7 campgrounds with availability next weekend
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."
"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. "
Available next weekend
from $35 - $40 / night
"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."
Available next weekend
from $19 - $70 / night
"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."
Available next weekend
from $33 / night
"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
"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
"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."
"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
"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
"Close to town/shopping if needed."
from $35 - $110 / night
ScoutWe camped here for the first time this year and ended up booking 2 more trips here. We just finished our last trip. We love this campsite. No other place has sites this big and give you this much space. Awesome place to camp
ScoutCould not ask for a better site. Absolutely beautiful setting. A nice small lake for fishing, and a perfect shallow stream for kids to play in, running right by the sites. The pool house and facilities are spotlessly clean. On top of that, the staff are extremely friendly and helpful. We even needed a jumpstart for our truck when we were towing the camper out on a rainy Monday morning and someone came around to help. 100% will come back and 100% would recommend to anyone.
ScoutRight close to Columbus this campground is a staple for locals trying to just get away for the weekend. There is an amphitheater, a camper’s beach, nature center, and more all within the campground. Alum creek state park is a larger facility surrounding the campground with a public beach, walking paths, mountain bike trails, archery range, hunting areas, boat marina and more. The public beach is rather gravelly but has nice shower houses and grills available. We are attending during fall fest where they put on many activities for the campers and it is a lot of fun. You have to reserve 6 months in advance to be able to get in on fall fest unless there is a last minute cancellation. Our site is relatively flat parking, we didn’t need to level the rig. It did rain the morning we got here and the area around the fire pit was a bit muddy. The view out the back of this camp site is nice and wooded, you’re not looking at your neighbors out the back window. The sides you can definitely see each other but it’s still wooded and secluded enough between the sites here.
RangerGreat campground. My favorite is each loop has their own shower house! Nice playgrounds for kids. Nice private sites. Lots of woods and trails. Good lake for boating fishing and kayaking. Park is very clean and well maintained. They have a kids fishing pond! It’s also great for biking.
RangerThis campground has a lot to do for kids. It on the Mohican River for tubing or kayaking. They have a swimming pool, playground, putt putt, climbing wall, and recreation room. There were plenty of showers that were cleaned daily. Nice laundry facilities and camp store. The bad part is the sites are too close. Your fire ring is a few feet from your neighbor.
Rangerwe 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.
TravelerTight
ScoutOur 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.
LegendMy 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.
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.
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."
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!"
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.
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.
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?
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?
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?
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.
Keep Exploring
