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Campgrounds near Hilliard, Ohio range from state parks to private resorts, with most facilities located within a 30-mile radius of the city. Alum Creek State Park Campground and Delaware State Park offer tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and cabin accommodations. Cross Creek Camping Resort provides a mix of tent sites, RV spaces, and cabin rentals. These mixed-use campgrounds typically feature amenities such as electric hookups, drinking water, showers, and picnic tables, with many sites accommodating both tent and RV campers in wooded settings.
Reservations are strongly recommended for all established campgrounds in the area, particularly during summer weekends when facilities often reach capacity. Most campgrounds operate seasonally, with limited winter availability except at Delaware State Park, which remains open year-round. The region experiences typical Midwest seasonal patterns with hot, humid summers and cold winters. Camping areas around Hilliard generally have good cell service, paved roads, and accessible sites. A visitor noted that "Delaware State Park is a gem in the Ohio state park system. What is amazing to us is how few people seem to know it exists! This state park is only 15 to 20 minutes away from Alum Creek State Park and yet there are virtually no crowds at all."
Campers consistently mention the lake access at several parks as a major highlight. Alum Creek features a large beach area and undeveloped shoreline ideal for kayaking and paddleboarding, while Delaware Lake offers boating with unlimited horsepower but remains relatively uncrowded. Scioto-Grove Metro Park provides free primitive tent camping with hiking access, though availability is limited to weekends. Several visitors commented on the privacy levels at different campgrounds, with Delaware State Park receiving praise for its spacious sites and "spoke and wheel layout." A camper wrote that Ohio state park campgrounds are "some of the best we've ever stayed in" with "spacious sites with trees or other foliage between campsites so lots of privacy and a feeling of being apart from other campers."
"Happened to be next to the park host. No choice of where to locate my large tent. Showers/bathrooms were OK--older facilities. "
"First off we have to say that Ohio State Park campgrounds are some of the best we’ve ever stayed in."
from $23 - $70 / night
Check Availability"Walking path and playground are adjacent to the campground. There is a nice swimming pool at the south end of the village park. Campers get a discounted admission."
"The well kept campground is part of a city park that consists of a some nice walking trails, baseball fields, sand volleyball and a pool/splash park (for a small fee)."
from $15 - $38 / night
Check Availability"We stayed two nights here on our tour of Ohio. After staying in state parks, the narrow sites are close with no privacy."
"Cross Creek Camping Resort in Delaware, Ohio is a very nice campground with friendly staff and lots of amenities!"
from $35 - $95 / night
Check Availability"Delaware State Park is a gem in the Ohio state park system. What is amazing to us is how few people seem to know it exists!"
"This is another of our favorite Ohio State Parks. The campground is setup in a nice layout with each of the separate sections having a spoke and wheel layout with a bathhouse in the middle. "
from $39 - $40 / night
Check Availability"No driving your vehicle any further than the bottom of the hill. Great location, very beautiful. Spacious in between 5 campgrounds and right next to the Scioto River."
"Got lucky and found an opening for site 5 which was right on river and away from the busier parts of park - didn’t see a single person. Nice tent pads, campfire ring, and provided wood."
"Not a sightseeing destination, but very convenient place to stop for the night if you’re on a road trip doing a lot of driving. Safe neighborhood with a kroger right down the street."
from $60 / night
Check Availability"Some are smaller, close to neighbors while other have seclusion with trees. From past experience, if it rains, some of the sites do flood. We had great weather this weekend."
"My favorite state park in Ohio (so far). Very clean, lots of activities, nice size sites. Easy to get to from Columbus and lots of activities."
from $39 - $52 / night
Check Availability"A well manicured campground just outside Dayton, easy to get to, back in pavement site with 30A electric, picnic table and fire pit. Plenty of potable water spigots around, just not at the site."
"I did not spend enough time here to give a thorough review, but what I will say is that this site is nice if you need a campsite for a couple nights while passing through Ohio."
from $29 - $160 / night
Check Availability"They had a scavenger hunt which made us really experience the nature around us, going through the woods off trail, going to the lakeside, walking around looking for different things on a list."
"Marion State Park on this particular weekend because it's relatively close to home (Columbus area)."
from $25 - $40 / night
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RangerVery small campground, not much privacy between the sites. But is very nice all around. Nice big lake, nice shower house, nice camp store. It has a nice beach. Very well maintained lake .
TravelerThis is a small campground. Typical state park sites--you will have neighbors/see and hear other people. There is a non-electric section, which I like for tent camping. The electric section is all RV's, this non-electric section is all tents and a little quieter, except if you're near the playground. Campsites all have picnic tables and fire rings, and are decently sized. All pretty flat and mostly wooded/part shade.
ScoutStayed in cabin 4 last year got are alive. Stayed in cabin 1 this year and got bit worse. This year looks like bed bugs
RangerThis campground is huge. Great for biking. Nice lake for fishing, boating and kayaking. There is a campers beach in campground. Many sites have water access. Small fishing pond. Very nice camp store. Big, wooded sites.
ScoutQuiet, pet friendly, great trails
RangerNice shower house with family rooms. Clean campground. Nice campsite. Level sites. Beautiful scenery. Great playground a little from campground. Great hiking trails.
ScoutNice sites with some shaded. Majority of the campground are seasonal. The indoor pool is great but both stalls didn’t have TP and look like they haven’t been cleaned in a long time. Listed as a resort I expected bathrooms to be cleaner. Was hoping to stay here but left after seeing the showers in the main bathhouse.
ScoutThis is a decent campground with basic (water / electric) sites with gravel pads. Information states that they have WiFi, but we are unable to find the network.
RangerIt’s just beautiful there. Great for bikes. Good camp store, putt putt, bike rentals, camper beach. Easy access to fishing. And there a playground surrounded by a little stream of water that is so cool. New bathrooms are spectacular. Also has family showers.
Camping options near Hilliard, Ohio include both small family-owned establishments and larger state parks within a 30-45 minute drive. Most campgrounds in the region sit at elevations between 800-1000 feet above sea level, with terrain consisting primarily of gently rolling hills and forested areas around reservoirs. Central Ohio experiences summer temperatures that typically range from 70-85°F with occasional thunderstorms and humidity levels above 70% during peak camping season.
Hiking trails around lakes: Delaware State Park Campground features multiple interconnected trails where "there are plenty of hiking/biking trails for you to get out and explore the park. Many of the trails link together so you can decide how long you want to hike." The Lakeview Trail receives particular praise for pet access to water.
Mountain biking opportunities: Alum Creek State Park Campground offers dedicated mountain biking trails in addition to regular hiking paths. A camper noted that "there is a great mountain biking trail in the vicinity" and the park includes "plenty of hiking paths in the campground and in the park area."
Backpacking practice: For those new to backpacking or wanting to test gear before longer trips, Scioto-Grove Metro Park provides a perfect training ground. A reviewer explained the setup: "Scioto Grove is great if you're looking to test out some new backpacking gear. There are 5 reservable sites along the river trail and they all have tent pads and a fire pit."
Private, spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the privacy found at Delaware State Park, with one visitor commenting that "the best thing about this campground is the fact that all the sites have privacy." Another camper noted the "spoke and wheel layout" with "roomy and we like the wooded feel."
Seasonal camping events: Cross Creek Camping Resort organizes themed weekends throughout the camping season. A reviewer mentioned "they also have themed-event weekends, which are really fun!" with Halloween being particularly popular. One camper shared: "We were there for the Halloween weekend and it was amazing."
Swimming options: Buck Creek State Park Campground features two distinct swimming areas, with a camper explaining: "There are two swimming beaches, the public one and one in the campground. The campground one is smaller a short hike to get to it." Some campers also appreciated that Delaware State Park beach areas were "very clean and appears well cared for."
Reservation requirements: Reservations are essential, particularly for weekend stays. Most state parks now use online-only reservation systems, with a camper at Buck Creek State Park Campground noting: "Must reserve online as they are still doing everything virtual."
Bathroom facilities vary: Quality and cleanliness of bathroom facilities differ significantly between campgrounds. At A.W. Marion State Park, "there are two drop toilets next to the playground which were kept clean. In the non-electric area they had porta-potties, but just a short walk away there are two flush toilets."
Campsite layouts and privacy: Site configurations vary widely across campgrounds. At Tree Haven Campground, sites are arranged for community interaction, while at Delaware State Park, a camper praised how "the 'pod' layout of the campground made for large campsites with good separation between sites."
Playground access: Choose sites near playground facilities for easier access with children. At A.W. Marion State Park Campground, the playground area is centrally located with clean facilities nearby, though one camper noted a tradeoff: "Site #9 is probably the biggest in the primitive section. It is right next to the entrance road, which is a bummer, but the size of the site made it totally worth it."
Kid-friendly weekend activities: Many campgrounds organize weekend activities specifically for children. At Alum Creek State Park, "they have pancake breakfast on Saturday mornings through summer and doughnuts on Sunday," according to a regular visitor.
Look for bike-friendly campgrounds: Several parks offer wide, paved roads ideal for kids learning to ride bikes or enjoying casual cycling. A camper at Buck Creek mentioned that "my sons love camping here for the trails and large areas to ride their bikes."
Site levelness varies: RV campers should check site descriptions carefully for levelness information. At Pastime Campground, "the camper pad was very level and the site was huge," while other campgrounds may require significant leveling.
Site width considerations: Some campgrounds have narrower sites that limit awning usage. One RVer at Cross Creek observed that "sites are close, but not unreasonably close. Good mix of pull through and back in and is big rig friendly," while another noted at Pastime Campground that "the sites are very skinny and you are packed really tight together. You can't even put your awning all the way out without hitting the camper next to you."
Electrical service details: Most campgrounds offer 30-amp service, with some providing 50-amp options. At Tree Haven Campground, a long-term visitor mentioned: "Nice quiet campground. Very clean. Conveniently located to Columbus. Lots of seasonal campers. Only gray water hook up available."
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are available near Hilliard, Ohio?
Several excellent campgrounds are located within easy driving distance of Hilliard. Alum Creek State Park Campground offers a large facility with wooded sites and lake access, just 30 minutes northeast. Delaware State Park Campground is another nearby option about 35 minutes north, featuring less crowded conditions with spacious sites adjacent to a lake. Both parks provide standard amenities including showers and are popular for weekend getaways from Hilliard and Columbus.
Are there tent camping options near Hilliard?
Scioto-Grove Metro Park offers weekend tent camping relatively close to Hilliard, though it's only available seasonally and closes during winter months. For a more secluded tent experience, Tar Hollow State Park Campground has a dedicated North Ridge tent-only area that provides a genuine wilderness feel. You'll need to register at the camp general store before setting up at your site. The secluded nature makes it perfect for those seeking a more immersive outdoor experience.
Where can I find private RV camping near Hilliard and Columbus?
Cross Creek Camping Resort offers private RV camping with pull-through sites, though be aware these sites are situated along the inner roads and may not be completely level. For another private option, consider Alton RV Park near Galloway, which provides water hookups and is big-rig friendly. Both locations are conveniently located for easy access to Columbus and Hilliard, making them practical bases for exploring the metro area.
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