West Branch State Park, near Ravenna in Portage County, is about 14 miles and about 25 minutes from Ridge Ranch Campground in Newton Falls. It’s the closest state park campground to us and one of the best-known in Northeast Ohio, built around the 2,650-acre Michael J. Kirwan Reservoir. Ridge Ranch is a 76-acre family campground around a 17-acre lake with a new sand beach and the Wibit inflatable water park. Here’s a fair comparison of the two.
State parks and private campgrounds are funded and priced differently. Ohio’s state parks are paid for through camping fees and public investment, and they’re built around big lakes, trails and open land. A private campground like Ridge Ranch pays for its amenities, staff and utilities through the site rate, so it puts its effort into what you do at the campground. Neither is better across the board; they suit different trips.
West Branch State Park vs Ridge Ranch: quick comparison
| West Branch State Park | Ridge Ranch | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from Ridge Ranch | About 14 miles, about 25 minutes | — |
| Campsites | Large campground (full hookup and electric), 3 group sites, separate equestrian camp | RV sites (lakefront, wooded and open), two tent areas; no cabins |
| Hookups and power | Full hookup (water, electric, sewer) and electric sites | 30- and 50-amp; full hookup on many sites; 50-amp pull-throughs (22–26) |
| Reservations | Reserve Ohio; 2-night weekend minimum | Book directly with us; license-plate gate, no check-in line |
| Swimming | 700-ft sand beach; small campground beach | New sand beach; spring-fed swim area 8–10 ft deep with the Wibit in summer |
| Boating | 2,650-acre reservoir, unlimited horsepower, 300-ft no-wake shoreline zone; campground boat launch | Bring your own kayak, canoe or paddle boat on a calm 17-acre lake |
| Trails | About 14 mi hiking, nearly 20 mi bridle, 19+ mi mountain bike; Buckeye Trail | No trail system yet; Nelson-Kennedy Ledges is about 10 minutes away |
| Fishing | Bass, walleye, crappie, bluegill, catfish, muskellunge; Ohio license 16+ | Catch-and-release; bass, crappie, bluegill, carp |
| Pets | Pets allowed on all campsites; not on swimming beaches; dog park with swim pond | 6-ft leash; off-leash dog park; no pets on the beach or in the lake |
| Quiet hours | 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. | 11 p.m. |
| Best for | Mountain bikers, riders, boaters and anglers | Families who want the beach, Wibit and weekend events on site |
Park details come from ODNR’s West Branch page and campground map. ODNR doesn’t post a total site count; check the map for current site types.
Who West Branch State Park is best for
West Branch is a trail and big-water park, and it’s very good at both.
- Mountain bikers and hikers. More than 19 miles of mountain bike trails and about 14 miles of hiking trails, plus the Buckeye Trail, which runs through the park with a spur to the campground.
- Horse owners. Nearly 20 miles of bridle trails and a separate equestrian campground.
- Boaters. The reservoir allows unlimited horsepower, with a 300-foot no-wake zone along the shorelines, and the campground has its own boat launch. The camp store has a life jacket loaner station.
- Anglers. ODNR lists large and smallmouth bass, walleye, crappie, bluegill, catfish and trophy-class muskellunge. Anglers 16 and older need an Ohio fishing license.
- RVers who want full hookups near a big lake. The campground has full hookup and electric sites, and pets are permitted on all sites.
- Beachgoers. The main beach is 700 feet of sand, and campers also have a small beach in the campground.
Who Ridge Ranch is best for
Ridge Ranch Campground in Newton Falls is a family campground where the campground itself is the plan for the weekend.
- Families with kids. The 17-acre lake has a new sand beach and a spring-fed swimming area dredged 8 to 10 feet deep, where the Wibit inflatable water park sits in summer (Thursday through Sunday and holiday Mondays through Labor Day, free for campers on Thursdays; ages 7 and up, kids under 16 with a parent present, life jackets provided). The Kangaroo Jumper, a new playground and an arcade are a short walk away.
- Weekend event fans. Most summer weekends bring food trucks and events at our Amish-built lakeside pavilion, and Halloween weekend falls on the last weekend of September. See the events calendar.
- Lakefront campers. Lakefront sites 138 to 156 are our most requested. Wooded full-hookup sites 65 to 131 are quieter, and sites 22 to 26 are 50-amp gravel pull-throughs for big rigs.
- Paddlers who bring their own boat. Kayaks, canoes and paddle boats are welcome on our calm, mostly shallow lake (we don’t rent boats).
- Easy arrivals. Your license plate opens the gate, so you skip the check-in line.
What we don’t have: cabins, a pool, laundry or a trail system (trails behind the lake are planned). Our season runs May 1 to October 20. Rates vary by date and site; see our rates page to book your site.
The short version: West Branch is the better pick if your weekend is about miles of trail or a powerboat. Ridge Ranch is the better pick if it’s about kids, a swimming beach, the Wibit and a pavilion event on Saturday night.
Visiting both
At about 25 minutes apart, the two work well together. Many families camp at Ridge Ranch and drive to West Branch for a morning ride or hike, then come back for the beach in the afternoon. If you’re camping at West Branch, non-campers can buy beach and Wibit day passes at Ridge Ranch on Wibit days (Thursday through Sunday in season, through Labor Day).
State park campsites book through Reserve Ohio (reserveohio.com or 866-644-6727), up to six months ahead, with a two-night minimum on weekends and three nights on Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends.
Comparing costs?
Questions
How far is West Branch State Park from Ridge Ranch?
About 14 miles, or about 25 minutes by car. It’s the closest state park campground to Ridge Ranch.
Does West Branch State Park have full hookup campsites?
Yes. ODNR lists full hookup and electric sites, three group sites and a separate equestrian camp with non-electric sites.
Is West Branch good for mountain biking?
Yes. ODNR lists more than 19 miles of mountain bike trails, about 14 miles of hiking trails and nearly 20 miles of bridle trails.
Are dogs allowed at West Branch State Park campground?
ODNR’s campground map says pets are permitted on all sites. Pets aren’t allowed on swimming beaches, and the park has a dog park with a swimming pond on Rock Spring Road.
Can you swim at West Branch State Park?
Yes. The main beach is 700 feet of sand with restrooms, changing booths and outdoor showers, and the campground has its own small beach.
Do I need a fishing license at Ridge Ranch?
Not on Ridge Ranch’s private lake, which is catch and release. On West Branch (Michael J. Kirwan Reservoir) and other public water, an Ohio fishing license is required.
Can I bring my own firewood to Ridge Ranch?
Only if it’s USDA-certified (stamped). The camp store sells local wood from inspected forests in the county and delivers it to your site.
Is the Wibit open in September?
No. The Wibit’s last day is Labor Day; it closes after that weekend and returns the next season. The beach, Kangaroo Jumper and arcade stay open, and the park runs through October 20.
