Stewart Lake Campground
Open for the 2026 camping season. Reservations required through ReserveOhio up to 6 months in advance. Water is seasonal.
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 1 at 12:13PM EDT until July 3 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
* WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 106. * WHERE...Portions of east central and southeast Indiana, northeast and northern Kentucky, and central, south central, southwest, and west central Ohio. * WHEN...Until 8 PM EDT Friday. * IMPACTS...Heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities.
About
Stewart Lake Campground provides a primitive camping experience at Scioto Trail State Park, located south of Chillicothe in Ohio's Appalachian foothills. This walk-in tent camping area features 18 non-electric sites situated near Stewart Lake Dam, accessible via an unblazed bridle trail west of the picnic area. The campground offers a quieter, more secluded alternative to the developed Caldwell Lake Campground located 0.7 miles away. The park encompasses 218 acres within the larger 9,000-acre Scioto Trail State Forest, offering ridgetop vistas of the Scioto River Valley. Campers can enjoy hiking, fishing at Stewart Lake (9 acres), and exploring the surrounding forest trails. The Buckeye Trail passes through the area, making it a convenient stop for long-distance hikers. Amenities are minimal but adequate for primitive camping: pit toilets, seasonal potable water, picnic tables at each site, and fire rings. Reservations are required through ReserveOhio. The main Caldwell Lake campground nearby provides additional services including a dump station and camp store at the check-in station.
Directions
From Chillicothe, take US Route 23 south approximately 10 miles. The park entrance is on the east side of the highway. Follow signs to the Stewart Lake area and park at the day use area, then walk in to the primitive campground via the bridle trail west of the picnic area below Stewart Lake Dam.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $25 - $60 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 44ft |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (740) 887-4818 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Availability
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!