The New London area offers numerous camping and glamping options within Ohio's humid continental climate zone. Situated in Huron County with elevations around 1,050 feet, New London sees distinct seasonal changes with humid summers and cold winters. Most campgrounds in this region operate from April through October, with primitive camping options available during off-season months at select locations.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Charles Mill Lake Park Campground provides waterfront sites with direct lake access. "Charles Mills Lake is a Great place for waterfront camping and if you like boating. The grounds are well maintained and the primitive sites are pretty well secluded," notes Ken P.
River adventures: Mohican Adventures Campground offers seven-mile canoe trips along the scenic Mohican River. A visitor shared, "We took advantage of their seven mile canoe trip which was rich with scenery and again, given the time we had chosen to go, we enjoyed much solitude on the river which took about 2.15 hours to traverse in our canoe."
Family activities: Mohican State Park Campground offers extensive hiking options with scenic natural features. According to Nicole K., there are "lots of hiking trails and waterfalls. Free hike-in camping available here too." The park maintains multiple trail systems including a through trail "that goes from the dam area following the river to the primitive camping area."
Recreational facilities: KOA Campground Shelby offers numerous on-site activities for families. Nick W. reports, "For the kids there are: activities, crafts, playground, jumping balloon, small zipline, lakes, heated swimming pool, ice cream. Everything a kid could want to do."
What campers like
Privacy options: Indian Trail Campground in New London receives praise for its tranquil setting. Annette A. describes it as a "Super nice campground. Very quiet and enjoyable. Will definitely camp here again." The campground features a variety of site types accommodating both tent campers and RVs.
Seasonal considerations: Charles Mill Lake Park operates year-round, providing camping opportunities in every season. Janice C. notes the park has "Beautiful lake with lakeside sites. Wooden and peaceful," while mentioning ongoing improvements to the grounds during her stay.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained facilities at Milan Travel Park. One reviewer notes, "Showers and bathrooms are very clean and up-to-date," while another mentions the campground has been "wonderfully updated" with "newly paved roadways" and "newly redone building."
Glamping alternatives near New London: Freedom Valley offers upscale glamping options with a 5-star rating from reviewers. David B. describes it as "neat and clean and friendly," noting that "each area has its specific flavor: RV seasonals, campers, cabins, bunkhouse and tent area."
What you should know
Site selection matters: When glamping near New London at established campgrounds, research your specific site. At Charles Mill Lake, Hillary W. advises, "The campsites were small, very uneven and dirty. We saw seasonal campers with four and five cinder blocks holding up one corner or another."
Reservation planning: Most campgrounds near New London require reservations, especially during peak season from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Freedom Valley operates April 15 to October 15, while Indian Trail Campground has a slightly shorter season from April 27 to October 7.
Off-season options: Mohican State Park offers year-round camping opportunities. Andrea F. notes, "Camping in the off season is our favorite time of year. This particular park has potable water on by the dump station and the dump station is open. The water at the full hook up sites are turned off."
Connectivity challenges: Cell service varies widely in the region. At Mohican Adventures, one camper reported "zero internet and no signal," noting this made "finding the weather or maps very challenging." Mohican State Park has "No cell service with Verizon at this park."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Schedule activities early as popular options fill quickly. At Mohican Adventures, a visitor recommends checking river conditions, noting "the water was low due to lack of rain this summer," which affected kayaking experiences.
Campground location: Cleveland/ Sudusky Jellystone Park offers family-focused amenities. Kathryn P. describes it as "Large campground with a nice mix of seasonal and overnighters. Clean common areas. Nice pool, camp store on site with a nice selection of camp gear. Snack bar with pizza, ice cream etc."
Safety considerations: Always confirm safety measures for water activities. A camper at Mohican Adventures mentioned they "did not kayak the river bc there were just too many people on the river," highlighting the importance of monitoring crowd levels for safety.
Noise levels: Family campgrounds tend to have more activity noise. Tina D. cautions that at Charles Mill Lake, "We had campers behind us who played music so loud we couldn't hear each other talk," though she noted that "Quiet hours were, however, quiet!"
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Milan Travel Park offers convenient overnight options for travelers. Sue B. notes, "Many level pull through sites. We were just passing through so the ability to not have to unhook was important to us."
Hookup availability: Check specific hookup options when glamping near New London in an RV. At American Wilderness Campground, sites include full-service options with 50-amp electrical service, water, and sewer connections, while some campgrounds only offer water and electric.
Seasonal site considerations: For longer stays, investigate seasonal options. Kelly L. shares that at Mohican Adventures, "RV sites are a little small and close together, but comes with a picnic table and fire pit. There are back in and pull through RV spots."
Site dimensions: Confirm your RV will fit at your selected site. At Mohican Adventures, one camper reported their "pull through site was plenty level and accommodated our 33' camper and truck," providing concrete measurements for planning purposes.
