About Skyline Retreat Ohio
3 acres of private land in Pike County, Ohio, run by one person, evolving every month.
Skyline Retreat is a small, private piece of land outside Waverly, Ohio, in Pike County. It is not a resort, and it is not a campground. It is land you book whole, with three campsites, hiking trails, ridge views, and a deliberate lack of crowds.
The retreat sits about 5 minutes from Lake White State Park, 20 minutes from Pike Lake State Park, and 22 minutes from Scioto Trail State Park. It is roughly 1 hour 14 minutes from Columbus, 1 hour 37 minutes from Dayton, and 1 hour 47 minutes from Cincinnati. That distance is the point. Far enough that the noise drops off. Close enough to drive on a Friday night and be at a fire by dark.
Who runs it
I'm Adam Gumm. I built and run Skyline Retreat. I write the blog posts, take the photos, cut the trails, and answer the email. There is no marketing team. There is no franchise. It is one person and a piece of land that I am turning into something quiet and useful, one weekend at a time.
Why "intentionally evolving"
Most retreats market themselves as finished products. Skyline Retreat does not. There is a public roadmap that shows exactly what is available now, what is coming soon, and what is still a future vision with no timeline. I'd rather you book knowing the truth than show up surprised.
New amenities are added every month. Sometimes that means a new trail marker. Sometimes it means a whole new campsite. The pace is honest, not hyped.
What is here today
- Three private campsites: Aurora's Grove, Orion's Pointe, and Skyline Summit
- Primitive tent camping plus self-contained RV parking under 28 feet, no hookups
- Hot/cold outdoor shower
- WiFi work zones for remote-work guests
- Hiking trails and ridge viewpoints
- Fire pits when restrictions allow
- A small handmade shop with spices and candles, plus brand merch
What's nearby
Pike County has more in walking-or-driving range than most people expect. The closest options:
- Lake White State Park (5 mi, 5 min): A 337-acre lake with unlimited-horsepower boating, swimming, and fishing.
- Pike Lake State Park (12.7 mi, 20 min): A secluded gem in the hills of Pike County, perfect as an extension of a retreat stay.
- Scioto Trail State Park (13.9 mi, 22 min): Tucked into the 9,000-acre Scioto Trail State Forest with ridge-top vistas of the Scioto River Valley.
- Fort Hill Earthworks & Nature Preserve (26.9 mi, 41 min): One of the most pristine archaeological sites in Ohio: a Hopewell stone-and-earth hilltop enclosure over 2,000 years old.
- Serpent Mound (35 mi, 45 min): World-famous prehistoric effigy mound. Worth the day trip if you have not seen it.
- Hocking Hills State Park (48 mi, 1 hr): Ohio's famous gorge-and-cave park. Quieter alternative to staying in the hills directly.
For trip planning, check the blog. We post on Sundays at 8am ET.
How to book
All bookings happen on HipCamp. Pick a campsite, pick your dates, pay through HipCamp, and show up.
For anything else, the contact page has email and Instagram.