West Branch State Park and Punderson State Park offer premium glamping experiences near Hudson, Ohio, typically available from late April through mid-October. Sites at both parks feature lakeside locations with views of Kirwan Reservoir and Punderson Lake. Several campgrounds provide both primitive tent sites and luxury glamping accommodations within a 30-minute drive of Hudson, with varying levels of seclusion and proximity to hiking trails.
What to do
Swimming and water activities: West Branch State Park features multiple swimming options, including a designated camper beach for overnight guests. "The beach is right next door too! Great trails, clean facilities, no complaints," reports camper Rino S. The park also offers excellent kayaking opportunities directly from lakeside campsites.
Explore fishing spots: Multiple stocked fishing ponds await at Streetsboro-Cleveland SE KOA, where visitors can fish without leaving the campground. "The view over looking the 'lake' was so pretty," notes Traci F., who enjoyed the scenery despite some nighttime raccoon visitors. For more serious fishing, West Branch State Park provides boat access and multiple inlets.
Disc golf courses: Punderson State Park maintains a disc golf course open to all campers. "Opportunities for disc golf, archery range, canoeing/kayaking/row boats, swimming (no lifeguard) and golf," mentions Rebecca G. The course winds through wooded areas, offering both recreational play and challenging shots for experienced players.
Trail exploration: Hiking trails of varying difficulty levels connect many campgrounds to natural features. "There are little hideaway trails everywhere, making for a fun adventure," writes Jill T. about West Branch State Park. Trail maps are available at ranger stations, with most trails rated easy to moderate in difficulty.
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: The lakefront sites at Mill Creek Camping receive consistently high ratings. "We have our own private little beach which our dog loves," shares Sarah K. Similarly, West Branch campers appreciate the ability to launch kayaks directly from their sites, with many waterside locations offering shade and privacy.
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness matters to glampers, and Countryside Campground maintains high standards. "The bathrooms were clean, the showers we nice and the pool was well kept. Each site comes with a fire ring and picnic table both in good condition," reports Kathryn P. Many campgrounds in the Hudson area feature recently renovated shower facilities.
Family-friendly activities: Scheduled events keep children entertained throughout summer weekends. "An ice cream social is held on Saturday evenings that my children always love to attend," mentions Alisa G. about West Branch. Countryside Campground offers a game room and seasonal pool, while several parks maintain playground equipment for younger children.
Proximity to attractions: Locations convenient to both natural areas and towns appeal to glampers seeking variety. "We chose this campground based it's prox to Brandywine Falls, Cuyahoga falls and Chagrin falls," writes Heidi C. about Streetsboro KOA, highlighting the strategic location for accessing regional attractions without long drives.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most waterfront and premium sites require advance booking, especially during summer months. "Make reservations! (6 months in advance). Waterside sites fill up quickly!" advises Alisa G. about West Branch State Park. Holiday weekends often sell out completely by early March.
Site levelness varies significantly: Many campgrounds feature sloped terrain that can challenge RV setup. "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," shares Andrea F. about her West Branch experience. Call ahead to request specific sites if levelness concerns you.
Water quality considerations: Some facilities have mineral-rich well water. American Wilderness Campground maintains better water filtration systems than some neighboring properties. "The water smelled horrible, and both the shower head and faucet were caked with scum," reports one camper at a different facility, highlighting the importance of checking water conditions.
Quiet hours enforcement varies: Management approaches to noise control differ between parks. "No campground host or personnel did anything about the noise/party. At 12:30am we moved campsites because we couldn't sleep," reports Cheryl K. about Mill Creek Camping during a holiday weekend. Midweek stays typically offer quieter conditions at all locations.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Request sites near play areas if traveling with young children. At Woodside Lake Park, family sites cluster near recreational facilities. "The swimming pond has inflatables and boat rentals. There's good fishing, and typically lots of activities," notes James S., highlighting the central location of family amenities.
Kid-friendly water features: Several campgrounds offer graduated swimming areas for different ages. "There is a small beach at the campground but a larger one on the other side of the lake," explains Alisa G. about West Branch. Woodside Lake Park maintains inflatable water structures supervised by staff wearing life vests.
Evening activities: Scheduled programs keep children entertained after dinner. "The kids were trick or treating to each camp spot," observed Erin during an October visit to Countryside Campground. Many parks offer movie nights, crafts, and seasonal celebrations on summer weekends.
Weather contingency plans: Indoor recreation options provide alternatives during rain. "There is even a book exchange shelf at the shower house in case of rainy days. The park office loans games and sports equipment to campers," mentions Alisa G. about West Branch State Park, describing amenities that help families weather unexpected storms.
Tips from RVers
Hookup limitations: Electric service varies widely between campgrounds and specific sites. "Very few full hookups. Rest of the sites only have 15-20 amp service," warns Coy about Punderson State Park. RVers with air conditioning units should verify amperage before booking during summer months.
Leveling challenges: Many sites require substantial adjustment for level setup. "The lots are not even close the level. You will need a lot of blocks to get close to level. Saw one RV with auto levelers with his tire about foot off the ground," notes Coy about Punderson. West Branch sites similarly require careful leveling equipment.
Water fill considerations: Some parks have poorly designed water fill stations. "First 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," explains Andrea F. about West Branch State Park. Arrive with partially filled tanks to avoid this issue.
Site selection strategy: Reserve pull-through sites when available for easier setup. "I had to get an electric site since I use a CPAP machine so I was placed next to pop up trailers and a few tents," shares Kevin M. about his KOA experience, noting proximity to tent campers despite having an RV. Request site maps when booking to better understand campground layout.
