If you’re looking for camping near Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ridge Ranch Campground in Newton Falls, Ohio is about 35 minutes from the park. It’s a family campground built around a private 17-acre lake, with a new sand beach, a Wibit floating water park, RV and tent sites, and easy access from I-80. Many families spend a day in the national park, then come back to a campground where the kids still have plenty to do.
How far is Ridge Ranch from Cuyahoga Valley National Park?
About 35 minutes by car. Ridge Ranch sits in Trumbull County, east of the park, so you can visit the valley for the day and be back at camp in time for a swim, a food truck dinner or a campfire. Nelson Ledges State Park is even closer, about 10 minutes away.
Why stay at a campground outside the park?
A national park trip is about the park itself. A private family campground nearby adds the things a family wants at the end of the day:
- A spring-fed swimming area with a sand beach that runs out into the water, so you step onto sand, not mud.
- A Wibit floating water park, open Thursday through Sunday in summer (ages 7 and up, life jackets provided).
- A free Kangaroo Jumper, a new playground, an arcade in the store and basketball and volleyball courts.
- An Amish-built lakeside pavilion that hosts events most summer weekends, plus rotating food trucks.
- Renovated restrooms and two new bathhouses near the lake.
- Firewood delivered to your site.
Check the National Park Service for current information about visiting and staying inside Cuyahoga Valley National Park itself.
Campsites for a national park trip
| If you are… | Look at |
|---|---|
| Towing a big rig or stopping off I-80 | Sites 17 to 26; 22 to 26 are gravel pull-throughs with 50-amp service |
| Wanting the water view | Lakefront sites 138 to 156, our most popular |
| Looking for shade and quiet | Sites 65 to 131, full hookup under old-growth trees |
| Camping with young kids | Sites 17 to 21 and 27 to 32, near the store, restroom and Kangaroo Jumper |
| Tent camping | Primitive tent sites up front near the Kangaroo Jumper, or a quieter wooded area near the creek |
A sample weekend: the valley and the lake
- Friday: Arrive and drive straight to your site. The gate reads your license plate, so there is no office stop. Campfire and s’mores.
- Saturday: Head west to Cuyahoga Valley National Park for the day. Back by late afternoon for the beach, a scoop of ice cream from the store and the evening event at the pavilion.
- Sunday: Morning on the Wibit or the beach, or a short drive to the ledges at Nelson Ledges State Park before you head home.
More to see near Ridge Ranch
Cuyahoga Valley gets the national attention, but many locals feel the rock formations at Nelson Ledges State Park are among the most striking in the region. Garrettsville has a vintage downtown along the river and its own falls. Amish Country in eastern Ohio, Newton Falls’ covered bridge and falls, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton are all popular day trips.
Camping near Cuyahoga Valley National Park: questions
How far is Ridge Ranch from Cuyahoga Valley National Park?
About 35 minutes by car. Nelson Ledges State Park is about 10 minutes away.
Can I stay just one night?
Yes. Many I-80 travelers stop for a night. Pull-through sites 22 to 26 have 50-amp service for an easy in-and-out.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes. Dogs stay on a 6-foot leash and can run off leash in the dog park. Pets are not allowed on the beach, in the lake or in buildings.
When is Ridge Ranch open?
The season runs May 1 to October 20. The Wibit closes after Labor Day, and October brings fall color across the lake.
How do I book?
Book online and choose your exact site on the map, or call the office at (330) 898-8080.
