Glamping in Pickerington, Ohio sits within the Till Plains region, characterized by gently rolling terrain and nearby access to the Hocking Hills area just 45 miles southeast. Summer temperatures average 85-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder temperatures in the 60-75°F range. Most campgrounds in the Pickerington area connect to hiking trails ranging from easy quarter-mile loops to more challenging multi-mile paths through deciduous forest terrain.
What to do
Lake activities beyond swimming: Jackson Lake Park features a designated area with large water inflatables for children and adults. As one visitor noted, "My children were upset we had to leave early due to the storm coming in. We did not want to travel back in the storm."
Hiking through diverse terrain: Delaware State Park Campground offers multiple interconnected trail systems. "They have a trail down the back of the campground that goes down to a place for boats to dock on the lake," explains Joshua E., highlighting the trail connections to water features.
Family gaming activities: Buckeye Lake-Columbus East KOA provides mini-golf, a bounce house, and playground equipment in addition to standard camping amenities. A visitor mentioned, "Tons of stuff for kids, they had a blast! Great atmosphere, friendly staff! Will deliver wood to site & had lots of amenities."
Explore historic iron production: Near Tar Hollow State Park Campground, visitors can tour Hope Furnace, showcasing Ohio's industrial past as a major iron producer. As one camper noted, "Hope furnace is just outside the campground and next to the first 'put-in' for the lake."
What campers like
Secluded tent camping: Pickerington-area glamping sites often feature premium tent-only areas. One camper at Delaware State Park noted, "The best thing about this campground is the fact that all the sites have privacy. There are nice trails to walk and the bathrooms are the best I've seen at a campground."
Weather notification systems: Severe weather can develop quickly in central Ohio. Marshall P. observed at Delaware State Park, "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."
Varied accommodation options: Geneva Hills Camp and Event Center provides yurt options with comfortable beds and tent spaces near water features. A recent visitor noted, "Tent site was nice. We could make dinner and there weren't any mosquitoes even though it was right above a swamp."
Regular camp store deliveries: Several glamping sites offer direct-to-site delivery for essentials. One visitor to Buckeye Lake KOA mentioned, "At the camp store, they would drop off the wood via golf carts as you purchased it. I was able to buy three bundles for $18.00 as it is cheaper that way."
What you should know
Varied site elevations: Many campsites in the Pickerington area require leveling. At Tar Hollow State Park, one camper shared, "Many of the campsites are situated on pretty intense slopes. 106 wasn't too bad. I would guess 105 is probably the most level site in the campground."
Seasonal road conditions: Spring camping often means muddy access roads. One Delaware State Park visitor noted, "Be careful with rainy weather, some sites have flooded in poor weather."
Bathroom facility variations: Alum Creek State Park Campground has mixed reviews regarding facilities. Thomas M. reported, "The bathrooms and showers were some of the least clean we have ever seen. The check in building had a fire and we never saw any employees."
Cell service limitations: Reception varies significantly between providers. Joe I. shared about Delaware State Park: "Att works good here verizion not so much but at night when people are sleeping verizion gets a little better."
Tips for camping with families
Multiple playground access: Delaware State Park features separate playground areas for different camping loops. A visitor commented, "There is a playground in each of the 4 sections for kids to play with a remodel shower house at each one."
Scheduled kids' activities: Select times of year include organized children's programming. One Buckeye Lake KOA visitor mentioned, "The park offered food in the store like fresh made breakfast, and there were plenty of activities to do."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Dawn and dusk provide the best wildlife spotting. At Alum Creek State Park, Jenny C. shared, "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)."
Site selection for families: Lakeview RV Park offers premium family sites. One visitor advised, "I would definitely book ahead and look at the map to find a good spot. Some are very close to neighbors. Others are really nice."
Tips from RVers
Water access considerations: Several campgrounds have distributed water access rather than hookups. Brian B. noted at Dillon State Park, "All RV sites have 50A/30A electric. Limited sites have full hook-up. There is a dump station near the entrance."
Pull-through availability: For larger rigs, Chris C. recommended Jackson Lake Park: "We appreciated the full hook-ups and pull through site. The staff came through every morning to pick up the trash."
Site leveling challenges: Many RV sites require significant leveling. One visitor to Lake Hope State Park reported, "Camp sites are very small and very unlevel, had to raise back of camper and put front about a 1/4" off ground to get close to level."
Advance reservations for premium spots: Long-term seasonal campers often book the best sites. At Alum Creek, Catherine shared, "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."
