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Kera F.
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ALUM CREEK CAMPGROUND
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Camping near Mansfield, OH
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
The wooded Mohican region surrounding Mansfield, Ohio contains multiple campground options for tent camping, RV parking, and cabin rentals. Mohican State Park Campground near Loudonville offers developed camping with full amenities including electric hookups, showers, and a pool, while Charles Mill Lake Park Campground sits closer to Mansfield with waterfront access. Several privately-operated campgrounds like Mohican Adventures provide cabin options alongside traditional tent and RV sites. Primitive camping opportunities exist in Mohican Memorial State Forest with walk-in tent sites for those seeking a more secluded experience.
Camping facilities remain open year-round at several properties including Mohican State Park, though amenities may be limited during winter months. "Mohican offers great accommodations and clean facilities. It's not the most secluded spots but if you are looking for something tucked away there are a few sites," noted one visitor who appreciated the river tubing access directly from the campground. Most developed campgrounds require reservations, especially during summer weekends when facilities reach capacity. Cell service varies throughout the region but remains adequate near major campgrounds. The area experiences typical Midwest seasonal patterns with humid summers and occasional stormy weather, while fall brings colorful foliage displays to the region.
Proximity to water features prominently in the camping experience, with options for fishing, paddling, and swimming at Charles Mill Lake and Pleasant Hill Lake Park. Campers highlight the variety of recreational opportunities, with one visitor noting, "The ability to tube down the river and walk back to your camp site was so much fun. Trailheads are located right off the grounds and the surrounding area is full of great things to do." Many campgrounds maintain trail connections to the broader Mohican State Forest trail system. The region's campgrounds strike a balance between natural settings and convenient access to amenities, with most sites offering fire rings, picnic tables, and restroom facilities. The area's developed campgrounds typically feature shaded sites with varying degrees of privacy depending on location and vegetation.
Best Campgrounds near Mansfield (127)
1. Mohican State Park Campground
"They also had bait so if you wanted to walk behind the pool and continue to the river it wouldn't be far to go fishing. "
"It’s not the most secluded spots but if you are looking for something tucked away there a few sites. The ability to tube down the river and walk back to your camp site was so much fun."
from $27 - $220 / night
Check Availability2. Charles Mill Lake Park Campground
"There is a beach side and a lake side both are nice. We have stayed on both. There is a lake with a boat launch near by a playground and beach for families to swim."
"Beautiful lake with lakeside sites. Wooden and peaceful. Bathrooms could be better. They were working on part of the grounds and the improvements are very promising.."
3. Mohican Adventures Campground and Cabins
"They also offered several bathroom locations and a shower house which were sufficiently clean. Definitely would recommend."
"If you like canoeing, kayaking, rafting, high ropes courses, mini golfing, go carting, hiking, swimming (indoor pool and in a lake), fishing, and paddle boating, then you will LOVE this place!!"
4. Pleasant Hill Lake Park Campground
"Positives: Lots are spacious
- Lots of activities: WhoaZone, boating, fishing, horseback riding, near Mohican Adventures for rafting, hiking
- Quiet and with friendly staff and seasonal campers
- Large"
"The bike/walking paths for kids/adults is a great addition for campers with young kids. The shower houses are clean as well as the grounds."
from $27 / night
Check Availability5. Mt Gilead State Park Campground
"This is one of the smaller campgrounds in the Ohio State Parks system but it’s a little hidden gem."
"The "Camp Host" came around a few times a day to ensure trash was picked up and needs were met. Site 8 has full hookups and a concrete parking pad."
from $37 - $50 / night
Check Availability6. Findley State Park Campground
"Beware, the sites are close to these roads and quite shallow, but because each road dead ends in a cul de sac, traffic is very light, even when the campground is full, as when we visited."
"Lots of walking trails, lots of nature. Once off my favorite local ohio parks."
from $29 - $52 / night
Check Availability7. Malabar Farm State Park Campground
"Not your typical going hiking kinda campground (there are trails but they are not “major”) you come here to step away from city life and tour a working farm. Ohio countryside at its best."
"Lots of hiking trails and a few sites boasting the filming locations for scenes from the movie Shawshank Redemption."
from $23 - $180 / night
Check Availability8. Park and Pack Campsite 10 — Mohican-Memorial State Forest
"There’s no reservations, you show up, see what sites are available, sign in and drive to the appropriate parking area."
"Take a walk down a dirt beaten path with mature trees towering and hang a right and the path gets more eroded from rains, then you go up a slight steep hill and a big area is open for several tents to"
9. River Trail Crossing
"River Trail Crossing is privately owned, small campground (which we like) but nice and quiet. Sites include tents, small rigs and large pull through sites for big rigs."
"Bike trail access right from the campground. Golf nearby, Amish shops, canoeing. Great area to visit, we will return."
10. Park and Pack Campsite 3 — Mohican-Memorial State Forest
"Do register before you do the long walk out here (depends on which way you do the loop). You don't want to do illegal camping at the Park and Pack sites as they do keep an eye out for it."
"We took the main trail head at the bridle parking lot but this isn't where you should go. The main trail head gets you to sites 1- 3."
Drive Time
- 54 min from Akron, OH
- 1 hr 1 min from Columbus, OH
- 1 hr 3 min from Canton, OH
- 1 hr 4 min from Sandusky, OH
Recent Camping Photos near Mansfield, OH
195 Photos of 127 Mansfield Campgrounds
Janice C.
Charles Mill Lake Park Campground
Bob M.
River Trail Crossing
Andrew G.
Mohican State Park Campground
Daniel U.
Butler-Mohican KOA
Gabrielle K.
Mohican Memorial State Forest Park and Pack Site 1
Anna S.
Park and Pack Campsite 10 — Mohican-Memorial State Forest
Lindsey
Mohican Adventures Campground and Cabins
Shelly S.
Kokosing River Campground — Kokosing Lake Wildlife Area
Traci F.
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Dogwood Valley
Lauri J.
Toodik Family Campground Cabin & Canoeing
Shannon G.
Mt Gilead State Park Campground
Joe F.
Lake Wapusun RV Resort
Recent Reviews near Mansfield, OH
630 Reviews of 127 Mansfield Campgrounds
Peyton L.
ScoutClay's Resort Jellystone Park
NO communication and severely lacking customer service skills
I won’t rate the other categories yet but I’ve been upset the whole process trying to plan my trip and the people have made it impossible. I’m constantly unable to get ahold of the park. I keep getting put on the“call back list” when trying to modify a reservation only for NO ONE to ever call back. I finally get ahold of someone after a MONTH… only to have zero customer service skills… they just said“oh we don’t even have a call list” so I ask for another form of communication I can have with me since my trip is in a month and I’ve had these issues for a month… they offer ZERO solutions and are not empathetic either. Another issue was last year I was hospitalized for several months due to an early twin birth so I had to push my trip to the following year… when I FINALLY got ahold of the park last year the women I spoke with trying to manage the rescheduling…was ZERO help surprise surprise… on top of that it took 13 calls and weeks before a manager got back to me…making the window to reschedule or get refunds closer to closing adding stress that you might not get to make your next move how you’d like… anyway…I simply asked for dates that matched the costs that we already paid for the trip so I didn’t have to pay more… I simply asked for it to be within the summer days since my previous reservation was during the summer time with all the extra water park and amenities that close at the end of August. I booked when my kid could use all amenities and there were no hour restrictions either due to still being in season. However the lady couldn’t accommodate or recommend any alternate dates to suite my trip that weren’t several hundred dollars more… now we started out with a trip all paid for last year with all amenities no hour restrictions to a weekend we had to pay more and are restricted hours wise on the summer amenities. As the person doing reservations you should be able to recommend dates and help me plan the trip accordingly to the money spent and not sit on the other end of the phone demanding I just give you dates…. After our trip we will never plan or schedule anything at this park again. Regardless of the amenities… for families traveling far distances you couldn’t make it anymore inconvenient, difficult, and time consuming for simply planning questions or just getting ahold of you in general. No sorrys…. Just a whole lot of…”hmm that’s weird well oh well, next” kind of attitude. Zero solutions just excuses. So that being first impressions not too excited to find out what we are in for when we arrive. Especially reading other reviews about deflated balls so you can’t use the hoops, broken a/c units that the property won’t even handle that their own employees have to give up their own personal comfort cause management won’t?… concession stands trash everywhere… broken hot tubs, WiFi not working in cabins for night time with children is tough…sad that my family’s first camping trip ever hasnt even happened yet and it’s been nothing but a headache to plan because of the staff. Yall make money to make the experience smooth for your consumers but somebody missed the memo.
Jeff H.ScoutWally World
great place along the Mohican river lots of close activities to do .
i have been going to Wally World Riverside Resort for the past 15 years always a great time ,clean camp ground well maintained .On the week end they have activities for the children and movies on Saturday most of the time on the week end it can get busy.
Robert G.
GuideAmerican Wilderness Campground
Money Grubbers
Made a reservation. Canceled since wife had to go into hospital due to an emergency. No flexibility in the 7-day prior window. State parks and others have all been decent to us over this. We paid 3 days for a reservation we never used but canceled 2 days out. The park did not fill up so they took our money over a gotcha clause even after I begged the manager for her understanding. Under the circumstances, I was hoping they would compromise and take only the first night, but they are in it mainly for your money, I'm afraid.
Justin C.ScoutAmerican Wilderness Campground
Just beautiful
fantastic place to camp with family and friends! There is always something fun and exciting to do, whether you're fishing, swimming, hiking, relaxing around the campfire, or enjoying the many activities throughout the campground. The atmosphere is welcoming, the scenery is beautiful, and it's a great place to make lasting memories.
Ravi G.ScoutThe Caves Campground
Dyrt didn't pay for reservation, no refund
Caves is great campground. However they do not honor dyrt reservations. Had to pay at the campground. Sent email to dyrt, no reply. They owe me 400 dollars, and I have not heard back. Dyrt, if you honor, I will update this review- until then, DO NOT USE!!!
- AAndy B.
RangerMohican Wilderness
Return campers
We return to Mohican wilderness a few times each year and love the sites we choose right on the river.
Most sites here are wide open field sites and would not suite our style of camping.
Bathrooms are typically clean.
- Kimberly N.Guide
Clay's Resort Jellystone Park
Overpriced under managed. Great potential.
I have to agree with all the other reviews. It’s a great facility with a ton of potential it just seems poorly managed. The sites are not up to par with other campgrounds in the same price bracket nationwide. The staff does not have great attitudes and are put off being asked to assist. They say no scooters or electric bikes but there’s a thousand golf carts flying around because realistically it’s not a walkable park. They would benefit from a tram or trolley on busy weekends to go from camping areas to activities. Check-in was rough after hours especially trying to navigate to find your site is extremely difficult. We drug a few trees across the top of our unit. We were originate to have friends take us to our spot or we would not have found it until morning. Underwhelmed for the $180/night camp spot.
Chris G.ScoutTee Pee Family Campground
Overnight just okay - better for long term campers
We were traveling home and needed a place to stay for the night and hoped for full hookup. Looked up and found this place and another that was reportedly 3x the number of sites who was having a big hog roast that evening. This was the largest campground we stayed at during our 2 week trip and our first RV trip generally. The spaces were close (tight) and thankfully we had a small class C. Many seemed to be permanent with full builds of patios and covers. Firepits at each site were old tire rims. Quiet hours are late (11 PM) and we are not late people. Probably fine if you want to spend time engaging with everyone around you, you sleep well and have good sound dampening in your rig. For the occasional overnight to just get home or to the next place, take this place for what it is, a place for long term campers ideally with kids. Was a good learning opportunity to avoid such places in the future.
Guide to Mansfield
Camping near Mansfield, Ohio offers a range of primitive to full-hookup options throughout the region's mixed hardwood forests. Located in north-central Ohio, the area features rolling terrain with elevations ranging from 900-1400 feet and seasonal temperatures that can swing from humid 90°F summers to below-freezing winters. Most campgrounds remain accessible year-round, though water access points typically close from November through March.
What to do
Hiking at Mt. Gilead: Just 30 minutes west of Mansfield, this small state park offers hiking trails and disc golf. "The park is nice for fishing and hiking and there are spots for the kids to play," notes Bret J., who visited in 2019.
Primitive backpacking: Mohican Memorial State Forest provides free backcountry sites for backpackers. "There are 10 free camp sites for backpackers in Mohican, each is about a mile hike in, no vehicles can reach these sites. There are 4 on the mountain bike trail and 6 on the horse trails, first come first serve, no reservations," explains John H.
Water activities: Pleasant Hill Lake Park Campground offers multiple water recreation options. "The lake is an all sport lake so there is fishing, tubing, jet skis and kayaking. The marina has boat rentals available," writes Michelle H., who has camped there for over a decade.
Trail connections: Most campgrounds connect to broader trail networks. "Lots of hiking trails and waterfalls. Free hike-in camping available here too," reports Nicole K. about the extensive trail system.
What campers like
Secluded options: The Park and Pack sites at Mohican State Park Campground provide solitude. "This campsite you just briefly leave the main trail to cross the creek to your own private campsite. We loved loved this site. We felt so spoiled as it isn't the crowded state parking campsite that you often think of when camping," writes Kenpocentaur K.
Clean facilities: Many Mansfield-area campgrounds maintain well-kept restrooms. "Bath houses are clean and well maintained. The camp host makes several rounds around the park and was very friendly," notes Jana H. about her stay at Mt. Gilead State Park.
Winter camping: For off-season campers, Charles Mill Lake Park Campground offers year-round options. "Open and almost full on 5/30/20. We stopped for one night on our way from VT to CO. Tho they messed up and double booked our site (a really nice one on quieter waterfront side) we were able to get another waterfront one by marina," shares Monica F.
Accessible natural settings: The area combines convenience with natural surroundings. "Charles Mills Lake is a Great place for waterfront camping and if you like boating. The grounds are well maintained and the primitive sites are pretty well secluded," says Ken P.
What you should know
First-come sites: The park and pack sites require registration at a kiosk. "Make sure you get a reservation at the kiosk by the ranger station in the forest. Do not go to the state park as that is completely different," warns a visitor to site #10.
Seasonal campers: River Trail Crossing and other parks host many seasonal campers. "We had a riverfront spot for 4 nights, enjoyed our stay. 30amp, but the AC was still effective on a couple hot days. Bike trail access right from the campground," writes Bob M.
Varied site quality: Even within the same campground, site quality differs significantly. "The sites are mostly level but are short & close to each other. Roads are narrow & hilly. Electric went out several times over the weekend," reports Kathy C. about Charles Mill Lake Park.
Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "Only downfall is trying to find an open spot for reservations. Place is booked most of the time. If you're planning a holiday weekend you need to book 6 months in advance," advises Jeffrey L.
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly options: For first-time campers, Mohican Adventures Campground and Cabins offers a gentle introduction. "Amazing campgrounds, with great amenities, clean and updated restrooms & shower house. Indoor pool perfect for the super hot summer months. So much for the kids to do!" reports Nicole S.
Kid-friendly activities: The Mohican region includes numerous built-in entertainment options. "Great campground with lots to do! RV sites are a little small and close together, but comes with a picnic table and fire pit. There are back in and pull through RV spots - along with nice shady spots for tent camping," writes Kelly L.
Swimming options: Multiple campgrounds feature swimming areas for children. "There is a beach side and a lake side both are nice. We have stayed on both. There is a lake with a boat launch near by a playground and beach for families to swim. Kid friendly activities available while we were there," shares Katelyn P. about Charles Mill Lake.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose sites carefully based on size and layout. "Our site was a concrete pad and our grassy area was on a hill. It is dog friendly and the shower house was clean. They also have laundry available," notes Renee L. about Mt. Gilead State Park.
Winter camping: Findley State Park Campground accommodates off-season RVers. "Camping in the off season is our favorite time of year. This particular park has potable water on by the dump station and the dump station is open. The water at the full hook up sites are turned off," reports Andrea F.
Leveling challenges: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain. "Nice clean and friendly staff the only complaint is that the sites are not flat," reports Maria K. about River Trail Crossing, reflecting a common theme across several area campgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fishing opportunities are available at Mansfield, Ohio campgrounds?
What fishing opportunities are available at Mansfield, Ohio campgrounds?
Findley State Park Campground offers excellent fishing opportunities in a quiet setting less than an hour from Cleveland. The park features a lake perfect for fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. Charles Mill Lake Park Campground provides boat-in access and lakeside fishing near Mansfield. Pleasant Hill Lake Park also offers fishing opportunities with boat access. For a less crowded fishing experience, Delaware State Park is described as a hidden gem with a campground adjacent to the water. Most fishing areas in the region are stocked with species like bass, catfish, and panfish. Several campgrounds rent fishing equipment or have bait shops nearby, making it convenient for both experienced anglers and beginners to enjoy fishing during their stay.
Are there any primitive or electric camping options in Mansfield?
Are there any primitive or electric camping options in Mansfield?
Both primitive and electric camping options are available around Mansfield. For electric sites, Cross Creek Camping Resort offers electric hookups for RVs with pull-through sites, though they tend to be narrower and less private than state park options. Delaware State Park Campground features electric sites in a spoke-and-wheel layout with centrally located bathhouses. For primitive camping, Park and Pack Campsite 10 in Mohican-Memorial State Forest provides free hike-in sites without electricity. Mohican State Park also offers a mix of both electric and non-electric sites, with some more secluded spots available for those seeking a more primitive experience. Most campgrounds in the area require reservations, especially for electric sites during peak season.
What are the best campgrounds in Mansfield, Ohio?
What are the best campgrounds in Mansfield, Ohio?
The Mansfield area offers several excellent camping options. Mohican State Park Campground stands out with its beautiful chestnut trees, clean facilities, and convenient trail access with tubing opportunities on the river. For RV campers, KOA Campground Shelby provides large pull-through sites, weekend activities, and clean shower facilities. Other noteworthy options include Malabar Farm State Park, known for its conservation history and organic gardens, and Charles Mill Lake Park Campground which offers lakeside camping. For those interested in movie history, Toodik Family Campground provides nicely shaded sites and is located near the Ohio State Reformatory, the filming location for The Shawshank Redemption.
Is tent camping available near Mansfield, Ohio?
Is tent camping available near Mansfield, Ohio?
Yes, tent camping is readily available near Mansfield. Alum Creek State Park Campground offers tent sites in a beautiful setting with partial shade and wooded surroundings. Tent campers report feeling safe at this large campground with access to shower facilities, hiking trails, and lake activities. For a more secluded tent camping experience, Malabar Farm State Park Campground provides a unique backdrop with its conservation history. Additionally, Pleasant Hill Lake Park Campground offers tent sites with multiple access options including hike-in sites. For primitive tent camping, Park and Pack Campsite 10 in Mohican-Memorial State Forest provides free walk-in or hike-in camping opportunities for those seeking a more rustic experience.
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