Campgrounds and RV parks near Marietta, OH

Marietta sits at the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio rivers in southeastern Ohio, about a two-hour drive south of Columbus and roughly the same distance from Pittsburgh. The area combines historic riverfront streets with access to Wayne National Forest and the Muskingum River Parkway State Park, making it a practical base for RV travelers who want river paddling, scenic drives, and small-town walkability in one trip. RV options near town skew toward private, full-hookup parks rather than large state-park loops. The Muskingum River drains into the Ohio River at Marietta, and Ashland RV Park, Castle Care Campground, American Way RV Park, and Blennerhassett RV Park (just across the Ohio River in West Virginia) serve travelers who need water, electric, and sewer close to downtown attractions. For a more rustic overnight, the Muskingum River Parkway State Park offers primitive lock-side camping upriver. Luke Chute Lock 5 has 8 primitive sites, and all lock areas permit camping to boaters in transit on the Muskingum River.

Private parks near Marietta, including Ashland RV Park, Castle Care Campground, American Way RV Park, and Blennerhassett RV Park, take reservations directly by phone or through their own websites. Holiday weekends and river-festival dates should be locked in several months out, especially for pull-through and full-hookup sites. Campsites at Muskingum River Parkway State Park, including Luke Chute Lock 5, are booked online or by calling (866) 644-6727, with reservations available up to six months in advance at reserveohio.com. Parks that use the reservation system no longer offer walk-in campsites, and Jesse Owens State Park is the only park that offers first-come, first-served camping, so pre-booking is expected. Have RV length, slide-out details, and rig type ready at booking, since primitive lock sites and some older private loops have size limits.