Camping options near Vienna, West Virginia range across southeastern Ohio and northern West Virginia, with several locations within a 50-mile radius. The area sits at the convergence of the Ohio and Muskingum Rivers, creating diverse terrain with wooded hills averaging 900-1,100 feet elevation. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-85°F during peak camping season, with higher humidity levels and occasional afternoon thunderstorms common from June through August.
What to do
Disc golf courses: Blue Rock State Park Campground features a disc golf course that receives positive reviews from visitors. A camper noted, "Attractions: rural area. lake. disc golf. fishing. swimming. hiking. I would go camping here again."
Kayaking on small lakes: Burr Oak State Park Campground offers kayaking opportunities on its lake. One visitor shared, "Campers can rent pontoons or enjoy a day kayaking the lake, or swimming on the beach." Another mentioned, "Great cabin with a lot of room for family. Easy access to the water for a fun-filled day off boating."
Outdoor climbing: The fire tower at Blue Rock State Park provides an interesting climbing opportunity. A reviewer mentioned, "The hiking was wonderful, the equestrian trails looked very nice, and the fire tower was a fun climb."
Wildlife viewing: Lake Hope State Park offers unique wildlife viewing opportunities. A camper shared, "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 campers like
Fishing without licenses: National Road Campground offers fishing ponds where no license is required. A camper noted, "Clean and comfortable. There are plenty of things to do. the ponds are stocked with fish and because it is private land no fishing license is required."
Quiet weekday experiences: Forked Run State Park offers tranquil camping during weekdays. A reviewer mentioned, "The park has over 150 campsites and the times I've been there, only a few were occupied. I felt like I had the whole park to myself."
Unique wildlife: Lake Hope has distinctive natural features. A visitor observed, "What makes the lake unique at Forked Run is that it contains dime sized fresh water jelly fish. These type aren't able to sting you."
Rural locations with town access: Ashland RV Park balances rural setting with town proximity. As one camper described, "Very close to the nice little downtown Marietta, Ohio but still very rural location. Large sites. Great staff. Absolutely love this place. Slow pace and quiet."
What you should know
Restroom quality varies: Campers frequently mention bathroom facilities as a concern at some parks. At Forked Run, a visitor reported, "Toilets are primitive. Usable, but gross. No water hook ups, but a place to fill your tank behind water fountains."
Limited amenities at some sites: Hook Lake Campground offers basic facilities. A camper noted, "They have trash, but no water. The campsites do not have any camp stores, no fire wood to buy, no water (so make sure you pack what you will need)."
Weather considerations: Summer camping near Vienna requires preparation for humidity and occasional storms. A Strouds Run visitor shared, "In mid April 2023 I arrived late afternoon and there were TONS of spots available. Happy with the spot I picked. There was some noise from other campsites, but overall not terrible."
Cell service limitations: Mobile coverage varies significantly throughout the area. At Hook Lake, a camper advised, "I have Verizon which is almost constant, and TMobile which is spotty. Other sites might not have as good of cell service."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Kountry Resort Campground offers family-friendly facilities, though some need updating. A visitor noted, "There are a lot of amenities but they need updated. The playgrounds need replaced. The activities building had a pool and game room area, which we used a lot."
Wildlife education: Nature programs offer unique experiences for children. A Lake Hope visitor shared, "The naturalists feed hummingbirds at the nature center. They pull the feeders for awhile leading up to a 'Feed the Hummingbirds' program. So cool!"
Beach access: Multiple campgrounds offer swimming areas. At Burr Oak, a visitor mentioned, "We would hike around during the day and swim inside as it was before spring. Lots of great trails."
Creek exploration: Some campsites offer creek access for children to explore. A Blue Rock visitor commented, "Lovely park near Zanesville. The park is beautiful, lots of wildlife, and the trails were great. There is a creek running through the main primitive campsites below the dam, with minnows and crawfish for the kids to catch."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the area have uneven sites. At National Road Campground, a visitor reported, "Pull-thru site #18 was very unleveled from front-to-back; hitch was on ground and rear stabilizers were fully extended with blocks underneath."
Electrical considerations: Electrical issues can occur at some campgrounds. A camper at National Road mentioned, "Shore power breaker bad at assigned campsite so had no power at our site but park handyman arrived quickly and changed out the breaker."
Site selection for size: RV campers should research site dimensions before arrival. At Lake Hope, a reviewer advised, "The campground is pretty secluded but beautiful rolling hills. While the site we stayed in with the motorhome was fairly level, sites are mostly small and tight on hilly terrain."
