Campgrounds near London, Ohio offer a variety of spaces for tent and RV camping within a 25-mile radius. This central Ohio region features flat to gently rolling terrain with elevations around 1,100 feet above sea level. Spring and fall camping seasons experience temperature swings of 30-40°F between day and night, making layered clothing essential for comfort.
What to Do
Mountain biking trails: Buck Creek State Park offers dedicated trails where families can enjoy riding through wooded areas. "We camped here in our camper in early July. There are a lot of things to do in the area. We visited the Ohio Caverns. The tour is worth the money, the 'gem' mining was fun for our younger kids," notes Leon H. from Buck Creek State Park Campground.
Fossil hunting: Caesar Creek State Park provides permits for collecting fossils in designated areas. "We even got a permit to collect fossils. Great visitor centers too," mentions one camper. The park also features "a nice lake, good hiking, close to Waynesville," according to Megan D.
Off-leash water activities: Dogs can swim at designated areas while their owners fish or kayak nearby. "We also used the camper beach but to the left of it to launch our kayaks. Which was nice because you could back up to the pathway and park. Then drag your kayak down a short trail to the water," shares Melissa M. about Buck Creek State Park Campground.
What Campers Like
Large, open sites: Many campgrounds provide spacious areas between sites. "The sites are big and roomy. Plenty of room for a camper, tents, and outdoor games (cornhole, Kan jam, etc)," says Jill L. about Caesar Creek State Park Campground.
Evening activities: Scheduled events create community atmosphere at some parks. "Camp host on I think lot 71 or there about were great at keeping the activities going. Every night there was a movie and you could buy root beer floats for $1!! And the kids loved it," reports Melissa M.
Proximity to Yellow Springs: John Bryan State Park offers access to this unique cultural hub. "I love everything about John Bryan State Park and the surrounding town. Not only is there a great place to camp and hike, there is a cute little hippie town not too far away!" says Grace D. from John Bryan State Park Campground.
What You Should Know
Limited shade coverage: Several parks have minimal tree coverage for tents and RVs. "These sites have plenty of space between them. But there isn't a lot of shade. Partial shade is very generous for the B Loop," explains Nick C. about Caesar Creek State Park Campground.
Varying bathroom conditions: Facilities range from excellent to basic across parks. "The bathroom was perfectly adequate but a long walk from our site," notes Shirley M. about Buck Creek State Park.
Backpacking options: For primitive camping enthusiasts, backpacking sites provide solitude close to London. "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, besides that they're totally primitive," explains Zach from Scioto-Grove Metro Park.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground proximity: Choose sites near play areas for convenience. "There is a path to the playground which the occasional kid will run down into your campsite by accident," mentions one Buck Creek camper about site 41.
Beach access: Most dog friendly campgrounds near London offer swimming areas, but water conditions vary. "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. Both are ok, but nothing impressive," says Leon H.
Beginner-friendly environment: Several parks cater to first-time campers with level sites and amenities. "A nice 'weekender' type of campground. The sites are clean and level for the most part. I recommend taking one on the outside of the loop - near the trees," advises Jason M. from Tomorrow's Stars RV Resort. "Nothing out of the ordinary, but if you are looking for an introduction to camping, this would be a great place to start."
Tips from RVers
Non-electric loops: Tent campers find quieter experiences in these sections. "Over a late-August weekend, we found the non-electric loop to be pretty quiet and uncrowded. The grounds are level and grassy, with trees that provide partial shade," reports Amanda P. from Buck Creek.
Full hookup availability: Call ahead to confirm services, as availability varies seasonally. "We decided to stay here last minute. Read the reviews and went for it. 45' Prevost w/toad. Pull through we were assigned had very low hanging tree limbs. I called the office and asked if we could use space 41 instead. No problem!" shares Bonnie L. from Deer Creek Camping Resort.
Site selection for shade: Choose perimeter sites when possible for better tree coverage. "We stayed on site 189 and liked the size and location," notes Jill L. about Caesar Creek, while also mentioning that "the sites do not have much shade with trees lining the back."