Camping options near Delaware, Ohio provide a mix of state-managed properties and privately owned RV resorts within a 30-mile radius of the city. The area sits at approximately 900 feet above sea level in the Till Plains region, with seasonal camping conditions that transition from humid summers to cold winters with occasional snow. Many campgrounds in the area remain open from May through October, with limited year-round options.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Kokosing River Campground, campers can fish the lake which attracts various waterfowl. "Beautiful lake, nice a quiet. Lots of waterfowl," notes one visitor who enjoyed the peaceful setting.
Biking trails: Access to dedicated trails makes this area appealing for cyclists. River Trail Crossing offers direct access to the B&O trail from the campground. As one camper mentions, "Bike trail access right from the campground. Golf nearby, Amish shops, canoeing. Great area to visit."
Water recreation: Swimming and water activities are available at several campgrounds when temperatures warm up. At Arrowhead Lake RV Park & Campground, "They have two ponds, one for fishing and one for swimming. The swimming one has a dock kids jump off but it only goes to about 3.5-4 feet deep at the deepest point."
Hiking exploration: Wooded trails throughout the area provide nature observation opportunities. Delaware State Park offers "nice trails to walk" with some campers noting the convenient trails that connect throughout the park, allowing hikers to customize their distance.
What campers like
Private campsites: Many campers appreciate the secluded sites at Delaware State Park Campground where "all the sites have privacy." One visitor noted, "The site we were on was set back in the woods. My daughter had tons of fun exploring the woods connected to our site."
Well-maintained facilities: Cleanliness is frequently mentioned in reviews. "The bathroom on our loop was older def in need of some updating but it wasn't a big deal," reported one Delaware State Park visitor, while another appreciated that "the grounds are very clean and tidy."
Family-friendly amenities: Organized activities keep children entertained at Sunbury/Columbus North KOA Holiday. One reviewer shared, "They have a small workout room which was small but still just enough to get a good pump. The staff was equally amazing. The pool and splash pad were well kept and very clean."
Reasonable pricing: Affordable camping makes the area accessible for budget-conscious travelers. At Arrowhead Lake RV Park, campers enjoy "pretty nice + cheap" sites, with one reviewer noting, "Overall a pretty nice camping spot. Oh and it was only $45 a night."
What you should know
Seasonal restrictions: Most RV sites near Delaware, Ohio operate primarily from May through October. Sunbury/Columbus North KOA Holiday specifically runs "May 1 to Nov 1" according to their season information, limiting winter camping options.
Site variations: Campgrounds offer different types of camping experiences. At Welcome Woods RV Campgrounds, "The site we were at had a very large spacious area. It was a grassy patch no actual pad to park but as we drove around there were plenty of areas that had gravel pads available."
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies significantly between locations. Some campgrounds have basic facilities as one camper at Welcome Woods noted: "The bathrooms come in two varieties. One is a outhouse type room it's a concrete 'toilet' with a toilet seat on it that drops into a hole in the ground and the other is a porta potty."
Reservation requirements: Busy season demands advance planning. Most campgrounds fill quickly on summer weekends, particularly from late May through September when families are most active.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Campgrounds with dedicated play areas keep children engaged. "Kids aged 3-13 all had a blast in the heated pool, on the jump pad and on the zip line swing!" shares a visitor about Sunbury/Columbus North KOA.
Swimming options: Water features provide cooling recreation during hot months. At Arrowhead Lake RV Park, "the pool looked to be the spot for the kids of all ages on this hot 4th of July."
Space considerations: Look for sites with room for children to play. At Sunset Springs RV Resort, families find "the grounds very nice" with one visitor noting, "We absolutely loved it! Everyone was so friendly to us 'weekenders' and can't wait to come back."
Safety measures: Supervised areas keep children secure. Multiple reviewers note that Delaware State Park has "rangers drive through a few times a day to patrol the grounds" providing extra security for families with young children.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Prepare for varied terrain at different campgrounds. At Sunbury/Columbus North KOA, an RVer observed, "There's a few sites are unlevel so you may need to use your levelers and maybe some blocks, we did."
Connectivity concerns: Cell coverage varies across campgrounds. The same RVer at Sunbury/Columbus North KOA reported, "Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5G) seems good throughout the entire park. Best Wi-Fi I've ever had at a campground. They have Wi-Fi repeater towers everywhere you look. T-Mobile signal was good."
Big rig accommodations: Length restrictions apply at different RV parks near Delaware. At Alton RV Park, one camper found it "a small, maybe 35 sites, clean well maintained campground" that worked well for overnight parking, though not necessarily for extended stays with large vehicles.
Hookup variations: Full-service sites have limited availability. For instance, Tomorrow's Stars RV Resort provides water, electric, and sewer connections while many state parks offer only electric service requiring use of communal dump stations.
