Ohio has 56 state parks with family campgrounds that are set along scenic lakes or creeks or in natural wooded areas. Most campgrounds are open year-round and include a mix of electric and non-electric sites for tents, trailers and RVs, as well as access to an array of recreational amenities. If you're planning a camping trip to the Columbus area, a half-dozen state campgrounds are within an hour's drive of Ohio's capital city. You can bring up to two pets per campsite, as long as they are kept on leashes.
Alum Creek State Park
- Less than 22 miles north of Columbus, Alum Creek State Park in Delaware is the closest state campground to the Buckeye State's capital. The 4,630-acre park has 286 campsites with 50-amp electrical hookups, including three sites with full hookups and some overlooking 3,387-acre Alum Creek Reservoir. The campground has a mix of wooded and open sites, restrooms with hot showers, RV dump station and camp store with Wi-Fi. Camper cabins and 30 equestrian campsites also are available. Other attractions include a 3,000-foot swimming beach, fishing, boat ramps, disc golf course, dog park and eight picnic areas. The park has a bounty of trails, including several hiking and mountain biking trails, 38 miles of bridle trails and a 7-mile multipurpose trail open to snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and dog sledding in the winter.
A.W. Marion State Park
- If you're looking for a cozy camping spot, A.W. Marion State Park in Circleville fits the bill. This small, 309-acre park lies 30 miles southeast of Columbus and has approximately 60 campsites, half of which include electric hookups. Other campground amenities include vault toilets, drinking water, RV dump station, volleyball and basketball courts, horseshoe pit and playground. The park also has a group camping area, picnic areas and two hiking trails, including 1-mile Squawroot Trail, which begins at the campground, and 5-mile Hargus Lake Trail, which follows the shoreline of the 145-acre namesake lake. Boating and fishing are available on the lake, with boat rentals available. Winter activities at the park include ice fishing, ice skating and sledding.
Deer Creek State Park
- Deer Creek State Park in Mount Sterling, approximately 30 miles southwest of Columbus, has a number of accommodation options, including 227 campsites with electric hookups, group and equestrian camping, camper cabins, 25 two-bedroom cottages, a lakeside cabin and 110-room lodge. The campground has centralized restrooms with showers, an RV dump station, volleyball and basketball courts, miniature golf and two playgrounds. Other park amenities include an 18-hole golf course, 1,700-foot swimming beach, boating and fishing on 1,277-acre Deer Creek Lake, picnic areas, nature center and bicycle rentals. The park also has seven hiking-only trails ranging from a quarter-mile to 2.5 miles, a 1-mile mountain bike trail and 17-mile bridle trail. Winter activities include ice fishing, ice skating, sledding and snowmobiling.
Other Nearby Campgrounds
- Several other Ohio state parks have campgrounds within 45 miles of the state capital. Delaware State Park, 34 miles north of Columbus, has more than 210 campsites with electric hookups and three rental yurts. Buck Creek State Park in Springfield, 42 miles east of Columbus, has more than 110 campsites, including about 90 with electric hookups, and 26 two-bedroom cottages. Mount Gilead State Park, 45 miles northeast of Columbus, has a campground with approximately 60 electric sites and two camper cabins. All three parks include boating, fishing, disc golf and trails. Delaware and Buck Creek also have swimming beaches.
