Camp Toodik remains a popular choice for families
By Patricia Faulhaber
Hundreds of families come every year to the Mohican State Forest and Loudonville area to enjoy camping, canoeing, and kayaking. Visitors to the area can find their outdoor home away from home at Camp Toodik Family Campgrounds, Cabins, and Canoeing.
Located two and a half miles east of Loudonville on SR 39, Camp Toodik is nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in the scenic Mohican River Valley. The area is rich in natural forests, covered bridges, miles of hiking trails, and many opportunities for outdoor adventures such as those offered at Camp Toodik.
While the business has been open more than 42 years, William and Brenda Lucas have owned the business for the past three.
"My husband and I have been longtime campers and we always wanted to buy and run a campground," said Brenda Lucas.
"This has been a great opportunity for us. Camp Toodik is family oriented and we love meeting lots of great families and people."
Camp Toodik encompasses 93 acres, with camping areas that are more secluded than other campgrounds in the area, and riverside sites are available. Sites are available for tent campers as well as luxury Class A motorhomes, and everything in between. Sites are spacious, with plenty of room between campers. Plus, they are the only canoe livery on the Lake Fork branch of the Mohican River.
The campground offers 185 sites, some primitive, some with water and electric, and others with full hookup. Every campsite has a fire ring and picnic table. Campers can use one of the three shower houses, enjoy the heated in-ground pool, or pick up supplies at the fully stocked camp store. Seasonal sites are available and campers can rent the sites year-round to park their trailers.
There are also 10 cabins on the grounds, including deluxe cabins with heat, air conditioning, kitchen, and bath. Other cabins have electricity, small refrigerator, microwave, air conditioning and heat.
"We rent the cabins on a two-night minimum. They fill up very fast when the season begins," said Brenda Lucas.
The canoe livery has 150 canoes for those who want to take to the waterway for the 10-mile trip on the Lake Fork Branch of Mohican River. The trip takes most riders two hours to complete. According to Lucas, people using the livery love their canoe ride because this area of the Lake Fork River is quiet and winds its way through the local farmlands and wooded areas.
Other amenities include picnic pavilions, laundry room, gameroom with video games, baseball field, volleyball area, horseshoe pits, mini-golf, and hiking trails. A Wi-Fi hotspot is available at the camp store for campers who need to go online. There is a bingo night, kids crafts, and, on special occasions, area magicians or Outback Ray visit the campgrounds.
Camp Toodik offers many special events throughout the camping season, including a Memorial Day bike and golf cart parade, Christmas in July, and an ice cream social in August. For July Fourth weekend, kids can enjoy sliding down a chocolate-covered slip ’n slide. They also hold trick-or-treat at Halloween. This year, Camp Toodik is planning to host a carnival over Labor Day weekend, with all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society.
While campers love to spend time outdoors, they also like to do some shopping while vacationing. Camp Toodik is a scenic, 30-minute drive to Amish Country and all of the shops, sights, sounds, and restaurants.
Camp Toodik is open from mid-April through the end of October. For more information, including rental rates, visit http://www.camptoodik.com or call 877-886-7866 or 419-994-3835.
