My Kind of Camping Mini-Vacation!

For a couple of summers, my husband and I have vacationed with our son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughters.  The idea is for "Papa and Nana" to enjoy time together with them, visits places, and help with the granddaughters.  Summer of 2006, we all drove to Washington DC and on to Virginia Beach, VA.  Last year, we didn't go anywhere - twins arrived!  So, summer of 2008 was to be something less "touristy" and something all would enjoy.  A "camping" trip was decided upon, the destination was chosen, and dates were set. 

The State Parks in Ohio are wonderful destinations for families!  Each park offers a variety of accommodations and activities.  Our little group of 4 adults, 4 children, and 1 dog were looking for camper cabins, and we were able to reserve a cabin at Shawnee State Park in Portsmouth, Ohio.

  This State Park is nestled in the Shawnee State Forest in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains along the banks of the Ohio River, and was once the hunting grounds for the Shawnee Indians.  For most of us, this would be a part of uncharted Ohio territory.  Shawnee offers a wonderful lodge and conference center along with 25 camper cabins - PERFECT!

Now, you have to understand my idea of camping is at the Hilton, so camping of any sort isn't usually my style of vacation.  Convinced by my son I would have running water and flush toilets, I agreed to this adventure.  A bonus was the cabin included air conditioning!  Then, I knew I could handle 4 days of "camping."  I have stayed in another state park lodge before so I knew the accommodations would be very well kept.

 

Another part of this whole vacation adventure included babysitting the granddaughters - aged 7, 5, and twins 16 months - a day before arrival.  Our son and his wife were taking "some time off" to celebrate their 10th anniversary in Cincinnati, Ohio, following a Jimmy Buffett concert, and we were packing the 4 granddaughters, 1 dog, and the remaining gear into the minivan.  Sounded pretty easy!  OK - we were only 45 minutes behind schedule!

We thought cabin check-in was sometime just after noon.  We thought wrong - 4:30 pm.  Our arrival in Portsmouth was 3 1/2 hours prior to  check-in time.  After we met our son and daughter-in-law, we enjoyed a fast food lunch in a picnic area located next to the campground and traveled down scenic State Route 125 to the entrance of Shawnee State Park Lodge and Cabins.

  The lodge area offered scenic views and lots of ammendities which we would explore later.  The front desk employees were very friendly, quick to get us checked in (we were a little early, but our cabin was ready), and helpful getting the cribs needed for the babies.  After obtaining the keys, the two vehicles loaded with "stuff" headed to the cabins.  We were in Camper Cabin #8 which was located near the turnaround and fire pit.  The cabin was actually a handicapped accessible facility.  Each cabin has 2 parking spaces, a front porch area, 2 bedrooms, a combination kitchen living area, a covered screened deck, and a wonderful bathroom!  One bedroom had 2 sets of bunk beds - one with a full bed below - nightstands and dresser.   The seven and five year old granddaughters claimed the top bunks, and all 6 stayed in one room with plenty of space for all their stuff.  My husband and I occupied the other bedroom with a full bed and dresser.  And the bathroom suited me - running hot and cold water, a nice shower, and flush toilet!  This was our "home" for the next three days!

For dinner the first evening, we ate in the dining room of the lodge (Sunday night was all you can eat spaghetti).  The dining room was floor to ceiling glass at one end overlooking the outdoor swimming pool and valley area beyond.  The food was very good, and the scenery was beautiful even though a thunderstorm was going on outside. 

Shawnee State Park offers an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, access to several hiking trails within the state park and state forest, fishing in Turkey Creek and Roosevelt Lakes (only electric motors were allowed on the boats), canoe, rowboat, and paddleboat rentals, beaches, sand volleyball, horseshoe, shuffleboard, playground equipment, tennis courts, basketball courts, marina, and an 18 hole championship golf course.

  We tried out several ammendities.  Every day, we took the girls swimming in the outdoor pool.  The lifeguards each evening would have organized pool games for those who wanted some activity.  Hiking the trails provided several looks at nature, and although the beach isn't soft, white sand, the granddaughters loved playing in the water.  My husband and son played 18 holes of golf, and reported the course was very well maintained and challanging.  Hole #5 was the most spectacular offering a view of the hills and Ohio River, and never really encountered other golfers during their round.  While visiting the marina, the boat launch was never busy nor was river travel. 

The cabin location proved to be in a perfect area with the fire ring just outside our cabin.

  We roasted marshmellows and made S'mores a couple evenings, and cooked a breakfast and supper over the open fire.  Restaurants other than the lodge dining room were 14-15 miles away, so most of our meals were at the cabin.  After putting the girls to bed each evening, the adults would retire to the screened deck and play cards.  Most nights were quiet except for the barking dogs in the distance.  True to previous vacations, the weather was hot during the day, but cooled off nicely in the evenings.  Bugs weren't too bad, and it only rained the first evening and during the night one other day.  All in all, a very restful and relaxing vacation!

There are several things to do in the surrounding area if you don't care to spend the entire time at the park.

  About 45 minutes away is the Serpent Mound - an Ohio Historical Site.  In Portsmouth, murals portray the history of the area on the panels of the flood wall.  York Park is located beyond the walls for a view of the Ohio River travel.  There are also antique shops and historical architectural buildings to explore.  And a "highlight" for our granddaughters was crossing the U.S. Grant Bridge into Kentucky. 

The camping experience was wonderful!  I highly recommend this Ohio State Park and the accommodations offered.  While there, I noticed that all new bed frames and mattresses were being installed in the lodge rooms.  The camper cabins fill up early, so once you decide to make reservations, do it soon!  Many state parks have been booked for over 6 months!  Yes! to Shawnee State Park - "The Little Smokies.

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