Camping options near Marion, Ohio include several established grounds within a 30-mile radius. The region features mostly flat terrain with elevations ranging from 850-1,000 feet above sea level and experiences all four seasons distinctly, with summer high temperatures averaging 82°F and winter lows often dropping below freezing. Most local campgrounds close for winter between late October and early May due to Ohio's seasonal weather patterns.
What to do
Kayaking on calm waters: Kokosing River Campground offers access to a peaceful lake perfect for beginning paddlers. "Kayaking on the lake is great," notes Mark B., who visited during Labor Day weekend and found the "camp staff very friendly and helpful."
Hiking nearby trails: The River Trail Crossing campground connects directly to the paved B&O trail for walking and biking. "Bike trail access right from the campground. Golf nearby, Amish shops, canoeing. Great area to visit," shares Bob M., who stayed for 4 nights at a riverfront spot.
Wildlife watching: The small, shaded grounds at Kokosing River Campground provide opportunities to observe local birds and wildlife. "Beautiful lake, nice and quiet. Lots of waterfowl," according to camper Shelly S., who visited in September when the campground wasn't crowded.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Arrowhead Lake RV Park & Campground receives praise for its maintenance. "A very well kept campground with lots of fun things to do, like hiking fishing and corn hole," says Cody R. Another reviewer noted it as "pretty nice + cheap" with large weekend sites and pull-through access.
Family activities: The Sunbury/Columbus North KOA Holiday offers numerous amenities for children. "Kids aged 3-13 all had a blast in the heated pool, on the jump pad and on the zip line swing!" reports Jennifer K., who appreciated that "there was a large amount of space available at each campsite."
Friendly seasonal community: Welcome Woods RV Campgrounds features mostly seasonal campers who create a welcoming atmosphere. "When we first arrived to the campground we originally were a little nervous but learned looks can be deceiving. The campground is mainly seasonal campers and all seemed very welcoming and nice," shares Ashley R., noting special events like hog roasts and cornhole tournaments during holiday weekends.
What you should know
Bathroom facilities vary widely: At Welcome Woods, "bathrooms come in two varieties. One is a outhouse type room... and the other is a porta potty," according to Ashley R. Meanwhile, Sunset Springs RV Resort offers "clean and modern" facilities according to reviewer Dave K.
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven sites requiring equipment. At Alton RV Park, one camper noted "the site we were assigned took three blocks to level up," while at Gotta Getaway RV Park, a reviewer mentioned similar leveling issues.
Wi-Fi quality differences: While most campgrounds offer limited connectivity, Sunbury KOA stands out with "best Wi-Fi I've ever had at a campground. They have Wi-Fi repeater towers everywhere you look," according to Gary G., who also noted good T-Mobile signal and TV reception from Columbus stations.
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-specific amenities: The Alton RV Park provides a safe environment with updated facilities. "New showers and bathrooms, new laundromat, new and improved process to get to your spot, and very safe," writes Kendra P., though some reviewers note strict rule enforcement.
Consider timing your visit: Visiting midweek can offer a quieter experience. "Been pretty peaceful Tues/Weds," notes Gary G. about Sunbury KOA, contrasting with busier weekend schedules when planned activities occur.
Check seasonal activities: Many Marion area campgrounds offer special weekend events. Jennifer K. mentioned that Sunbury KOA had "so many activities through the whole Christmas in July weekend, including seeing Santa!"
Tips from RVers
Site placement impacts experience: At river-adjacent rv parks near Marion, Ohio, site selection matters. "We reserved spot 32, farthest site to the right on the river. We loved it," shares Brian E. about River Trail Crossing, noting that sites closer to the state route bridge experience more traffic noise.
Verify hookup types: Many campgrounds offer different hookup options depending on site location. At River Trail Crossing, "Sites located on the river are water and electric. Sites off the river have 50 amp and 30 amp," according to Brian E.
Check for big rig accommodations: For larger motorhomes, Sunset Springs RV Resort has made improvements to accommodate larger vehicles. "Work is underway to continuously improve the sites previously dominated by long term seasonals. New pull through are perfect for our 40 foot motorhome," shares Dave K.
