Camping sites near Lewis Center, Ohio range from developed state parks to quiet private resorts within 30 miles of Columbus. The region sits in the Till Plains with elevations around 900 feet, characterized by moderate midwestern weather patterns. Winter camping remains available at select locations, with Delaware State Park offering year-round access but limited water service from November through March.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Delaware State Park has a fishing lake with boat docking available via a trail at the back of the campground. "There is a nice walking trail and the bathrooms are the best I've seen at a campground," notes a visitor to Delaware State Park Campground.
Water activities: Sites at Alum Creek State Park Campground provide easy access to water recreation. "We stayed in L and the kids loved being close to the water. The campground beach is an absolute must," according to a camper at Alum Creek State Park Campground.
Hiking trails: Multiple trails wind through the parks and campgrounds in the area. At Tree Haven Campground, one visitor mentioned, "Great little campground with a nice walking trail back through the woods. Pet friendly and the bathrooms were very nice."
Sporting activities: Several campgrounds offer disc golf courses. A visitor to Mount Gilead State Park Campground noted: "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!"
What campers like
Site privacy: Campgrounds in the region offer varying levels of privacy. At Delaware State Park Campground, a camper appreciated that "all the sites have privacy" and described the bathroom facilities as "the best I've seen at a campground."
Campground layouts: The design of camping areas affects the overall experience. One visitor to Delaware State Park noted, "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. Sites are roomy and we like the wooded feel."
Pet amenities: Dog-friendly features are popular at campgrounds in the area. A camper at Tree Haven Campground appreciated the "beautiful, clean campground" that's "very peaceful" with a "nice walking trail" that's "pet friendly."
Weekend activities: Organized events add value to camping experiences. At Cross Creek Camping Resort, a visitor shared: "We were there for the Halloween weekend and it was amazing. What a great campground. From the activities for the kids to the nice spacious sites."
What you should know
Weather considerations: Campsite conditions vary by season and weather. At Alum Creek, "Sites are nice with some sites able to boat up to them. Be careful with rainy weather, some sites have flooded in poor weather," warns one camper.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly, especially on weekends. A visitor to Sunbury/Columbus North KOA Holiday noted the campground was "great, family friendly" and "clean, organized with TONS of amenities and activities," making it popular and often requiring advance booking.
Site spacing: Proximity to neighbors varies by campground. At Pastime Campground, a visitor cautioned, "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."
Off-season limitations: Services change seasonally. At Korbel Campgrounds, a visitor noted that "from November 1 - April 1, no water is available," so campers need to bring their own during colder months.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. A visitor to Mount Gilead State Park Campground mentioned the park has "great camp store, playgrounds, frisbee golf, hiking paths and small lake."
Swimming options: Pools and beaches offer water recreation for families. A camper at Sunbury/Columbus North KOA Holiday enjoyed "the heated pool, the jump pad and the zip line swing" noting that children "aged 3-13 all had a blast."
Activity planning: Themed weekends provide additional entertainment. At Cardinal Center Campground, a visitor recommended: "We went the weekend it was Fall fest. Plenty of activities for the kids! Trick or treat, glow parade, decorate your own pumpkin, etc!"
Space for exploration: Wooded sites give children areas to play safely. A visitor to Delaware State Park shared: "The site we were on was set back in the woods. My daughter had tons of fun exploring the woods connected to our site."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Full hookup options vary by campground. A visitor to Cardinal Center Campground appreciated their "site had full hook-ups 50 amp service with sewer and water picnic table and fire ring for $44 a night."
Leveling needs: Some sites require additional equipment for leveling. At Berkshire Campgrounds, one RVer noted they found "gravel pads, our site was off 2". Water pressure excellent. Electric well within standard."
Site selection: Choosing the right site impacts comfort. At Cross Creek Camping Resort, an RVer observed: "Good mix of pull through and back in and is big rig friendly. Plenty to do for the kids. Pool looks nice, was not open yet for the season."
Internet connectivity: Access to technology varies by location. At Cardinal Center Campground, a visitor reported, "The WiFi was great as was cell phone reception. We would definitely stay here again."
