Traditional camping options near London, Ohio range from heavily wooded sites to open lakeside locations. The region sits at approximately 1,100 feet above sea level in the Till Plains region, with mild summer temperatures averaging 73°F to 86°F from June through August. Several campgrounds in the area maintain dedicated tent-only loops with varying levels of privacy and access to water features.
What to do
Swimming beyond beaches: At Alum Creek State Park Campground, the main public beach provides more extensive swimming options than the smaller campground beach. "The main beach for Alum Creek State Park is just a short drive away," notes Sandy O., who appreciates the full hook-up sites available at this campground.
Kayaking from accessible launches: Rocky Fork State Park Campground offers convenient kayak access points near the camping area. As one visitor explains, "We also used the camper beach but to the left of it to launch our kayaks. Which was nice because you could back up to the pathway and park. Then drag your kayak down a short trail to the water." The park includes multiple water access points designed for small watercraft.
Hiking with educational elements: Cowan Lake State Park Campground features nature trails with interpretive elements. "I loved the informational boxes and tags that they had on the trees or plants. This is helpful if you have little ones with you or if you are like me and just like to learn about the animals/plants on the trail," shares a camper who visited in September.
What campers like
Well-spaced tent camping: Delaware State Park Campground receives consistent praise for its tent areas. "The best thing about this campground is the fact that all the sites have privacy," explains Maddy B., who camped there in early October. "We went camping in tents. It was cold but it was so much fun."
Non-electric camping loops: Campers seeking more seclusion often prefer the non-electric sections at Buck Creek State Park Campground. "Over a late-August weekend, we found the non-electric loop to be pretty quiet and uncrowded. The grounds are level and grassy, with trees that provide partial shade," reports Amanda P., who gave the campground a 5-star rating.
Evening activities: Several campgrounds organize evening entertainment during peak season. One camper at Buck Creek notes, "Every night there was a movie and you could buy root beer floats for $1!! And the kids loved it." These movie nights typically run from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend at select locations.
What you should know
Seasonal camp store hours: Most campground stores close early in the evening, typically around 8:00 PM. At Buckeye Lake-Columbus East KOA, this affects access to certain amenities. "Since the camp store closes at 8 PM she would just use the standard shower with her kiddos," explains a visitor who wanted to use the family shower room that requires a key from the store.
Variable shower quality: Shower facilities vary significantly between campgrounds. One camper at Rocky Fork State Park reported, "The hot water in the shower house left something to be desired (took forever, lasted about a minute and a half)." Most campgrounds clean their facilities daily, but older shower houses may have maintenance issues.
Limited hiking at some parks: Not all campgrounds offer extensive trail systems. A visitor to Rocky Fork State Park Campground noted: "There were only 2 short hiking trails and they were both overgrown with no real views or destinations." Parks like Rocky Fork prioritize water recreation over land-based activities.
Tips for camping with families
Bike-friendly loops: Cardinal Center Campground provides excellent biking opportunities within the campground. "There are a lot of activities available: indoor swimming pool, recreation room, entertainment center, fishing pond, biking (wish I brought my bike), walking, playground, basketball, horseshoes and corn hole," reports John T., highlighting the family-friendly amenities.
Junior ranger activities: Several parks offer educational programs for children. The nature centers at parks like Delaware State Park organize seasonal activities for young campers, including guided hikes and wildlife identification programs on weekend mornings during summer months.
Playground locations: When selecting a site with children, consider proximity to playgrounds. A camper at Cowan Lake State Park Campground advises: "Nice cul-de-sac areas for groups with areas for kids to play. Ground is pretty level so bringing a bike for kids to ride on is nice. There is a playground in walking distance too."
Tips from RVers
Water hookup variations: The water connection setup differs between campgrounds. At Jackson Lake Park, an RVer noted: "The water hook ups were accessible through a hole/pipe and we had to 'fish' down to connect our hose." Bringing extension hoses and additional connectors helps manage these variations.
Full hookup availability: Cardinal Center Campground offers complete RV services. "We chose the Cardinal Camping Center because it was only 15 miles from our home. Our site had full hook-ups 50 amp service with sewer and water picnic table and fire ring for $44 a night," shares George J., who appreciated the value offered.
Site selection for privacy: When seeking glamping near London, Ohio in an RV, site selection makes a significant difference in privacy levels. "Delaware has been our favorite campground since we found it. The sites are roomy and we like the wooded feel," explains a long-term RVer who appreciates the campground's layout with separate "pod" sections.
