The best waterside campgrounds near Zanesville, Ohio

Zanesville is just an hour from Columbus, but it feels a world away. Everywhere you turn, there’s a state forest, state park, or protected wildlife area. That means one thing: beautiful, convenient camping. Whether you feel like swimming close to camp or sleeping at a forest RV park, this part of Ohio has you covered.

At Dillon State Park, fish for bass and play disc golf just steps from camp. Kids love the basketball court, and hikers can get active on seven trails. If you need to get online, the camp store has free Wi-Fi. You won’t find full hookups here, but most sites have electric; there’s also a dump station.

For some of the best hiking in Ohio, head south to Blue Rock State Park. The campground welcomes big rigs and horses; you can also opt for cabins or tent camping. Rent a boat in the park store and explore the small lake, or swim from the beach. When the lake freezes, come for ice fishing and ice skating.

A little further afield, Ohio offers some surprises. Kayak through hand-operated locks at Muskingum River State Park. At Wolf Run State Park, you can try freshwater scuba diving. To the south, Wayne National Forest is a haven for ATV riders, mountain bikers, and rock climbers.

96% (3.8K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Zanesville

Zanesville is just an hour from Columbus, but it feels a world away. Everywhere you turn, there’s a state forest, state park, or protected wildlife area. That means one thing: beautiful, convenient camping. Whether you feel like swimming close to camp or sleeping at a forest RV park, this part of Ohio has you covered.

At Dillon State Park, fish for bass and play disc golf just steps from camp. Kids love the basketball court, and hikers can get active on seven trails. If you need to get online, the camp store has free Wi-Fi. You won’t find full hookups here, but most sites have electric; there’s also a dump station.

For some of the best hiking in Ohio, head south to Blue Rock State Park. The campground welcomes big rigs and horses; you can also opt for cabins or tent camping. Rent a boat in the park store and explore the small lake, or swim from the beach. When the lake freezes, come for ice fishing and ice skating.

A little further afield, Ohio offers some surprises. Kayak through hand-operated locks at Muskingum River State Park. At Wolf Run State Park, you can try freshwater scuba diving. To the south, Wayne National Forest is a haven for ATV riders, mountain bikers, and rock climbers.

96% (3.8K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Zanesville

1. Fish Farm Camp

99%

(351)

24mi from Zanesville · 5 sites · Tents, RVs

We have a beautiful 20 acre lake. It's 60 ft deep with crystal clear water and is great for swimming and fishing. Kayaking welcome too. We also have a couple other ponds available for fishing as well. We raise fresh water prawn and bluegill in the summertime, so late september we have fresh shrimp available. Lots of waterfowl and deer here to see.

2. Kickapoo Kamping

88%

(56)

4.8mi from Zanesville · 2 sites · Tents

This location in Ohio is about a 10-minute walk to Dillon Dam, Reservoir and Lake! The road that was there was called Yelp Town Hollow Road. The road that this camp was on had to be raised when they put the dam in, they even had to move the one room school house! Black Hand Gorge preserve isn't far from the camp, lots of hiking and bicycle trails. Dillon State Park is 10-15 miles away with trails for horses, walking and biking. About 3,000 acres of State and Federal Land is right in our backyard! Learn more about this land:Set your tent up in a wooded area or near a stream. Great star gazing and forest bathing. The area is in the Yelptown Hollow Valley, the road and one room school house Yelptown School are reminiscent of a bygone era. The old road bed is near camping and old school house has relocated to a site nearby. Come enjoy the laid back ambience of the area! Peaceful, solitude, nearby stream.

3. Wayne National Forest

94%

(8)

121 sites · Murray City, Ohio

Drive, hike, fish, and camp in The Wayne for a wilderness adventure.

4. Salt Fork State Park

100%

(5)

23 sites · Kimbolton, Ohio

Hike, golf, or get on the water at Ohio’s largest state park.

Pets

Electrical hookup

Toilets

5. Mohican State Park

91%

(33)

25 sites · Loudonville, Ohio

Pitch a tent or reserve a cozy cabin at this family-friendly state park.

Pets

Campfires

Toilets

Public campgrounds near Zanesville

100%

(2)

Burr Oak Cove Campground

28mi from Zanesville · 19 sites · Tents, RVs · in Wayne National Forest

100%

(5)

Salt Fork Campground

29mi from Zanesville · 23 sites · Tents, RVs · in Salt Fork State Park

91%

(33)

Mohican Campground

47mi from Zanesville · 25 sites · in Mohican State Park

100%

(1)

Lamping Homestead

49mi from Zanesville · 6 sites · in Wayne National Forest

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

Amber

October 2025

Tent

3 nights at Fish Farm Camp

Always a great stay with a great host! Been coming for years and will keep coming back.

J

Justin

October 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Fish Farm Camp

We were the only campers on the lake. Property was beautiful. Drew was a helpful host. Would recommend this spot

M

Maddy

October 2025

Tent

1 night at Fish Farm Camp

Beautiful site for camping. Drew was very accommodating for my last minute booking.

S

Severn

September 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Fish Farm Camp

Awesome spot for fishing, leisurely paddling, and car camping. Clean, water was great, firewood was well seasoned and appropriately priced, outhouse was accessible and not terrifying (I only rate outhouses as terrifying or not). Will be coming back very soon.

F

Flor

September 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Fish Farm Camp

My family and I like to camp as a group and Drew was very accommodating! We had a blast and will always recommend to anyone who asks. We will definitely be coming back.

C

Courtney

September 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Fish Farm Camp

We loved tent camping on Drew's property! It is absolutely beautiful here. The sites are spaced perfectly so that any noise made by other campers isn't too loud. We spent our anniversary weekend here and it was the perfect spot for it!! We definitely loved our little visitors that came by occasionally! The toilet was an unexpected plus! The property was really clean. Fishing could've been better but it was also chilly so that may have been why. 1000% recommend staying here!

Aurelio

August 2025

Tent

1 night at Fish Farm Camp

Such an amazing site and experience that we booked another night!

B

Brad

August 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Fish Farm Camp

Awesome property. This was our 2nd stay and won't be the last.

M

Miranda

August 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Fish Farm Camp

What a beautiful piece of land! We basically had the place to ourselves. Drew was very accommodating and helpful throughout our trip. The outhouse was a nice bonus! And it didn't stink.

Z

Zach

August 2025

Tent

2 nights at Fish Farm Camp

My camping partner wound up falling ill during our trip and Drew was especially helpful and accommodating in the resulting change of plans. Fish Farm Camp's property is a gem--beautiful and private--and while our trip did not pan out as we might have liked, Drew was excellent in making our pivots as smooth as possible.

Christopher

August 2025

20 ft campervan

Weekend Trip to Fish Farm Camp

Drew is an amazing host, and the lake is awesome. Great swimming and fishing, and the sites are spaced out nicely. We had a wonderful stay and highly recommend.

D

Donna

August 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Fish Farm Camp

The lake was just right, we had plenty of room to be alone. It was awesome that we could launch our kayaks right from our spot. We had a blast watching all the different birds and seeing the fish jump out of the water.

Pam

August 2025

Tent

6 nights at Fish Farm Camp

Beautiful lake! Relaxing! Fun to fish! And as always Drew is an awesome host!

D

Daniil

July 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Fish Farm Camp

Really great place, thank you Drew for everything!

Laura

July 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Fish Farm Camp

Beautiful place. Fishing wasn’t that great, only caught a few small ones, and another guy on a boat said he didn’t catch much either… it IS called Fish camp. I prepaid for eggs and minnows, and they didn’t have them, so he gave us a little extra wood instead. The host is hard to reach if you need anything. But all in all it was a nice place.

Pam

July 2025

Tent

Group trip

4 nights at Fish Farm Camp

As usual another beautiful trip! Drew is awesome and lake is just to beautiful!

J

Jim

July 2025

Tent

1 night at Fish Farm Camp

Loved it so much we are doing back to back weekends👍👍

Super generous with the firewood add-on, thank you!

S

Stacy

July 2025

Tent

1 night at Fish Farm Camp

Pretty spot & Drew was very generous with the firewood and very respectful of my privacy. Felt safe and peaceful there. Sites do not have coverage or shade but are situated so that they feel private from one another. Thanks for a nice stay!