Delaware Lake sprawls across 1,300 acres in central Ohio with equestrian camping options in nearby state parks. The reservoir sits at an elevation of 947 feet and was created in 1951 when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built the Delaware Dam on the Olentangy River. Winter camping is available at several sites with temperatures dropping to the low 20s from December through February.
What to Do
Horseback riding trails: Several miles of bridle trails connect through Mohican State Park Campground, a prime destination for equestrian campers near Delaware Lake. According to visitor Jill B., "There is a campground beach and boat launch. Lost of hiking paths in the campground and in the park area... There is also some mountain bike trails. Plenty to do for everyone."
Pheasant hunting: Delaware State Park Campground offers designated hunting areas approximately 15-20 minutes from Delaware town. Michael P. notes, "What I liked most about this park is that there hunting areas" and adds it has "great pheasant hunting" opportunities during season.
Paddling on calm waters: Kiser Lake State Park Campground restricts motorized boats, creating ideal conditions for peaceful kayaking and canoeing about 90 minutes from Delaware Lake. Alexandra F. shares, "It was absolutely stunning over looking the water with the trees turning colors... most people were fishing and kayaking."
What Campers Like
Private wooded sites: Campers consistently praise the secluded nature of Ohio Delaware State Park sites. Maddy B. notes, "this is probably our favourite state park we have been to thus far... The best thing about this campground is the fact that all the sites have privacy." This natural separation benefits those bringing horses or seeking quieter camping.
Clean facilities: Buck Creek State Park Campground maintains well-kept bathhouses and shower facilities about an hour south of Delaware Lake. Mike & Deb L. report, "Bathrooms were clean but not spotless and in need of a little repair... All in all a nice place to stay for the night and get a good shower."
Storm shelters: Safety features at Delaware State Park Campground provide peace of mind for equestrian campers during severe weather. Marshall P. observed, "I also noticed that they had a nice storm shelter on the property that was well marked and easy to get to from any of the campground areas."
What You Should Know
Site layouts: Delaware State Park Campground features a distinctive spoke and wheel design that benefits horse trailer parking. Marshall P. explains, "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. Sites are roomy and we like the wooded feel."
Seasonal differences: Pleasant Hill Lake Park Campground experiences significant changes between peak and off-seasons. Bobby C. notes, "Park is doing a ton of remolding looks to be mostly seasonal sites," which impacts availability for horse campers seeking weekend spots.
Cell service variations: Connectivity varies between providers around Delaware Lake. Marshall P. reports, "Located near the town of Delaware, you aren't too far off the beaten path and we even had decent service with Verizon" while Joe I. adds "Att works good here verizion not so much but at night when people are sleeping verizion gets a little better."
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Kiser Lake State Park Campground offers recreational spaces for children approximately 90 minutes from Delaware Lake. Andrew L. shares, "They have a lot for the kids to do. Beach, volleyball net, playground. Plenty of water locations... I like that they have activities throughout the day for kids on the weekends."
Weekend activities: Delaware State Park Campground schedules special events for children during summer weekends. Ashley R. notes, "The hosts drove around in their carts throughout the day as well. The last day we were there one of the hosts actually drove up and asked us if we needed dry firewood because we had a downpour the night before."
Bike-friendly paths: Pleasant Hill Lake Park Campground features dedicated biking trails that families appreciate when bringing horses. Tina D. explains, "The bike/walking paths for kids/adults is a great addition for campers with young kids. The shower houses are clean as well as the grounds."
Tips from RVers
Large rig accommodation: Alum Creek State Park Campground offers spacious sites for horse trailers and larger RVs about 30 minutes from Delaware Lake. Catherine notes, "The camp sites are spacious and private, surrounded by trees and brush... however most sites are booked by seasonal campers who pay for the whole season and leave their RV/set-ups in one place."
Dump station locations: Mohican Wilderness provides sanitary facilities for RVs bringing horses approximately 45 minutes from Delaware Lake. Andrea F. reports, "We have camped here 3 times now and even though it's a large park the sites are huge so you still feel like you can kick back and relax."
Level site selection: Identify appropriate sites at Buck Creek State Park when bringing horses and larger rigs. Lisa M. advises, "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... Several water spickets throughout the park if you needed to access them."
