Many families and individuals are heading out to nature and giving camping a try. With COVID-19 looming, and social distancing becoming prevalent everywhere, hiking, boating, fishing and biking are even more alluring than ever. That being said, having a few camping tips up your sleeve will make a big difference in your experience.
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Our family has a camper with a bathroom, so being self-contained when on the road is pretty simple. We have tent camped in the past, but the older I get the less appealing it becomes. Yep, I’ve hit that age where comfort reins.
Although you can snag some great spots at the last minute, I’d suggest reserving your spot as far in advance as you can because camping is so popular this summer. State Parks in Ohio have gone to 100% online reservations with no drive-ups, so know where you’re going before you pull out of the driveway.
State Parks
Camping at a State Park has a lot of perks. There are so many to choose from you would be hard pressed to get to all of them within two years unless you lived on the road full time – and I’m only referring to Ohio. Add in other states and National Parks and you have a heaping bucket of destinations to explore.
This site will be updated as I explore more State Parks, so check in every so often to get the latest updates.
The Nuts and Bolts
- Know the size of your camper and towing vehicle
- Opt for shaded spots
- Look for spots with little elevation
- Know if you want to be close to the restroom. Some people like to be close by. I prefer to be far away since we don’t use the public facilities and they can be smelly.
- State Parks often are established because of a lake. Know the water regulations if you are taking any type of motorboat or kayak. If you are taking a kayak, be sure to have it registered with the sticker in a visible location – and don’t forget your life vest.
Fun Activities
Passports
There are park passports on both the national and state level. These books give a wealth of information regarding the various parks and what they have to offer along with great photos. You can get your passports stamped at certain parks or use the stickers that are provided.
To order your Ohio Parks Passport Book click here.
Order your National Parks Passport Book click here.
Fishing
Fishing is usually allowed, but the age of the person fishing determines if a license is needed. Here are the regulations for Ohio. Common fish to catch in Ohio lakes would be bass, crappie, bluegill, walleye, and catfish. I’ve included links to various lures for each of these fish. Along with the lures, you’ll need a pole, possibly a bobber, some pliers to take out the hook and string.
Disc Golf
Many State Parks now offer disc golf. This fast growing, leisurely sport enables the whole family to have fun together all while getting exercise. Each member will need at least one disc. Just like in golf, there are driver discs, putters and the like. Depending on how serious your players are will determine how many discs each person will need. Rules of the game can be found here.
Kayaking
This is one of my favorite activities because it is great exercise, it can be combined with swimming or fishing and you get to see parts of the lake that are otherwise inaccessible. Kayaks can be hard or inflatable and they typically are sold with a paddle. You’ll also need a life vest and possibly water shoes.
Hiking
State Parks offer a lot of trails at differing lengths and difficulty levels. Having a good pair of hiking shoes is optimal so you don’t go sliding down the trail. Pack a few snacks and a water bottle and you are all set.
Burr Oak State Park
Burr Oak State Park is very appropriately named. Might oaks, acorns and their leaves are everywhere- it is stunning. A long, meandering lake cuts through the woods and it all creates a beautiful scene, regardless of the season.
Lodging facilities at Burr Oak are varied. A large lodge, with a restaurant and an indoor pool, is available if you want all the beauty of nature but don’t want to camp. As with most lodges on the lake, there are spectacular views. Ample seating to sit and enjoy are abundant inside the lodge and all around the outside shoreline.
Burr Oak Camping
Cabins are located near the lodge. They are within walking distance of the Nature Center and the disc golf course. Camper and tent camping are a bit further away from the lodge. You would need to drive to get there. The sites are scattered in a few different places around the lake, depending on the type of site you need.
The sites just past the Park Office, creating a loop, would be my recommendation. They have a view of the lake, although limited due to the trees. The Lake Loop Trail can be accessed near the amphitheater, which sits just up the hill from the office.
Amenities
The disc golf course is pretty intense. A lot of up and down terrain to hike up and over, but it makes for a nice, leisurely active hike. There are a lot of trees on the fairway so be ready for a challenge. The course is roughly two miles long. Be ready to climb over obstacles if your disc goes off course.
Tip: Do Not use a brown or green disc. The brighter the better!
If hiking is your thing, then you’ll love Burr Oak. Multiple trails are available from one mile to 20. The 20 mile loop takes you all the way around the lake with spectacular views.
The beach area offers a basketball court and a volleyball net. Just down from the beach is one of the several boat docks, which is another place to pick up a hiking trail. A nice archery range is available for target practice.
Dillon State Park
Along with the above mentioned amenities, Dillon State Park also has a really neat SkyView Deck for star gazing. This large platform allows you to lay out a blanket and take in the night sky with an optimal view.
Additional perks include beach volleyball nets, a basketball court and two tennis courts. The park also has a small kiddie pool although it is not open at this time.
Recommended camp sites:
- For hammocks: 24,120.122.135.137,170
- Shade: 2,4,24,25,27,72
- Water and Electric 24-31
- Hanging swing 40
Forked Run State Park
Forked Run State Park has a small lake, but it was great for kayaking because you could explore the whole thing in one day. My favorite two coves included the one across from the beach and the cove to the right. They both had really neat rock formations making them very unique.
If you want to get a great biking workout, this is the place to go. The paved drive going to all the camping loops changes quite a bit in elevation. There were parts I had to get off my bike and push, but I did love going downhill.
Recommended site:
- Shade & Hammock: 101
- Pull through: 31
Paint Creek State Park
camping, hiking, biking, disc golf, putt-putting
We were very impressed with this park for its cleanliness and space between camping sites. The park offers multiple hiking trails, a disc golf course that is stunning, putt-putting, mountain biking trail, a general store and a very long beach area.
You can launch your kayaks to the right of the beach area and follow the shoreline. We were happily surprised to find that what we thought was a cove turned out to be a winding tributary lined on both sides by cliffs. It eventually turns into a shallow stream where you have to turn around, but it’s definitely worth the time.
Near campsites 114 and 115, which have spectacular views of the lake, there is a foot trail that leads to a cliff. It’s a great place to take in a sunset or jump off the cliff if you dare. The park also offers a yurt and two cabins that can be rented.
Harvest Hosts
For a completely different camping experience, you might want to consider getting a membership with Harvest Hosts. You can get 15% off your yearly membership here. Harvest Hosts offers over 1200 destinations throughout the U.S. and Canada for you to enjoy. Wineries, Breweries, Working Farms and Museums offer a place for you to park your RV for free for the night. In exchange, you as a member are asked to support this local business by buying a bottle of wine, a jar of honey or whatever is appropriate for that business.
This option is a great win-win for all parties. You get a free night’s stay and the small business is supported. It’s an excellent way to support local farmers and mom ‘n pop businesses.
A 24 hour notice is requested. The businesses are noticing quite an uptick in traffic this summer, so be sure to call ahead to confirm they have an available spot for you.
Volunteer Opportunity
Many of these farmers welcome extra hands to help around their farm. Grapes need picked, lavender needs harvested, and pets need brushed. You never know what you might learn and who you might be a service to when staying at these places.
Camp Cooking
S’mores come to everyone’s mind when you talk about cooking over a campfire. They are definitely a staple, but there are so many additional delicious foods to enjoy over an open fire.
When we make s’mores, I like to use Keebler fudge striped cookies instead of graham crackers and Hershey’s chocolate bars, just for simplicity sake. Besides the ingredients, you’ll need a roasting stick. These can also be used to roast your hot dogs and even make cinnamon rolls.
Foil Meals
Having everything sliced, diced and put in a baggie before your trip makes foil meals ever so easy. Here is a favorite site I like to use for great recipes.
Desserts can be foil meals as well. Take a sugar cone (normally for ice cream), fill it with chocolate chips, mini marshmallows and diced pieces of bananas. Wrap in foil. You do not want flames as this item only needs warmed, not cooked. Leave the cones on the grill for about five minutes depending on how hot your coals are burning. When you unwrap it, the chocolate should be melted. Yum!
Sandwich Maker
A sandwich maker can be used for your main meal or for dessert. Think grilled cheese, ham and cheese, or a pizza sandwich (our family favorite). Be sure to butter both slices of bread and then add your desired ingredients to the unbuttered side, lay the other slice on top, snap it shut and let it get toasty brown. Our favorite dessert runs along the same line except we use pie filling for our inside ingredient: blueberry, cherry, or peach. Yum!
Extras
There are so many fun things on the market to take on a camping trip. Some are novelty and some are life hacks that really do allow your trip to go much smoother. I’m going to include a little of both as each person functions a little bit differently and has their certain needs. Additional camping hacks can be found here.
Tablecloth for the picnic table
Clothes basket for shoes outside the camper
Iron skillet handle cover (a must)
For a free RV packing list, check out Must Have Mom‘s website.
I hope you have a fun and enjoyable camping experience taking in all nature has to offer. The memories that will be made really will last a lifetime. Camping is a great way to disconnect from all the craziness in the world and just focus on the sights and sounds around you.
Please share your favorite camping tip so we can all benefit. Thanks!
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