Zanesville was established in 1799 and named in 1801. It takes its name from pioneer Ebeneezer Zane, who paid his son-in-law with land on the Muskingum River and helped plan the settlement. The town briefly served as Ohio's state capital, but its true growth began with the National Road's construction in the early 1800s. Pottery manufacturing was huge in Zanesville thanks to the abundance of high-quality river clay, but the industry eventually declined midway through the 20th century. Today, about 25,000 people live in this Ohio city located at the confluence of the Muskingum and Licking rivers.
The most popular way to get a first-hand look at this river confluence is to cross the town’s famous Y-Bridge. This bridge has been rebuilt several times since its initial construction in 1814, but it’s still an important cultural landmark to the people of Zanesville. On land, you can view the bridge from Zane Landing Park and Putnam Hill Park.
The Putnam Historic District is home to several excellent attractions in Zanesville. The oldest house in town is located here, so be sure to drop by the Dr. Increase Mathews House, which was built in 1805. Another interesting location here is the Stone Academy, which was originally built as a state capitol but ended up being used for education and public services instead. To learn more about Putnam’s role before and during the Civil War, you can visit the Putnam Underground Railroad Education Center.
If you’re looking for a top-quality campground in Zanesville, then you may be interested in Wolfie's Campground, which is close to Jaycee Riverside Park and the Muskingum River. This family-friendly campground contains features like a movie theater, a heated swimming pool, a game room, a horseshoe pit, and a basketball court.
Dillon State Park Campground is located on Dillon Lake, which is about 20 minutes northwest of Zanesville. When you camp at this lovely Ohio state park, you’ll be able to take advantage of its dump station, camp store, laundry facilities, and Wi-Fi.
Should you decide to camp close to Dillon Lake without camping in Dillon Lake State Park, then you should consider LA-Z Acres Campground, which is just five minutes from the lake. This sizable but serene campground offers its visitors full hookups, showers, back-in and pull-through spaces, and live concerts.
An hour and a half from Zanesville is Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, which features the earthworks of a Native American culture that existed in this area nearly 2,000 years ago. This national site near Chillicothe, Ohio is home to the Hopeton Earthworks, the Seip Earthworks, the Mound City Group, and the Hopewell Mound Group. When you visit the Mound City Group, be sure to stop by the park's museum, which contains numerous exhibits displaying a wide variety of artifacts recovered from the site. You should also check out the 20-minute film that will tell you about the Hopewell culture's history and accomplishments.
Roughly half an hour north of Cuyahoga Valley National Park is the James A. Garfield National Historic Site. This historic site near Lake Erie contains the former home of America's 20th president. It is also home to America's first presidential library. The Garfield Home features many authentic Victorian pieces, some of which graced the home itself during the late 1800s. You can tour this lovely home, visit the bookstore, and watch a film detailing the life of James Garfield. Outdoors, you can take a cell phone tour of the grounds that will tell you more about Garfield's life and presidency.
About an hour and 15 minutes northwest of Hopewell Culture National Historical Park is Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. This Ohio park contains multiple sites relating to the Wright Brothers and the early days of aviation. At this park, you can visit the Wright Brothers' bicycle shop and check out Carillon Historical Park, which is the site of the Wright Brothers' first practical airplane flight. You can also stop by the Huffman Prairie Interpretive Center, which tells the story of the development of the first airplanes. Don't forget to go to Huffman Prairie Flying Field, which is located at nearby Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. This is where the Wright Brothers refined their plane-making techniques after their successful flight at Kitty Hawk.
The northern edge of Wayne National Forest is just 40 minutes south of Zanesville. Wayne National Forest is the only national forest in Ohio, so this portion of the Appalachian foothills is well worth a visit. This forest contains more than 400 miles of trails you can explore on foot, mountain bike, horseback, or even off-road vehicle. Don’t be surprised if you come across a picturesque covered bridge or two here since this area is known for them. If you want to fish and boat, then you'll probably spend some time on the Ohio River, which flows through the forest.
Monongahela National Forest is two hours west of Shenandoah National Park. This West Virginia national forest features plenty of backwoods roads and trails that are ideal for biking, riding, and hiking. Eight separate wilderness areas provide a bevy of locations for trekking, backcountry camping, wildlife viewing, and more. Developed camping sites are also available for those who prefer a bit more civilization. Other popular activities you can do in Monongahela National Forest include fishing, hunting, stargazing, geocaching, and auto touring.
Daniel Boone National Forest is roughly three hours southwest of Wayne National Forest. This Kentucky national forest is home to 250 recreational sites, so you won’t have trouble finding somewhere to have fun on land or on water. Over 600 miles of trails will take you by creeks, waterfalls, rock formations, gorges, and other lovely features. One of the forest's most popular places to visit is the Red River Gorge, which is a wonderful place to canoe, hike, camp, and gaze at the beautiful sandstone arches. Whether you're heading up onto Big Black Mountain, out to the Cumberland Plateau, or down onto the Eastern Coal Field, you'll get to see some of Kentucky's most stunning scenery here.
You can reach the entrance to beautiful Cuyahoga Valley National Park by traveling two hours northeast of Zanesville on Interstates 70 and 77. Gorgeous Brandywine Falls and 99 other waterfalls await at this Ohio national park that's close to Cleveland and Lake Erie. The Cuyahoga River is an awesome place to kayak, canoe, and fish, and the park’s 125 miles of trails provide plenty of options for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. If you'd prefer to experience the wonders of Cuyahoga Valley in style, you can take a ride on the scenic railroad. Other fun activities you can do here include golfing, stargazing, and picnicking.
New River Gorge National Park is about three and a half hours south of Zanesville. This West Virginia national park has 70,000 acres, so there's plenty of space for hiking, hunting, backpacking, and more. The New River is a popular place to raft, kayak, canoe, and fish, and whitewater rafting enthusiasts will be able to experience everything from Class III to Class V rapids. The sandstone cliffs of New River Gorge National Park are ideal for climbing, so amateurs and professionals alike can take advantage of some of the park's more than 1,400 established climbs.
Another excellent place to enjoy the outdoors is at Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. While you're exploring this park’s 300 square miles, you'll have a hard time believing you're only a couple of hours from Washington, D.C. More than 500 miles of trails provide you with plenty of places that are ideal for hiking and backcountry camping. If you'd prefer to view some of the wonders of Shenandoah from your vehicle, you can do so via gorgeous Skyline Drive, which is 105 miles long.
Dillon State Park is just 15 minutes northwest of Zanesville, so you'll probably want to stop by on your trip. Dillon Lake is the star of the show here. Its 1,560 acres are perfect for boating, fishing, paddling, kayaking, and more. On its shoreline is a beach that’s 1,360 feet long, so you can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and wildlife watching. If you'd prefer to spend your time in the woods, you can hunt in the park's designated hunting areas. You can also practice your aim at the park's archery range that features 40-yard targets.
Roughly 25 minutes southeast of Zanesville is Blue Rock State Park, which is located within Blue Rock State Forest. The park is home to Cutler Lake, which is a great place to go boating and swimming in the summer and ice skating and ice fishing in the winter. Other fabulous activities you can do during the cold season include snowshoeing and sledding. Like Dillon State Park, Blue Rock State Park also contains an archery range. Primitive camping is possible here. No hookups are available, but overnight camping rates are reasonable and showers and restrooms are present on the grounds.
Burr Oak State Park is approximately an hour south of Zanesville on the outskirts of Wayne National Forest. You'll have a fun time fishing, boating, and swimming on Burr Oak Lake, which is nearly 665 acres large. Another great place to play on Burr Oak Lake is the 500 square feet of swimming beach on the lake's shoreline. On dry land, more than 25 miles of trails take hikers and backpackers through the woods, canyons, and prairies of the park. Multiple bridle trails provide additional paths for horseback riders to explore. You can also play a round or two of disc golf on the park's 18-hole course.
In most areas, the price to rent a motorhome is around $200 a night and the price to rent a towable trailer is around $120 a night.
What does RVshare Protection cover with my Zanesville, OH RV rental?RVshare's protection plan standard package covers up to $300,000 in comprehensive and collision coverage based on the value of the RV. It also includes free 24/7 roadside assistance and free towing and tire service. For more information on RVshare insurance, click here.
What is included in my Zanesville, OH RV rental?You should find any amenities that are included with your rental in the listing details. But it never hurts to check in with the owner before you arrive at the RV or have it delivered to ensure you have everything that is needed to have a fun and enjoyable trip!
Can I have my Zanesville, OH RV rental delivered to a specified location?Many owners on RVshare.com offer delivery, and will even set it up for you at the campsite. Choose the 'Delivery' filter to narrow down your search results to RVs that can be brought to your home or destination. Check the listing details for any information regarding extra fees for delivery, or ask the owner if you are unsure.
