Central Ohio provides diverse glamping options within an hour of Belmont. The region's rolling hills and waterways offer prime opportunities for both lake and river activities. Most glamping sites in the area maintain seasonal availability from April through October, with campgrounds offering varying levels of amenities from rustic to fully equipped cabins.
What to do
Hiking and biking: Buck Creek State Park offers several marked trails near the reservoir area. One visitor noted, "The trails here are easy and short. I loved the informational boxes and tags that they had on the trees or plants. This is helpful if you have little ones with you or if you are like me and just like to learn about the animals/plants on the trail."
Water activities: Riverside Campground provides direct river access for canoe and kayak enthusiasts. According to a camper, "We stayed in early May, which is usually when they do their Triathlon. The bathrooms are well kept, showers are very nice and hot. Wood is always available for burning. You can rent canoes/kayaks right from the campground."
Disc golf and biking: Winton Woods Campground features multiple recreational options within the park. A visitor shared, "Tent/RV sites were level and had lots of Shade and trees for Hammocks. 1.7 mile paved walking trail is great for walking, running and biking. A short 18 hole Disc Golf course is close by. It is a easy course great for beginners."
What campers like
Spacious river sites: Visitors appreciate the well-designed river access at Morgan's Canoe and Outdoor Adventure. One camper reported, "My husband and I did our first year of cabrewing at Morgan's. Our campsite was beautiful, with an amazing view of White Water River. The float itself was also a lot of fun."
Private tent areas: Buck Creek State Park receives praise for its secluded tent camping options. According to a review, "I was looking for a backcountry camping site that would give me some privacy and make it feel as though I was deep in the woods. Buckcreek had great hammock camping spots and was just what we were looking for, especially considering we scoured several other campgrounds and most of them didn't have trees at the spots."
Clean facilities: Stonelick State Park maintains well-kept amenities. One visitor mentioned, "Despite the rain and the wind we had a great time! Our spot was right next to a small Pollinator trail that lead to the water. The restrooms are a quick walk and very clean."
What you should know
Site selection is important: At Cowan Lake State Park, shade varies significantly between sites. A camper noted, "Our campsite didn't have any trees but they have planted a lot of new trees. I assume this due the previous trees having to be cut down due to Emerald Ash borer damage. Our campsite didn't have any shade but others did so you really have to pick wisely."
Cabin access may be limited: Most glamping cabins in the region require advance reservations with minimum stay requirements, typically 2-night minimums on weekends and 3-night minimums for holidays.
River levels can change: Water activities may be restricted based on conditions. One camper at Morgan's explained, "The Army Corps of Engineers decided to let water out of the dam up river, so it was flooded for a couple days but the campsites are sooo large and spread out from each other, at least in the back, we had fun no matter."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Hueston Woods State Park offers family-friendly amenities. A camper shared, "Nice cul-de-sac areas for groups with areas for kids to play. Ground is pretty level so bringing a bike for kids to ride on is nice. There is a playground in walking distance too."
Swimming options: Several campgrounds provide swimming areas for children. One visitor to Hueston Woods noted, "We love Hueston Woods! The beach is a short distance away and love that they also include a dog swimming area."
Evening entertainment: Buck Creek State Park organizes regular family activities. A camper reported, "Camp host on I think lot 71 or there about were great at keeping the activities going. Every night there was a movie and you could buy root beer floats for $1!! And the kids loved it."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Check the specific site conditions before booking. One RVer at Stonelick State Park mentioned, "We camped at site 35 and it was very slopey, our levelers only helped a little."
Full hookup availability: Frontier Campground offers monthly stays with complete amenities. A long-term visitor shared, "My husband and I have lived and traveled in our RV for about 16 years and Frontier Campground is by far the most peaceful, quiet place we have stayed over the years. Because they only allow monthly reservations, it keeps the traffic to a minimum and creates more of a community atmosphere."
Site surface considerations: Some campgrounds have variable pad conditions. An RVer at Cedarbrook Campground observed, "Each plot is a gravel plot, so it may be difficult to park when rainy. There were also some big pot holes in some plots, so be weary about that."
