Camping opportunities near Delaware Lake center around the 1,300-acre reservoir and surrounding 7,800 acres of protected land. The area sits at an elevation of 947 feet with mild summers reaching 83°F and cold winters dipping to 19°F. Delaware Lake's camping areas attract visitors from April through October, with peak season running Memorial Day through Labor Day when water recreation is most popular.
What to do
Fishing access: Delaware Lake offers multiple shoreline fishing spots with catches including crappie, bass, and catfish. At Kokosing River Campground, campers enjoy "beautiful lake, nice and quiet. Lots of waterfowl" according to visitor Shelly S.
Biking trails: The B&O Trail connects directly to River Trail Crossing, providing miles of paved pathway. Bob M. notes, "Bike trail access right from the campground. Golf nearby, Amish shops, canoeing. Great area to visit."
Water recreation: Calm waters ideal for kayaking and canoeing draw families during summer months. Mark B. at Kokosing River Campground shares, "Peaceful and great for kids. Kayaking on the lake is great. Camp staff very friendly and helpful."
Winter activities: Though many rv campgrounds Delaware Lake close seasonally, several remain open year-round for cold-weather recreation. Tomorrow's Stars RV Resort operates "All year" according to their listing, making it suitable for winter camping near Delaware Lake.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many Delaware Lake camping areas maintain well-kept bathhouses and common areas. At Arrowhead Lake RV Park, tim G. observed "A well manicured campground" with "concrete pads and picnic tables" at many sites.
Family-friendly atmosphere: Kid-focused amenities rank high among visitor priorities. Brad R. appreciated Arrowhead Lake's "Multiple fishing spots for young and old. Pool was relaxing with laid back feel."
Affordability: Budget-conscious campers note reasonable rates compared to other recreational areas. Bryatt S. mentioned Arrowhead Lake RV Park has "Sites are large for the weekend campers" and highlighted that "it was only $45 a night."
Strong community feel: Many Delaware Lake rv parks foster regular seasonal communities. Ashley R. at Welcome Woods RV Campgrounds noted, "The campground is mainly seasonal campers and all seemed very welcoming and nice," adding they "did a hog roast corn hole tournaments and some kind of 50/50 raffle every day."
What you should know
Bathroom facilities vary widely: From modern facilities to basic outhouses. Ashley R. at Welcome Woods warned, "The bathrooms come in two varieties. One is a outhouse type room... and the other is a porta potty," adding these are "the old ones that just dump into a tank so obv there's a pretty strong odor."
Seasonal restrictions: Water systems at many campgrounds shut down during freezing months. Gary G. noted at Sunbury/Columbus North KOA Holiday, "Been pretty peaceful Tues/Weds. The only real noise has been them power washing the now closed pool for the season."
Reservation requirements: Peak season (Memorial Day-Labor Day) often requires booking 2-3 months in advance for weekend spots. Jennifer K. mentioned Sunbury KOA gets busy during themed weekends like "Christmas in July" with special activities.
Camp store options: Supplies available at campgrounds vary significantly. Some, like Love's RV Hookup, have attached convenience stores while others offer minimal provisions.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Schedule around organized events for maximum enjoyment. Jennifer K. reported Sunbury KOA "had so many activities through the whole Christmas in July weekend, including seeing Santa!" adding "we still struggled to keep the kids at our site as they were constantly out and about."
Water safety precautions: Swimming areas at Delaware Lake campgrounds often lack lifeguards. Bryatt S. described Arrowhead Lake's pond has "a dock kids jump off but it only goes to about 3.5-4 feet deep at the deepest point."
Evening entertainment: Pack games for nighttime activities when swimming ends. Nichole G. found Sunbury KOA "Great, family friendly campground. Clean, organized campground, with TONS of amenities and activities."
Budget-friendly amenities: Many campgrounds offer free or low-cost recreation. Cody R. enjoyed Arrowhead Lake's "lots of fun things to do, like hiking fishing and corn hole."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Many Delaware Lake rv campgrounds have varying site layouts. Gary G. advised at Sunbury KOA, "There's a few sites are unlevel so you may need to use your levelers and maybe some blocks, we did."
Power requirements: Verify amperage availability before arrival. Brad H. at Love's RV Hookup noted they offer "fifty-amp-hookups" and "thirty-amp-hookups" making it suitable for various RV power needs.
Sewer connection preparation: Pack proper connection equipment. Gary G. warned, "Didn't see any sewer pipes that had threads on the inside, so you may need a donut or at least a weight to hold your elbow into the sewer."
Connectivity options: Wi-Fi quality varies drastically between campgrounds. Gary G. praised Sunbury KOA's internet: "Best Wi-Fi I've ever had at a campground. They have Wi-Fi repeater towers everywhere you look. T-Mobile signal was good, got plenty of TV channels out of Columbus."
