I guess because it doesn't have a pool, it doesn't have the crowds. Shoot! I'd stay home if I wanted a pool. Whatever the reason, you rarely, if ever, will have to contend with neighbors.

Trails are superb...tall canopies, fern ground cover, a wild assortment of fungi and wildlife at every turn. The terrain is undulating but very doable. The campsites are pretty open, so if you did have neighbors...you'd know it. We'd usually snatch up site 98 or 99...or both. No one would usually go that deep into the park. It was private...pit latrine nearby...flat and airy. Foot trails were nearby and the bike trail wasn't too far away.

If you brought your boats...Lake Hope is a nice flatwater paddle. Get there early and watch the water lilies open. 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. There is also a swimming beach on the opposite end of Lake Hope...if you just have to get wet.

The haunted Moonville Tunnel is nearby and worth the short drive and hike. Unfortunately, it is becoming defaced by disrespectful taggers...still cool nonetheless.

You are plopped down smack dab in the Zaleski State Forest...so pick a trail, any trail.

A short drive away are amazing trails and formations...Old Man's Cave, Cantwell Cliffs, Cedar Falls, Conkle’s Hollow, Rockhouse and Ash Cave. Each one a must see! Give youself time to hike the trails and enjoy the natural beauty of southern Ohio. Not only will you be glad you did...you will want to return year and year!

Variety, solitude and immersed in history!

**Lake Hope State Park** southeast on Rt 33 from Columbus, Oh and adjacent to one part of Wayne National Forest, it is a very nice, quiet, small basic campground.

The crowd was sparse when we were there and the reason for the 3 star is whoever laid out the campground forgot his level that day Oooorr was trying to squeeze every available area for "sites"! Whole lotta uneven hilly terrain to park your camper or tent on. There were a few level spots but for the most part make sure you put your head on the uphill side;) _Tentsile Tree Tents_ would work well in this camping area, plenty of trees to choose from.

Basic restrooms and showerhouse is at the office. Lots of nice, interesting, moderate trails and gobs of history. Fill your gas tank up before you head in and right your information down, signal coverage can be spotty. Take your water gear for whatever "thing" you enjoy doing and if your real adventurous Zaleski National Forest is nearby with some awesome backpacking, primitive camping and VIEWS.

Forgot my level

Lake Hope gave me a new way to experience an area I grew very close to and appreciate but cannot stand the swarms of people. It was a great quiet and spacious campground with solid amenities and it’s own nearby sites. We were in Wayne National Forest and right next to the infamous Moonville tunnel. It was no problem to drive over to the caves in hocking hills but it was also nice to stay close by a couple days too. This is likely the only way we’ll do the area moving forward

Away from hocking hills crowds

At lake hope you can enjoy camping in many ways rather if it’s by tent (the way I prefer) or by camper. It’s a very nice place to have some family fun. Very nice beach and swimming area. Hiking and horse back riding trails. Canoe/kayak rental. Very nice dinning area at the lodge. I would recommend this place to anyone and everyone.

Very nice campgrounds and lake

I’m a tent camper and a hiker, but my family and I even spent some time at the lake and rented a paddle board and a water bike which was so much fun! we also did some kayaking as well as driving to different hiking paths around the area. we did a “walking tour” that had TERRIBLE directions but we had a blast anyway 😂 they probably need to update that but I wouldn’t discredit them if they didnt. campsites were more open and pretty standard, bathrooms were a little lack luster but I enjoyed every second! 

So much to do! 

Lots of hills. Some sites are reservable others are walk-in.

Beautiful location, well kept, lots to do and see.

My husband camped here in 2018 and plan on it again this year! Lake Hope has plenty of recreational opportunities for everyone and the campground is close by! The campground is quiet and well kept. We tent camp so we usually have a non-electric site so the area we stay is away from most of the RVs. Bathrooms and showers are maintained well. Not far from Hocking Hills State Park as well as other park areas. Plenty of opportunities for hiking, boating, and other activities. 

Beautiful campground!

A nice mix of electric and non electric sites in the trees.  Great place to relax with family.  Great for unwinding. You have to drive down to the lake to boat and swim but worth it.  Every Sunday there is a brunch buffet at the Lodge.  Worth the 25-40 minute wait!  The camp hosts are super friendly!  

Amazing campground away from it all!

Lake Hope State Park is a cute area nestled in the foothills of Ohio. With Zaleski right next door, there are a ton of cool things to do around the area. There’s a swimming, boating, camping, hiking, backpacking, and a ton of cool historical sites to see. I would recommend getting an Ohio Lizard Map to find some cool secret sites that most don’t get to find in the area.

Swimming in History

We love Lake Hope and have both tent and pop up camper there. The park is beautiful but my only frustration is that you can’t really walk or bike to many things because the way the campground is situated in relation to a lake. We basically have to drive no matter what we want to do which makes our kids lack the independence they want. It is really lovely there, the lodge restaurant is fantastic and the beach is well maintained. We had site 2 with out pop up which is pretty level but doesn’t have as much yard space. 

A beautiful escape but a vehicle is required

Real busy on weekends. We were here in june in a travel trailer. Not many level sites. We had to buy an extension cord 30amp to reach level spot. Bath house was close but closed and 11/2 mile to dirty front one. Dumpsters still overflowing on tues. Staff not real friendly

Disapointed

We took our 24 ft camper out to Lake Hope campgrounds and enjoyed ourselves. Few things to consider, no water hookup but there are water spigots scattered around. Also not sewer but there's a dump station near the front gate. Almost all the camping lots are slanted and short in depth so be aware of that. It took quite a while to get our camper "leveled" but even then it wasn't entirely level. It is a drive to about everything in the park, minus a couple trails depending on your campsite location. Otherwise it's a great place to enjoy, a short drive to Hocking Hills and the small towns around the area are nice. 

Camper Trip

Stayed over Labor Day Weekend and was pleasantly surprised by the site we got for booking only a week in advance! Would stay again!

\- Many sites are quite sloped and slanted, but this cannot be determined by pictures online. With that said, all sites appeared to have a spot for at least 1 tent cleared away and the picnic table and fire ring in a secure location.

\- Most sites only had room for one car parked at the site

\- Clean pit style restrooms! With running water restrooms dispersed through the campground.

\- Lake Hope was a good size for kayaking (and rentals were open and only ~$10 per person per hour for various boating devices).

\- Fishing allowed anywhere!

\- Cool hiking trails throughout to see caves, The Hope Furnace, and water features!

\- Only ~30-40min from all the must see attractions of Hocking Hills and surrounding area!

\- Camp Store with wood, ice, etc.

Great Location, Good Vibes, Slightly Slanted Sites

Several campsites are on a slope so this calls for being creative with placement of tent.  
Firewood available for purchase on site. 
Lake Hope lodge provides great warm and dry spot for delicious food. 

Several activities available, fishing available anywhere on the lake, kayak rental for $10 and good size lake. 

Very clean pit toliets and running water available dispersed throughout the park. 
Several hiking trails, zaleski is nearby, hocking hills is 30 minutes away. Moonville tunnel and iron furnace in the area. 


Great spot for getting prepared for zaleski and going kayaking

Lake Hope was super crowded and the sites felt like they were literally on top of each other.  It also was not super clear on which site was which.  Our site was on a hill, but there were 2 sites, one at the bottom and one midway down so we had to ask.  Luckily both were not booked and they let us use whichever we wanted, so we picked the bottom of the hill. 

There were plenty of hiking trails and at the lake you can rent kayaks for the day!


Small Site, Good Hiking

We love Lake Hope. Many trails to hike. The lake is beautiful and there is a very nice lodge for meals. They offer paddle board, kayak and other rentals which was a blast. 

Hidden Gem

Great area. Camped here with my friends and I’ve been here on a backpacking trip through OU. That being said there are backpacking trails and hiking trails as well as mtn biking. It’s huge. Millions of spots. Pretty expensive (50$? A night) for a place with thousands of spots to camp at. The general store is cute and has everything you need. Must be a confusing place at night because a group of people harassed us when we were sleeping telling us that we were in the wrong spot. They ended up sleeping in the spot next to us and slept off their anger. 

Nearby to OU

Enjoyed the campground, but the sites were very sloped and the rv sites were pretty close together. We stayed at one of the more spread out sites. I’d go again, but they should maybe make some tent pads for the tent sites. 

Sloped sites

This is a great campground that runs along the ridge above Lake Hope. Tons of great spots. Not a lot of privacy, but still great. Good hiking all around and the lake is beautiful. 