Alum Creek State Park Campground and Delaware State Park Campground provide established camping options within 30 minutes of New Albany, Ohio. Both locations sit in the Central Ohio region with elevations averaging 950 feet above sea level and experience four distinct seasons with summer temperatures typically reaching 80-85°F. The campgrounds remain accessible year-round with seasonal amenities varying based on weather conditions.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Alum Creek State Park Campground offers excellent fishing access with both lakefront and standard sites. "Sites are nice with some sites able to boat up to them. Be careful with rainy weather, some sites have flooded in poor weather," notes Katelyn P. The park provides multiple fishing locations along the shoreline.
Trail exploration: The parks feature varied hiking options ranging from short nature walks to longer trail systems. "Lots of hiking paths in the campground and in the park area. A great dog park with lake entrance for the pups. There is also some mountain bike trails. Plenty to do for everyone," explains Jill B. from Alum Creek.
Basketball and recreation: Jackson Lake Park includes sports facilities within the camping area. "Most of the traffic in the parking lot was just people coming to hike or play basketball in the parking lot, not people staying there," reports one visitor. The recreation areas provide additional activities beyond water sports.
Wildlife viewing: The wooded surroundings support abundant wildlife observation opportunities. "We did not swim due to it being in the 60s and rainy during most of our stay but we did go look at the beach it was very clean and appears well cared for. My daughter had tons of fun exploring the woods connected to our site," shares Ashley R. about Delaware State Park.
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: Delaware State Park Campground receives consistent praise for site privacy. "This is probably our favourite state park we have been to thus far. We went camping early October in tents. It was cold but it was so much fun. The best thing about this campground is the fact that all the sites have privacy," shares Maddy B. Many sites feature natural buffers between camping spots.
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention the well-maintained bathrooms and showers. "Nice peaceful park. Spacious sites, clean restrooms. Great space for the kids to get it and play," notes Lauri C. about Delaware State Park. Site cleanliness remains consistent across seasons.
Varied site options: The campgrounds offer diverse camping experiences based on location preferences. "The camp sites are spacious and private, surrounded by trees and brush. Beautiful walking trails," reports Catherine about Alum Creek State Park. Site selection ranges from waterfront to wooded areas.
Storm safety measures: Cardinal Center Campground maintains emergency preparedness features. "I also noticed that they had a nice storm shelter on the property that was well marked and easy to get to from any of the campground areas," mentions Marshall P. Safety infrastructure exists throughout the camping areas.
What you should know
Seasonal site availability: Some premium locations book far in advance, particularly at popular parks. "The prices here are reasonable, however most sites are booked by seasonal campers who pay for the whole season and leave their RV/set-ups in one place the whole season, so all the choice sites (ie lakefront) are always taken," explains Catherine about Alum Creek.
