Planning a trip to Columbus, Ohio? You may be torn between making the trek via car or RV. While RVs tend to be gas-guzzlers, the nightly cost of a hotel & accommodations (on top of the cost of gas) may leave you reeling with sticker shock. So what is the lesser of two financial evils?
If you’re traveling with a big family–that can’t fit in a single SUV–the answer is simple. Take the RV to Columbus, Ohio!
If you’ve landed on RV travel (for whatever reason), rest assured: campgrounds near Columbus, Ohio, are usually very accommodating to RVs and even big rigs. You’ll even find a mix of pull-through and back-in slips.
But where can you find these campsites? We did a deep dive into the best campgrounds and RV parks near Columbus, Ohio. Doesn’t matter what kind of RVer you are, you’ll be able to find an option on this list that will satisfy everyone on your trip.
Exploring Columbus Area Campgrounds
To make it easier to find the perfect campground and RV park near Columbus, Ohio, we grouped the top spots into the following categories:
- Luxury RV resorts
- Family-friendly RV parks
- Lakeside RV parks
- Pet-friendly locations.
Category #1: The Best Luxury RV Resorts and Campsites
Cross Creek Camping Resort, Lazy River At Granville, and Sunbury/Columbus KOA are some of the top-rated campgrounds offering luxury-grade amenities, including pools, zip lines, and playgrounds for the little ones. Cross Creek Camping Resort is particularly renowned for its full hookups.
Note that all of the luxury RV resorts spotlighted in the list below earn high satisfaction ratings among visitors.
- Avg Nightly Rate: Approximately $49-$53 during peak season.
- Size Restrictions: Accommodates big rigs; call with specific questions
- Avg Nightly Rate: Prices start around $67 per night
- Size Restrictions: Accommodates various RV sizes; call for availability
- Avg Nightly Rate: Pricing starting at $65 per night
- Size Restrictions: Accommodates all big rigs
Category #2: Best Family-Friendly RV Parks/Campgrounds
Family-friendly campgrounds near Columbus, Ohio, offer an array of amenities and entertainment options for campers of all ages, including shower houses, an arcade, an easily accessible beach area, a mini golf course, and a fishing lake.
Adventure Trails Campground promises fun for the whole family with mountain bike trails and a badminton/volleyball area. Meanwhile, campers at Lazy River at Granville can enjoy a zipline, challenge courses, a BMX track, a mini-golf, a gem mine, a pool, and a playground.
If you need to keep the family busy, any of the spots listed below will check that box!
- Avg Nightly Rate: $50-$60 to start
- Size Restrictions: Accommodates a wide range of RV sizes
- Avg Nightly Rate: Estimated $45-$55
- Size Restrictions: Varies; contact for specific RV accommodation details.
- Avg Nightly Rate: Prices start around $67 per night
- Size Restrictions: Accommodates various RV sizes; call for availability
Category #3: The Best Campsites for Big Rigs
Alton RV Park, located just nine miles from downtown Columbus, provides urban RV parking for rigs of all sizes. At Alton, beautiful scenery and long, level, shady pull-through sites (suitable for big rigs) are just a couple of the amenities campers applaud.
Another RV park that can cater to RVs of all sizes is Sun Valley–which offers amenities like shelter houses and a dump station, too. Whether you’re in a Class A motorhome or towing a fifth wheel, Columbus area campgrounds are known for having plenty of space and being big rig-friendly.
- Avg Nightly Rate: $55 to $60 per night.
- Size Restrictions: Maximum RV length is 60 ft and width is 24 ft.
- Avg Nightly Rate: Starts at $64 a night
- Size Restrictions: Call to confirm
- Avg Nightly Rate: Approximately $49-$53 during peak season.
- Size Restrictions: Accommodates big rigs; call with specific questions
Category #4: Best Lakeside RV Parks
Pleasant Acres, Orchard View Farm, and Sky Lake Resort offer a range of water-sport activities (and great views). For instance, at Pleasant Acres, you can kayak and canoe to your heart’s content, while Sky Lake Camping & Fishing has 50 acres of stocked fishing lakes.
Some of these RV parks even offer boat rentals for RVers staying at the resort.
- Avg Nightly Rate: From $45 per night
- Size Restrictions: Vehicles under 20 Ft – Contact for Details
- Avg Nightly Rate: Starts at around $50 per night
- Size Restrictions: Vehicles up to 50 feet
- Avg Nightly Rate: Starts at $60 per night
- Size Restrictions: Offers full hook-up waterfront RV sites up to 50 feet
Category #5: Campgrounds Closest to Columbus
These campgrounds are a great option whether you want to enjoy a quick weekend away in Columbus or a week-long stay.
Buckeye Lake / Columbus East KOA Holiday is the nearest KOA to Columbus, situated just 1.5 miles from Interstate 70 and offering an escape without highway noise.
Alum Creek State Park, located 16.6 miles north of Columbus, provides electric campsites and activities such as disc golf and geocaching for campers looking for recreation nearby.
On the other hand, Buckeye Lake / Columbus East KOA grants campers easy access to Ohio’s Amish country, the AMA Museum, Columbus Zoo, and Ohio State University, making it an ideal base for day trips.
Buckeye Lake / Columbus East KOA Holiday
- Avg Nightly Rate: Rates vary. Larger RVs start at around $81 per night
- Size Restrictions: Can accommodate RVs up to 85 feet in length.
- Avg Nightly Rate: Start at $36 per night
- Size Restrictions: Up to 40 Feet – Call for availability
Category #6: Best Camping Spots for One-Night Stays
Some campgrounds require a full 7-day stay to really maximize the fun. But if you only have a night in the Columbus, Ohio, area, there are a few spots to consider.
Buckeye Lake / Columbus East KOA Holiday and Little Darby Outdoors offer accommodation options ranging from primitive tent areas to deluxe cabins–all suitable for quick overnight stays.
Amenities include flush toilets, showers, and complimentary firewood.
- Avg Nightly Rate: Starts at $40 per night
- Size Restrictions: Up to $40 feet
Buckeye Lake / Columbus East KOA Holiday
- Avg Nightly Rate: Rates vary. Larger RVs start at around $81 per night
- Size Restrictions: Can accommodate RVs up to 85 feet in length.
Category #7: Best Pet-Friendly Campsites
We all know pets are part of the family, so why wouldn’t you want them to tag along on your road trip? At Alum Creek State Park Campground, pets are allowed at their campsites with no additional fee.
In addition, Sunbury Columbus North KOA will accommodate two dogs for an additional fee in cabins and on-premises.
Certain campgrounds, such as Buckeye Lake / Columbus East KOA Holiday and Sunbury Columbus North KOA, feature exclusive “Bark Parks.” The Bark Parks are enclosed spaces that allow your pets to run off the energy that built up during the 10-hour drive.
- Avg Nightly Rate: Start at $36 per night
- Size Restrictions: Up to 40 Feet – Call for availability
- Avg Nightly Rate: Back-in sites range from $40.50 to $65.50
- Size Restrictions: Max RV length of 93 ft.
Summary
When you get home from your Columbus, Ohio adventure, you may need a place to store your RV.
If you did some tent camping, finding a storage unit that fits all of your gear can be a bit easier. However, when finding a place to store an RV, RVers need to take the time to scope out enclosed (or at least covered) spaces for maximum protection against exterior damage.
Whether space limitations at home or HOA restrictions are causing you a headache, Neighbor can help. Neighbor – a peer-to-peer RV storage marketplace – offers convenient and local RV storage at close to 50% off retail rates. Simplify the RV ownership experience by having the perfect RV storage option nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
What State Parks in Ohio Are Free Camping?
Wayne National Forest and East Fork State Park–a short distance from Cincinnati—offer some free camping options in Ohio. Note that even though camping is technically “free,” you may still incur a few fees at check-out, depending on how you use the facilities.
Where Can You Park an RV in Columbus, Ohio?
An RV can be parked at a designated RV park or campground in Columbus, Ohio. Alton RV Park and Cross Creek Camping Resort are some of the closest campgrounds to Columbus, Ohio.
Is Ohio Good for Camping?
Ohio is great for camping, especially when the weather is milder. People love the open space, Hocking Hills area, natural landscapes, and numerous outdoor activities.
Does Columbus Zoo Have a Campground?
The Columbus Zoo does not have a campground, but Alum Creek State Park (which does permit camping) is located close by! If you want to use this as a home base and take a day trip to the zoo, it’s a good choice.
Is It Legal to Camp Anywhere in Ohio?
In Ohio, you cannot camp anywhere; camping is restricted to campgrounds or locations with landowner permission.
