Camping options in the New Albany, Ohio area include a mix of developed state parks and private campgrounds within 30 miles of the city. Alum Creek State Park Campground and Berkshire Campgrounds provide accommodations for tents and RVs with varying amenities. Tree Haven Campground, located in nearby Westerville, accommodates RVs with electric hookups and water access. Several facilities offer cabin rentals alongside traditional campsites, including Cross Creek Camping Resort and the Lazy River at Granville, providing alternatives for those seeking more comfort during their stay.
Many campgrounds in the region require reservations, particularly during the peak season from May through October. Most developed sites feature full or partial hookups with electric service, water connections, and in some cases sewer hookups for RVs. As one camper noted, "This is a beautiful, clean campground and it's very peaceful here. They have a nice walking trail, potlucks, holiday events, live entertainment and are putting in a new, bigger pool!" Facility quality varies across locations, with state parks typically offering more natural settings and private campgrounds providing additional amenities like swimming pools, recreation areas, and planned activities.
The camping experience near New Albany features a range of environments from wooded settings to lakefront properties. Campers highlight privacy and natural surroundings as key benefits at state park locations. "Large, private sites, good electric service, reasonable distance to Columbus," wrote one visitor about Alum Creek State Park. Private campgrounds like Berkshire receive praise for their pet-friendly policies and recreational options, with one camper mentioning "tons of paths for walking and exploring" and "off leash dog trails that were a perfect place to let the pup run." Seasonal operations affect availability, with several campgrounds closing during winter months, though a few remain open year-round. The proximity to Columbus makes these camping areas popular weekend destinations for city residents seeking outdoor experiences.
$23 - $70 / night
"Happened to be next to the park host. No choice of where to locate my large tent. Showers/bathrooms were OK--older facilities. "
"First off we have to say that Ohio State Park campgrounds are some of the best we’ve ever stayed in."
"They have a nice walking trail, potlucks, holiday events, live entertainment and are putting in a new, bigger pool! They also redid the driveway."
"Great walking trail back through the woods. Pet friendly and the bathrooms were very nice. Well....I guess we did! We are now in a search for a Diesel pusher to go full-time!"
$35 - $95 / night
"We stayed two nights here on our tour of Ohio. After staying in state parks, the narrow sites are close with no privacy."
"Cross Creek Camping Resort in Delaware, Ohio is a very nice campground with friendly staff and lots of amenities!"
$39 - $40 / night
"Delaware State Park is a gem in the Ohio state park system. What is amazing to us is how few people seem to know it exists!"
"This is another of our favorite Ohio State Parks. The campground is setup in a nice layout with each of the separate sections having a spoke and wheel layout with a bathhouse in the middle. "
$38 / night
"There is a small lake that you can walk around. They also have a path through the woods where you can let the dogs run if you choose to."
"This place is huge, tons of paths for walking and exploring. Also features mini golf, volleyball, basketball, an in-ground pool and a pond."
"I probably wouldn't select site 20 again, as it is close to the pool and the basketball court, alot of youth noise, but understand."
"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 ("
"Then outside is the picnic table. Due to health code rules you have to cook and do food outside of the cabin. "
"Not as close to the lake as we first thought but close enough. Will probably be back."
$60 / night
"The campground is tucked away in a suburb of Columbus next to a soybean field, very quiet area. Only a 15-20 minute drive into town to go shopping if need be."
"At least three ponds all fairly nice with ducks and geese hanging around. There's a few sites are unlevel so you may need to use your levelers and maybe some blocks, we did."
"No driving your vehicle any further than the bottom of the hill. Great location, very beautiful. Spacious in between 5 campgrounds and right next to the Scioto River."
"Got lucky and found an opening for site 5 which was right on river and away from the busier parts of park - didn’t see a single person. Nice tent pads, campfire ring, and provided wood."
ScoutTHIS IS AN RV CAMP. They have tent sites but they are just squares of gravel/wood. Our site was placed just feet from the ROAD you turn off of to enter the campground. Ridiculous and incredibly overpriced for what you get.
TravelerGreat quiet area. Can sit and listen to the birds singing and the breeze rustling the leaves. Somehow we were lucky enough to book the only pull through site and it had full hookup on top of that. The woman that checked us in said it’s the most popular site they have because of this reasons. If you have little ones with you, they have a really nice nature center that’s open Friday and Saturday
ScoutStayed at this small campground. Proof good things can come in small packages. Great spot for horse camping, they have plenty of dedicated horse stalls. Gravel pads for electric/water sites are fairly level. My review is biased a bit, 1st night I was literally the only person camping. Plenty of nearby trails. Since it was so quiet in campground I saw wildlife like deer, turkeys, and they must have a resident pileated woodpecker because I keep seeing it. Branson (staff) who checked me in was very friendly and helpful. Three shower/bathrooms are very nice up by the office. They also have some outhouse style bathrooms further back in campground. Would definitely stay again if I can snag a site.
GuideWe come back to MW each year and try to get the same sites (323-322) as they are very private with access to the water while still being super close to the store and walkable to the bathrooms:showers.
We love how peaceful it is and the play areas for kids. We’ll bring kayaks for the river which is cool but the last time it was too cold.
ScoutGreat place to spend a night while traveling, easy on and off of interstate and sites are very spacious. Nice folks too!
GuideThis is a one night stop on our way to Myrtle beach. Very nice place. We’re at site 17 with a KOA patio. Rolling hills, friendly staff. Great pizza, wings and fudge. I want to come back and spend more time here! AT&T one bar. KOA WiFi ok but expect pauses if you stream video. Steep and narrow road to enter the park.
TravelerHad a great experience. Plenty ofntrail and water for my dog to play on and all the amenities we clean and functioning . Great experience and well priced .
TravelerNice and quiet. Bathroom was locked. Only one other person here. 10/10 recommend
TravelerRelatively flat; during OHV off season, one of the roads is closed, I believe to Dorr Run. This trailhead is mainly for OHV riders so there is space for a vehicle and trailer.
NOTE: I think they close the toilets every winter.
Ground is covered in snow, so I would scout it in the summer. Several parking areas along the road.
Camping spots near New Albany, Ohio include a mix of state parks and private campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. The area sits at approximately 1,000 feet elevation in central Ohio's gently rolling terrain, with camping options situated around several waterways including Alum Creek Lake and Buckeye Lake. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F with higher humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons offer more moderate conditions between 45-70°F.
Hiking trails: Delaware State Park Campground offers multiple interconnected trails through wooded areas. "There is a campground beach and boat launch. Lots 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. Plenty to do for everyone," explains one camper at Delaware State Park Campground.
Water activities: Many campgrounds provide lake access for swimming, fishing, and boating. At Alum Creek State Park Campground, "We had an absolute blast at the campsite! We stayed in L and the kids loved being close to the water. The campground beach is an absolute must and we even got close to wildlife (aka some pesky raccoons)," shares Jenny C.
Off-leash dog areas: Several campgrounds feature designated spaces for pets to run freely. As noted about Berkshire Campgrounds, "This campground has it all. There is a small lake that you can walk around. They also have a path through the woods where you can let the dogs run if you choose to."
Backpacking practice: For beginners wanting to test gear, Scioto-Grove Metro Park offers an accessible option. "Scioto Grove is great if you're looking to test out some new backpacking gear. There are 5 reservable sites along the river trail and they all have tent pads and a fire pit, besides that they're totally primitive."
Privacy between sites: Many campers value the separation between camping spots. One visitor to Cross Creek Camping Resort notes, "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. Pool looks nice, was not open yet for the season."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers are consistently mentioned in positive reviews. At Delaware State Park Campground, a camper highlights that "The campground was really nice and quiet when we stayed there which was during the week and in the spring and not very crowded. The 'pod' layout of the campground made for large campsites with good separation between sites."
Weekend activities: Scheduled events enhance the camping experience, especially for families. "We were there for the Halloween weekend and it was amazing," shares one camper about Cross Creek Camping Resort, while another mentions, "They also have themed-event weekends, which are really fun!"
Campground layout: The design of camping areas contributes to overall satisfaction. One camper at Scioto-Grove Metro Park appreciated that "Each site has its own personality we picked the further out sites of 6 as less foot traffic by park visitors."
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak season. At Scioto-Grove Metro Park, "It is a tricky site to reserve as they only do it for a short season and in that season two weekend a month to avoid over use."
Weather considerations: Rain can impact camping conditions. At Delaware State Park, "Be careful with rainy weather, some sites have flooded in poor weather." Similarly, a camper at Alum Creek noted, "First Campground site I went to had a large mud puddle full of hornets. I asked to move site and was accommodated. It was right after a heavy rain storm."
Different camping styles: Options range from primitive to full-service. For backpackers at Lazy River at Granville, "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."
Seasonal campers: Many campgrounds have long-term residents. "Lots of full-time residents, great private campground. It's an RV resort, so sites are right next to each other, but the grounds and facilities are clean and well-kept," notes a visitor to Cross Creek Camping Resort.
Pool facilities: Swimming options vary by campground. At Tree Haven Campground, "The staff works hard to keep it nice and are always doing upgrades. This is our 5th year hear and we love it!" with one camper specifically mentioning they're "putting in a new, bigger pool!"
Playground access: Children-friendly amenities enhance the experience. At Lazy River at Granville, families appreciate "the swimming pools and splash pads, the awesome play ground and lots of playing in the creek."
Educational opportunities: Some locations offer learning activities. As one Delaware State Park visitor explains, "For those wanting to hike 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."
Proximity to attractions: Consider day trips to nearby locations. "The nearby town of Delaware is really nice with downtown shopping, restaurants, a historic theater and brewery," notes one camper about the area surrounding Delaware State Park.
Site leveling: Prepare for uneven terrain at some locations. At Buckeye Lake-Columbus East KOA, a visitor found "Our site was muddy when we arrived and only got worse due to only having 2 days with no rain. That said it was one of the widest in the strip and would have suited us and our pups just fine had we been able to really enjoy the space."
Hookup placement: Check the location of utilities before setting up. At Tree Haven Campground, "Only gray water hook up available," while at Cross Creek Camping Resort, "Our pull through site was on the (inner) road, so lots of golf carts, cars and campers passing by. All pull through sites are on the road side."
Wi-Fi access: Connectivity varies between campgrounds. One camper at Sunbury/Columbus North KOA reported, "Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5G) seems good throughout the entire park. Best Wi-Fi I've ever had at a campground. They have Wi-Fi repeater towers everywhere you look."
Space considerations: Site dimensions affect comfort levels. A Delaware State Park camper appreciated that "large campsites (some sites are over 90 feet in length and well suited for large RV's) with good separation between sites."
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there free or low-cost camping available near New Albany?
Scioto-Grove Metro Park offers affordable camping options, though availability is limited to weekends and seasonal operation (closed in winter). Finding truly free dispersed camping near New Albany is challenging, as Ohio has limited public lands that permit this type of camping. For budget-conscious campers, Tar Hollow State Park Campground provides reasonably priced tent sites in a secluded natural setting, though it's a bit further from New Albany.
What are the best campgrounds near New Albany, Ohio?
Alum Creek State Park Campground offers beautiful wooded sites with partial shade and is relatively close to New Albany. The large campground features hiking trails and lake access, making it ideal for outdoor recreation. Another excellent option is Delaware State Park Campground, which provides a classic Ohio state park camping experience within reasonable driving distance from New Albany. For those willing to travel a bit further, the scenic Hocking Hills region offers additional camping opportunities.
What amenities do camping sites in New Albany offer?
Campgrounds near New Albany offer various amenities to enhance your stay. Cross Creek Camping Resort provides pull-through sites, though they can be close together with limited privacy. For a more amenity-rich experience, Toodik Family Campground features a pool, laundry facilities, and clean bathrooms in a nicely shaded environment. Many area campgrounds offer electrical hookups, water access, shower facilities, and fire rings. Private campgrounds typically provide more amenities like camp stores, playgrounds, and organized activities, while state parks generally offer more spacious sites with basic facilities.
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