Camping facilities near Westerville, Ohio range from state parks to private RV resorts, with sites available throughout most of the year. Spring through fall offers the most options, as winter temperatures in central Ohio regularly dip below freezing from December through February. Most campgrounds in the region sit at elevations between 800-1,100 feet above sea level and are within easy driving distance of Columbus and its surrounding communities.
What to do
Fishing access: Kokosing River Campground offers a peaceful lake setting with abundant waterfowl. "Beautiful lake, nice a quiet. Lots of waterfowl," notes Shelly S., who found the campground wasn't crowded during a September visit.
Water activities: Jackson Lake Park features a swimming pond with inflatable water activities. "The little lake was so much fun. My children were upset we had to leave early due to the storm coming in," reports samantha H., who visited with her family.
Biking trails: River Trail Crossing provides direct access to a paved recreation path. "Bike trail access right from the campground. Golf nearby, Amish shops, canoeing. Great area to visit, we will return," writes Bob M., who stayed for four nights at a riverfront site.
Disc golf: Jackson Lake Park offers an on-site disc golf course along with fishing opportunities. The park also includes an arcade room that stays open until 11 pm for evening entertainment when weather doesn't cooperate.
What campers like
Privacy options: Kokosing River Campground receives praise for its spacious sites. "Nice, small, shaded, well maintained campground," says Shelly S. Another camper, Mark B., found it "Peaceful and great for kids. Kayaking on the lake is great."
Family activities: Sunbury/Columbus North KOA Holiday offers extensive amenities for children. "Kids aged 3-13 all had a blast in the heated pool, on the jump pad and on the zip line swing!" shares jennifer K., who appreciated that "there was a large amount of space available at each campsite."
Convenience for travelers: Alton RV Park provides a practical stopping point for those passing through the area. "Not a sightseeing destination, but very convenient place to stop for the night if you're on a road trip doing a lot of driving. Safe neighborhood with a kroger right down the street," explains Morgan F.
Clean facilities: Tomorrow's Stars RV Resort maintains well-kept grounds and amenities. "Everything is clean, well cared for, and really pretty," reports Bonnie L., who stayed in a 45-foot Prevost motorhome and appreciated the excellent value for full hookups.
What you should know
Site spacing varies: Kokosing River Campground can feel crowded when full. "Wasn't crowded when we visited in Sep. but I can imagine when it's full it's a little crowded," observes Shelly S.
Highway noise: Hocking River RV Park sites are affected by nearby traffic. "Right on the river, which is interesting, but it's also right alongside State Route 33, so you hear freeway traffic constantly. Trucks and motorcycles woke me up all night," reports Megan M., who also noted train noise from across the river.
Seasonal campers: Many parks in the region host long-term residents. Tomorrow's Stars RV Resort visitor Bonnie L. notes, "Yes, there are people staying full time, but each space is well taken care of with pride it seems."
Wi-Fi performance: Sunbury/Columbus North KOA Holiday offers exceptional connectivity. "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," shares Gary G.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Sunbury/Columbus North KOA Holiday organizes regular activities for children. "They had so many activities through the whole Christmas in July weekend, including seeing Santa!" writes jennifer K., who found her children "were constantly out and about having fun with everything offered."
Swimming options: Lakeview RV Park features a small swimming lake with rental options. "Small swimming lake! Canoe rental and jet pack 'skiing'," notes Robin R., who found the campground quiet and the owners friendly.
Budget considerations: Jackson Lake Park offers good value for families despite some facility issues. "I was pretty impressed with the park. Lots of fun for kids with the swimming pond and arcade," reports Jess N., though bathroom facilities were limited.
Cabin alternatives: Jackson Lake Park provides cabin rentals for those without camping equipment. Theresa P. stayed in "a basic cabin with a queen bed and 2 twin bunk-beds, a very small bathroom with a toilet and shower, and a small kitchenette."
Tips from RVers
Pull-through accessibility: Tomorrow's Stars RV Resort accommodates larger rigs with some limitations. "Pull through we were assigned had very low hanging tree limbs. I called the office and asked if we could use space 41 instead. No problem!" shares Bonnie L., who was traveling with a 45-foot motorhome and towed vehicle.
Site leveling: Sunbury/Columbus North KOA Holiday requires some adjustment for certain sites. "There's a few sites are unlevel so you may need to use your levelers and maybe some blocks, we did," advises Gary G., who otherwise found the campground excellent.
Riverfront options: River Trail Crossing offers waterfront sites with partial hookups. "We had a riverfront spot for 4 nights, enjoyed our stay. 30amp, but the AC was still effective on a couple hot days," notes Bob M.
Basic overnight stops: Love's RV Hookup locations provide minimal amenities for travelers needing a quick rest. "A little loud at times. Hardee's restaurant is a different option for meals," reports Brad H. about the Bellefontaine location, which offers water and electric connections for overnight parking.
