A
Andy B.
Ranger
RangerMohican Wilderness
Site 321 and 320
we come back to MW a few times each year as the access to the river and quiet nature of the campground is great. The playground is nice, the store is clean and well stocked.
Camping near Marion, OH
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Campgrounds surrounding Marion, Ohio feature a range of accommodation options within a short drive of the city. Delaware State Park Campground, located about 20 miles south of Marion, provides extensive camping facilities with over 200 electric sites suitable for both tents and RVs. Other nearby options include Mt. Gilead State Park Campground to the west and several privately-operated facilities like Cross Creek Camping Resort and the Jellystone Park locations. The area predominantly offers developed campgrounds with amenities rather than primitive camping, with many sites featuring electricity, water access, and shower facilities across tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals.
Many campgrounds in the region remain open year-round, though services may be limited during winter months. Delaware State Park maintains partial operations during colder seasons with reduced amenities. Sites at several campgrounds, particularly Delaware State Park, feature concrete pads suitable for larger RVs and provide good separation between camping areas. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer months when these facilities regularly reach capacity, especially on weekends and holidays. Most campgrounds maintain paved internal roads, though some sites can become muddy after rain. A visitor noted that "Delaware State Park is prone to flooding and the sites can get really muddy" during wet weather conditions.
Campers frequently mention the forested settings and lake access as highlights of the area's campgrounds. Delaware State Park provides extensive recreation options including hiking trails, boat launches, fishing areas, and a swimming beach that enhance the camping experience. The pod-style layout at Delaware creates spacious sites with good privacy, which receives consistently positive feedback from visitors. Several campgrounds cater specifically to families with amenities like playgrounds, recreation areas, and organized activities. Despite being relatively close to urban areas, the campgrounds maintain a natural setting with wildlife viewing opportunities. One camper reported, "We had a great long pad that sat back in trees. The sitting area was behind our camper also surrounded by trees. We saw a ton of birds and took a 7-mile hike around the park."
Best Campgrounds near Marion (98)
1. Delaware State Park Campground
"Delaware State Park is a gem in the Ohio state park system. What is amazing to us is how few people seem to know it exists!"
"This is another of our favorite Ohio State Parks. 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. "
from $39 - $40 / night
Check Availability2. Alum Creek State Park Campground
"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."
from $23 - $70 / night
Check Availability3. 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 Availability4. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Dogwood Valley
"We swam in the lake and pools. We loved the paddle boat ducks and swans. The kids had the best time at archery."
"Nice campground close to Cleveland and Columbus. You feel like you’re lost taking the backroads to get there. We went in April so the water stuff wasn’t open."
from $90 - $235 / night
Check Availability5. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Columbus
"This campground is located in Mt Gilead Ohio off route 61. It is very clean and well kept. There are tons of activities for children and a very nice camp store."
"The lake is a hit so much that we never go to the pool. Having free, unlimited access to pedal boats and other boats is a huge treat."
from $90 - $289 / night
Check Availability6. Sunset Springs RV Resort
"We arrived and were able to upgrade to site #1 due to a cancellation, overlooking the Ohio River. No one between us and the river, and we had a grand view."
"This location is not technically in Upper area. The website has two different locations. We ended up in the one in Mohican area in Loudonville."
7. Cardinal Center Campground
"Our site was on a cul de sac and was close to the pool. The sites and road were gravel. They have an indoor pool, stocked fishing pond, and an indoor clubhouse with a pool table."
"from our garden as we had way too much for just us and asked the welcome center to tell people to help themselves to what ever they wanted. we then toured the campgroundand found the stocked fishing lake"
from $47 - $53 / night
Check Availability8. Cross Creek Camping Resort
"We stayed two nights here on our tour of Ohio. After staying in state parks, the narrow sites are close with no privacy."
"Cross Creek Camping Resort in Delaware, Ohio is a very nice campground with friendly staff and lots of amenities!"
from $35 - $95 / night
Check Availability9. Foxfire Campground
10. Foxfire Family Fun Park
"Close to town/shopping if needed."
from $35 - $110 / night
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Drive Time
- 43 min from Mansfield, OH
- 53 min from Columbus, OH
- 1 hr 12 min from Springfield, OH
- 1 hr 16 min from Sandusky, OH
Recent Camping Photos near Marion, OH
148 Photos of 98 Marion Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Hickory Grove Lake RV Park & Campground
Delaware State Park Campground
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Dogwood Valley
Mt Gilead State Park CampgroundR
Cardinal Center Campground
Grins & Pickin's CampFarmJ
Sunbury/Columbus North KOA HolidayA
Alum Creek State Park Campground
Cross Creek Camping ResortB
Kokosing River Campground — Kokosing Lake Wildlife Area
Zane Shawnee Caverns & Southwind ParkC
Adventure TrailsS
Recent Reviews near Marion, OH
508 Reviews of 98 Marion Campgrounds
- BBruce C.
TravelerPastime Campground
Lovely but tight spaces
Tight
- CCindy S.
ScoutAdventure Bound Pleasant View
Decent/not as advertised
Our stay was in an RV Sept 2026. I had specifically requested and paid extra for a spot on the fishing pond to fish. Not only was there a lot of long-term campers at this resort, but the fishing pond was covered in duck weed over 3/4 of the water where my site was at, and on the day we left it was 100% covered with duck week. The duck week invasion was not mentioned to me when I called and made the reservation to be on the water. In fairness, I will say I caught some fish at the clear end of the pond before it was 100% covered.
The park itself was clean, quiet and decent. The staff were very nice. The Aqua fun zones water is not clear blue as advertised, it is murky, the 9 hole mini golf is outdated and should be called mini-mini golf as it is very small. The swimming pool and playground were as advertised. I cannot answer to the other amenities as I did not see or utilize them.
In conclusion, this campground could benefit greatly from some updating especially of the amenities as they are not what the pictures portray.
SkywaystoHighways.com Y.RangerMt Gilead State Park Campground
Peaceful stop off I 71
My husband and I had an overnight stay here on our way to Indy. Sites were level and easy to navigate, with fire rings and picnic tables. Lots of trees and trails. Though the majestic pines were tall, they offered little for privacy. Bathrooms were clean and showers were free. However, the touchless feature made showering difficult as you have to stand directly in front of the sensor to keep the water running which means you must bear the cold water until it heats up. Neither of us had an enjoyable shower experience. Playground for the kiddos and a volleyball court. All around a nice stay.
- SSteve S.Traveler
Ottawa Metro Park Campground
Cleanest shower house we’ve seen
Price is now $35/ night $30 seniors. Beautiful paved trails. Lots of flowers and trees. Stayed in site #8 morning shade with afternoon shade in back. Highly recommend.
tammy M.ScoutOhio State Eagles Family Recreation Park
Got ate alive
Stayed in cabin 4 last year got are alive. Stayed in cabin 1 this year and got bit worse. This year looks like bed bugs
- SShari H.Scout
Ottawa Metro Park Campground
Nice
Very clean nice place to stay. Friendly ppl, camp hosts are very helpful
Tara R.RangerAlum Creek State Park Campground
Very nice big campground
This campground is huge. Great for biking. Nice lake for fishing, boating and kayaking. There is a campers beach in campground. Many sites have water access. Small fishing pond. Very nice camp store. Big, wooded sites.
Brittnee C.ScoutGotta Getaway RV Park
NOT A FAMILY CAMPGROUND
Not a safe environment for children. The little man at the desk is ok with it too, he claims he kicked us all out but my video I took when confronting him on the situation differs. He also keeps deleting reviews and replying back with blatant lies. If you read through the negative reviews you can see he can’t admit when he’s wrong, it’s always everyone else who’s wrong. I don’t want money back from this joke of a campground and I don’t care what the owner has to say. What I want is to save everyone else from wasting a perfectly good camping trip on a trashy place. It was so bad we DECIDED on our own to leave and camp elsewhere. Aside from the sketchy seasonal campers, the amenities also are trash. The pond is all muck, sites are water and electric only with dirt pads. I have never seen such a hillbilly set up. The pool is ok. Dump station was probably my favorite amenity, dumping our tanks to leave that place! But even that is set up at the entrance so when dumping you can block the incoming campers. I will never be back to this place, let me verify with the video I took, WE WERE NOT KICKED OUT. We left on our own because our CHILDREN DID NOT FEEL SAFE!
Guide to Marion
Camping sites near Marion, Ohio offer diverse opportunities for outdoor recreation within central Ohio's rolling countryside. The area's topography features gently sloping terrain with elevations between 850-950 feet above sea level, creating natural drainage toward the nearby Scioto River watershed. Marion County experiences four distinct seasons with summer high temperatures averaging in the mid-80s°F, while winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that can drop into the low 20s°F.
What to do
Disc golf courses: Mt. Gilead State Park Campground offers a challenging disc golf course that extends through wooded areas. "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!" reports Sarah G.
Hunting opportunities: Delaware State Park Campground provides designated areas for hunting various game. "What I liked most about this park is that there hunting areas," notes Michael P., while also mentioning it has "Great pheasant hunting."
Paddle boating: Families enjoy water activities at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Columbus where boating is a major draw. "The lake is a hit so much that we never go to the pool. Having free, unlimited access to pedal boats and other boats is a huge treat," writes Bill T., highlighting the value of included water activities.
Archery practice: Cardinal Center Campground combines camping with target sports including archery ranges. "This campground is near Columbus, OH. We go there every summer to camp with our trap/skeet/sporting clay shooting team," explains Christi L., noting it's also full of "trees for tent campers, hammock hangers and tree climbing."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Mt Gilead State Park Campground offers more secluded camping spots with natural separation. "Our site had a deck right behind the camping pad because the site has a descent slope. The fire pit was down the slope which was cool being out of site from walkers," Bobby C. explains about his experience.
Pod-style camping layout: Delaware State Park features a distinct organization that campers appreciate. "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," writes Marshall P.
Clean, private shower facilities: Some campgrounds offer individual shower rooms rather than communal facilities. "The showers were nice, you get your own shower room which was quite large. Restrooms were nice also," notes Jana H. about her stay at Mt. Gilead State Park Campground.
Organized weekend activities: Cross Creek Camping Resort hosts themed weekends for added entertainment. "We were there for the Halloween weekend and it was amazing," shares Lauri C., while another camper mentions "They also have themed-event weekends, which are really fun!"
What you should know
Campground flooding concerns: Wet weather can affect camping conditions in the area. "Delaware State Park maintains a nice storm shelter on the property that was well marked and easy to get to from any of the campground areas," Marshall P. mentions, highlighting safety preparations for severe weather.
Winter camping limitations: While some campgrounds remain open year-round, services vary seasonally. At Cardinal Center Campground, "We camped here off season and really enjoyed it. Our site was on a cul de sac and was close to the pool," notes Renee L.
Cell service variations: Connectivity differs between locations and carriers. "Att works good here verizion not so much but at night when people are sleeping verizion gets a little better," reports Joe I. about Delaware State Park. At Cross Creek, another camper noted "Cell phone reception was very good. WIFI was not too good."
Weekend crowding: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "Super crowded on a summer weekend. All size rvs and also tent campers," explains Malcolm about Cross Creek Camping Resort. Reservations are essential particularly for holiday weekends.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly exploration: Some sites specifically cater to children's sense of adventure. Ashley R. shares about Delaware State Park: "The site we were on was set back in the woods. My daughter had tons of fun exploring the woods connected to our site."
Playground access: Alum Creek State Park Campground features play areas throughout the property. "Great Get-Away! Nice campground that's very well maintained... The camp has nice trails, a fishing lake and disc golf course along with other activities," Julie R. notes.
Swimming options: Water recreation varies between locations. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Dogwood Valley, "We swam in the lake and pools. We loved the paddle boat ducks and swans. The kids had the best time at archery," explains Traci F., highlighting multiple activity options.
Morning fish feeding: Unique experiences create lasting memories for children. "We watched them feed the fish at the lake in the morning, that was such a fun experience. I've never seen that many fish that big up close," describes Traci F. about Jellystone Park at Dogwood Valley.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Alum Creek State Park Campground can present difficulties after rain. "First Campground site I went to had a large mud puddle full of hornets. I asked to move site and was accommodated. It was right after a heavy rain storm," explains Jan B.
Full hookup availability: Cross Creek Camping Resort offers complete services for self-contained units. "Good mix of pull through and back in and is big rig friendly," reports Dave B., though noting sites are "close, but not unreasonably close."
Long RV pad locations: Some campgrounds accommodate larger vehicles better than others. "The 'pod' layout of the campground made for large campsites (some sites are over 90 feet in length and well suited for large RV's) with good separation between sites," explains a visitor to Delaware State Park.
Easy access from highways: Cardinal Center Campground provides convenient overnight options. A visitor notes it offers "wide, spacious, and level pull through and back-in gravel sites," and serves as "a great base camp to visit the area."
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any cabin rental options at campgrounds near Marion, Ohio?
Are there any cabin rental options at campgrounds near Marion, Ohio?
Yes, there are several cabin rental options near Marion. Toodik Family Campground Cabin & Canoeing offers cabins in a nicely shaded environment with amenities including a pool, laundry facilities, and clean bathrooms. It's conveniently located near attractions like the Ohio State Reformatory. Malabar Farm State Park also provides cabin accommodations in a unique setting with a focus on conservation and organic farming practices. For families, Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Dogwood Valley near Mount Gilead offers cabin rentals with family-oriented amenities and activities. Most cabins in the area require advance reservations, especially during peak summer months.
What private campgrounds are available for RVs and campers in Marion, Ohio?
What private campgrounds are available for RVs and campers in Marion, Ohio?
Several private campgrounds near Marion cater specifically to RVs and campers. Cross Creek Camping Resort offers pull-through sites for RVs, though they tend to be somewhat narrow with limited privacy. The resort provides typical amenities, but note that sites directly along the inner road experience more traffic from passing vehicles and golf carts. Sunset Springs RV Resort near Bucyrus is another option with big-rig-friendly sites, water hookups, and standard amenities. For those willing to drive a bit further, Cardinal Center Campground near Marengo provides spacious drive-in sites that accommodate larger RVs. Most private campgrounds in the area offer water hookups, electrical service, and on-site restroom facilities.
What are the best campgrounds in Marion, Ohio for tent camping?
What are the best campgrounds in Marion, Ohio for tent camping?
For tent camping near Marion, Delaware State Park Campground offers spacious, wooded sites with a peaceful atmosphere and significantly fewer crowds than other nearby parks. The campground features a convenient spoke-and-wheel layout with centrally located bathhouses. Another excellent option is Mohican State Park Campground, which provides clean facilities and access to hiking trails directly from the grounds. While not all sites offer complete seclusion, there are some tucked-away spots for those seeking more privacy. Both parks maintain clean facilities and provide easy access to water activities - Delaware has a lake while Mohican offers the fun opportunity to tube down the river and walk back to your campsite.
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