Blue Rock State Park RV & Campground Guide
Ohio
- Home
- State Parks
- Ohio
- Blue Rock State Park
Blue Rock State Park spans approximately 322 acres in southeast Ohio, near Zanesville. Before European settlers arrived in the area, it was inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Shawnee and Delaware. These indigenous peoples utilized the Muskingum River and the surrounding lands for hunting, fishing, and farming. Blue Rock State Park was later established in 1949 as part of Ohio's efforts to provide outdoor recreational opportunities for its residents. The park was named after the Blue Rock State Forest, which surrounds it. The park features diverse terrain, which includes a mix of woodlands, hills, and a large lake. Nearby Cities • Zanesville, OH • Columbus, OH • Cambridge, OH • Canton, OH
Spring 30-50 F
Summer 60-80 F
Fall 50-70 F
Winter 20-40 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Blue Rock State Park
Blue Rock State Park Campground • Water hookup: No • Electrical hookup: No • Sewer hookup: No • Wi-Fi: No • Pet-friendly: Yes • Max RV length: 35 feet • Other amenities: Playground, picnic tables, fire rings, dump station
Blue Rock State Park Campground
All of the 97 sites in Blue Rock State Park Campground are primitive. You will need to bring your own water, and you are allowed to bring and operate a generator but not between the quiet hours of 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. The campground has two loops, both located to the east of Cutler Lake. There is a dump station within a short distance from the sites. You can also access the restrooms and the showers within a short distance from the camping sites. All sites are located centrally in the park so that you can explore the rest of the areas with ease. On the grounds are a playground, picnic areas, and basketball courts. While in the park, you can boat, swim, and fish in Cutler Lake or relax along the 250-foot beach on sunny days. You can bring your pet as long as you keep it on a leash. Nightly rates start at $17.
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Dump station, shower, restrooms
RiverView Kampground
Located in McConnelsville, OH, along the Muskingum River, RiverView Kampground occupies only 35 acres, but it has 53 full hookup sites. It located 4 miles from Blue Rock State Park. The campground borders 1,300 feet of the Muskingum River with a boat ramp and a dock on site. There are beautiful hiking trails through rolling hills where you can get out into nature. You can bring in your pet – there is a puppy playground to keep your buddy entertained. You will have access to a hot shower and restrooms from your site. Nightly rates start at $30.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Shower, restrooms, puppy playgrounds, basketball courts, fire pits
What to Do at
Blue Rock State Park
Blue Rock State Park offers various outdoor activities and recreational opportunities throughout the year. To enjoy the water, you can rent canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and stand-up paddleboards at the Camp Store. Nearby is a range with 10-, 20-, 30-, and 40-yard targets to hone your archery skills. If you are visiting for the day, you can use the grills in the picnic area to prepare a hot meal and enjoy water views while you eat. Additionally, hunters are welcome to harvest white-tailed deer with a bow from September to February in designated park areas.
Inside Blue Rock State Park
In the summer, you can enjoy boating on the 15-acre Cutler Lake, swimming along the 250-foot beach, and picnicking in one of the designated areas. There is an on-site archery range with 10-, 20-, 30-, and 40-foot targets that is free and open to the public. There is even an orienteering course so that you can test your outdoor skills. When the cold season arrives, the Blue Rock State Park becomes an ideal place for hiking, snowshoeing, sledding, ice skating, ice fishing, and hunting for those who have a hunting license.
Fishing
Anglers can catch fish in Blue Rock Lake from the shore or from a boat. The lake is home to various fish species, including bass, catfish, and trout. Anyone over the age of 16 needs a permit to fish at the park.
Stargazing
Blue Rock State Park offers excellent opportunities for stargazing due to its minimal light pollution and clear night skies. New moon nights provide the darkest skies, making it the perfect time to observe celestial objects like stars, planets, and galaxies.
Flora and Fauna
The park is in an area that was extensively logged in the 1800s. Today, its second-growth forest is dominated by oaks and hickories, which provide ample shade when hiking among the trees. Underneath, you can find trilliums, cardinal flowers, and rare orchids among the park's ferns, mosses, and lichens. Near the water, you may spot various species of frogs, turtles, and waterfowl like trumpeter swans and ducks. Further inland, you will likely come across white-tailed deer, squirrels, raccoons, and songbirds.
Hiking
Blue Rock State Park features several hiking trails that wind along the lake and through woodlands and hills. Beechnut, Hollow Rock, and Ruffed Grouse trails are under a mile long and are considered intermediate difficulty. A land navigation course where you can practice map and compass skills is located between the Hollow Rock and Ruffed Grouse trails. The course was designed by a local youth as part of completing their Eagle Scout project.
Boating
The boat ramp at the park has an accessible sidewalk with lighting. Anglers can use boats with electric motors to fish the lake, and kayakers and canoers can explore the lake's enchanting coves and inlets.
Swimming
Blue Rock State Park has a designated swimming area with a sandy beach where guests can cool off on hot summer days. The beach is on the north end of the lake and is near restrooms and showers.
Biking
While the park does not have designated biking trails, many visitors ride the park's country roads. Peddling the park is an excellent way to experience the rural landscape.
How to Get to
Blue Rock State Park
To get to Blue Rock State Park from Cambridge, OH, take US-22 and travel east. Merge onto I-77 via the ramp to Marietta. Take Exit 44 and continue toward Dresden. Turn right onto OH-83 and continue for approximately 5 miles. Afterward, turn right onto OH-60. After about 3 miles, turn left onto OH-78 and continue for about 2 miles. You'll notice several Blue Rock State Park signs along the road. Follow these signs to get to the park's entrance.
Entering Blue Rock State Park
Many Ohio state parks, including Blue Rock State Park, offer free access. Visitors can park their vehicles in designated parking areas near trailheads, picnic areas, and other facilities within the park.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blue Rock State Park
The best time to visit Blue Rock State Park can vary depending on your personal preferences and the type of outdoor activities you enjoy. If you enjoy boating and swimming, summer would be the perfect time to visit the park. However, hikers may prefer the cooler weather and explosion of life in the spring or the autumn colors in the fall.
Blue Rock State Park has various woodpecker species, such as red-bellied and downy woodpeckers. Additionally, wetland areas in and around the park are home to a variety of beavers and otters. Hikers may spot deer, opossums, and groundhogs on the trails.
The park has a small, family-friendly campground with spots suitable for RVs up to 35 feet long. Each camping spot has a picnic table and fire ring, but no hookups are available. However, restrooms and showers are nearby, and you will have access to the park's dump station.
You do not have to make a reservation at Blue Rock State Park, but it is a good idea to guarantee a spot if you plan to arrive during holidays or weekends. Camping spots start at $21 per night, and you can make reservations up to six months in advance.
Pets are allowed in the campground and on the trails at Blue Rock State Park. The park expects you to clean up after your four-legged family members, and they must be on a leash.