Lake Hope State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Lake Hope State Park is situated within the Zaleski State Forest in the valley of Big Sandy Run in beautiful southern Ohio. The state park's heavily forested region is marked by steep gorges and narrow ridges with remnants of the abandoned mining and iron producing industries. It's truly a nature lover's dream with forest-draped hills and an abundance of natural resources. Oak and hickory are the prevailing trees while the woodland floor harbors an attractive assemblage of shrubs and wildflowers. Deer, wild turkey, and other various small game animals are often seen roaming the park and forest areas. Major cities near the state park are McArthur, Nelsonville, and Logan, Ohio.
Spring 30-74 F
Summer 59-85 F
Fall 32-77 F
Winter 21-53 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Lake Hope State Park
When you travel to Lake Hope State Park, an RV is the most convenient and wonderful way to go. Don't own an RV? Rent one from RVshare where you can pick and choose from a broad range of RV models.
Hocking Hills Jellystone Park
Hocking Hills Jellystone Park offers tent, cabin, and RV camping. It's a gorgeous campground located in the Hocking Hills region of Ohio featuring a swimming pool, a private fishing lake, and a beach area for lake swimming. Groceries, snacks, firewood, souvenirs, and RV supplies are available at the camp store.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Laundry facility, playground, and a modern bathhouse
Williams Campground
Williams Campground offers various campsites for RVs, campers, and tents. This privately owned and family-operated campground borders the Monday Creek Trail System with easy access to other trail connectors. ATV riding is permitted on the trails, giving this place the perfect getaway for off-road riding.
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Restrooms and showers
Logan/Hocking Hills KOA
Logan/Hocking Hills KOA is centrally located near spectacular attractions and adventures. The campground offers standard, deluxe, and premium pull-through sites for any size of RV. Cabins and tent sites are another way that you can enjoy a camping experience at KOA. There is an activities room where there are board games, table tennis, and other fun things to do for all ages.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: No
Other amenities: Dump station, laundry facility, and camp store
What to Do at
Lake Hope State Park
Inside Lake Hope State Park
Inside Lake Hope State Park, anglers have been known to catch crappie, bluegill, catfish, and largemouth bass in the 120-acre lake. The lake is also an excellent place to go canoeing, kayaking, boating, and stand-up paddleboarding. Swimming is permitted in designated areas along the 600-foot swimming beach. There are easy, moderate, and hard hiking trails full of nature totaling well over 11 miles. The park also has eight mountain bike trails totaling 25 miles of steep hills and ravines, offering challenges fitting to intermediate and advanced cyclists.
Outside Lake Hope State Park
The area just outside of Lake Hope State Park offers a wide range of things to do and see. You can select from a wide variety of eateries, including everything from barbeque and fast-food establishments to fine-dining restaurants. Get your retail shopping fix or stop at the grocery store to pick up a few things for dinner. You can learn about the area at one of the many museums or zipline through the high trees and fly high. Having the opportunity to discover and learn about the region outside of the park will help you better understand its past and ethnicity.
Restaurants
Lake Hope Lodge
Sit back and relaxed at Lake Hope Lodge and take in the beautiful lake view as you enjoy a smoked barbeque meal and sip on a glass of wine or beer.
Type: Barbecue
Location: 27331 OH-278, McArthur, OH 45651
Rhapsody Restaurant
Rhapsody Restaurant is a casual fine-dining restaurant located on the beautiful public square in downtown Nelsonville, Ohio. The restaurant is run by the hospitality and culinary professionals of tomorrow studying at Hocking College.
Type: Fine Dining
Location: 18 Public Square, Nelsonville, OH 45764
Main Eatery
The cozy and casual atmosphere at Main Eatery makes for a great place for families with children. You can select one of their American comfort food items or healthy options off the menu.
Type: American
Location: 511 West Main Street, McArthur, OH 45651
Tammy's Country Kitchen
Tammy's Country Kitchen has been serving the community for well over 15 years and is known for its friendly charm, down-home atmosphere, and fine homestyle cooking.
Type: American
Location: 1333 East Canal Street, Nelsonville, OH 45764
Sonic Drive-In
Sonic Drive-In takes you back in time to when there were drive-up restaurants and roller-skating waitresses. Choose from options that include everything from burgers and fries to a large cheesesteak sub and espresso shake.
Type: American, Fast Food
Location: 1025 East Canal Street, Nelsonville, OH 45764
Shopping
Campbell's Market
Campbell's Market is just 13 miles from the state park, making it a convenient place to pick up some much-needed food items to refill your RV's refrigerator.
Location: 630 West Main Street, McArthur, OH 45651
Kroger Supermarket
Kroger Supermarket is another excellent place to get groceries. With their fresh bakery items, produce, and meats, you'll have enough to complete a whole meal. An ATM, pharmacy, and money services are available inside the supermarket. Beer and wine are also sold here.
Location: 965 Poplar Street, Nelsonville, OH 45764
Sharff's Fashion
Beautiful waterproof wool tam, matching gloves, and scarves by Parkhurst are just several of the things that can be purchased at Sharff's Fashion. Footwear, accessories, and women's and men's fashionable clothing are sold here as well.
Location: 45 West Main Street, Logan, OH 43138
Walmart Supercenter
Walmart Supercenter is a great place to pick up your prescriptions and groceries. You can also shop for fishing, camping, and hunting gear as well as clothing for women, men, children, and infants.
Location: 12910 OH-664 South, Logan, OH 43138
McArthur Quilt Shop
McArthur Quilt Shop and fabric store offers high-quality fabrics and sewing supplies for quilting and sewing needs. The McArthur Quilt Shop believes in teaching the young and young at heart how to sew and make quilts of their own, so if this is you, check out their class schedules.
Location: 118 West Main Street, McArthur, OH 45651
Sightseeing
Ash Cave
Ash Cave is the largest and most impressive recess cave in Ohio. You'll travel through a narrow gorge lined with stately hemlocks, massive beech trees, and various other hardwoods for about one-quarter mile before reaching the tremendous overhanging ledge and cave shelter. The horseshoe-shaped cave measures about 700 feet from end to end and is about 100 feet deep.
Location: OH-56, Logan, OH 43138
Ultimate Zipline Adventure
Ultimate Zipline Adventure features 17 different ziplines and 23 diverse obstacles for both adults and children between 70 and 265 pounds. The ultimate zipline course is a thrilling adventure that takes you on a scenic tour through the Hocking Hills. The rope course will have you climbing ladders and net ropes and doing obstacles while you're suspended in the air.
Location: 15103 OH-664 Scenic, Logan, OH 43138
Paul A. Johnson Pencil Sharpener Museum
Paul A. Johnson Pencil Sharpener Museum has an amazing collection of more than 3,400 pencil sharpeners and was featured in national magazines for it being the largest one in America. It all began with Paul Johnson collecting pencil sharpeners more than 20 years ago.
Location: 13178 OH-664, Logan, OH 43138
Hocking Hills State Park
Hocking Hills State Park is just about 22 miles from Lake Hope State Park. There are seven different hiking trails where you can view nature. Other things to do in the state park are camping, biking, and attending various programs and events.
Location: 19852 OH-664, Logan, OH 43138
John Glenn Astronomy Park
Discover the ancient skies at John Glenn Astronomy Park. Watch the universe unfold with the park's many programs, and the observatory features a venue for visitors to experience the night sky through a large telescope.
Location: 20531 OH-664, Logan, OH 43138
How to Get to
Lake Hope State Park
From McArthur, head east on US-50 East/East Main Street toward North Locust Street. Continue to follow US-50 East for 2.6 miles. Make a left onto OH-677 North, and follow it for 4.7 miles. Then, turn right onto Commercial Street/Commercial Square. Turn right onto Commercial Street, and then make a left at the first cross street onto OH-278 North/2nd Street. Follow OH-278 North for about 3.8 miles, and the state park will be on the left.
Entering Lake Hope State Park
Lake Hope State Park is open from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m. seven days a week.
Lake Hope State Park Per vehicle (1-4 adults) : $0.0
You'll make memories that last a lifetime when you take an RV adventure to Lake Hope State Park. If you don't have an RV of your own, rent one with RVshare! If you share your trip photos on social media, be sure to tag us, or send them to [email protected] for a chance to be featured on our blog.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Hope State Park
Lake Hope State Park is a pet-friendly area. Your pets must be on a leash, and they are not allowed inside any park buildings or the designated beach area. Please clean up after your pet while visiting the park.
Perhaps the most fascinating wildlife species found in Lake Hope State Park is the beaver, and they're often seen in large numbers. Deer and wild turkeys are also frequently spotted by visitors in the park.
Lake Hope State Park has a relatively moderate climate. The temperature during summer is usually between 60 and 85 degrees. During winter, there's significant snowfall, and the temperature can drop below 25 degrees.
The best time to visit Lake Hope State Park is between May and September. If you visit during those months, you'll enjoy warm weather for activities like hiking, mountain biking, boating, paddling, and fishing.
Lake Hope State Park contains a campground featuring nearly 200 campsites. There are 46 designated RV campsites with electric hookups, and the provided amenities include heated showers, flush toilets, and laundry facilities.