Ohio State Park suggestions, anyone??

[Born2RV]

My husband and I prefer camping in State Parks as opposed to private campgrounds, but have only camped in Michigan's State Parks. I've heard so many good things about State Parks in Ohio, but we're not sure which ones to try?? We need one that is big rig friendly, and would prefer at least 30 amp, but we're open to suggestions. We like being near a town for touring or shopping, etc. - and love paved roads as opposed to gravel. We live about two hours north of Toledo, so we wouldn't want to go too far south into Ohio. Any suggestions for some April or May weekend trips?

[Superslif]

Your closest bet would be Maumee Bay State Park, 5 miles east of Toledo. I have never been there but others in our group have. I'm sure others will chime in about Maumee SP....

Your next closest would be East Harbor SP. about 10 miles east of Sandusky on the lake. Here I like section "B" with all the pull-thru's. Section "C" are mostly small / short sites with 90 degree turn in's on single lane roads. There are about 25 full service sites in section "C" that are nice. But I really like the large pull-thru's in B. If you want some nice sites #'s for section "B" let me know, I even have pictures of some. About 550 sites. East Harbor photo album

Your next bet would be Ohio's most popular park Mohican SP about an hour and half SE. of Toledo. Here most of the sites will hold large rigs. But be for-warned....This park fills up fast. In Ohio you can make reservations 6 months ahead. If you want a summer weekend here, you better make it early. Mohican has a very nice pool, there is a nice little river the kids inter-tube in that sites back up to. About 150 sites

Mohican photo album #1 #2

Your next bet which I like in the spring time is Findley SP about an hour west of Cleveland or 1-1/2 hours west of Toledo. This one doesn't have paved pads. But there solid gravel pads are usually dry in the spring... About 275 sites, but only 100 electric sites. Findley photo album

There are a just east & south of Cleveland, but that is getting too far for weekend trips.....

Hocking Hills in SE. Ohio would be my 2nd favorite. But here you have to watch which site you get. Most are fine, but about 25% are sloped. Hocking Hills SP album

[Born2RV]

GREAT pictures! Thank you so much! I see some of the parks have full hookup? We don't have that option at many of our Michigan State Parks! What, may I ask, are the average site costs for out of state residents? Do they vary from park to park? Do we need to purchase an annual entrance pass, like we do in Michigan? Any discounts during certain times of the year?

[Superslif]

Here is a link to camping rates for Ohio. Camping Fees And No, Ohio at this time doesn't charge more for out of state campers. Ohio has been raising rates a $1 or so every year for the last 10-15 years. Some parks will charge a buck or two more for waterfront sites. holiday weekend more, weekends more, full service more.......In general electric sites run between $21 -$30 a night.

At this time there is no annual entrance pass fee. They tried to add one a few years back but us campers voiced our opinions loud and clear.....

Quote:

Any discounts during certain times of the year?

They just started a new discount program

[NLOVNIT]

Born2RV,

You've come to the right place to ask about OH state parks. Jim (Superslif) is our resident expert. Those of us in our regional group (Pond Piggies) rely on his knowledge when we're needing to know who'll fit in what site.

Dave & I were in MI last fall camping at your state's parks. I was quite shocked when I had to pay a daily entrance fee for both our MH & Jeep. I talked with a ranger at the station upon check-in & she was equally shocked that OH didn't charge entrance fees. She said they use that money to have nice facilities, but, IMO, the MI facilities weren't any better than OH's (no offense). The paved parking pads were a bit wider than the ones in OH, but otherwise, I thought the parks were equal.

I think you'll really like our state parks. Check out the OH listings in the Campgrounds section. There are quite a few reviews there, several are mine with photos.

The parks Jim mentioned are all excellent. Let us know how far into OH you're wanting to travel & I can give you some more to check out. Also, if you decide to come down to one or more of our state parks, let us know by posting where/when in this Forum. Might have someone join ya!

Lori-

[W8RLM]

If you want to consider a fairgrounds, we held our Summer Winnebago Rally at Greene County Fairgrounds. It is just East of Dayton in Xenia, Ohio. Facilities were great - mostly all 30 amps and water when spring comes. They are very close to the Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base - absolutely fascinating - as well as Dayton and near Cincinnati and all of the Ohio River restaurants and other attractions - including Kings Island Amusement Park.

The fairground personnel couldn't have been more accomodating, and I believe everyone had a good time.

W8RLM - Bob
2009 Treasurer for tthe Wandering Ohio Winnies - our State organization

[Born2RV]

Thank you so much for all of your helpful advice!! The parks you mentioned look LOVELY! I'm sure we'll give a couple of them a try this spring/summer. I do wish they weren't so far away as it's hard to drive 3+ hours for a one or two night stay (husband works afternoons, so we typically leave at midnight on a Friday night - or I drive and set up after work and he comes at night with our jeep).

Now, if only one of you could find a nice campground near the Michigan International Speedway for the August Nascar race?? We stayed at Hayes State Park last year and I shuttled my hubby and his twin brother back and forth for a couple days. Wish there was one - with ELECTRICITY and one that allows DOGS - within walking distance! That would give me more shopping time while they're enjoying the race! We only go for the weekend.

[Superslif]

I agree, For weekends I like to stay no more than 2 hours away. There are a bunch of places (state parks) near us (SE. side of Cleveland) that are 30 - 80 miles away. I work nights, so my last day of work is Friday morning at 8am. So I can finish packing, and grab a hour or two nap before we drive over to my sons school to pick him up with the RV in tow. This way we can get on the road by 3.

O by the way, A park not to visit is Punderson, which is about 25 miles east of Cleveland. It is in need of a complete over-haul. The 20 amp. electric service is piss poor.... many sites have drop-offs by your RV door.

[NLOVNIT]

Hey Jim, if you get a chance, add to my reviews on West Branch & Pymatuning I just entered. I realized neither one of those was in the Campground Reviews section & just now stuck them in. However, I didn't have very many shots of either (it was before I was documenting CG's for future reference). I know you've got better/more pictures you can add if you tag onto my reviews.

Ditto what Jim said about Punderson. Last time we were there, I didn't have enough blocks & our front end looked like we were getting ready to be shot out of a cannon!

Lori-

[Superslif]

I didn't know if I should have "added" my review under yours or start a new review. I think when I go under your review I can't add pictures. So I did a new review for West Branch and added a few pictures. You stated

Quote:

All sites on the website are listed as level

Check again, Finally after talking to "The Man" from Columbus (Chris George , reservations head) he was going to have WB re-submit a updated site discription. And yes it is now updated, thou the real sloped ones are listed as "slight slope" So if it says "slight slope", interprat that as moderate slope.... I don't know how many years I have been trying to get that changed. During this years Halloween weekend there was a rig on the full service loop that had his front wheels on blocks that were close to 18" high. And he still was nowhere near level. I should have taken a pix....

[Superslif]

Great job BUCKEYE'S Nice solid game.....start 2 finish....

[NLOVNIT]

Thanks, Jim.

Yeah, you can't add pics to a secondary review. We used to be able to (see my secondary review of Baylor Beach - it has my pics in my review). Last spring's conversion screwed it up. I added to Bill's review of Lock 30 & wanted to put pics in but the option to do so was gone. I asked about doing another separate review just so I could put pics in but was told they prefer not to have multiple listings for campgrounds - there's supposed to be just 1 listed & others are to add to the original post. I ended up sending my pics to MonacoMama & she added them to Bill's review (4 of those 6 pics are mine & no one will ever know - unless they read this post! ).

They can't have it both ways. Either edit the program so we can put pics in our secondary reviews or don't tell us we can't have multiple entries.

Lori-

[Superslif]

Got ya, On the West Branch review I did a new review with more pictures. So I wonder if they will move it to your first review posting. On the Pymatuning one, I did just a secondary review, so no new pix's could be added. I always say a picture says a 1000 words.

[Buckeyefarm]

Indian Lake State Park is a very nice clean and well wooded campground. The facilities are well kept and the electric is excellent. Most spots are almost perfectly level and well paved. There are only a few full hookup sites and are usually rented but the dump station is excellent and easily reached from all sites. If you should decide to stay there at any point drop me a line as it is only fifteen to twenty minutes from the house. I keep my boat on a lift there and spend a lot of time at the lake. The lake has several nice restaurants and bars to choose from also.