Camping near Alexandria, Ohio offers opportunities for outdoor recreation across central Ohio's rolling countryside. The area sits at an elevation ranging from 900 to 1,200 feet with wooded terrain that transitions from open farmland to forested hills. Many campgrounds remain open year-round with varying amenities, though swimming facilities typically close after Labor Day until Memorial Day weekend.
What to Do
Hiking opportunities: Delaware State Park Campground features multiple interconnected trails for various skill levels. "There are plenty of hiking/biking trails for you to get out and explore the park. Many of the trails link together so you can decide how long you want to hike. The Lakeview Trail was perfect for us as our dog loved jumping in the water during our hike," notes a camper.
Water recreation: Alum Creek State Park Campground provides lake access for boating, swimming, and fishing. "There is a campground beach and boat launch. Lost of hiking paths in the campground and in the park area. A great dog park with lake entrance for the pups. There is also some mountain bike trails," reports one visitor.
Family activities: Seasonal events run throughout the camping season at many campgrounds. At Lazy River at Granville, "We spent a weekend here with two other families (9 kids total) and had a wonderful time! The kids loved the swimming pools and splash pads, the awesome play ground and lots of playing in the creek."
What Campers Like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the layout at certain campgrounds. At Delaware State Park Campground, "The 'pod' layout of the campground made for large campsites with good separation between sites. There are 212 sites that have 50 amp electric."
Clean facilities: Bathroom quality varies across campgrounds but several receive high marks. "The bathrooms were really nice!" reports a camper at Lazy River at Granville, while another notes about Tree Haven Campground, "Nice quiet campground. Very clean. Conveniently located to Columbus."
Recreation amenities: Rustic Knolls Campground offers "Nice swimming pond with inflatable attractions. Well stocked camp store. Lots of activities for the whole family." Many campgrounds provide multiple recreation options beyond hiking and swimming.
What You Should Know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially for weekends. According to a camper at Hocking Hills State Park Campground, "Reservations only, most sites are level and spacious. There is a general store on site with firewood, propane, food items, gifts, camping gear."
Weather considerations: Rain can impact camping experiences. At Lazy River at Granville, one camper shared, "There was a huge thunderstorm one of the nights, where we initially retreated to our vans; but then decided to drive up to the store and got ice cream which made the kids super excited about the rain. And they let all the tent dwellers use the game room to relax in and ride out the worst of the storm."
Cell service: Coverage varies by location and provider. At Delaware State Park Campground, "We even had decent service with Verizon," while at other campgrounds reception may be spotty depending on your carrier.
Tips for Camping with Families
Swimming options: Buckeye Lake-Columbus East KOA provides family-friendly amenities. "They have a blast. Great atmosphere, friendly staff! Will deliver wood to site & had lots of amenities. Not as close to the lake as we first thought but close enough," notes a camper.
Site selection matters: Choose sites appropriate for your needs. As one camper observed at Hocking Hills State Park, "Make sure to pay attention to 'walk-in' sites. It's more like 'hike a half mile with your gear' sites! All in all we had a blast and a good laugh about our trek with all our stuff!!"
Playground access: Many campgrounds feature kid-friendly facilities. At Rustic Knolls Campground, "Swimming pond and fishing pond. Restrooms are all over for convenience," making it convenient for families with young children who need frequent bathroom breaks.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Some sites require adjustment. At Cross Creek Camping Resort, "The sites are close, but not unreasonably close. Good mix of pull through and back in and is big rig friendly. Plenty to do for the kids."
Hookup variations: Electric service is standard but full hookups are limited. A camper at Alum Creek State Park Campground notes, "There are some full hook ups but mostly just electric. They have pancake breakfast on Saturday mornings through summer and doughnuts on Sunday."
Seasonal stays: Many campgrounds offer extended stay options. "The prices here are reasonable, however most sites are booked by seasonal campers who pay for the whole season and leave their RV/set-ups in one place the whole season, so all the choice sites (ie lakefront) are always taken. From what I've been told you might be able to get into one if you book the whole season a year in advance."
