Hocking Hills is an area well-known for its natural features, from caves to falls and rock formations. Outdoor activities such as rock climbing, hiking and biking are common within the region, which includes the Wayne National Forest, Zaleski State Forest and Lake Hope State Park. Hocking Hills campgrounds provide extremely wide-ranging features and costs. Potential visitors should consider their needs and investigate the many options before they travel to find the best match.
Types
Tent sites may include electric service and access to toilet and shower facilities. Primitive sites vary, but usually have only the basics--a water source, vault toilet and fire ring. Users of hike-in sites may sacrifice convenience, but hike-in sites provide privacy and a degree of isolation in return for the added effort to reach them. Full hook-up sites are most often intended for those with RVs and may supply everything from water and electric to cable television. State park group sites serve big families and larger parties. Equestrian sites are limited to riders and their horses. Theme camping is available at Ravenwood Castle and Medieval Village, where guests can camp in a Gypsy wagon.
Benefits
Many of the campgrounds in the Hocking Hills area accommodate riders and their horses, as this mode of exploration is extremely popular in the area. Designated equestrian campgrounds help keep guests and horses safe by separating the animals from the noise and activity of the greater camping population. The campsites are not only located along and close to numerous bridle trails, they are near the 17-mile Hockhocking Adena Bikeway and sections of the Buckeye Trail--a nearly 1,500-mile, multiple-use Millennium Heritage Trail.
Features
Hocking Hills campgrounds come with a wide range of extras. Privately operated campgrounds often offer modern amenities, from wireless Internet service to laundry facilities. KOA campgrounds provide group activities and extras such as swimming pool access. Ranches have specialized facilities for housing and maintaining horses, alongside RV hookups or primitive camping for their riders.
Considerations
State parks have a larger number of sites, which may mean more people and more crowded conditions, but this also means less-expensive site fees and closer proximity to the parks' natural features. Camping at Hocking Hills State Park allows visitors to camp closer to sites such as Old Man's Cave. Lake Hope State Park has camping units where the fee includes camping equipment in addition to the space. The horseman's camp at Lake Hope State Park provides access to Zaleski State Forest's bridle trails.
Warnings
Hocking State Forest equestrian camps are first come, first served areas. The Heart of Hocking website warns that potable water is not always available at these sites, and campers should plan to carry sufficient supplies when staying in these areas.
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