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Lake Hope State Park RV & Campground Guide

Ohio

Within the Zaleski State Forest in the Valley of Big Sandy Run sit 2,983 acres of stunning nature in Lake Hope State Park. The heavily forested region of the park features steep gorges and narrow ridges. Nearly two centuries ago, the area was home to the Hope Furnace, an iron-ore processing facility. The land now boasts recreational opportunities and natural beauty, with abandoned mines in the hillsides, dense forests, and a lake that's covered with lily pads during the summer. Make time to stop by the Lake Hope Dining Lodge during your visit for a hearty made-from-scratch meal.

Nearby Cities:

  • McArthur, OH

  • Carbondale, OH

  • New Plymouth, OH

  • Prattsville, OH

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Weather
Spring 55–76 F
Summer 83–86 F
Fall 56–80 F
Winter 40–45 F
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RV Resorts & Campsites in Lake Hope State Park

Campground Accommodations

Lake Hope State Park Campground

  • Water hookup: No

  • Electrical hookup: Yes

  • Sewer hookup: No

  • Wi-Fi: No

  • Pet-friendly: Yes

  • Max RV length: 50 feet

  • Other amenities: Heated shower houses, flush toilets, pit latrines, waste disposal, laundry facilities, picnic tables, fire rings, playground

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

RV Rentals Near Lake Hope State Park

Nearby RV Rentals

Restaurants

What to Do at
Lake Hope State Park

Lake Hope State Park offers year-round recreation. Explore nature using the miles of biking and hiking trails, relax with your companions in one of the secluded and scenic picnic areas, and visit the nature center to learn more about the history and culture of the area. Be sure to stop by the 120-acre lake for swimming, boating, and fishing during your stay. In addition, basketball courts, horseshoe pits, and a playground offer more leisurely activities, great for the whole family.

You can lace up your boots and set out across the hiking trails to explore the dense forests of the park or enjoy water sports. If you visit during the winter months, you can enjoy sledding, cross-country skiing, ice skating, and ice fishing.

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. 

Fishing Fishing

Anglers have ample bluegill, catfish, crappie, and largemouth bass to try for in the 120-acre lake. Visitors 16 and over must have a valid Ohio fishing license to fish in the park.

Geocaching Geocaching

A hidden geocache with treasure awaits you down one of the Lake Hope trails. Be sure to bring your hiking shoes and maybe some bug spray. Once you find the cache, you can take a prize and sign the logbook. However, remember to bring an item to leave in the container for the next adventurer.

Nature Watching Nature Watching

Songbirds, owls, and hawks make bird-watching a visitor favorite. You'll also find great amusement in watching the beavers build their homes and fish for a meal.

Stargazing Stargazing

The starry night sky is breathtaking at the park because it is far from city lights. You can bring a blanket to the beach or set up a telescope at a picnic table to enjoy an evening of gazing at the heavens.

Flora and Fauna

Mighty oak and hickory trees dominate the dense forest of the park. Wildflowers and shrubs adorn the forest floor, including yellow lady's slipper, blue-eyed Mary, bloodroot, and wild geranium. You'll spot deer bounding through the forest and wild turkeys roaming around. Beavers are also popular critters to watch in the park.

Hiking Hiking

Eight hiking trails wind through the dense forest and around the lake. The trails range from moderate to challenging, with some as short as half a mile or even less. The longest trail, the Furnace Trail, is a moderate-hike multi-use trail spanning 3.2 miles.

Boating

Hand-powered and electric motors can roam around the 120-acre lake. A boat ramp sits along State Route 278 near the dam for easy access to the water. You can rent canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, pedal boats, and pontoons at the nearby Lake Hope Boathouse from spring through fall.

Swimming Swimming

A 600-foot designated swimming beach is located near the dam. A beach house sits nearby, offering restrooms and a large sundeck and patio overlooking the lake. You can grab a snack at the nearby boathouse.

Biking

Lake Hope State Park has eight mountain biking trails, which total more than 25 miles through the park. Across the trails, you'll find steep hills and ravines providing a challenge perfect for intermediate and advanced riders to hone their skills.

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How to Get to
Lake Hope State Park

Lake Hope State Park sits in southern Ohio, just over an hour from Columbus. From Columbus, take Highway 33 to Haydenville Road. From there, you'll head to Highway 26, going south to Highway 56. Highway 56 will take you to Highway 278, where you'll travel south until you find the entrance to the park.

Entering Lake Hope State Park

Large parking lots are available near the swimming beach and dam, at the boat launch, near the cabins, and in various other spots throughout the park. There is no charge to enter Lake Hope State Park.

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

What is the best time of year to visit Lake Hope State Park?

This year-round park hosts recreation across all seasons. You'll find beauty in nature with the wildflowers in the spring and fall colors in the autumn months. In the summer, visitors enjoy swimming, boating, and hiking. During the snowy time of year, cross-country skiing, sledding, and ice fishing are popular.

What kind of wildlife can be found in Lake Hope State Park?

Deer, wild turkeys, and beavers are found in large numbers throughout the park. You'll also spot songbirds, hawks, and small critters like raccoons, squirrels, and rabbits.

Are there designated RV camping spots in Lake Hope State Park?

There are 189 camping spots at Lake Hope State Park, some with and some without electrical hookups. The campsites have picnic tables, fire rings, and nearby restrooms.

Do you have to reserve a camping spot at Lake Hope State Park and what is the cost?

Reservations are required for campsites at Lake Hope State Park. You may make your reservation online, by telephone, or through the park office. A reservation must be made before you set up on your campsite. The nightly fee ranges from $20 to $30 depending on electrical hookups and the season.

Are pets allowed at Lake Hope State Park?

Pets are welcome at Lake Hope State Park, and you can bring them with you on the hiking trails. However, they must be on a leash, and you are responsible for cleaning up after your four-legged companions.