© GatherGrounds
© GatherGrounds Resorts
The Fourth at Ridge Ranch
4th of July Camping at Ridge Ranch: Lake Days and Patriotic Parades
The Fourth of July at Ridge Ranch Campground in Newton Falls is a lake day with a patriotic finish: a kids’ bike parade, a cornhole tournament, a golf cart parade and DJ Big B, with the Wibit and the beach in between. This year’s schedule is on the Ridge Ranch events page.
Kids’ bike parade1 PM on the Fourth
Cornhole2 PM tournament
Golf cart parade5:30 PM
No fireworksat camp
What a typical Fourth of July looks like
Here’s how last season’s Fourth played out.
1 PM: kids’ patriotic bike parade
Kids decorate their bikes in red, white and blue and ride together through the campground. Pack streamers, flags and tape from home so the bikes are ready by lunchtime. Little ones on training wheels and scooters are part of the fun.
2 PM: cornhole tournament
The afternoon cornhole tournament is a weekend staple at Ridge Ranch. Seasonal campers and weekend families play side by side, so it’s an easy way to meet the people camped around you. Teams mix ages and skill levels. Bring your best toss.
5:30 PM: patriotic golf cart parade
Decorated golf carts loop through the campground in the early evening. If you bring your own electric cart, it needs a cart pass, proof of insurance and a signed waiver. Gas carts aren’t allowed. Everyone else lines the route to wave, and kids collect the best view from the grass.
6 to 9 PM: DJ Big B
DJ Big B plays into the evening by the lake. Families dance, kids play on the playground and the Kangaroo Jumper nearby, and parents grab a seat in the shade by the beach. The music ends with time to settle in before quiet hours at 11 PM.
On the lake
July is peak season on the 17-acre lake. The Wibit floating water park sits in the spring-fed swimming area, and the new sand beach has a shallow section for little kids. The Wibit is open Thursday through Sunday and holiday Mondays in season, free for campers on Thursdays. Bring your own kayak, canoe or inner tube.
Are there fireworks at Ridge Ranch?
No. There are no fireworks at camp, and guests can’t bring their own. A wooded campground full of kids, pets and RVs isn’t a safe place for them, so we celebrate with parades, games and music instead. Some families drive to a nearby town’s public fireworks show in the evening; check local listings for times. Golf carts park at dark, so take your car, and kids and bikes need to be back at their site by dusk.
Book early for the Fourth
The Fourth of July is one of the busiest weekends of the summer, so book early. Holiday dates are priced higher than ordinary weekends. Lakefront sites 138 to 156 are the most requested and go first. Choose your dates on the Ridge Ranch rates page to see your price. For more about camping on the water, see lakefront camping in Northeast Ohio and fishing at Ridge Ranch Lake.
Getting to Ridge Ranch
Ridge Ranch is in Newton Falls, just off I-80 and the Ohio Turnpike. It’s about 40 minutes from Youngstown, under an hour from Akron, about an hour and 15 minutes from Cleveland and about an hour and 45 minutes from Pittsburgh. There’s no check-in line: we collect your license plate when you book, and the gate opens for you when you arrive.
Questions
Does Ridge Ranch have fireworks on the Fourth of July?
No. There are no fireworks at camp, and guests can’t set off their own. Some families drive to a nearby town’s public show; check local listings.
Is the Wibit open over the Fourth?
The Wibit is open Thursday through Sunday and on holiday Mondays in season. It’s free for campers on Thursdays; other days need a wristband.
Can we bring inner tubes and kayaks?
Yes. Guests may bring small boats like kayaks and canoes, and floating on your own tube is popular.
Which sites are best for the Fourth?
Lakefront sites 138 to 156 are the most popular. They’re the first to book, so reserve early.
Can kids join the bike parade?
Yes. Decorate bikes before the 1 PM parade and ride along.
Ready to book?
Rates vary by date and site; see our rates page.
Ridge Ranch Campground · 5219 OH-303, Newton Falls, OH 44444 · (330) 898-8080
