Glamping near Brunswick offers comfortable accommodations within 45 miles of town, with high season running May through September. Most sites fill quickly on summer weekends, particularly at the state parks where reservations can be made up to 6 months ahead. Northeast Ohio's variable weather patterns create ideal camping conditions in early autumn when temperatures average 65-75°F during the day and 45-55°F at night.
What to do
Hiking and trails: West Branch State Park Campground features numerous hiking trails with lakeside views. According to a visitor, "Great site! Shades lots of space semi private area. Right off the water with area to tie boat for easy water access." The park connects to multiple trail systems of varying difficulty.
Fishing opportunities: Countryside Campground offers direct access to Mogadore Reservoir. "A nice short walk takes you to Mogadore reservoir, no luck for us fishing from shore," shares one camper. The site provides tackle rentals and a well-stocked fishing pond for beginners.
Water recreation: Clay's Resort Jellystone Park features multiple water attractions. A visitor noted, "The lake was virtually algae free, and even during this pandemic, it didn't feel over crowded at any point." Their beach area includes kayak rentals, zip lines, and inflatable water features.
Disc golf courses: Several parks maintain disc golf courses for all skill levels. "We also played some disc golf and went geocaching," mentions one camper at West Branch State Park. Most courses are free to use with equipment rentals available at camp stores.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Punderson State Park Campground maintains updated shower houses. A camper reports, "The bathrooms and shower houses are the older style but have been kept clean the whole weekend." Daily maintenance schedules are posted at most facilities.
Large campsites: Countryside Campground offers spacious tent areas. "The 9 tent sites are very large and spacious," explains one visitor. Sites typically include a fire ring, picnic table, and vehicle parking pad.
Family activities: Mohican State Park Campground provides numerous organized events. "Gem mining and mountain bike trails are located within the campground as well as a pool," mentions one camper. Weekend activity schedules are posted at the registration office.
Natural surroundings: West Branch State Park Campground features lakefront sites with shade. "Very private sites...clean individual showers," notes one visitor. Many sites back directly to the water for easy kayak launching.
What you should know
Site conditions: Some parks have uneven terrain. At West Branch, a camper explained, "We were only off 2 inches side to side but front to back we had to lower the front 15 inches. The jack was down as low as it would go and we were still off by 1.5 inches." Bring leveling blocks even for developed sites.
Reservation timing: Streetsboro-Cleveland SE KOA requires early booking for premium sites. "The site was level and easy to hook up to," mentions a visitor. Reserve waterfront and full-hookup sites 3-6 months in advance.
Water quality concerns: Some locations have mineral-heavy water. A Woodside Lake Park visitor warned, "I spent hundreds of dollars trying to filter and clean up the water to no avail. It damages everything." Consider bringing drinking water or extensive filtration systems.
Noise levels: Several parks experience seasonal crowds. "Bunch of drunks and kids speeding by on golf carts all hours of the night," reported one Clay's Park visitor. Weekday stays tend to be quieter at most locations.
Tips for camping with families
Beach areas: Woodside Lake Park offers supervised swimming. "The swimming pond has inflatables and boat rentals," shares one camper. Most parks implement a safety break every hour for water areas.
Playground access: Many campgrounds feature updated play equipment. "Nice playground with toy stocked sandpit, volleyball net," reports a visitor to West Branch State Park. Playgrounds typically close at dusk.
Rainy day options: Punderson State Park Campground provides indoor alternatives. "There is a book exchange shelf at the shower house in case of rainy days," notes one camper. The park lodge also offers public areas for board games.
Kid-friendly trails: Mohican State Park features accessible hiking options. "The Hemlock Gorge trail is accessible from the end of the campground," explains a visitor. Trail difficulty ratings are posted at trailheads.
Tips from RVers
Hookup limitations: Most state parks offer 30-amp service only. "We stayed in a 29'TT... Well kept smaller campground," reported a Countryside Campground visitor. Bring adapters if your rig requires 50-amp service.
Dump station access: Plan your arrival timing carefully. "The water fill is on an incline so when our tank was 'full' pulling away from fill station it was really only 2/3 full," warned a West Branch camper. Morning dump station lines can exceed 30 minutes during summer weekends.
Site selection strategy: Request specific sites when glamping in Brunswick, Ohio area. "Get there early or you'll have many vehicles and campers to watch for as you back in," advises a Countryside visitor. End sites typically offer more space but may be further from bathhouses.
