Best Campgrounds near Lithopolis, OH

State parks and recreational areas surrounding Lithopolis, Ohio provide a variety of camping experiences within a short drive of this small central Ohio town. Jackson Lake Park, located in nearby Canal Winchester, offers 199 sites with options for tent camping, RV hookups, and cabin rentals, plus water recreation on its small lake. A.W. Marion State Park Campground in Circleville, about 20 miles south, features a more intimate camping experience with both electric and non-electric sites around Hargus Lake. For those seeking more extensive outdoor adventures, Hocking Hills State Park lies approximately 40 miles southeast, renowned for its dramatic rock formations, caves, and well-maintained trails alongside diverse camping accommodations.

Reservations are essential during peak season, particularly for weekend stays from May through October. As one camper noted, "Only weekend stays and it ends in wintertime. It's hard to find legit, free dispersed camping in Ohio!" Most state parks in the region operate seasonally, with limited or no services available during winter months. Cell service varies significantly between campgrounds, with more remote locations like Tar Hollow State Park having spotty coverage. Weather conditions can change rapidly, with summer thunderstorms common and spring bringing occasional flooding to lower-lying campsites. Many campgrounds require advance booking through Ohio's reservation system, with popular sites filling months ahead during fall foliage season.

Campers consistently praise the water-based recreation opportunities throughout the region. Lakes and reservoirs near Lithopolis support fishing, kayaking, and swimming during summer months. According to visitor reviews, smaller parks like A.W. Marion offer "peaceful and quiet" experiences compared to larger, more crowded destinations. Fall camping receives particularly high ratings, with one visitor noting, "We were there as the leaves were changing and it was great!" Families appreciate the playgrounds and organized activities at several parks, while those seeking solitude might prefer weekday visits when campgrounds are less crowded. Bathroom and shower facilities vary widely between locations, with some offering modern amenities while others maintain more rustic facilities with pit toilets only.

Best Camping Sites Near Lithopolis, Ohio (103)

    1. A.W. Marion State Park Campground

    33 Reviews
    Circleville, OH
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 869-3124

    $21 - $25 / night

    "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."

    "October weekends in Ohio State Park campgrounds are super popular so we weren’t able to make a reservation here. "

    2. Hocking Hills State Park Campground

    109 Reviews
    South Bloomingville, OH
    29 miles
    Website

    $29 - $46 / night

    "There are lots of caves, trails, camping options and activities in the area. Be careful, however, every year someone is injured or dies going off trail, often falling from a cliff."

    "If you stay away from the main roads, you might feel like you're in a smaller campground."

    3. Jackson Lake Park

    7 Reviews
    Lithopolis, OH
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (614) 837-2656

    $40 - $139 / night

    "As a moto camper, we really lucked out with a flat plot and didn’t have anyone in the spots next to us. My #1 complaint was the bathroom situation."

    "Easy access to sites. Staff could take a lesson in hospitality and giving directions on park."

    4. Scioto-Grove Metro Park

    8 Reviews
    Grove City, OH
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (614) 949-1078

    "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."

    5. Alum Creek State Park Campground

    80 Reviews
    Lewis Center, OH
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 548-4039

    "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."

    6. Buckeye Lake-Columbus East KOA

    12 Reviews
    Heath, OH
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 928-0706

    "Then outside is the picnic table.  Due to health code rules you have to cook and do food outside of the cabin.  "

    "Not as close to the lake as we first thought but close enough. Will probably be back."

    7. Korbel Campgrounds at Ohio Expo Center

    5 Reviews
    Columbus, OH
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 646-3976

    $60 / night

    8. Alder Farm

    1 Review
    Lockbourne, OH
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (614) 414-2029

    $30 / night

    9. Campbell Cove Camping

    17 Reviews
    Logan, OH
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 385-2994

    "This is a very nice campground near all of the attractions of Hocking Hills, Ohio. We had full hookups that were excellent, but if we didn't there were several new restrooms throughout the grounds."

    "Our site was waterfront and also set away from other sites."

    10. Tar Hollow State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Adelphi, OH
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 887-4818

    $4 - $27 / night

    "The campground is about 2-3 acres large, situated on a hill with a path dug out around the perimeter. "

    "The drive there was a very interesting tour of trump flags Amish buggies and more. Would come back if I was stranded in Ohio, but overall great pit stop for cleaning up on a long journey."

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Recent Reviews near Lithopolis, OH

742 Reviews of 103 Lithopolis Campgrounds


  • J
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Delaware State Park Campground

    Great peaceful campground

    This is our second time coming here really enjoy this place it's typically more of a quiet relaxed camp there is a playground in each of the 4 sections for kids to play with a remodel shower house at each one. Att works good here verizion not so much but at night when people are sleeping verizion gets a little better.

  • Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Alum Creek State Park Campground

    Nice park but some traffic noise

    Spent three nights here while we were visiting friends in Lewis Center. We stayed in F09 and it was a great spot. Lots of protection on both sides so it was very secluded. And close to the shower house. Only reason I didn’t give this five stars was there was still quite a bit of traffic noise around the park that you could hear. Some nice hiking trails as well. Campsite was nice and level. Showers were super clean and awesome water pressure.

  • Alex A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Baileys Trail Tent Camping

    Peaceful Stay

    Wonderful little location. We drove for about 3 hours to get from where we are. Nice wide open space surrounded by woods. There were other campers but very friendly and had plenty of space to ourselves. Very nice bathroom/shower compared to what we expected. Will visit again.

  • Joe B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Campbell Cove Camping

    Nice campground

    We stayed at site 63 , on the water. Big site, water view and plenty of space. The road across the lake has an uphill section and people like to race up it. Trucks, motorcycles and cars. Really loud. I know the campground doesn’t control the road, so it’s just a note about the noise. The site is amazing, and I would come back.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Cross Creek Camping Resort

    A Very Pleasant and Quiet Campground

    This campground is clean and we'll maintained. They have a pool, and activities on the weekends. Must sure have a tree and grass with fire pits and a table.

  • Reb S.
    Aug. 11, 2025

    A.W. Marion State Park Campground

    Horrible

    Really disgusted with out last stay here. We ended up next to some tent campers who were homeless which isn't the issue because things in life happen it was the way they acted that just grossed me out. I spent the first few days listening to them arguing and fighting amongst each other about their welfare checks being spent on their cigarettes beer and weed. They had 2 kids one that was autistic that they called a retard the other one they called stupid and it was just heartbreaking. I ended up having to go inside my camper and turning my ac on to escape their screaming and yelling and fighting that went into the midnight hour. My dog has a heart murmur and it made him anxious. I felt like I was camping in the bottoms of Columbus Ohio. The camp host said they are there all the time which is disturbing that they condone this behavior and makes me question the integrity of this location. Luckily after contacting ODNR we were able to move to a location far from them and given a gift card for our troubles. This was after they moved their camp stuff practically across the front bumper of my 100,000 RV. My husband and I pay way to much for our RV and for our stays to put up with this trash. We'd be hard pressed to come back here and be exposed to this kind of drama again.

  • Jenny C.
    Jul. 25, 2025

    Alum Creek State Park Campground

    Family Fun For Everyone!

    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 and we even got close to wildlife (aka some pesky raccoons). We love that electric is included and was helpful for plugging in fans during the hot night.

  • Andrea H.
    Jul. 25, 2025

    Dillon State Park Campground

    Campground is quiet

    My partner and I have been here for 3 days , were staying for a week. So far everyone has been friendly or keeps to themselves. The bathrooms and showers are clean and the deer are plentiful and beautiful


Guide to Lithopolis

Camping spots near Lithopolis, Ohio offer diverse terrain where the Appalachian foothills begin to rise from central Ohio flatlands. Most campgrounds in this area sit between 800-1,000 feet elevation, creating distinct microclimates that can be 5-10 degrees cooler than Columbus during summer months. The region's clay-heavy soil means campsites can remain muddy for days after rainfall, with drainage varying significantly between campgrounds.

What to do

Fishing at lakeside sites: A.W. Marion State Park Campground provides fishing opportunities on Hargus Lake where campers report good catches. "The campground is next to a lake which has a 5 mile loop for both hiking and mountain biking. The lake has a small beach area where you can take your dogs," notes Shannon G.

Trail exploration beyond popular paths: Scioto Grove Metro Park offers free backpacking sites for those wanting to test gear on shorter routes. "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," says Zach.

Family recreation areas: Campbell Cove Camping provides structured activities for children within 45 minutes of Lithopolis. "There is a great playground for kids and a swimming hole. The bathrooms are so clean. You can kayak on the lake and they do have rentals," shares Brianna L.

Off-season exploration: Winter camping options exist at select parks. "A cold but sunny weekend in February at site #32. No other campers there for the weekend, but a lot of foot traffic... Only electric and vault toilets are available in the winter," reports Shannon G. about A.W. Marion State Park.

What campers like

Quiet weekday experiences: Midweek stays at Tar Hollow State Park Campground offer solitude rarely found on weekends. "I stayed in the non electric sites near the lake & had the place to myself on a sun & mon night," shares Anne.

Testing backpacking setups: Beginners appreciate dedicated areas for gear practice. "The backpacking site was a great site for new backpackers. It isn't too long but doing the full loop does let you know if your gear is working or going to be an issue," notes Kenpocentaur K. about Scioto Grove.

Lake activities beyond swimming: Multiple watercraft rental options exist within 30 minutes of Lithopolis. "Pine Lake is nice, but the beach is a bit small. Overall, this has been a lovely place to relax and decompress!" says Lisa S. about Tar Hollow State Park.

Proximity to Columbus: Alum Creek State Park Campground offers camping within 30 minutes of city amenities while maintaining a natural setting. "This is the proper listing for the campground. The camp sites are spacious and private, surrounded by trees and brush. Beautiful walking trails," explains Catherine.

What you should know

Site drainage considerations: Many campgrounds in the region have significant drainage issues after rain. "Our site was muddy when we arrived and only got worse due to only having 2 days with no rain. That said it was one of the widest in the strip," reports Kelley M. at Buckeye Lake KOA.

Reservation requirements: Several parks have limited availability for weekend camping. "Only weekend stays and it ends in wintertime. I'm sure it's pretty and all, but it's hard to find legit, free dispersed camping in Ohio!" explains Joaquim P. about Scioto Grove Metro Park.

Bathroom facilities vary widely: Jackson Lake Park and other campgrounds may have inconsistent bathroom maintenance. "They were VERY far from the camp area (the one in the arcade room was close but it was closed after 11pm) and the bathrooms they did have only typically had one working stall," notes Jess N.

Cell service limitations: Most campgrounds have minimal or no coverage. "There is no cell service. Be sure to give anyone who may need to contact you a heads up," advises Sydney about Tar Hollow State Park.

Tips for camping with families

Consider site proximity to bathrooms: At most campgrounds, bathroom access requires planning. "The sites were quiet and clean! Make sure to pay attention to 'walk-in' sites. It's more like 'hike a half mile with your gear' sites!" warns Amanda P. about Hocking Hills State Park Campground.

Look for designated kid activities: Some campgrounds offer structured programming. "The pool and the lake activities will keep them busy all day and give them a great opportunity wear themselves out for a good night sleep," shares Chris C. about Jackson Lake Park.

Scout tent sites before setting up: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain. "Many of the campsites are situated on pretty intense slopes. 106 wasn't too bad. I would guess 105 is probably the most level site in the campground," advises Sydney about Tar Hollow.

Reserve early for holiday weekends: Holiday periods fill completely at most campgrounds. "We booked last minute on a holiday weekend and had like 2 options for a spot. I wasn't happy with our spot but again that's my own fault," shares Samantha H. about Jackson Lake Park.

Tips from RVers

Check hookup accessibility: Water connections at some campgrounds require extra equipment. "We appreciated the full hook-ups and pull through site. But, the water hook ups were accessible through a hole/pipe and we had to 'fish' down to connect our hose," explains Chris C. about Jackson Lake Park.

Consider site levelness: Many RV sites require significant leveling. "Most sites are level and spacious. There is a general store on site with firewood, propane, food items, gifts, camping gear, (hitch pins even, I lost mine)," reports Meghan H. about Hocking Hills State Park.

Seasonal options exist: Buckeye Lake-Columbus East KOA offers extended stay options. "We may return next year for a little while until we can find more permanent space for the summer. We appreciate the space and cleanliness of the campground!" notes Kelley M.

Event-based campgrounds available: Fairgrounds camping provides basic accommodations for special events. "Easy access to sites. Staff could take a lesson in hospitality and giving directions on park," mentions Paul G. about camping facilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Lithopolis, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, Lithopolis, OH offers a wide range of camping options, with 103 campgrounds and RV parks near Lithopolis, OH and 6 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Lithopolis, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lithopolis, OH is A.W. Marion State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 33 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Lithopolis, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Lithopolis, OH.

What parks are near Lithopolis, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 parks near Lithopolis, OH that allow camping, notably Deer Creek Lake and Alum Creek Lake.