Camping in Ohio

A complete guide to camping in Ohio

Panoramic view of Ohio countryside at Shawnee State Park by Mason M

Photo Credit: Mason M

Overview

Ohio camping builds around two distinct landscapes: the Hocking Hills region in the southeast and the Lake Erie islands and shoreline in the north. Hocking Hills draws the heaviest single-destination camping traffic in the state, with Old Man's Cave, Ash Cave, and Cedar Falls creating a gorge-and-waterfall system through Blackhand sandstone. Logan and the surrounding area anchor this region.

The Lake Erie shore from Port Clinton through Sandusky to the islands provides a different experience. South Bass Island (Put-in-Bay) and Kelleys Island offer camping accessible by ferry. The western Lake Erie marshes around Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge draw birders and anglers. Central and western Ohio hold a network of state parks along rivers and reservoirs, more utilitarian in character but serving the Columbus, Cincinnati, and Dayton populations. The Wayne National Forest in the southeast adds the state's only national forest land.

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Best Seasons to Camp in Ohio

Spring

Mar-May

High 56°F · Low 44°F

Hocking Hills waterfalls run highest with spring rain. Wildflowers bloom through the gorges in April and May. Lake Erie campgrounds open by May. Temperatures reach the 60s. Mosquitoes emerge near water.

Summer

Jun-Aug

High 77°F · Low 65°F

Peak season statewide. Lake Erie islands and Hocking Hills fill on weekends. Swimming at state park lakes. Humidity builds through July. Firefly season from June through July in southern Ohio.

Fall

Winter

Dec-Feb

High 35°F · Low 23°F

January averages 27 degrees. Most campgrounds close or operate with limited services. Hocking Hills waterfalls freeze into ice formations. Winter hiking draws day visitors but few campers. Lake Erie shore is cold and wind-swept.

Season	Months	Avg High	Avg Low	Conditions
Spring	Mar-May	56°F	44°F	Hocking Hills waterfalls run highest with spring rain.
Summer	Jun-Aug	77°F	65°F	Peak season statewide.
Fall	Sep-Nov	56°F	44°F	Hocking Hills fall color peaks in mid to late October.
Winter	Dec-Feb	35°F	23°F	January averages 27 degrees.

Camping Regions in Ohio

Region	Terrain	Key Areas
Hocking Hills	Forest	Logan, Rockbridge, Nelsonville, Athens
Lake Erie Shore and Islands	Coastal	Port Clinton, Sandusky, Lakeside Marblehead, Geneva
Mohican and Central Hills	Forest	Loudonville, Perrysville, Butler
Southern Ohio and Wayne National Forest	Plains	Mt Sterling, Ironton, Marietta, Portsmouth
Western Ohio and Miami Valley	Lakefront	Lakeview, Xenia, Waynesville, Oxford

Hocking Hills

Forest · Logan, Rockbridge, Nelsonville, Athens

Sandstone gorges, waterfalls, and hemlock-lined ravines in southeastern Ohio. Old Man's Cave, Ash Cave, and Conkle's Hollow attract hikers year-round. The state park campground is the most in-demand in Ohio. Cabins and private campgrounds surround the state park. Logan serves as the access town. Campbell Cove Campground near Lake Logan and Hocking Hills Camping and Campground near Rockbridge serve the gorge hiking corridor.

Lake Erie Shore and Islands

Coastal · Port Clinton, Sandusky, Lakeside Marblehead, Geneva

Port Clinton, Sandusky, and the Lake Erie Islands provide waterfront camping with fishing, boating, and beach access. South Bass Island and Kelleys Island have state park campgrounds accessible by ferry. East Harbor and Geneva state parks sit on the mainland shore. The western basin is the walleye fishing capital of the Midwest. Cedarlane RV Resort and Tall Timbers Campground and Resort in Port Clinton anchor the walleye fishing and island-ferry access area.

Mohican and Central Hills

Forest · Loudonville, Perrysville, Butler

The Clear Fork of the Mohican River cuts through steep, forested terrain near Loudonville. Mohican State Park and the adjacent state forest provide developed and primitive camping. Canoeing the Mohican River is a central Ohio tradition. The area sits between Columbus and Cleveland. Mohican Adventures Campground and Cabins and Wally World Riverside RV Resort in Loudonville serve the canoe-and-cabin crowd along the Mohican River.

Southern Ohio and Wayne National Forest

Plains · Mt Sterling, Ironton, Marietta, Portsmouth

The foothills of the Appalachian Plateau in southeastern Ohio. Wayne National Forest covers reclaimed mining land that has returned to mixed hardwood forest. Shawnee State Park (the Little Smokies of Ohio) sits along the Ohio River. More rugged terrain than the rest of the state. Deer Creek Camping Resort near Mt Sterling provides the primary developed option in the Appalachian foothills.

Western Ohio and Miami Valley

Lakefront · Lakeview, Xenia, Waynesville, Oxford

Flat to gently rolling terrain with state parks along the Great and Little Miami rivers. Caesar Creek, John Bryan, and Hueston Woods state parks serve the Dayton and Cincinnati metro areas. Indian Lake and Grand Lake St. Marys provide waterfront camping in the northwest. Lakeside RV Park at Indian Lake and Destination Lake Life near Lakeview serve the northwest Ohio lake camping market.

Camping Tips for Ohio

Hocking Hills State Park campground fills months ahead for summer and fall weekends. Book as early as the reservation window opens. Weekday visits have better availability.
Lake Erie island campgrounds require ferry access from Port Clinton or Sandusky. Reservations for both camping and ferry are recommended in summer.
Ohio state parks use a six-month advance reservation system. Popular parks like Hocking Hills, Mohican, and Salt Fork book quickly for peak season.
Poison ivy grows throughout Ohio, especially in the Hocking Hills gorges and along Lake Erie shoreline. Learn to identify it. It grows as ground cover, vines, and shrubs.
Coyotes are common in Ohio campgrounds and generally not a concern. Secure food to avoid attracting raccoons, which are the more persistent campground visitors.
The Wayne National Forest in southeastern Ohio permits dispersed camping. The only national forest land in the state, it covers reclaimed coal mining terrain with mixed hardwood forest.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance should I book Hocking Hills?

As far as possible. The state park campground opens reservations six months in advance and sells out quickly for summer and fall weekends. October is the hardest month to get. Weekday stays are more available. Private campgrounds and cabins surrounding the park provide alternatives.

Can I camp on the Lake Erie Islands?

South Bass Island (Put-in-Bay) has a state park campground with sites in wooded terrain. Kelleys Island has a state park campground with waterfront sites. Both require ferry access from the mainland. Reservations are strongly recommended for summer weekends. Ferry schedules vary by season.

Is there dispersed camping in Ohio?

Wayne National Forest in southeastern Ohio is the only national forest in the state and permits dispersed camping. No fee or permit required. State parks and state forests require designated campsites. Some state forests have primitive, walk-in sites available first-come.

When do Hocking Hills waterfalls freeze?

Extended cold spells in January and February can freeze the waterfalls at Ash Cave and Cedar Falls. Frozen falls create dramatic ice formations. Trails remain open for winter hiking. The campground operates with limited services in winter. Ice conditions vary year to year.

What is walleye fishing like on Lake Erie?

Western Lake Erie between Port Clinton and Sandusky is the walleye capital of the Midwest. Spring and fall are the prime fishing seasons. Charter boats operate from Port Clinton, Catawba Island, and Sandusky. Multiple campgrounds sit within minutes of launch ramps and marinas.