We live in such a beautiful state and there are so many different places to choose from and get back to nature.
If you’re in need of a wonderful weekend getaway, check out these awesome places to go camping here in the Buckeye State.
Grab the s’mores and the bug spray, friends. It’s time to get out there and enjoy a weekend under the stars.
Mohican State Park
About: The campground at Mohican State Park offers a variety of overnight accommodations. They’ve got a large family campground with electric and non-electric sites, as well as camper cabins and Sherman cabins. Other amenities located near the campground complex include archery range, multi-use trails system, and historic grist mill
Website: Mohican State Park
Distance from Downtown Columbus: 78 miles
Shawnee State Park
About: Shawnee State Park offers two different campgrounds, Turkey Creek Campground and Ohio River Campground. Between the two locations, there are so many amenities. The heavily wooded Turkey Creek Campground offers electric and non-electric sites, suitable for tents or trailers while the Ohio River Campground is more rustic.
Website: Shawnee State Park
Distance from Downtown Columbus: 105 miles
Kelleys Island State Park
About: This lakeside campground offers Full-Hookup, Electric and Non-electric sites. They’ve got pet-friendly spots, a volleyball court, showers and flush toilets, and a playground. Plus, if you don’t want to camp in a tent, you can rent a cabin or a yurt!
Website: Kelleys Island State Park
Distance from Downtown Columbus: 135 miles
Hocking Hills State Park
About: Located right next to Old Man’s Cave, this popular campground features direct access to the trails of the Hocking Hills area. They’ve got all of your typical campground amenities, including a pool, a playground, a volleyball court, a camp store, and even a laundry facility. If you’re looking to do some primitive camping, you can do that at the hike-in sites.
Website: Hocking Hills State Park
Distance from Downtown Columbus: 57 miles
Lazy River At Granville
About: The Lazy River at Granville offers primitive camping, water and electric and full hookup sites with water, electric and sewer. All sites have a picnic table and a fire ring and there’s a creek that runs the length of the campground, plus there are hiking trails in the woods around the campground. There’s plenty of fun for the whole family here, with a swimming pool, ziplines, sand volleyball, a game room, and more.
Website: Lazy River At Granville
Distance from Downtown Columbus: 40 miles
John Bryan State Park
About: The park’s wooded campground offers a total 56 camp sites, including both electric and non-electric sites. Most of the sites are partially shaded, which makes them ideal for tent camping. They each have picnic tables and fire rings. You can bring the dogs along because pets are permitted on all sites.
Website: John Bryan State Park
Distance from Downtown Columbus: 58 miles
Dillon State Park
About: Dillon State Park Campground offers a variety of overnight accommodations including a large family campground, equestrian campsites, group camp area, and deluxe vacation cabins. Amenities at the campground include basketball and volley ball courts, as well as free wifi at the camp store.
Website: Dillon State Park
Distance from Downtown Columbus: 58 miles
Alum Creek State Park
About: For a quick getaway from Columbus, Alum Creek State Park Campground is a perfect choice. They’ve got a beach and boat ramp for the exclusive use of campers, plus there are basketball and volleyball courts, mini-golf, horseshoe pits, and playgrounds. The campground offers all electric campsites and pets are welcome at all of them.
Website: Alum Creek State Park
Distance from Downtown Columbus: 21 miles
Sunbury / Columbus North KOA
About: This snazzy, 100-acre campground has everything you need for the perfect camping trip. They’ve got room for everything, from tents to RVs, plus the place is jam packed with amenities like a pool, fishing spots, canoe and kayak rentals, and even a petting zoo.
Website: Sunbury / Columbus North KOA
Distance from Downtown Columbus: 33 miles
Hueston Woods State Park
About: If winter camping is your vibe, then you’ll want to plan a trip to Hueston Woods State Park. The campground is open year-round and offers over 200 electric sites, including 20 with full hookup, and more than 100 non-electric sites. Water is available year-round and amenities include outdoor checkers, basketball and volleyball courts, and playgrounds.
Website: Hueston Woods State Park
Distance from Downtown Columbus: 112 miles
Salt Fork State Park
About: While the campground at Salt Fork State Park primarily caters to RVs, there are some electric tent campsites available. The park also allows primitive camping, but reservations are required. Amenities at the campground include playgrounds, special access to a beach and boat docks (with permits), as well as gem mining.
Website: Salt Fork State Park
Distance from Downtown Columbus: 91 miles
East Harbor State Park
About: East Harbor State Park campground is the largest campground in the Ohio State Park system. With full hookup, electric, non-electric, and ADA sites, there really is a spot for everyone. And everyone includes your pets because they’re permitted at all sites. If you’re feeling fancy, you could also take advantage of the yurts onsite! Amenities include a boat launch ramp and fish cleaning building for use by campers, plus a seasonal camp store where you can rent bikes or borrow board games.
Website: East Harbor State Park
Distance from Downtown Columbus: 126 miles
Indian Lake State Park
About: Indian Lake State Park has some gorgeous, waterfront camping sites. There are electric, full hook-up, and premiums campsites available. Amenities include seasonal naturalist programs, playgrounds, basketball and volleyball, and bicycle and boat rental
Beach, swimming pool, boat ramp, and boat docks are provided for the exclusive use of registered campers.
Website: Indian Lake State Park
Distance from Downtown Columbus: 74 miles
East Fork State Park
About: The campground at East Fork State Park provides plenty of shade for camping at its 300+ campsites. Amenities at the campground include miniature golf, a basketball court, a cornhole area, playgrounds, a nature center, a beach, and hand-powered boat and bike rentals.
Website: East Fork State Park
Distance from Downtown Columbus: 97 miles
Buckeye Lake/Columbus East KOA
About: Chill out at this park-like campground, full of trees and open space. From primitive camping to deluxe cabins and everything in between, this classic campground has a lot to offer. Amenities include a game room, gem mining, outdoor games, sand volleyball, shuffleboard, peddle carts, a pool, and more.
Website: Buckeye Lake/Columbus East KOA
Distance from Downtown Columbus: 30 miles
