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Camping near Pickerington, OH

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    Several campgrounds surrounding Pickerington, Ohio offer varying accommodation options within an hour's drive. The region includes established campgrounds like Jackson Lake Park, which provides tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals about 15 miles south of Pickerington. Alum Creek State Park Campground, located approximately 20 miles north, features similar amenities with the addition of glamping options. A.W. Marion State Park Campground offers more primitive camping experiences with tent and RV sites available from early April through late October. Most developed campgrounds in the area provide electric hookups, drinking water, and sanitary facilities.

    Camping availability near Pickerington follows seasonal patterns, with most campgrounds operating from spring through fall. Full-service sites with water hookups typically close during winter months to prevent freezing. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekend stays during summer when many campgrounds reach capacity. Scioto Grove Metro Park offers backpacking sites with a more primitive experience but restricts camping to weekends only. Facilities vary significantly between locations, with some providing full hookups while others offer more basic amenities. A camper reviewing Scioto Grove noted, "Free reserve ahead weekend backpacking campsites. All sites have 2 tent pads, a fire ring and firewood provided."

    The camping experience around Pickerington ranges from family-oriented facilities to more secluded options. Jackson Lake Park receives mixed reviews for its amenities but is noted for its family-friendly atmosphere with a swimming area and arcade. Many campers mention the park's lake activities as highlights for families with children. Korbel Campgrounds at Ohio Expo Center provides convenient urban camping primarily for event attendees but offers little in terms of natural surroundings. For those seeking a more natural setting, several reviewers recommend Scioto Grove Metro Park's backpacking sites along the river trail, describing them as "a great site for new backpackers" with each site having "its own personality." Most campgrounds in the region permit pets and fires, though regulations vary by location and season.

    Best Campgrounds near Pickerington (122)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVDispersedCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. A.W. Marion State Park Campground

      4.0(35)19mi from Pickerington58 sitesRVs, Tents

      "They had a scavenger hunt which made us really experience the nature around us, going through the woods off trail, going to the lakeside, walking around looking for different things on a list."

      "Marion State Park on this particular weekend because it's relatively close to home (Columbus area)."

      from $25 - $40 / night

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      2. Alum Creek State Park Campground

      4.4(82)26mi from Pickerington298 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Happened to be next to the park host. No choice of where to locate my large tent.  Showers/bathrooms were OK--older facilities.  "

      "First off we have to say that Ohio State Park campgrounds are some of the best we’ve ever stayed in."

      from $23 - $70 / night

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      3. Jackson Lake Park

      3.7(7)8mi from PickeringtonRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "As a moto camper, we really lucked out with a flat plot and didn’t have anyone in the spots next to us. My #1 complaint was the bathroom situation."

      "Easy access to sites. Staff could take a lesson in hospitality and giving directions on park."

      from $40 - $139 / night

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      4. Buckeye Lake-Columbus East KOA

      4.2(12)15mi from PickeringtonRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Then outside is the picnic table.  Due to health code rules you have to cook and do food outside of the cabin.  "

      "Not as close to the lake as we first thought but close enough. Will probably be back."

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      5. Hocking Hills State Park Campground

      4.4(109)34mi from Pickerington209 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "There are lots of caves, trails, camping options and activities in the area. Be careful, however, every year someone is injured or dies going off trail, often falling from a cliff."

      "If you stay away from the main roads, you might feel like you're in a smaller campground."

      from $20 - $70 / night

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      6. Scioto-Grove Metro Park

      4.3(9)14mi from PickeringtonTents

      "No driving your vehicle any further than the bottom of the hill. Great location, very beautiful. Spacious in between 5 campgrounds and right next to the Scioto River."

      "Got lucky and found an opening for site 5 which was right on river and away from the busier parts of park - didn’t see a single person. Nice tent pads, campfire ring, and provided wood."

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      7. Korbel Campgrounds at Ohio Expo Center

      3.2(5)14mi from Pickerington359 sitesRVs

      from $60 / night

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      8. Tree Haven Campground

      4.4(5)18mi from PickeringtonRVs

      "Great walking trail back through the woods. Pet friendly and the bathrooms were very nice. Well....I guess we did! We are now in a search for a Diesel pusher to go full-time!"

      "Conveniently located to Columbus. Lots of seasonal campers. Only gray water hook up available."

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      9. Deer Creek State Park Campground

      4.3(32)31mi from Pickerington224 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Some are smaller, close to neighbors while other have seclusion with trees. From past experience, if it rains, some of the sites do flood. We had great weather this weekend."

      "My favorite state park in Ohio (so far). Very clean, lots of activities, nice size sites. Easy to get to from Columbus and lots of activities."

      from $39 - $52 / night

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      10. Lazy River at Granville

      4.6(8)21mi from PickeringtonRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "I probably wouldn't select site 20 again, as it is close to the pool and the basketball court, alot of youth noise, but understand."

      "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 ("

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    Recent Camping Photos near Pickerington, OH

    326 Photos of 122 Pickerington Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers

    Recent Reviews near Pickerington, OH

    797 Reviews of 122 Pickerington Campgrounds

    • J
      Oct. 3, 2026

      Alum Creek State Park Campground

      Nice Suburban Campground

      Right close to Columbus this campground is a staple for locals trying to just get away for the weekend. There is an amphitheater, a camper’s beach, nature center, and more all within the campground. Alum creek state park is a larger facility surrounding the campground with a public beach, walking paths, mountain bike trails, archery range, hunting areas, boat marina and more. The public beach is rather gravelly but has nice shower houses and grills available. We are attending during fall fest where they put on many activities for the campers and it is a lot of fun. You have to reserve 6 months in advance to be able to get in on fall fest unless there is a last minute cancellation. Our site is relatively flat parking, we didn’t need to level the rig. It did rain the morning we got here and the area around the fire pit was a bit muddy. The view out the back of this camp site is nice and wooded, you’re not looking at your neighbors out the back window. The sides you can definitely see each other but it’s still wooded and secluded enough between the sites here.

    • AThe Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 22, 2026

      A. W. Marion State Park Campground

      Site 47

      We managed to get several sites near each other for 6-7 families and we had a blast. Near bathrooms, quiet, and within walking distance of the kayak launch.

    • Tara R.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 20, 2026

      Delaware State Park Campground

      Love this one!

      Great campground. My favorite is each loop has their own shower house! Nice playgrounds for kids. Nice private sites. Lots of woods and trails. Good lake for boating fishing and kayaking. Park is very clean and well maintained. They have a kids fishing pond! It’s also great for biking.

    • Kim H.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 13, 2026

      Tar Hollow State Park Campground

      Super Relaxing and Peaceful

      We used Site 53, which is a pull thru. The site was spacious and level. The fire pit location is across a tiny stream; we enjoyed a campfire in the woods! There were no loud folks. The loudest thing we heard was the occasional bark of a dog (which we didn't mind).

      The restrooms were new and extremely clean. The staff at the camp store was friendly.

      There are plenty of places and opportunities to enjoy Pine Lake: you can sit on a bench or rent a canoe.

      We'd love to return to Tar Hollow when the fall foliage is beautiful.

    • Hannah S.
      Sep. 11, 2026

      Campbell Cove RV Resort & Campground

      Pine trees, lake, and great spots!

      This campground is located near major roads and within a quick trip to Hocking Hills State Park. Tents spots are located near the lake and provide pine tree shaded cover. Bathrooms are private and very clean!

    • SkywaystoHighways.com Y.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 9, 2026

      Mt Gilead State Park Campground

      Peaceful stop off I 71

      My husband and I had an overnight stay here on our way to Indy. Sites were level and easy to navigate, with fire rings and picnic tables. Lots of trees and trails. Though the majestic pines were tall, they offered little for privacy. Bathrooms were clean and showers were free. However, the touchless feature made showering difficult as you have to stand directly in front of the sensor to keep the water running which means you must bear the cold water until it heats up. Neither of us had an enjoyable shower experience. Playground for the kiddos and a volleyball court. All around a nice stay.

    • Mary S.The Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 29, 2026

      A. W. Marion State Park Campground

      Ohio State Park Camping

      This is a small campground. Typical state park sites--you will have neighbors/see and hear other people. There is a non-electric section, which I like for tent camping. The electric section is all RV's, this non-electric section is all tents and a little quieter, except if you're near the playground. Campsites all have picnic tables and fire rings, and are decently sized. All pretty flat and mostly wooded/part shade.

    Guide to Pickerington

    Camping sites near Pickerington, Ohio range from primitive backpacking sites to full-service RV hookups, located within a 40-mile radius of town. The area sits at approximately 900 feet above sea level in Ohio's glaciated region, creating rolling terrain with wooded areas surrounding several lakes and rivers. Winter camping options remain limited, with most water systems winterized from November through March.

    What to do

    Hiking trails and water activities: At Scioto Grove Metro Park, backpackers can access five reservable sites along the river trail. "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," notes Zach, who appreciated the primitive setup for gear testing.

    Mountain biking opportunities: Alum Creek State Park Campground offers dedicated mountain biking trails near the camping areas. One camper mentioned, "There's a great mountain biking trail in the vicinity. There's a small beach within the campground, a bigger public beach a short drive away, hiking trails and campground events to enjoy."

    Fishing spots: Multiple campgrounds provide fishing access, with Jackson Lake Park offering a dedicated fishing pond. Matt T. described his experience at Buckeye Lake-Columbus East KOA: "Great cabins and amazing fishing," noting that the nearby lake provides good catches for anglers without requiring a boat.

    What campers like

    Private, wooded sites: Many campers praise the natural separation between sites at Alum Creek State Park Campground. Sandy O. specifically noted the "Space and Privacy...the two things that bring me back to this campground year after year. We have never had a 'bad' campsite at the Alum Creek State Park Campground. Each camping space is separated by trees and brush."

    Free amenities: Some campgrounds offer unexpected complimentary services. At Tree Haven Campground, campers appreciate the cost-saving perks. One reviewer stated, "Laundry is free. Internet works well and is free. We'll be coming back to this park every year now."

    Seasonal activities: Lazy River at Granville offers themed weekends throughout the camping season. Scott W. shared, "Always something for family and dog to do. It was a little chilly this weekend for Memorial Day weekend, so we did not use the pool, but the kids stayed entertained with all of the themed events that took place."

    What you should know

    Bathroom facilities vary significantly: Campground bathrooms range from basic vault toilets to modern facilities. At A.W. Marion State Park Campground, Cassandra C. noted, "There are no showers in this campground of which I am aware, but the flush toilets and sinks are a nice change from pit toilets."

    Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially for weekend stays. Scioto Grove Metro Park has limited availability as one camper explained: "Need to reserve online, books up very fast. Got lucky and found an opening for site 5 which was right on river and away from the busier parts of park."

    Urban camping options: For those attending events in Columbus, the Ohio Expo Center provides basic RV camping. Linda G. shared her experience: "Over 300 sites, first come basis. Full hookups. Park on grass site, level. We like this kind of basic camping as we have a motorhome and use our own facilities."

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How much does camping cost near Pickerington?

    Camping costs near Pickerington vary by amenities and location. Alum Creek State Park Campground offers economical state park rates with most sites partially shaded, ideal for budget-conscious campers. For free options, Scioto-Grove Metro Park provides weekend camping at no cost, though availability is seasonal and ends during winter months. Commercial campgrounds like Buckeye Lake-Columbus East KOA and Tree Haven Campground typically charge $30-50 per night for basic sites, while full-hookup RV sites can range from $45-75 nightly. Most public campgrounds offer discounted rates for Ohio residents, and many have additional fees for premium waterfront locations or extra vehicles.

    What camping amenities are available at Pickerington campsites?

    Campgrounds near Pickerington offer varied amenities. Tar Hollow State Park Campground features secluded tent-only sites with basic facilities including pit latrines, perfect for nature immersion. For more conveniences, Cross Creek Camping Resort provides pull-through sites ideal for RVs, though they're situated along roadways with moderate traffic from golf carts and vehicles. Many sites aren't perfectly level, so bring leveling blocks. Delaware State Park Campground offers shower facilities and water access, while Lazy River at Granville provides full hookups, water, and restroom facilities. Most campgrounds in the region feature fire rings, picnic tables, and access to hiking trails, though laundry facilities are less common – only select campgrounds offer this amenity.

    What are the best campgrounds near Pickerington, Ohio?

    For outdoor enthusiasts near Pickerington, Hocking Hills State Park Campground is widely considered one of Ohio's most scenic camping destinations, offering numerous trails, caves, and natural features. The park provides various camping options, though staying away from main roads creates a more intimate experience. Closer to Pickerington, A.W. Marion State Park Campground offers a quieter alternative with lake access. For those seeking luxury camping, Campbell Cove Camping provides excellent full hookups near Hocking Hills attractions with modern restroom facilities throughout the grounds. Jackson Lake Park near Canal Winchester is another convenient option with reservable sites and water access.

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