Galena, Ohio camping areas sit within the glaciated Allegheny Plateau region at approximately 900 feet elevation, creating a mix of rolling terrain and small lakes across the landscape. Most campgrounds remain open from April through October, with several offering year-round accommodations. Winter camping is available at Delaware State Park Campground and Cardinal Center, though water hookups are typically winterized from November through March.
What to do
Disc golf adventures: Mount Gilead State Park Campground offers a challenging disc golf course with unique features. As one camper notes, "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!"
Fishing opportunities: Berkshire Campgrounds provides access to a well-stocked fishing pond surrounded by manicured walking trails. According to a visitor, "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."
Water activities: Alum Creek State Park Campground features multiple water recreation options beyond swimming. One camper explains, "There is a campground beach and boat launch. Lost of hiking paths in the campground and in the park area. A great dog park with lake entrance for the pups."
Mountain biking: The region offers several trail systems for cyclists. A visitor to Alum Creek mentions, "Beautiful walking trails. There's also a great mountain biking trail in the vicinity."
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the secluded feel of certain campgrounds despite proximity to Columbus. A Delaware State Park Campground visitor reports, "The best thing about this campground is the fact that all the sites have privacy. There are nice trails to walk and the bathrooms are the best I've seen at a campground."
Clean facilities: Campground maintenance receives consistent praise. At Mt. Gilead, campers note, "Bathrooms clean and nice showers. We went Friday-Sunday would do again for a short weekend."
Off-leash dog areas: Several campgrounds cater specifically to pet owners. A visitor to Berkshire Campgrounds shares, "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. We have struggled at some parks where the pet areas are very restrictive."
Year-round availability: Unlike many seasonal operations, Cardinal Center remains open through winter months. A camper mentions, "We have visited the Cardinal Center several times for shooting and waterfowl events but did camp there for the first time over Thanksgiving. We practically had the park to ourselves."
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: At Cross Creek Camping Resort, a camper notes, "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. The sites are close, but not unreasonably close."
Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Tree Haven Campground operates from May 1 to November 1, while Grins & Pickin's CampFarm runs April through November with 31 primitive sites.
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer months and weekends. For popular waterfront sites, advance planning is essential. One Alum Creek visitor advises, "The prices here are reasonable, however most sites are booked by seasonal campers who pay for the whole season and leave their RV/set-ups in one place the whole season, so all the choice sites (ie lakefront) are always taken."
Weather considerations: The region experiences significant seasonal variation. Several campgrounds report site flooding during heavy rain. At Alum Creek, one camper warns, "Be careful with rainy weather, some sites have flooded in poor weather."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campground-specific activities: Cardinal Center Campground offers unique amenities not found at other locations. A visitor reports, "They have an indoor pool, stocked fishing lake, and an indoor clubhouse with a pool table. The sites next to us were empty but the way it was set up, the site next to us would have had an rv angled right behind us."
Consider weekend-specific events: Many campgrounds schedule regular activities. A Cross Creek visitor notes, "We were there for the Halloween weekend and it was amazing. Can't wait to go back."
Select sites strategically: Some campground layouts offer more family-friendly features. At Alum Creek, one family shares, "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)."
Check bathroom facilities: Amenities vary widely between locations. A Delaware State Park visitor notes, "The bathrooms are the best I've seen at a campground," while others report less positive experiences at different locations.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: Many campgrounds have uneven sites. A visitor to Sunbury/Columbus North KOA Holiday advises, "There's a few sites are unlevel so you may need to use your levelers and maybe some blocks, we did."
Full hookup availability: Limited full-service sites exist in the region. At Mt. Gilead, a camper notes, "The full hook up side the sites are really tight together. The electric only sits are spread out a little more."
Seasonal considerations: Winter camping requires preparation. Cardinal Center offers year-round access, with one RVer sharing, "We camped here off season and really enjoyed it. Our site was on a cul de sac and was close to the pool. The sites and road were gravel."
Wi-Fi and connectivity: Signal strength varies by location. A KOA visitor reports, "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."
