Delaware Lake sits at approximately 950 feet above sea level in central Ohio, surrounded by mixed hardwood forests and rolling farmland. The lake spans 1,300 acres with 25 miles of shoreline. Camping opportunities exist both within Delaware State Park and at several private campgrounds within a 20-mile radius of the lake.
What to do
Fishing at the lake: Delaware Lake provides year-round fishing access with catches including largemouth bass, crappie, and saugeye. Alum Creek State Park Campground offers convenient lake proximity. "We stayed in L and the kids loved being close to the water...We even got close to wildlife (aka some pesky raccoons)" notes Jenny C.
Shooting sports: Cardinal Center Campground offers extensive shooting facilities adjacent to its camping area. "The camp also has trap and skeet available. We then went over to the shooting center and tried our luck with some silliolet and metal targets on the pistol range," reports George J.
Disc golf: The area features challenging courses. "We took a night walk with headlamps and found the disc golf course. This was laid out to be a crazy course and included repelling ropes!" shares Sarah G. about Mt Gilead State Park Campground.
What campers like
Spacious sites with privacy: Campers appreciate room to spread out. "The camping sites are spacious and private, surrounded by trees and brush. Beautiful walking trails," writes Catherine about Alum Creek State Park Campground.
On-site recreation: Cross Creek Camping Resort offers numerous activities. "They have a pool, and activities on the weekends. Must sure have a tree and grass with fire pits and a table," states James D.
Quiet weekday camping: For those seeking peace, midweek stays offer tranquility. "This is a RV resort close to a lake with a lot of seasonal campers. It is busy on the weekend but was very quiet during the week," explains Dave B. about Cross Creek Camping Resort.
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Be prepared to level your rig. "Some sites sit on slight inclines but not all. Our camper, a 5th wheel was a real pain setting up," reports Lisa H.
Weather considerations: Rain can affect site conditions. "Sites are nice with some sites able to boat up to them. Be careful with rainy weather, some sites have flooded in poor weather," warns Katelyn P.
Winter access: Unlike many seasonal operations, Mt Gilead State Park Campground remains open year-round. "We camped here last week without kids. We stayed at site 10. The campground was quiet and peaceful. Our site was a concrete pad and our grassy area was on a hill," shares Renee L.
Tips for camping with families
Splash zones for kids: Multiple water features keep children entertained. "This is a great base camp to visit the area. There are a lot of activities available: indoor swimming pool, recreation room, entertainment center, fishing pond," reports John T. about Cardinal Center Campground.
Playgrounds and recreational facilities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. "The kids aged 3-13 all had a blast in the heated pool, on the jump pad and on the zip line swing!" explains Jennifer K. about Sunbury/Columbus North KOA Holiday.
Dog-friendly trails: Several campgrounds offer designated pet walking paths. "This place is huge, tons of paths for walking and exploring. Our favorite part was the off leash dog trails that were a perfect place to let the pup run," shares Jess about Berkshire Campgrounds.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose your site based on your specific needs. "The full hook up side the sites are really tight together. The electric only sits are spread out a little more. Some have decent shade while others have none at all," advises Shannon G.
Hookup considerations: Assess your utility requirements. "Full hookup (sewer, water, 50/30 AMP), level site, partially shaded in afternoon," notes Beth R. about Cardinal Center Campground.
Wi-Fi reliability: Internet access varies significantly between campgrounds. "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," reports Gary G. about Sunbury/Columbus North KOA Holiday.
