Clarence J. Brown Dam and Reservoir sits at 1,009 feet above sea level in west-central Ohio, created in 1974 for flood control on Buck Creek. The reservoir spans 2,120 acres with 7.5 miles of shoreline accessible for camping. Winter temperatures can drop to single digits, while summer daytime temperatures typically range from 75-85°F.
What to do
Fishing access points: Buck Creek State Park offers multiple shore fishing opportunities with stocked bass, catfish, and bluegill. The water's edge is accessible from several campground trails, as noted by one camper: "Easy walk to fish or to campers beach... my sons love camping here for the trails and large areas to ride their bikes" (Buck Creek State Park Campground).
Fossil hunting: Caesar Creek State Park provides permits for collecting fossils in designated areas. The experience is educational and unique to the region. "We even got a permit to collect fossils. Great visitor centers too," shares one visitor who found this activity particularly engaging for their group.
Disc golf course: John Bryan State Park features a full disc golf course alongside mountain biking and hiking trails. A camper reports, "Was a pleasant surprise how nice this park is! There is a disc golf course, lots of mountain bike trails and hiking trails!" (John Bryan State Park Campground).
What campers like
Non-electric tent sites: The tent camping areas at Buck Creek provide a more secluded experience away from RVs. A camper noted, "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" (Buck Creek State Park Campground).
Multiple swimming options: Caesar Creek State Park has two different swimming beaches to choose from depending on your preferences. "There are two swimming beaches, the public one and one in the campground. The campground one is smaller a short hike to get to it," explains a visitor who appreciated having options.
Evening camp activities: Organized activities happen regularly at Kiser Lake State Park, especially during weekends. One camper shared: "They do things with kids on many weekends. You can also rent canoes or paddle boats. No motors permitted on the lake" (Kiser Lake State Park Campground).
What you should know
Motorized boat restrictions: Kiser Lake allows only non-motorized boats, making it ideal for peaceful paddling. A visitor explains, "This park is known for the lake that is kayak and canoe friendly since it doesn't allow any kind of boat with a motor."
Reservation systems: Many campgrounds in the area have shifted to virtual systems. One camper noted, "Must reserve online as they are still doing everything virtual. Camp spots were decently sized but no cover between camp spots and little shade."
Limited shade at some sites: Several campgrounds feature open sites with minimal tree cover. At Caesar Creek, a camper observed: "These sites have plenty of space between them. But there isn't a lot of shade. Partial shade is very generous for the B Loop" (Caesar Creek State Park Campground).
Tips for camping with families
Campground-specific beaches: For families with children, the campground beaches are often less crowded than public areas. "We camped here in our camper in early July 2017. There are a lot of things to do in the area. We visited the Ohio Caverns. The tour is worth the money, the 'gem' mining was fun for our younger kids."
Evening entertainment: Some campgrounds offer scheduled activities during peak season. At Kiser Lake, weekend programming is common: "I like that they have activities throughout the day for kids on the weekends. Also have a nice camp store/marina with canoe and kayak rentals at a reasonable price."
Kid-friendly layout: Buck Creek's design works well for families with children on bikes. One parent shared: "A nice 'weekender' type of campground. The sites are clean and level for the most part. I recommend taking one on the outside of the loop - near the trees" (John Bryan State Park Campground).
Tips from RVers
Pull-through site selection: Carefully select sites if you have a larger rig. At Sky Lake Resort, an RVer noted: "The sites themselves are nice and level, but a little on the small side, but not that bad. You still have room for a fire and a table, but if you like to spread out this might not be the best place for you" (Sky Lake Resort and Fishing).
Site spacing considerations: Electric sites at most dog-friendly campgrounds near Clarence J. Brown Dam and Reservoir have varying distances between neighbors. One RVer mentioned: "This park was pretty packed over Labor Day weekend, but it still felt like it wasn't super crowded. Our space was nice and level. Nice hiking trails in the area."
Satellite reception: Tree coverage varies significantly between sites and campgrounds. At Buck Creek State Park, sites on the electric loop have less tree coverage, beneficial for satellite reception but offering less privacy: "It was lovely, quiet, tree filled park. We arrived at night and didn't see much of it until the morning."
