Ohio offers a good mix of metropolitan life and rural atmosphere. It is well known for its professional and college sports teams, ranging from the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Cavaliers to the Ohio State Buckeyes. However, for outdoor enthusiasts the Buckeye State also offers campgrounds spread throughout its regions, with recreational activities such as fishing, hiking, swimming and hunting.
Guidelines
Before camping in one of Ohio's state parks you must understand some rules. Most campgrounds will allow you to camp for a maximum of 14 days within a 30-day period. For the most part, these campgrounds are open year-round. State park campgrounds are pet friendly but you will be restricted to a maximum of two pets per site and all pets must be on a leash. Campfires must be contained within the fire rings provided by the park.
Types
Ohio offers numerous full-service RV parks and resorts that feature electric, water and sewer hookups. In addition, the state also offers more rugged outdoor adventures with electric-only and primitive tent campgrounds. Fifty-six state parks provide camping areas, each offering recreational activities such as boating, sledding, swimming, hiking, biking, fishing and hunting. Family, equestrian and group campsites are available.
Climate
The best time to travel depends upon the activities that you enjoy. In the summer, some regions reach temperatures of 90 degrees F., with a high percentage of humidity. However, the average summer temperature, according to the Ohio Agricultural Statistics Service, ranges between 68.6 and 70.7 degrees. Fall produces cooler temperatures in the 50s and 40s and is accompanied by beautiful foliage. Winter brings plenty of snow throughout the state, especially in northern Ohio, near Lake Erie.
Regions
Ohio can be broken into five separate regions: Northwest, Northeast, Central, Southwest and Southeast. Each area offers camping opportunities with distinctive landscapes. The Central region offers camping areas at some of the state's largest recreation lakes, such as Buckeye Lake State Park, Delaware Lake, Deer Creek Lake and Indian Lake State Park. The Northeast provides beautiful meadows and gorges at nature preserves such as Eagle Creek and Tinkers Creek. The Northwest includes wildlife areas such as West Sister Island National Wildlife Refuge and Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge near Lake Eerie. The Southeast region offers lush landscapes, state forests and urban parks.
Campsites
Indian Lake State Park, in the Northwest region, is home to a 5,800-acre lake. It provides 405 electric campsites, 35 electric premium sites and 12 full hookup sites. All campgrounds have access to heated shower houses, flush toilets, laundry facilities and a camp commissary. Rocky Fork State Park, in the Southwest region, includes 171 campsites for tents and recreational vehicles. At Rocky Fork State Park you can go boating, swimming, hiking, fishing, hunting and sledding.
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