Mountainous camping in Ohio with climbing

Ohio’s lake beaches, forested hills, and winding rivers set the stage for outdoor adventure.

99% (43 reviews)
99% (43 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Ohio

7 top mountainous campgrounds in Ohio with climbing

100%
(10)

Cozy mountain log cabin

1 site · Lodging25 acres · Richmond Dale, OH
NOW OPEN !!! Nestled deep in the mountains is this cozy real log cabin. Perfect for romantic getaways, family gatherings, it’s just a great place to unwind and get away from it all relaxing in your private hot tub surrounded by the sounds of nature with all the amenities of home. It’s located on a hill side overlooking the mountain. It’s secluded and very peaceful. This cabin is located directly on land you are allowed to ride your atvs. If you do not own, your own Atv and your you’re looking to add an adventure to your stay. We recommend renting one of our golf carts to explore the backcountry mountain roads with it is the best way to get out and sightsee and explore the area during your stay , we do offer these adventures separately to anyone looking to take a ride not just our guest. you could bring your own atv and pay a $30 daily riding fee , ride as much as you want. Message us to schedule a ride. we look forward to providing you with an amazing stay soon
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from 
$116
 / night
100%
(3)

The comfy mountain cabin

1 site · Lodging25 acres · Richmond Dale, OH
NOW OPEN !!! This cozy little cabin is located on braaap mountain, its directly on land you are allowed to ride your atvs. If you’re looking to add an adventure to your stay. We recommend renting one of our golf carts to explore the many miles of backcountry mountain roads with ,it is the best way to get out and sightsee and explore the area during your stay , we do offer these adventures separately to anyone looking to take a ride not just our guest. Or you could bring your own atv and pay a $30 day riding fee , ride as much as you want. Message us to schedule a ride. This cabin is very remote and private. It offers beautiful scenery, an amazing deck view of the mountain side ,Wi-Fi, a 4 person hot tub, modern kitchen and bath, very comfortable couch and love seat, a queen sized bed, Wi-Fi and 60inch smart tv located in the living room above the fire place and one in the bedroom. we also offer other spacious and modern cabins and primitive tent camping sites. Check in is at 2pm and check out is 11am We rent to everyone looking to enjoy some time in these beautiful mountains not just riders. You will not regret coming and relaxing here and having a good time in style and comfort. Feel free to message with any questions.. we do offer free showings, just get ahold of me and schedule one . I look forward to providing you with an amazing stay soon..Cole
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$165.75
 / night
96%
(36)

Raven's Retreat Hocking Hills

5 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents58 acres · Laurelville, OH
A modern and eclectic experience, this forest lodge sleeps 16 and is set on a 58-acre nature preserve. Created by two artists, the curated aesthetics of this home are ideal for retreats, gatherings, and team building. Featuring steel sculptures, wood carvings, tile murals, and a black walnut kitchen and bar; this 4000 sq ft space has a walk out lower level and open floor plan with forest views. Includes WIFI with 200 Mbps, hot tub, sauna, outdoor shower, onsite hiking trails and nearby Hocking Hills Parks. Tiny Art Bungalows available in 2025 Pollinator Tiny Bungalow, Tiny Home/Cabin, sleeps 2. (undergoing current renovation) Another Tiny Art Bungalow coming soon, sleeps 2. Raven's Retreat is just an hour from Columbus, Ohio and less than 2 miles from the local Hocking Hills town, Laurelville. So, you can get groceries, gas, supplies, buy local cider, and visit 6 family-owned restaurants less than a 5-minute drive away. We, Dustin and Raven, the owners of Sculptdecor, custom art, created much of what you will see in all of the spaces at Ravens's Retreat Hocking Hills, including the kitchens and bathrooms. We have installed Starlink internet connection in our Art Lodge and Tiny Bungalows, ensuring you stay connected while enjoying your time in nature. Starlink is the best internet in the Hocking Hills with an average speed of 200 to 400 Mbps. Upon booking, you'll receive our personal guidebook filled with local recommendations to help you plan your perfect getaway. We're locals and passionate about making your stay exceptional. Upon booking, you'll receive our direct contact phone numbers for any assistance you might need. Events and parties must be approved in writing; talk to us about your plans; we want you to have an incredible experience! The State Parks and Nature Preserves nearby are: Rockhouse ( 6.5 miles away ) Conkles Hollow ( 10.5 miles away ) Whispering Cave ( 14 miles away ) Old Man's Cave ( 14 miles away ) Ash Cave ( 13 miles ) Cantwell Cliffs ( 12 miles away ) and several more! Laurelville is a small town on the western end of the Hocking Hills. It is mostly made up of nice farmers and kind hearted hill people. The closest larger towns are Logan, Lancaster, Circleville, and Chillicothe. HOST INTERACTION: We give our guests space but are available if needed Raven's Retreat is a beautiful, 58-acre nature preserve located in the Hocking Hills, 2 miles east of Laurelville, Oh. This land has remained mostly untouched and was purchased due to its resemblance to the deep forest of West Virginia, home to Raven's mother, Lisa Mahaney. The property is dear to us and we do everything we can to protect and maintain it in its natural state. It contains 4 creeks, hiking trails, a pond, and the top of a ridge. There are several endangered species including whippoorwills and two lined salamanders that reside at Raven's Retreat. There is an abundance of wildlife present due to keeping this property as wild as possible. No hunting, fishing, or swimming is allowed on the preserve. We are working with local environmental specialists to ensure that we maintain a thriving, healthy place for wildlife. We do our best to keep the human traffic on the property low but we want people to feel free to explore our challenging trails. There are over a mile of Hiking trails on the property that are not heavily traveled. The elevation change from the top of our ridge to the deepest part of our creek bed is over 220ft. If you plan to hike our trails, please keep strong scents such as perfumes to a minimum. This is often overlooked, but it can be confusing and disturb the wildlife. Quiet hours are to be honored and kept when the sun goes down. A respectful noise level is to be kept in consideration for our neighbors and animals. 💡 Please note, we do consider the effects of light pollution and use particular lights to lessen our impact on the night creatures. Please do not bring your animals with you if you are staying at the Unique Art Lodge or Tiny Bungalows here at Raven's Retreat. In the future, we have plans to have spaces that are suitable for animal friends. We prioritize guest wellness by having our spaces cleaned by professional cleaners who use eco-friendly products, pay a fair wage, and have serious attention to detail.  While we adore animals, we currently cannot accommodate domestic animals due to our resident senior dog, Peanut, who you may see somewhere on the property during your stay. For art enthusiasts, the Sculptdecor Shop, run by master sculptor Dustin Weatherby, is on on the 58-acres closest to the Art Lodge located at the bottom of the driveway. Dustin specializes in animatronics, steel sculptures, wood carvings, mixed media sculptures, and starting in 2025, will offer live art performances and experience packages for guests. Feel free to stop by the shop and say hello—our home is on the same 58-acre property. Although you cannot see our home from the Art Lodge or Tiny Bungalows, we're often nearby to assist you if you need us. We can't wait to share our passion for art and nature seen within our spaces. Book your stay and experience it for yourself. Your hosts, -Raven and Dustin- Ravens Retreat Hocking Hills Important: Before you arrive, you will be asked to complete guest verification through third-party provider Superhog. This is done to ensure we are keeping up-to-date with short-term rental regulations as well as providing both our guests and our properties with extra protection. Superhog will contact you via email and/or text to complete the verification. Please complete the verification process prior to arriving at the property to enable a quick and easy check-in process. You will also be asked to purchase a $35 damage waiver via third party provider Superhog, which will protect you and your group in case of accidental damage of up to $500 during your stay. We understand accidents happen; this lessens stress on all people involved.
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$30
 / night
Booked 1 time

Luxe Carpeneter's Cabin : 32 acres

1 site · Lodging32 acres · Laurelville, OH
Contemporary Eco-conscious cabin with luxury amenities tucked in our 32 acre pine forest. Just 5 minutes to necessities (like pizza) and 10-20 minutes to all the outdoor adventures Hocking County Ohio offers. The modern, yet cozy, Carpenter's Cabin has a small footprint of 934sf but explodes with over 1700sf of interior living space over four floors and another 600sf is available on the three decks.  The cabin boasts two owner's bedrooms, two bunk rooms, and one alcove bed in the library to sleep up to eight adults and twelve total persons.  Three full baths round out the private spaces.  There are two media rooms - The Pit on the main floor and in the lower level walkout. The cabin was built as the first eco-luxe cabin in the Hocking Hills and includes luxury amenities such as organic bamboo sheets, Turkish cotton /eucalyptus bath towels, and natural body products to name just a few. Explore our 32 acre pine forest in the Appalachian foothills, or enjoy the hot tub, fire pit, and our three covered decks (including a third story screened deck off one of the two owner’s suites). Check out The Perch four stories up, and the extremely popular conversation pit, known affectionately as The Pit. The Carpenter's Cabin is just 5 minutes to downtown Laurelville for supplies, or enjoy a meal at a local restaurant. No smoking, vaping, marijuana, etc inside the cabin or in our 32 acres of forest. No animals. No parties. No firearms use, sparklers, fireworks, etc. No ATVs, dirt bikes, etc. Camera on property
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from 
$440
 / night

Dog-friendly getaways

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Value Prop
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Mountainous camping in Ohio with climbing guide

Overview

With its vast agricultural plains hemmed in by mountains, lakes, and rivers, Ohio’s natural scenery covers all terrains. Beach breaks await along the sandy shores of Lake Erie to the north, while to the east, ancient caves and waterfalls are hidden away in the forested foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Outdoor activities take place through all four seasons, from hiking and canoeing to snowshoeing and ice fishing, and camping is possible year-round. Summer temperatures average 80°F, and this is prime time for campers, but the views are most spectacular in the fall, when the eastern hills are ablaze with colorful foliage.

Where to go

Great Lakes Plains

Sandy beaches and island getaways dot the 312-mile shore of Lake Erie, stretching from Toledo through Cleveland to Conneaut. East Harbor State Park is a highlight of the Lake Erie Birding Trail, and birders flock to nearby Maumee Bay State Park during the spring warbler migration. The most scenic spots for summer camping are on the islands, and regular ferries set out for the Bass Islands and Kelleys Island state parks.

Till Plains

Cornfields and farmlands blanket Ohio’s central region, but there are also more than a dozen state parks within a short drive of Columbus. The limestone gorges of John Bryan State Park harbor some of the region’s best hiking trails, while to the north, the Mohican River is one of Ohio’s top spots for canoeing. For beaches, boating, and lakeside campgrounds, Indian Lake State Park and Alum Creek State Park are both popular choices.

Appalachian Plateau

East of the Till Plains, the patchwork farmlands of Amish Country lead the way to the state’s only national park, Cuyahoga Valley. This is where Ohio’s adventurous spirit comes into its own—take a ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Railroad, go ziplining or caving in the Hocking Hills State Park, or enjoy backcountry camping in the heart of the Wayne National Forest.

Bluegrass Region

Rambling woodlands and steep cliffs line the banks of the Ohio River in the state’s southernmost region. Just outside Cincinnati, East Fork State Park has one of the largest state campgrounds in Ohio, while the rugged landscapes of the Shawnee State Park are just a 2-hour drive from the city. For hikers, the ultimate challenge is the North Country National Scenic Trail, which cuts through southern Ohio.

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