Campsites near Granville, Ohio range from basic electric sites to full-hookup RV spots throughout Licking County and surrounding areas. The region sits at approximately 1,000 feet elevation with rolling terrain and mixed woodland areas. Several campgrounds remain open beyond the typical April-October season, with Lazy River at Granville offering year-round camping options including winter stays.
What to do
Swimming ponds and water features: Rustic Knolls Campground offers a swimming pond with inflatable attractions. "Very nice and beautiful place. Well maintained. Hot shower, toilets, pond to swim. Lot of things you can do with reasonable price," notes camper Ender U.
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds maintain stocked fishing ponds. "We have been extremely disappointed with Ohio State Park campgrounds... However, Dillon has been a completely different experience," reports Ron A. about Dillon State Park Campground, which maintains lake access for anglers.
Mountain biking trails: Nearby state parks feature designated biking paths. "There is a great mountain biking trail in the vicinity," notes Catherine at Alum Creek State Park Campground, which offers both hiking and biking options within 30 miles of Granville.
Storm shelter access: Safety features exist at some parks. At Delaware State Park, "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," reports Marshall P.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Delaware State Park Campground receives consistent praise for site layout. "The best thing about this campground is the fact that all the sites have privacy," explains Maddy B. The park features a pod-style design with sites arranged in clusters around central facilities.
Clean, modern facilities: Bathroom quality varies significantly between campgrounds. "The bathrooms are the best I've seen at a campground," reports another camper at Delaware State Park. Many campgrounds feature recently renovated shower houses with consistent maintenance.
Camp store amenities: Several locations offer well-stocked stores with camping necessities. "They have a nice camp store at the entrance," notes a visitor at Dillon State Park. Some stores carry firewood bundles at $18 for three bundles, ice, and basic supplies.
Family-friendly atmosphere: Lazy River at Granville emphasizes activities for children. "This is a small, family owned campground that is perfect for families with kids of all ages! Beautiful creek that runs along side some nice deep sites! Two pools, tons of activities!" reports Libby W.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "The park fills up fast. Go early," warns Michael J. about Lazy River at Granville. For lakefront sites at Alum Creek, "most sites are booked by seasonal campers who pay for the whole season and leave their RV/set-ups in one place."
Site terrain variations: Campsite quality can vary significantly within the same campground. "Our first cabin some of the light bulbs were dead and as a result they moved us to another cabin," notes a camper at Buckeye Lake-Columbus East KOA, highlighting the importance of checking site conditions upon arrival.
Water quality concerns: Swimming areas at some locations require monitoring. As Linda B. notes about Dillon Lake, "We did not swim due to frequency of E-Coli warnings at this lake which was disappointing as it was very warm."
Off-season limitations: Winter camping options exist but with reduced amenities. "Only electric and vault toilets are available in the winter," reports Shannon G. about A.W. Marion State Park, which remains open with self-registration during off-peak months.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Consider site location relative to play areas. "My family and I had a great time at this park. Lots for the kids to do with the pool, playground, gaga ball court, activities, etc..." notes Ryan H. at Lazy River at Granville.
Beach access options: Alum Creek State Park Campground features both main and campground beaches. "We had an absolute blast at the campsite! We stayed in L and the kids loved being close to the water. The campground beach is an absolute must," shares Jenny C.
Rainy day activities: Weather contingencies matter for family trips. At Buckeye Lake KOA, one family notes that during storms, "they let all the tent dwellers use the game room to relax in and ride out the worst of the storm."
Weekend event planning: Many campgrounds schedule regular activities. "Halloween weekend #3 was so much fun!!" shares a camper at Buckeye Lake KOA, referring to their seasonal themed weekends that include organized events for children.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require additional preparation. "Many sites are not level. Many sites have NO shade," warns Gary O. about Dillon State Park, suggesting bringing leveling blocks for RV setup.
Hookup locations: Tree Haven Campground receives praise for its practical amenities. "This is our 5th year here and we love it!" notes Tina M., mentioning their recent improvements including "putting in a new, bigger pool" and driveway renovation.
Gray water limitations: Not all campgrounds offer full sewer connections. "Only gray water hook up available," notes Tom O. about Tree Haven Campground, which provides water and electric but limited waste disposal options.
Seasonal considerations: Some campgrounds transform throughout the year. "We thought about asking to move but we had too much going on to hassle with it. If it had been summer, the shade the trees provide would have been fantastic," explains a camper dealing with muddy spring conditions at Buckeye Lake KOA.
