Camping spots near Dellroy, Ohio range from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV accommodations throughout the Atwood Lake region. With elevations averaging 1,000 feet above sea level, the area experiences hot summers with temperatures reaching 85°F and cold winters dropping below freezing. Fall camping season offers colorful foliage while spring brings occasional flooding that can affect access to waterfront sites.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Memory Park Campground provides several dedicated fishing areas with easy shoreline access. As one camper noted, "Cousins Cove had plenty of shade and was close enough to the portable toilet that it wasn't inconvenient, but far enough to have to worry about smells or run off."
Horseback riding: Canton / East Sparta KOA Holiday - Bear Creek Ranch offers on-site trail rides suitable for beginners. A visitor shared, "Took the kids on the horse ride and they loved it. All staff were very friendly."
Water recreation: Atwood Lake Park Campground features a swimming beach with designated areas for children. "There is a snack shop and a full restaurant at the marina with great food, an ice cream dariette just down the road," according to a reviewer who appreciated the convenient amenities.
Disc golf: West Branch State Park Campground maintains a course that attracts both beginners and experienced players. One visitor reported, "We also played some disc golf and went geocaching," highlighting the diverse activities available beyond traditional camping pursuits.
What campers like
Modern facilities: The newer camping areas at Atwood Lake Park Muskingum Watershed Conservancy Dist receive praise for their updated infrastructure. A camper observed, "1st impression was - wow it's newly updated and a beautiful well maintained campground."
Waterfront views: Sites at Tappan Lake Park Campground provide direct lake access, especially valuable for boaters. A camper explained, "We're at site 160. No electricity, no hookups, but a HUGE lakefront site. We're in a self contained RV so it's not a problem for us. Beach is right next door too!"
Swimming options: Woods Tall Timber Resort offers a swimming lake with additional water features. "We have never experienced so much fun all in one place, from the clean swimming lake, to ziplining, to rv camping, and well kept bath houses," wrote an enthusiastic visitor.
Privacy between sites: Memory Park Campground provides well-spaced primitive sites. A reviewer appreciated that "There were other campers there, but everyone was so far away, we felt alone," making it ideal for those seeking a more secluded camping experience near Dellroy.
What you should know
Reservation timing: For popular campgrounds near Dellroy, especially waterfront sites, plan 6 months ahead. At West Branch State Park Campground, "Make reservations! (6 months in advance). Waterside sites fill up quickly!"
Site leveling challenges: Many campsites require leveling equipment. One West Branch camper reported, "We were only off 2 inches side to side but front to back we had to lower the front 15 inches. The jack was down as low as it would go and we were still off by 1.5 inches."
Tent camping limitations: Not all campgrounds accommodate tent camping equally. A visitor to Atwood Lake Park noted, "This campground is HUGE (more than 500 sites), and it's absolutely jam packed with RVs and permanent trailers. We were fortunately given the opportunity to drive around the campground and look for a site that was appropriate for tents."
Seasonal crowding: Holiday weekends see significantly increased traffic. A Pride Valley Campground visitor warned about certain weekends having "a parade of golf carts as the seasonals drove up and down looking to take firewood that people left."
Tips for camping with families
Beach activities: Atwood Lake Park Campground offers designated swimming areas with amenities for different age groups. "The beach was awesome... sandy all the way out. Concession stand is nice by beach too," noted one family visitor.
Playground options: Tappan Lake Park Campground includes multiple play areas throughout the grounds. "There are playgrounds for the children. An ice cream social is held on Saturday evenings that my children always love to attend," shared a regular visitor.
Water safety considerations: Supervision levels vary at different swimming areas. One Pride Valley visitor cautioned about inconsistent staffing: "She screams at the kids and is a bully. She isn't sober and gives the swim tests for the docks. So let put a kid that we don't know if they can swim in deeper water."
Biking conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain for younger cyclists. A reviewer at Canton-East Sparta KOA reported, "Very difficult to ride bikes on loose gravel. My grandson fell twice."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Pride Valley Campground, "Sights are pretty level, are newer so gravel still settling," according to a visitor who recommended calling ahead to request specific sites.
Hookup considerations: For RVers needing full connections, Woods Tall Timber Resort offers comprehensive options. A seasonal camper mentioned the resort provides "full hook ups (W/E/S)" with "spots that are pretty level."
Turning radius awareness: Larger rigs should consider site approach angles. At West Branch, one RVer noted, "The water fill is on an incline so when our tank was 'full' pulling away from fill station it was really only 2/3 full," highlighting infrastructure design issues that affect larger vehicles.
Off-season advantages: Several Dellroy camping locations remain open year-round with reduced crowds. Canton-East Sparta KOA operates throughout winter, providing a viable option when other campgrounds close during colder months.
