Camping spots near New Albany, Ohio include a mix of state parks and private campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. The area sits at approximately 1,000 feet elevation in central Ohio's gently rolling terrain, with camping options situated around several waterways including Alum Creek Lake and Buckeye Lake. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F with higher humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons offer more moderate conditions between 45-70°F.
What to do
Hiking trails: Delaware State Park Campground offers multiple interconnected trails through wooded areas. "There is a campground beach and boat launch. 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 one camper at Delaware State Park Campground.
Water activities: Many campgrounds provide lake access for swimming, fishing, and boating. At Alum Creek State Park Campground, "We had an absolute blast at the campsite! We stayed in L and the kids loved being close to the water. The campground beach is an absolute must and we even got close to wildlife (aka some pesky raccoons)," shares Jenny C.
Off-leash dog areas: Several campgrounds feature designated spaces for pets to run freely. As noted about Berkshire Campgrounds, "This campground has it all. There is a small lake that you can walk around. They also have a path through the woods where you can let the dogs run if you choose to."
Backpacking practice: For beginners wanting to test gear, Scioto-Grove Metro Park offers an accessible option. "Scioto Grove is great if you're looking to test out some new backpacking gear. There are 5 reservable sites along the river trail and they all have tent pads and a fire pit, besides that they're totally primitive."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers value the separation between camping spots. One visitor to Cross Creek Camping Resort notes, "The sites are close, but not unreasonably close. Good mix of pull through and back in and is big rig friendly. Plenty to do for the kids. Pool looks nice, was not open yet for the season."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers are consistently mentioned in positive reviews. At Delaware State Park Campground, a camper highlights that "The campground was really nice and quiet when we stayed there which was during the week and in the spring and not very crowded. The 'pod' layout of the campground made for large campsites with good separation between sites."
Weekend activities: Scheduled events enhance the camping experience, especially for families. "We were there for the Halloween weekend and it was amazing," shares one camper about Cross Creek Camping Resort, while another mentions, "They also have themed-event weekends, which are really fun!"
Campground layout: The design of camping areas contributes to overall satisfaction. One camper at Scioto-Grove Metro Park appreciated that "Each site has its own personality we picked the further out sites of 6 as less foot traffic by park visitors."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak season. At Scioto-Grove Metro Park, "It is a tricky site to reserve as they only do it for a short season and in that season two weekend a month to avoid over use."
Weather considerations: Rain can impact camping conditions. At Delaware State Park, "Be careful with rainy weather, some sites have flooded in poor weather." Similarly, a camper at Alum Creek noted, "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."
Different camping styles: Options range from primitive to full-service. For backpackers at Lazy River at Granville, "There was a huge thunderstorm one of the nights, where we initially retreated to our vans; but then decided to drive up to the store and got ice cream which made the kids super excited about the rain. And they let all the tent dwellers use the game room to relax in and ride out the worst of the storm."
Seasonal campers: Many campgrounds have long-term residents. "Lots of full-time residents, great private campground. It's an RV resort, so sites are right next to each other, but the grounds and facilities are clean and well-kept," notes a visitor to Cross Creek Camping Resort.
Tips for camping with families
Pool facilities: Swimming options vary by campground. At Tree Haven Campground, "The staff works hard to keep it nice and are always doing upgrades. This is our 5th year hear and we love it!" with one camper specifically mentioning they're "putting in a new, bigger pool!"
Playground access: Children-friendly amenities enhance the experience. At Lazy River at Granville, families appreciate "the swimming pools and splash pads, the awesome play ground and lots of playing in the creek."
Educational opportunities: Some locations offer learning activities. As one Delaware State Park visitor explains, "For those wanting to hike there are plenty of hiking/biking trails for you to get out and explore the park. Many of the trails link together so you can decide how long you want to hike."
Proximity to attractions: Consider day trips to nearby locations. "The nearby town of Delaware is really nice with downtown shopping, restaurants, a historic theater and brewery," notes one camper about the area surrounding Delaware State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Prepare for uneven terrain at some locations. At Buckeye Lake-Columbus East KOA, a visitor found "Our site was muddy when we arrived and only got worse due to only having 2 days with no rain. That said it was one of the widest in the strip and would have suited us and our pups just fine had we been able to really enjoy the space."
Hookup placement: Check the location of utilities before setting up. At Tree Haven Campground, "Only gray water hook up available," while at Cross Creek Camping Resort, "Our pull through site was on the (inner) road, so lots of golf carts, cars and campers passing by. All pull through sites are on the road side."
Wi-Fi access: Connectivity varies between campgrounds. One camper 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."
Space considerations: Site dimensions affect comfort levels. A Delaware State Park camper appreciated that "large campsites (some sites are over 90 feet in length and well suited for large RV's) with good separation between sites."
