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Sand Hollow (Campground C) — Jesse Owens State Park

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Sand Hollow (Campground C) — Jesse Owens State Park, near McConnelsville, Ohio, is a free campground that offers a laid-back atmosphere for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle. With spacious sites that often sit right by the water, it’s a prime spot for fishing, kayaking, and enjoying the great outdoors.

The campground features picnic tables and fire rings, perfect for cooking up a meal or roasting marshmallows under the stars. Visitors have noted the peaceful setting, with many appreciating the lack of cell service, allowing for a true disconnect from daily distractions. One camper mentioned, “The campsites are nice and spread out with most of them being right on the water.”

For those who enjoy hiking, there are trails nearby, and the small lake is great for boating and fishing. Just keep in mind that the facilities are basic, with vault toilets and no showers, so come prepared. Reviewers have pointed out that while the area is beautiful, it’s essential to bring your own water and bug spray, especially during warmer months.

If you're looking for a quiet retreat surrounded by nature, Sand Hollow is a solid choice. With its remote location and scenic views, it’s a great spot for families or groups wanting to enjoy a weekend away from it all.

Description

State Park

Known as Campground C, Sand Hollow sites are at the north end of the park at 9290 State Route 284 in McConnelsville. It borders Horse Run Lake which has boat ramp access. The sites are primitive (no water, no electric, no pad) and each has a picnic table and fire ring. Several sites border the lake. This campground has a shelterhouse and several latrines. This camping area is open seasonally, generally April 1 to mid-December.

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Location

Sand Hollow (Campground C) — Jesse Owens State Park is located in Ohio

Detail location of campground

Address

9290 St. Rt. 284
McConnelsville, OH 43756

Coordinates

39.73490208 N
81.73170318 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Fair
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Good

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Water Hookups
  • Pull-Through Sites
  • Big Rig Friendly

FREE established camping

Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.

Contact

General Info


Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

12 Reviews

Reviewed May. 1, 2023

Fun, free, and pieceful

Weather sucked but the camping was fun n no complaints. Even bathroom was clean

SiteG-10
Month of VisitApril
Reviewed Sep. 7, 2021

Perfect Boondocking Hide-a-Way

Perfect Boondocking Hide-a-Way. Sites are free of charge. Sites 50 and 51 are joined in a loop drive with mostly level spots. No water or electric, but vault toilets and trash dumpster are available. 

A small lake for boating and fishing. There are a couple of trails for hiking. There is no cell service for AT&T or Verizon.

Site50 & 51
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Sand Hollow (Campground C) — Jesse Owens State Park by Chris A., September 7, 2021
  • Review photo of Sand Hollow (Campground C) — Jesse Owens State Park by Chris A., September 7, 2021
  • Review photo of Sand Hollow (Campground C) — Jesse Owens State Park by Chris A., September 7, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 24, 2021

Sand hollow

Great site. It's not listed on maps, but it is right across the way from hook lake, there is an access road you'll go on that will take you there. It's right off 83 in McConnellsville, outside Caldwell, ohio. Beautiful spot, there is a pond for boating and fishing. Fish are bluegill, bass, red sun fish and catfish. Its primitive, tents and rvs are allowed. Will absolutely be back! There is also 3 other camp sites in the area.

Sitesand hollow
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Sand Hollow (Campground C) — Jesse Owens State Park by Lisa , July 24, 2021
  • Review photo of Sand Hollow (Campground C) — Jesse Owens State Park by Lisa , July 24, 2021
Reviewed Sep. 21, 2020

Pretty, Free, but a dirty lake

I went for an overnight camping getaway. The campsite was fairly clean, had to pickup a few wrappers. I was excited to get a spot overlooking the water, with a table and fire pit. Not a really good spot for a tent, but I was able to find a soft spot off to the side. From up on the hill looking down on the lake, it looked quite clear. I was excited to grab my canoe and jump in.

I carried my boat to the waters edge. As I was going to put my canoe into the water, I noticed some really nasty stuff in the water. It looked like human poop. I was kinda stunned, and then I noticed a lot of flies all around that particular area. So given that I decided I was not going to be canoeing or fishing.

I get it, it’s free. But I just wish people would NOT empty their RVs into the lake. Kinda ruined a good thing. Aside from that, the area was very pretty.

  • Review photo of Sand Hollow (Campground C) — Jesse Owens State Park by Joey Z., September 21, 2020
  • Review photo of Sand Hollow (Campground C) — Jesse Owens State Park by Joey Z., September 21, 2020
  • Review photo of Sand Hollow (Campground C) — Jesse Owens State Park by Joey Z., September 21, 2020
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Jul. 14, 2020

Much Needed Weekend Getaway

What a great weekend for exploration! The campsites are Nice and spread out with most of them being right on the water. As far as I could see most sites had a fire ring with a grate for cooking and a picnic table. Beautiful country and scenery with no cell service so no need to be worried about your phone and you can actually enjoy what’s around you with out modern day distractions. I would say it is almost necessary to bring some sort of water craft, John boat or kayak to enjoy the lakes and fish. You can fish off of the bank but there’s not much room to walk as they are mostly wooded around the banks. The downfalls of this campground is the water was recently shut off so you need to be sure to bring plenty of jugs of water, not a big deal though. Also, the bathroom houses not my favorite part to say the least. Other than those minor things I loved the time I spent there and will surely be back!

  • Review photo of Sand Hollow (Campground C) — Jesse Owens State Park by Haley J., July 14, 2020
  • Review photo of Sand Hollow (Campground C) — Jesse Owens State Park by Haley J., July 14, 2020
  • Review photo of Sand Hollow (Campground C) — Jesse Owens State Park by Haley J., July 14, 2020
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Oct. 6, 2019

Nice Remote Campsite

Very beautiful setting! With it being a remote location, it doesn’t seem like they spray for mosquitos. We bombed our campsite the first night, but still got ate up pretty bad even with spray and citronella candles. Pit toilets only, with some having bee/wasps nest in them. They do have a place to empty your grey water, but no black water tank. It seems like some people may have dumped their black tanks into the lake, by the smell and look of it. The water station was broken at our site so we had to travel to another location to get more. No service and no electric hookup.

I know it seems these are are all negative, but just a few things to keep in mind. It is very beautiful and peaceful. I would go back, maybe in the fall with cooler temps. The trees would look pretty and it’s nice since it is free and oftentimes has open spots.

Reviewed Sep. 2, 2019

Good time

Campsite was large. We had 5 people in 3 tents, and a pretty good size trailer with 5 kayaks loaded and still had more than enough room for everyone. Overall really enjoyable time there. We did have a guy who was in the next site over but he never bothered us. The only bad thing I have to say about the area was the “rest rooms”. Definitely need to have bug spray in hand and possibly your own TP. They were disgusting.

Reviewed Jun. 4, 2019

Worth the trip!

Very secluded, perfect for those nature lovers looking to get away from it all. No cell service and very little light pollution at night so perfect for looking at stars. Many waterfront sites, picnic tables, fire pits and bathrooms. Also a very generous amount of room for parking right on your site.

  • Review photo of Sand Hollow (Campground C) — Jesse Owens State Park by Greg K., June 4, 2019
  • Review photo of Sand Hollow (Campground C) — Jesse Owens State Park by Greg K., June 4, 2019
  • Review photo of Sand Hollow (Campground C) — Jesse Owens State Park by Greg K., June 4, 2019
Reviewed Aug. 13, 2018

Nice shady campsites near lots of fishing lakes

You need to get a free permit to use this recreation area. Pick one up at local gas stations or convenience stores, it takes less than 5 minutes. There are lots of campsites to choose from in this campground and surrounding areas. Campsites range in size from tiny to huge and each has a picnic table. Some campsites are right beside the water and have easy access for canoes and kayaks. There are multiple lakes nearby that have boat ramps as well.

It may have just been the time of year that we went but the bugs were especially terrible at this campground. We used spray and still had so many bites. Also, lots of poison ivy in the area. We had a great weekend but itched for the next week.

Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Jul. 15, 2018

FREE! Remote campground

This campground is wonderful for tents, hammocks or RV. It always has spots available and they are completely free. You have to fill out a permit online. No cell service. Right beside a pond good for fishing and kayaking. No power. Portable bathrooms on site

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Sand Hollow (Campground C) — Jesse Owens State Park by Madison S., July 15, 2018
  • Review photo of Sand Hollow (Campground C) — Jesse Owens State Park by Madison S., July 15, 2018
Reviewed Jul. 10, 2017

Neat!

Sand Hollow AEP is one of many free camping areas in the America Electric Power ReCreation area. Outside McConnellsville, Oh it is worth the drive.

My favorite thing about this area is the covered bride, weird I know, but I like seeing the old covered bridges.

It is a looonng area with several group sites, pit toilets and small ponds.

Knowledge is power:

AEP American Electric Power 

McConnelsville, Oh

Offers The Wilds; 10,000 donated reclaimed land where wildlife species reside. Tree farms, hydro plants and deer hunting. Then there's the free camping with permit, horse trails, bike trails and dog training areas. 

AEP not only ReCreated Land that was stripped mined, they made it an out door enthusiasts playground while conserving and putting things back better then they were. Check out their site online for more information and permit printing.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Sand Hollow (Campground C) — Jesse Owens State Park by Shelly S., July 10, 2017
  • Review photo of Sand Hollow (Campground C) — Jesse Owens State Park by Shelly S., July 10, 2017
  • Review photo of Sand Hollow (Campground C) — Jesse Owens State Park by Shelly S., July 10, 2017
  • (13) View All
Reviewed Jul. 4, 2017

Aep is a hidden Jem in ohio!

My family of 5 stayed 2 nights. Pit toilets were well maintained, fire rings provided and nicely kept grounds with observed quiet times made for a fantastic stay!!

Site5
Month of VisitMarch

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does Sand Hollow (Campground C) — Jesse Owens State Park have RV hookups?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Sand Hollow (Campground C) — Jesse Owens State Park has water hookups.

  • Are fires allowed at Sand Hollow (Campground C) — Jesse Owens State Park?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Sand Hollow (Campground C) — Jesse Owens State Park, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Sand Hollow (Campground C) — Jesse Owens State Park?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is fair, AT&T is unknown, and T-Mobile is good.