Alum Creek State Park Campground stands 13 miles northeast of Worthington, Ohio, with camping elevations between 890 and 910 feet above sea level. The park surrounds a 3,387-acre reservoir created in the 1970s, with most sites situated among mature hardwood trees providing variable shade. Campground temperatures typically range 5-8 degrees cooler than downtown Worthington due to the forest cover and water proximity.
What to do
Hiking trails: Connect directly from campsites at Delaware State Park Campground. The park offers both wooded and lake-view options. "There are nice trails to walk and the bathrooms are the best I've seen at a campground," notes Maddy B., who enjoyed exploring during an October tent camping trip.
Archery: Practice your skills on dedicated ranges at some parks. At Cardinal Center Campground, visitors can access multiple shooting disciplines. "The camp also has archery, pistol, and rifle range that you need to travel to, but not too far away," explains Kelly L. from her family's fall camping experience.
Kayaking: Launch directly from campground beaches for easy water access. "We also used the camper beach but to the left of it to launch our kayaks. Which was nice because you could back up to the pathway and park. Then drag your kayak down a short trail to the water," shares Melissa M. about her experience at Buck Creek State Park.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Campers consistently praise site layout and privacy levels. "Sites are nice with some sites able to boat up to them," shares Katelyn P. about Alum Creek State Park Campground. The campground offers wooded sites with natural separation between neighbors.
Clean shower facilities: Multiple parks maintain high-quality bathroom facilities. "Shower houses with coin-operated laundry facilities" are available at Dillon State Park Campground, where one reviewer noted the "showers better than the one I have at home."
Yurt accommodations: For those seeking yurt camping near Worthington, Ohio, Rustic Knolls Campground provides options. "The camp sights are well maintained. I have stayed there several times, and I plan on going back," mentions Kris K., who appreciated the alternative to traditional tent camping.
What you should know
Seasonal hours vary by campground: Most yurt rentals near Worthington operate from April through October. "Stayed in April and May 2023," reports one visitor to Deer Creek Camping Resort, noting facilities were fully operational by mid-April.
Reservation policies: Sites with premium features book quickly. "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," explains Catherine about Jackson Lake Park.
Park-specific rules: Each location maintains different policies. "They charged a lot of money for some of the activities," noted Emily M. about Buckeye Lake-Columbus East KOA, referencing additional costs beyond site rental fees for certain amenities and programs.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Check water conditions before planning water activities. "The kids, dogs and parents all had a blast," shares one Jackson Lake Park visitor, though others mention checking for advisories: "We did not swim due to frequency of E-Coli warnings at this lake."
Playground locations: Choose sites near play areas for convenience with children. "There is a playground in each of the 4 sections for kids to play with a remodel shower house at each one," notes Joe I. about his family's experience at Delaware State Park Campground.
Seasonal activities: Take advantage of structured programs offered at Buckeye Lake-Columbus East KOA. "The KOA was what one expects of the KOA lots of features and not very secluded. The Kabins were lovely," shares Kenpocentaur K., who visited with family and enjoyed the organized activities.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Verify pad size before booking to ensure your rig fits comfortably. "There are 212 sites that have 50 amp electric. The campground also has yurts for rent (May through October)," explains Nancy W. about her stay at Dillon State Park, noting "some sites are over 90 feet in length and well suited for large RVs."
Water hookup locations: Map filling stations for convenience. "No sewer or water at individual sites but there is a dump station and water fill station near the park entrance," observes one RVer at Buck Creek State Park Campground, recommending checking campground maps to avoid sites near busy water spigots.
Electric service: Check amperage availability to match your needs. "We appreciated the full hook-ups and pull through site," noted Chris C. about his stay at Jackson Lake Park, which offers both 30-amp and 50-amp electrical service.
