Private primitive camping on 3 acres near Waverly.
About 5 minutes from Lake White State Park.
No crowds. Intentionally evolving.
…3 acres of private land an hour south of Columbus, just outside Waverly in Pike County, Ohio. Not a resort. Not a campground. A place to unplug or focus deeply, surrounded by hiking trails, ridge views, and silence.
About 5 minutes from Lake White, 20 minutes from Pike Lake State Park, and 22 minutes from Scioto Trail State Park. We add amenities every month, transparently and without rushing. If you value space, stillness, and being part of something real, you'll feel at home.
Timeline estimates only. We'll update as we build.
Hand-picked clearings across our 3.5 wooded acres — each with its own personality.
Five spots within about 15 miles of the property in Pike County, from unlimited-horsepower lake water to quiet wade fishing.
Lake White is the closest and the most forgiving, which is why most of our guests start there. It is the only water on this list that takes a full-size motorboat. If you would rather not tow anything, Pee Pee Creek is close enough to fish on foot, and the Scioto River rewards a kayak. Ohio fishing licenses are required and are easiest to buy online before you arrive.
Worth the drive, from five minutes away in Waverly out to about thirty-five in Portsmouth.
Waverly, about 5 minutes
Steakhouse, brewery and distillery
The only genuinely upscale steak and bourbon room in Pike County, and it is minutes from the land. Prime ribeye, filet, and a house bourbon list.
Mon to Wed 11a-9p, Thu to Sat 11a-11p, Sun 10a-3p
Waverly, about 5 minutes
Barbecue and burgers
Real smoked meats and a serious burger, a two minute walk from Black Diamond at half the price.
⚠ Thursday to Saturday only, 11a-11p
Waverly, about 5 minutes
Pizza, subs and pasta
The highest rated food in Waverly and the obvious carry-it-back-to-camp choice. Fluffy crust, fast, cheap.
Open daily
Chillicothe, about 20 minutes
Hickory smoked Texas-style barbecue
The best reviewed restaurant in the area by a wide margin, in a historic downtown canal building. Solid craft beer list too.
Closed Wednesdays. Otherwise 11a-9p, later on weekends
Chillicothe, about 20 minutes
Farm-to-table smokehouse
They raise and smoke their own beef on site. Brisket, pulled pork, and a bread pudding people write reviews about.
⚠ Thursday to Saturday 11a-7p, Sunday 11a-3p. Closes early
Chillicothe, about 20 minutes
Italian, sourdough pizza
An ambitious sourdough pizzeria with clean sourcing you would not expect to find down here. Thin New York style and thick Detroit style.
Open 7 days, the most reliable option on this list
Portsmouth, about 35 minutes
Old-school steakhouse and ribs
A decades-old Portsmouth institution and the region's benchmark for hand-cut steak. Worth pairing with the floodwall murals.
Open 7 days, 11a-10p most nights
Small-town hours change often, and two of these keep short weeks. Call ahead before you drive, especially on a Sunday or Monday. If you would rather not leave the land at all, Giovanni's travels well and reheats fine over the fire.
Pike County is rich with state parks, lakes, and historical sites. Here is what you can reach without leaving the surrounding hills.
5 miles minutes from Waverly
A 337-acre lake with unlimited-horsepower boating, swimming, and fishing.
12.7 miles west
A secluded gem in the hills of Pike County, perfect as an extension of a retreat stay.
13.9 miles north
Tucked into the 9,000-acre Scioto Trail State Forest with ridge-top vistas of the Scioto River Valley.
26.9 miles west
One of the most pristine archaeological sites in Ohio: a Hopewell stone-and-earth hilltop enclosure over 2,000 years old.
35 miles further afield
World-famous prehistoric effigy mound. Worth the day trip if you have not seen it.
48 miles northeast
Ohio's famous gorge-and-cave park. Quieter alternative to staying in the hills directly.
Want to make a weekend of it? Read the blog for trip-planning posts.
Explore the beauty of Skyline Retreat
Ready to see it for yourself?
Reserve Your Dates on HipCampWe're developing annual membership options that will provide unlimited access to the land, priority booking for all amenities, and exclusive member benefits. Join our community and make Skyline Retreat your regular escape from the everyday.
Membership details and pricing will be announced soon.
Quick answers to what most guests want to know before they book.
More questions? Reach out or check the public roadmap.
"The perfect escape from everyday life. Absolutely breathtaking views."
"Peaceful, beautiful, and exactly what we needed. We'll be back!"
"An unforgettable experience in a stunning location."
Limited sites. No crowds. Just you and 3 acres of Pike County, Ohio quiet.
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