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Ohio:

Published: Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Aside from being the official home of the world-renowned Cincinnati Reds baseball team, Ohio has also made US history for having produced at least eight American presidents. Yet, these are merely appetizers to what RV-boarded travelers should expect to see once they decide to officially pay Ohio a visit, a place bounded by strings of seemingly endless rivers and lakes. Extending for over 44,000 miles, the many Ohio streams and rivers are marked by the Ohio River on its southern corner and by Lake Erie on its northern tip.

The Ohio landscape is comprised mainly of woody areas dotted by nature-friendly parks and recreation areas and can be grouped into several regions, which include the Northwest Region, the Northeast Region, the Central Region, the Southwest Region, and the Southeast Region. All of these areas feature various camping sites perfect for those wanting to experience Ohio within the comforts of their RVs, not to mention scenic views for nature lovers and backpackers.

The Northwest Region

The single biggest attraction of Northwest Ohio is Lake Erie upon whose borders the area presently stands and upon whose base flow several artificial lakes. Needless to say, various outdoor activities can be engaged in here although RVers may also want to explore alternatives like bird-watching, an undertaking worth pursuing in the three wildlife refuges set within the region.

One regional city that offers the best option for RVers exploring Northwestern Ohio is Port Clinton. Situated on the northern end of Lake Erie, Port Clinton offers the most convenient entry point to the celebrated lake where swimming and boating are the more popular activities although fishing and bird-watching are just as equally prominent.

Camping sites like the Shade Acres Campground and Cottages abound in this city, offering various attractions geared for young and old alike. These attractions, many of which are set near the campground, include the renowned African Safari Wildlife Park where exotic zebras and giraffes are housed; Cheese Haven, a unique shelter offering the widest variety of cheese including Swiss, Amish, and many more; and Cedar Point, the family park where amazing roller-coaster rides provide pure excitement.

The Northeast Region

Considered as a major manufacturing area in Ohio, the Northeast Region nevertheless offers numerous outdoor opportunities for prospective RV-boarded visitors. This is because the region boasts of numerous public parks where pursuits in the areas of hiking, mountain climbing, boating, biking, swimming, fishing, skiing, and even wildlife viewing can be engaged in to the fullest.

For RV-boarded travelers who want a particular place where majority, if not all, of these activities can be engaged in, Carrollton ought to be the most ideal with its hosting of A-1 Twinvalley Campground. Here, RVers can swim, soak up the sun, play frisbee, go hiking, take up mountain biking, roll down the ski lane, and engage in many other outdoor endeavors because the vast expanse of nearby Atwood Lake Park, accessible via the campground, has been specially designed for such a wide array of outdoor recreations.

The Central Region

The state capital, Columbus, is perhaps the biggest attraction of this region since it hosts majority of the more significant Ohio recreational lakes apart from the many valleys in its midst where flowering fields project scenes of natural beauty. These are attractions that will most definitely catch the attention of any visiting RVer.

Aside from Columbus, though, several other regional cities should be looked into for they are truly worth seeing. The region, in general, has largely been unexplored but this does not mean that it carries no distinctive charm. For example, not too much is said of Lancaster, an Ohio city considered as a generally agricultural land mainly involved in beef, cattle, and swine raising. Yet, there are areas here that should spur the interest of any RVer, including Mt. Pleasant where outdoor exploration is a common activity specially since ancient folklore has always been attributed to the mountain. Nearby, the Fairfield County Fairgrounds, established in 1850, continues to offer fun and excitement to its annual visitors. Rising Park, meanwhile, beckons rock climbers with its striking rock formations that virtually envelop Mt. Pleasant.

Within Lancaster city lies Lakeview RV Park, a campground where one can have convenient access to these attractions although RVers can always opt to stay nearby since Lakeview RV Park features a big lake encompassing 13 acres,and offers many different outdoor activities like fishing, scuba diving, boating, and swimming. Picnic sites can be found within this RV camping area situated approximately two miles from the southern corner of Lancaster.

The Southwest Region

The region may be considered as the cultural and historical zone of Ohio as there are numerous museums and historic sites found in these parts. RVers, though, can rest in the thought that the Southwest Region is likewise rich in natural attractions variously scattered in two general sub-regions namely the Bluegrass Region and the Till Plains Region. The former is dominated by rolling hills while the latter is composed of flat but fertile farming areas. In between are scenic gorges, enchanting caves, and ancient forest grounds where hunting fields are found.

RVers who wish to enjoy these need only to go to New Paris City and check in at the Natural Springs Resort. Encompassing more than 50 acres of land area, the RV park should prove to be the ideal gateway for many RVers as it offers a diverse array of outdoor activities which include scuba diving, fishing, swimming, wildlife viewing, and many others. The latter activity is particularly significant since wildlife is abundant in this RV park complemented by large shady trees and several gorgeous lakes.

The Southeast Region

Acknowledged as among the most rugged areas in Ohio, the Southeast Region falls under the general jurisdiction of the Appalachian Plateau and quite naturally holds a rich Native American heritage. Restricted by the scenic Ohio River, the area may very well be paradise for many outdoor lovers and not a few RV rider will be impressed by the enormous number of outdoor interests that can be pursued here as diverse and exotic plant and animal species watch in the background.

RV-boarded travelers seeking to see more of this region can try settling in at Nelsonville. It plays host to Happy Hills Campgrounds, an RV park boasting of lovely autumn-colored trailways and lots of picnic grounds for those wishing to enjoy the scenic nature views.

Cradled within the vicinity of the National State Park of Ohio, the Happy Hills Campgrounds provides a diverse set of outdoor adventures ranging from fishing at nearby Rose Lake and Lake Logan to cave exploration inside Old Man's Cave, Conkle's Hollow, and Ash Cave. Other more common activities that can be engaged in here are hiking, biking, swimming, boating, and hunting, the facilities for which can be availed of at Wayne National Forest which lies next to this 45-acre wide RV campground.

Seeing Ohio Cities

With the exception perhaps of Columbus, it being the state capital, no other Ohio city can really stand out as being the ultimate RV camping destination. Every known Buckeye State city boasts of its own set of attractions and getting to see each of these cities ought to be the goal of every visiting RVer assuming that these cities are RV-friendly.

Sandusky

Sandusky is a fairly small Ohio land although it is traditionally a favorite among tourists especially during summer. Situated next to Lake Erie and covering a shoreline about six miles long, the city also boasts of island beaches that carry a wide set of facilities where beach accessories and equipments are available. Its biggest come-on, though, has to be Cedar Point Amusement Park, the multi-awarded leisure park that has received eight Golden Ticket Awards for being the best fun park worldwide. An estimated 3.5 million tourists are said to visit the park annually.

Accessing the attractions of Sandusky should not be a problem for most RVers since there is one RV campground that can best answer their need. The 15-year-old Camp Sandusky Campground and Cabins today finds itself as the perfect RV park that brings enjoyment to many RV-boarded travelers with its basic proximity to some very popular Ohio tourist destinations like Cedar Point, Monsoon Lagoon Water Park, the Ghostly Manor, and the Kalahari Waterpark Resort, among others.

Cleveland

Owing to a strong and consistent showing of its official team in the NBA, Cleveland has obviously become a household name among many Americans. Yet, there is more to Cleveland than just a basketball team. For starters, the city happens to be the second biggest in Ohio apart from being strategically situated at the Cuyahoga River endpoint, its waters eventually joining that of Lake Erie. Its southern front stops at the Appalachian Plateau while its western end is restricted by the Central Lowlands.

With such an enviable setting, RV-boarded travelers will necessarily find several outdoor opportunities in Cleveland, and they will not really be disappointed. For starters, Lake Erie is close by where one can engage in fishing, Lake Erie being renowned for its bass, perch, and walleye offerings.

Another option is to take up mountain biking since this Northeastern Ohio city covers biking trails that are well over 200 miles. Additionally, these areas can be easily transformed into snow paths during winter where RV-boarded visitors can try their hand at any winter sport like skiing, sledding, and tobogganing.

RVers wishing to fully enjoy the wonders being offered by Cleveland can easily go to Grafton and settle in the RV at American Wilderness Campground where the appropriate RV pull-through area is waiting. Afterwards, one can conveniently explore downtown Cleveland and its many communities which one can reach in just 35 minutes.

Wayne National Forest

Settled in southeastern Ohio at the foundation of the mighty Appalachian Mountains, the Wayne National Forest is the only wilderness area of its kind in the Buckeye State that has received national forest stature. It covers an incredible 834,000 acres and involves a wide variety of attractions that are both diverse and unique. For instance, the Shawnee Lookout Tower and the Vesuvius Furnace are both considered ancient but historic Ohio attractions that RVers should make a point in seeing as these provide glimpses into early Ohio history.

Activities-wise, the forest area features multi-purpose trails stretching for miles where one can go hiking, horseback riding, biking, and even off-the-road vehicle riding (ORVing) although one will need to secure a permit to engage in these endeavors except for hiking. Alternatively, one can opt for the more serene canoeing particularly in one of three river forests, namely, Symmes Creek, Hocking River, and Muskingum River. Additionally, several forest lakes offer very good fishing ventures, including Lake Vesuvius and Timbre Ridge Lake where bass, catfish, and pan fish are common sightings.

Afterwards, RV-boarded travelers can opt for a quiet picnic near the lakes or set up camp nearby. All of these while spotting various wildlife roaming freely from afar which can include one of 50 mammal species and one among 142 bird varieties nestling in trees of hemlock and pine.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Encompassing only about a hundred miles, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park nevertheless covers two American cities namely Akron and Cleveland. The coverage begins at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River approximately 30 miles of Eastern Cleveland and travels in an amazing U-shape path, finally ending in an escarpment that falls under the territory of Akron. Needless to say, the path is crooked, which is referred to as "Ka-ih-ohg-ha" in American Indian language and from where the valley originally got its name.

Regardless of its shape, the 33,000-acre wide national park carries several features that should entice many RVers to give it a visit on their next Ohio trip. A good example of this are its many trails led by the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail, the same path taken by the Ohio and Erie Canal as it winds down the Cuyahoga River Valley. The hiking path is completely accessible and can be taken on by people of varying types. Near the park limits, meanwhile, is a separate trail for bikers that extends for 16 miles. For those wanting a more comprehensive hike, the Buckeye Trail ought to be a good challenge as it stretches for over a thousand miles and involves traversing forest areas, glacial ravines, open fields, and stream beds.

More significantly, however, the park has traditionally been a favorite picnicking area and this should augur well for most RV riders. Presently, many modern picnic areas have been developed in several spots ranging from small intimate types to the more grandiose size where virtual family reunions can be held.

Visiting the Buckeye State

The four North American seasons usually make their presence felt in Ohio in much the same way as in the other American states. Summer is typically dry and hot reaching a high of 90 degrees in the latter months but winter is surprisingly mild with averages of 25 degrees, making a winter visit preferable, and explaining the existence of several ski resorts in certain Ohio cities. However, occasional snowstorms do occur during this period so there may be a need to check Ohio weather during winter before going for a visit.

By far, autumn may be the most pleasant time for an Ohio visit since summer has ended but winter has yet to set in, producing crisp air complemented by low humidity. Along with summer and spring, autumn in Ohio also happens to be party season, making it the most anticipated period in the Buckeye State.

Kool Lakes Family RV Park

In Parkman, nestled within the lush Ohio valley, the Kool Lakes RV park offers the idyllic destination for RV-boarded families. The features here include a 1.5-acre wide swimming lake, a pristine beach perfect for a game of volleyball, and a pavilion designed for various events.

For outdoor attractions, the resident lake, measuring 17.5 acres, allows for a wide array of interests, including boating, canoeing, and fishing for which the lake is generally well-stocked. For indoor fun, visitors can choose from checkers, ping-pong, pool and video games while for children, an activity center awaits them.

For RV-boarded travelers interested in seeing more attractions outside of the RV campground but not too far away that they might get lost, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is perhaps the most ideal destination as it is only about 42 miles away. The kids will definitely have a grand time here seeing all those rare and exciting animals.

Beechwood Acres Camping Resort

Cincinnati-bound RVers will not have a hard time trying to look for a suitable RV campground anymore. In nearby Wilmington, Beechwood Acres Camping Resort has long achieved a reputation as a good family camping area where RV riders can relax and have fun through the many amenities that the site offers.

Enveloped within a lush forest and situated near the banks of Lake Cowan, Beechwood Acres Camping Resort is a nature paradise with its lovely greenery, hiking trails, boating docks, fishing spots, and lovely sailing areas. This RV site also boasts of a special dining area, the Spillway Lodge, designed for people who actually intend on getting their hands on juicy steaks offerings and on numerous scrumptious seafood dishes.

More than the amenities, however, the attractions are the other things that entice many RV-boarded tourists to return to Beechwood Acres Camping Resort. Cowan State Park, home of Lake Cowan, leads the pack with its 1,400 acres where hiking trails and picnic facilities can be availed of. Its famous resident, Lake Cowan, meanwhile, offers sailing, canoeing, and fishing opportunities in its pristine waters that cover at least 700 acres.

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