Featuring gorgeous rolling hills and plenty of fun for the whole family, Dillon State Park is an idyllic rural Ohio RV getaway. Located in eastern Ohio, the area has a long history with the nearby Licking River known to be a gathering area for Native Americans looking for water and hunting opportunities. Well-known bridge designer Moses Dillon purchased the land around the park in 1803, and the man-made Dillon Lake that was constructed in 1961 was named after him.
No matter what time of the year that you visit Dillon State Park, there are plenty of fun recreational activities waiting for you to enjoy. During the summer months, the lake is a hub of activity with many boaters, anglers, and swimmers making the most of Dillon Lake. Off the water, the park has some great picnic facilities, hiking trails, and plenty of fun in the winter thanks to the sledding hill.
The campground at Dillon State Park is known for being one of the best in the Ohio State Park system, so you should be excited to experience it! There are a total of 173 sites to choose from located in three loops, most of which come equipped with electric hookups. If you didn't bring your RV. there are also cabins and equestrian sites available. Peak season at Dillon State Park runs from April until October.
Driving to and from Dillon State Park will be achievable by beginner RV drivers thanks to its location near the OH-146. The area isn't completely flat, but there should be no issues navigating your RV to the park if your rig is 50 feet or under. There is one entrance to the park, and there are two turnouts at the horse camp and campground areas.
If you need to get any supplies before your arrival, you won't have to travel too far since there are plenty of towns nearby. These include North Zanesville (around eight miles away), Frazeysburg (about nine miles away), and Dresden (approximately 13 miles away). The closest city to the park is Zanesville, which is around nine miles to the southeast.
Thinking about visiting Dillion State Park during the wintertime? The park is open all year round, but you may have trouble driving to the park if there has been significant snowfall in the area. It is a great idea to check with the park office before your journey if you are concerned about the weather conditions.
For those just visiting for the day, there are plenty of parking options for you to choose from, including at the camp store, park office, and at the equestrian campground.
Dillon State Park offers visitors the chance to enjoy RV camping all year round thanks to the large three-loop campground. The campground is known for being kept very clean and most of the sites are shady. There are 195 sites to choose from, including 183 that come equipped with electric hookups and a further 14 that have full hookups. All sites also come with a picnic table and fire ring so you can enjoy the outdoors and potentially cook some campfire smores.
The three camping loops feature some great additional amenities, including playgrounds, water collection points, a shared dump station, and a shower house. There is also a camp store that offers basic groceries and free WiFi for registered campers. RVs up to 60 feet in length will be able to use the campground, and it is a good idea to bring leveling blocks since some sites aren't completely level.
Reservations are highly recommended for Dillon State Park since it is a very popular camping destination, especially during the peak season. The campground is open all year round, but during the winter months, some amenities like running water may be turned off.
If you are interested in some first-come, first-served camping at Dillon State Park than you are in luck! There are specific first-come, first-served campsites that are not available for reservations in all three sections of the campground. In camping areas one and two, there are two sites specifically available on a first-come, first-served basis, while camping area three has one site. All of these feature electric hookups and both tents and RVs can use them.
The rest of the sites within the campground can also be used on a first-come, first-served basis if they haven't been reserved in advance. First-come, first-served sites will also be available during the wintertime, however, some of the campground facilities may be turned off due to the snowy weather.
Looking for some fun when the snow starts to fall? Dillon State Park is a great place to go sledding thanks to the hills that are located within the park. Sled Hill is the best place to have some fun, and there is a parking lot nearby for ease of access. Make sure to bring your own sled if you wish to go sledding since there are no guarantees that any rentals will be available.
Built by a local Boy Scout, Dillon State Park has a great archery range that you are encouraged to use during your visit. The range is suitable for archers of all skill levels and can be found near the parking lot at Sled Hill. There are many different targets that you can fire an arrow at, including those that are 40, 20, and 30 yards away. There are also backstops at the range made from recycled plastic, so you won't have to worry about your arrows flying off if you miss the target.
One of the best ways to enjoy the off-season at Dillon State Park is to head to the disc golf course that is located throughout the camping area. The course is an 18-hole par 61 and can be completed by disc golfers of all ages and abilities. If you don't have your own discs, you can rent them for free from the camp store and also pick up a scorecard. The disc golf course is completely free to use, so make the most of it!
There are hardly any restrictions for tent campers at Dillon State Park. The only camping area that you won't be able to use is the equestrian campground and youth group camping area. If you are looking for a more primitive camping experience, you can stay at one of the 12 sites within the main campground that do not feature electrical hookups. The maximum occupancy for tent campers is six people per site, so if you are traveling with a group, you may want to reserve sites next to each other since there is no group camping area unless you are in a youth group.
Planning on visiting Dillon State Park with your horse? If so, you will be very happy to know that there is an Equestrian Campground located northwest of the main camping area. The Equestrian Campground has 20 sites available for campers and their horse to use, all of which are primitive with no electric, water, or sewer hookups available. There aren't many amenities in the horse campground, but there are toilets for your convenience.
You will have to bring your own water and horse feed with you if you are planning on staying at the Equestrian Campground, and all sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis only all year round.
Dillon State Park is also home to a Youth Group Camping Area that is only open for those who are part of a youth group. This camping area is located in the southern area of the campground below the smallest loop. Since it is close to the loop, you will be able to use the amenities in this area, such as the water collection points and shower block. If you wish to use the Youth Group Camping Area, you will have to call the park well in advance of your stay to organize the trip since it isn't open to the general public.
Looking for a little more luxury? Dillon State Park is also home to 29 cabins that are perfect for travelers wanting some creature comforts. All of the cabins are within the woods near the lakeshore on the north and are available to be used all year round.
The cabins have some great features, including cable television, two separate bedrooms, a full kitchen, bathroom, heating and cooling, and a screened-in porch so you can enjoy the outdoors without having to deal with the bugs. You won't have to bring your own linens either as they are provided. Two cabins are also ADA-accessible, and some are pet-friendly so that nobody will miss out on the fun! Make sure to reserve your cabin online or call the park to organize a reservation since they are frequently used throughout the year.
Dillon Lake is a very popular boating destination during the summer months due to the 1,560 lake having no limit on motor horsepower. There are two boats available for you to gain lake access, and there are also four docks available for overnight use for the visitors who are wanting to keep their watercraft in the water. Don't have your own watercraft? There are some rentals available from the park store, such as kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards.
If you are visiting Dillon State Park during the warm summer months, you can make the most of the fantastic 1,300-foot beach that is perfect for swimming. Along with the beach, there is also a wading pool so the little ones can also enjoy some fun in the sun. There there are some excellent facilities near the beach, including two restrooms and an ADA-accessible area. Once you are finished at the beach, you can head to the picnic area to relax.
If you love to hike, you will have to pack your hiking boots before you depart on your journey to Dillon State Park. There are seven trails covering nine miles that suitable for hikers of all skill levels. Most of the trails are moderate in difficulty and are made of leveled dirt that is super easy to hike on. One of the most popular trails in the park is the paved trail that stretches for a half-mile in length.
