Welcome to the Franklin Furnace/Ohio River KOA Journey!

Franklin Furnace/Ohio River KOA Journey is conveniently located off US-52E, the Ohio River Scenic Byway. The Ohio River Scenic Byway offers exceptional river views, breathtaking hills, and lush forest valleys connected by curvy routes dotted with charming river towns.When you're looking for the perfect stop along the way, make Franklin Furnace/Ohio River KOA your basecamp. Enjoy family and pet-friendly camping on the Ohio River, near the Ohio/Kentucky border just minutes away from the Greenup Locks & Dams, the Portsmouth Harbour Riverboats, and the Portsmouth Raceway.

Exploring Franklin Furnace, OH
Escape to Franklin Furnace, Ohio, a small village located in Southern Ohio, and enjoy the rural charm and historical setting. Our campground makes the perfect base camp when you want to experience a serene and picturesque setting for camping, exploring the Wayne National Forest, fishing, or water activities on the Ohio River. Franklin Furnace is also just around two hours from Cincinnati, Columbus, and Lexington.

Franklin Furnace/Ohio River KOA Journey Has a Way to Stay for Everyone
At Franklin Furnace/Ohio River KOA Journey, we offer many RV sites to help you have the camping experiences you desire. You can stay at one of our FHU RV Sites with your choice of River View RV sites, Lake View RV sites, or Basic RV sites. We also offer a variety of options when choosing the length of your stay including; daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, and seasonal.

  • River View RV Sites: A river view RV site offers a serene and picturesque setting for travelers who enjoy camping with the soothing ambiance of the flowing Ohio River nearby.
  • Lake View RV Sites: From your lake view RV site, you'll enjoy uninterrupted views of the glistening lake, with ever-changing scenery throughout the day.
  • Standard RV Sites: There's nothing basic about the basic sites at our campground. Take advantage of all the amenities you could ask for - including full hookups! Park your rig near us and find out what makes us one of the best RV campgrounds near Franklin Furnace, OH.

All sites have full hookups, lake and fishing access, and are pet-friendly. So don't forget to bring your pets along for the adventure.

Franklin Furnace/Ohio River KOA Journey Amenities and Recreation
Have an unforgettable camping experience on the shores with views of the Ohio River at our KOA Journey. We offer amenities the whole family can enjoy, including:

  • Spring-fed fishing lake
  • Ohio River Fishing
  • Boating & Water Recreation on the Ohio River
  • On-site Convenience Store

Local Attractions and Recreation
Camping in Franklin Furnace means you can spend time exploring the unforgettable beauty of the area. The Ohio River offers visitors a variety of outdoor recreation including swimming, fishing, boating, or wildlife viewing – including our resident Bald Eagle family. If you're looking to venture out, it's a quick trip for hiking in the Wayne National or Shawnee State Forest, exploring the historic towns of Portsmouth and Irontown, OH, or a cultural experience in Huntington, WV.

Book Your Stay with Franklin Furnace/Ohio River KOA Journey
Franklin Furnace/Ohio River KOA Journey offers the best location when you want riverfront camping full of natural beauty and outdoor activities both onsite or in the area.

Begin planning your trip to Franklin Furnace/Ohio River KOA Journey in Franklin Furnace, OH by booking your campsite today!

Campground Amenities

  • 50 Max Amp
  • 55' Max Length
  • Wi-Fi
  • Propane ($)
  • Fishing
  • Mini Golf ($)
  • Firewood ($)
  • Dog Park
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Ways to Stay

KOA Journey

KOA Journey Campgrounds

KOA Journey campgrounds are the perfect oases after a day on the road. Whether it’s along the way or a quick getaway, they’ve got you covered. Located near the highways and byways of North America with long Pull-thru RV Sites, they deliver convenience to the traveling camper. Pull in, ease back and take a load off.

KOA Journeys Feature:

  • Pull-through RV Sites with 50-amp service
  • Premium Tent Sites
  • Well lit after hours check-in service

Latest Hot Deal

KOA Rewards Appreciation Weekend

KOA Rewards Appreciation Weekend Photo

WHEN: September 5-6, 2025

WHAT: KOA Rewards holders stay as a paying guest on Friday, September 5th at any participating KOA campground and get Saturday, September 6th for FREE*.

WHY: KOA Rewards Appreciation Weekend is designed exclusively for KOA Rewards holders to say thanks for your loyalty and for trusting your camping memories to us. On this late-summer weekend, we gather to celebrate friends, family and fun in the great outdoors we all adore.

* Only at participating KOA locations. Applies to one site per a KOA Rewards account, for two consecutive nights at the same KOA. Sites may be limited. KOA Rewards discount does apply but not valid with other discounts.

Book This Hot Deal

Local Area

The Murals

The created murals tend to show out Portsmouth, Ohio history all through the present day from the mound-building Indians and use 2000 ft. long, 20 ft. high floodwall as the canvas.The year 2002 marked the final year of Floodwall Mural Project creation that lasted for ten years. The entire project runs onwards the historic district length and it is said to include about fifty different scenes.When the idea of this project was born back in 1992, the internationally known artist and muralist were contacted to take over this project. After embarking on the project, he managed to complete the first mural a year later. The created murals are arranged from the east all through the west starting with a show of the Mound Builders, the said Shawnee Indians ancestors.

429 Front ST

Portsmouth, OH 45662

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A Premier Off-Highway Vehicle Trail System

Over 244,000 acres nestled in the Appalachian foothills os southeast Ohio. As the largest off-highway vehicle (OHV) trail system in Ohio, The Wayne is known for its premier OHV trails. The Wayne National Forest provides some excellent opportunities for riding OHVs on four different designated trail systems on both the Athens and Ironton ranger districts.

13700 us highway 33

Nelsonville, OH 45764

740-753-0101

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Southern Ohio Museum and Cultural Center

The Southern Ohio Museum opened its galleries and programs to the public in 1979, after the community's largest bank moved its headquarters from the handsome Beaux Arts style building at 825 Gallia Street in the heart of Portsmouth's downtown. The building currently houses two permanent installations featuring the largest single collection of works by native son and well-known American Scene painter Clarence Holbrook Carter (1904-2000) and “Art of the Ancients,” containing 10,000 prehistoric Native American objects from the Charles and William Wertz Collection.Three other galleries feature group and solo exhibitions of well-known and emerging contemporary Ohio and regional artists. The Museum also offers a 100-seat theatre for music and performing arts, a gift shop, a reading room complete with more than 1000 volumes, a student art studio, a docent-centered tour program, an off-site circus arts studio, and year-round programming designed to enhance the exhibitions.

825 Gallia St.

Portsmouth, OH 45662

740-354-5629

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