Hueston Woods State Park is located in beautiful southwestern Ohio. At the center of the park, Acton Lake provides campers with numerous activities including swimming, boating, and fishing. The hillsides are filled with a wide variety of trees, and wildlife also abounds. On a hike, you’ll see squirrels, raccoons, deer, and an assortment of birds such as blue jays and hawks.
Activities
Activities at the Hueston Woods State Park include camping, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, canoeing, boating, swimming in the lake and pool (lodge only), fishing, archery, golfing, and bird watching. Programs include guided hikes, a nature center with live animals, a pioneer farm, and a Saturday night movie.
Campground
The Hueston Woods State Park has 508 campsites available April through October. Of these, 252 provide electricity with 20-30 AMPs, allow pets, and feature showers, flush toilets, laundry, trailer waste station (note: none are full hook-up), fire rings, picnic tables, and free WiFi (not tested). The remaining sites are non-electric or equestrian.
Within the electric camp sites, Row A is the premier loop boasting shaded, level pull-through sites. A bathhouse, better playground equipment including swings, a sand-volleyball net, and a putt-putt golf course complete the amenities.
Unfortunately, our campsite was located on Row D. While it also provides ample shade, loops are on a slanted incline making leveled sites less common. In addition, none of these sites are pull-through, and many are on shared pads, which resemble two parking spaces next to each other. Not exactly ideal set-up conditions. These rows also share a playground and a bathhouse with a washer and dryer.
The bathhouse facilities are typical of a state park. Lack of privacy was my main complaint. There are three toilet stalls that use shower curtains for doors. These are difficult to seal, and small children can easily pull them open. The toilets are also not firmly bolted and rock with a loud noise when you sit down. I overheard another camper describe them as “Rock-N-Roll Toilets.”
Multiple showers line the wall with a dressing stall at each entrance. Curtains again provide privacy while a foot wide bench, hooks, and a shelf offer adequate storage. The water controls are easy to operate, with no limitations or cost for usage. The pressure, while not excessive, is sufficient.
The flooring, a cement-gray, stayed perpetually dirty with muddy prints. I couldn’t tell if the earthworm I stepped over was drowning in the brown sludge or the extreme humidity. However, to be fair, I don’t think it would have been humanly possible to keep those floors clean. Prior to our arrival, rain had deluged the area to the point of causing flash flooding. Even after our arrival, storms continued every night.
Two final issues need to be addressed. First, cell phone coverage is almost non-existent. Even hiking to the top of a nearby hill did not guarantee success. Secondly, the camp store is sadly lacking in amenities. Other than wood and a few novelties, I did not see much to meet either my needs or wants.
Recommendations for Camping at the Hueston Woods State Park
Based on the beauty of the park and the numerous activities, camping at Hueston Woods State Park is well-worth the trip. Even the minor inconveniences do not negate the worth of this park. Just make sure you choose Row A for your campsite!
Source
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Hueston Woods State Park
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/parks/huestonw/tabid/745/Default.aspx
