Going camping! Should we go to Hocking Hills or Cincinnati?
 

We're planning a group camping trip for the week after July 4th. There will be 2 or 3 families with rvs and 2 or 3 tent camping families in the group. The age range is from about 40 down through 1 year old. Both areas look nice, but which one will offer the most to interest the entire group? Also, does anyone have campground recommendations? We must have clean shower/toilet areas, a pool or beach, fire pits, and full hook ups for the rvs.

This is a group from my husband's work going, so everyone will be coming from the Wooster area.

The best place to camp and hike are the Hocking Hills. I grew up camping there, our children grew up camping there and now our five grandchildren ages 3-9 are camping there. Very little has changed with the exception of the number of people.

Hocking Hills State Park has sites for tents and large rvs with electric and water hookup. They also have clean showers, a pool, fire rings, outdoor movies, small lake, playground equipment and naturalist programs. You can book online at www.ohio.reserveworld.com/selectcampground or look up state parks. They fill up quickly.

You can hike to Old Man's Cave, Conkles Hollow, Ash Cave, Rock House, Cedar Falls, and Cantwell Cliffs. Some require driving. The scenery is amazing from waterfalls to 100 ft cliffs with steps cut into the rocks. Horseback riding, rock climbing and rappeling are all popular.

Last year they started Canopy Tours which are zip lines from platform to platform. Check out hockinghillscanopytours.com. Book early as they are already filling up.

There are also little shops as you drive the winding back roads.

Once you camp and hike here you will come back time and time again.

The state park address should be www.ohio.reserveworld.com/default.aspx

I live in a suburb of Cincinnati and have been to Hocking Hills. I think it depends on what you are looking for in terms of activities. If you want outdoor activities - especially hiking - Hocking Hills is great. But, there isn't much else in Hocking Hills other than the great outdoors.

I don't know of a lot of camping in Cincinnati, but we like to go to Big Bone Lick in Kentucky (Kentucky has great state parks) - this isn't too far outside of Cincinnati. They have clean bathrooms w/showers, a swimming pool, some hiking (and a lake for fishing). Plus you aren't too far from Cincinnati if you do want to go into the city (for the zoo, Museum Center or a Reds game).

Hocking Hills & Old Mans Cave has a great camping area. Several posts on here re: that area as well.