Alum Creek State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Alum Creek State Park is just north of Ohio's capital city of Columbus and nestled along a magnificent 3,387-acre reservoir. The park supports a stunning second-growth forest with plenty of wildflowers like geraniums and spring beauties. Visitors can boat, hike, jet ski, and stay at the on-site campground. The beach is the largest inland beach in the state's park system and is fantastic for sunbathing, swimming, and building sand castles. Ice fishing, sledding, snowmobiling, and ice skating are popular at the park in the winter. Nearby Cities: • Delaware, OH • Columbus, OH • Marysville, OH • Mount Vernon, OH
Spring 30-72 F
Summer 60-84 F
Fall 33-77 F
Winter 20-40 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Alum Creek State Park
Alum Creek State Park Campground • Water hookup: Yes • Electrical hookup: Yes • Sewer hookup: Yes • Wi-Fi: Yes • Pet-friendly: Yes • Max RV length: 62 feet • Other amenities: Heated shower facilities, camper-exclusive beach, boat ramp, basketball courts, playgrounds, RV dump station
Cross Creek Camping Resort
The Cross Creek Camping Resort is a premier destination for RV camping near Alum Creek State Park. Some amenities you have to choose from here include beautiful surroundings, themed weekends, and a gift shop on the grounds of the RV park. Known to be well-trained, polite, and informative, the staff prides itself on the cleanliness of the campground's facilities. The nightly rates to stay here are $40 for sites with full hookups and $35 for sites with just water and electricity.
Alton RV Park
The Alton RV Park is a quality RV campground located just 9 miles to the west of Columbus, Ohio. It is a multi-generational small business that has been owned by the same family and serving the region for decades now. The park offers 35 full-hookup sites, a family-friendly atmosphere, and free Wi-Fi access. The nightly rate to stay here is $50, with additional guests costing $10 per person.
What to Do at
Alum Creek State Park
This park is a haven for hikers, boaters, hunters, and mountain bikers. Feel free to ride your horse along the 38 miles of bridle trails or check out the four-acre dog park and swim area next to the marina. Visitors heading out on the water are welcome to snag a life jacket from the loaner boards stationed near most of the ramps.
Alum Creek State Park is one of the best recreational destinations near Columbus. It offers a one-of-a-kind outdoor experience by providing ample opportunities for fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, and picnicking.
Inside Alum Creek State Park
Some of the best activities you can do on Alum Creek State Park's land portion are picnicking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and snowmobiling. The park contains an impressive 38 miles of bridle trails, 14 miles of mountain-biking trails, and 7 miles of hiking trails. If you are looking to get out on the water, you can do so by going fishing, ice fishing, ice boating, swimming, and more. Some of the fish known to be available in the state park's waters includes channel catfish, crappie, bluegill, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and muskellunge. Alum Creek Lake also offers several boat ramps with no limits placed on horsepower.
Fishing
The gentle coves and inlets of Alum Creek Reservoir promise exceptional crappie, muskie, bass, and bluegill fishing. The reservoir has nearly 70 miles of shoreline, with one of the most popular fishing access points located near Cheshire Road. All anglers over 16 must have a valid Ohio fishing license.
Geocaching
You'll find one of the easiest Alum Creek geocaches near the visitor center. The prize is hidden in a wooded area that may require some bushwhacking, depending on the time of year. This traditional geocache is near public bathrooms and easy parking, making it a great exploration activity for families.
Nature Watching
The woodlands in the park are home to a variety of wildlife like rabbits, white-tailed deer, fox squirrels, woodchucks, and raccoons. Bird enthusiasts may want to stop by in the fall to see the many migrating mallards, blue-winged teals, and northern shovelers.
Flora and Fauna
After winter passes, the forest floor becomes blanketed with colorful wildflowers like bloodroot and large trilliums. As you walk the many hiking trails, you'll enjoy the maple woodlands leading down to the water's edge. Some of the most notable fauna to watch out for include ospreys and the occasional black bear.
Hiking
The 1.5-mile Hollenback Trail, 1.5-mile Park Office Trail, and five-mile Multi-Purpose Trail are all rated as easy. Explorers looking for more of a challenge should check out the moderate 4.1-mile Rock to Roots Trail. For kids, the half-mile Storybook Trail starts at the north end of the beach. It's updated regularly to present a new story to travelers and even has a free library where you can pick up a book.
Boating
There are four public access ramps on Alum Creek Reservoir and one additional ramp reserved for campers. The north side of the lake enforces a no-wake policy. However, head south of Cheshire Road for plenty of space to water ski. The full-service Alum Creek Marina has 240 slips up to 32 feet long, where you are welcome to dock your boat.
Swimming
The park has an astounding 3,000-foot sandy beach open during daylight hours. You can look forward to many great beach facilities like a modern changing area, food vendors, restrooms, outdoor showers, and sand volleyball courts. Visitors should know that you can only swim in designated areas, and no lifeguards are on duty. In addition, no pets are allowed on any of the swimming beaches except the one by the marina.
Biking
There are several bike trails at Alum Creek State Park ranging from two to seven miles long. The longest, Phase II, is considered the most difficult and should only be tackled by experienced mountain bikers. Peddlers new to mountain biking may want to check out the Gnomewood or Beginner Loop trails instead.
How to Get to
Alum Creek State Park
From Columbus, you'll want to take OH-315 North for about 12 miles. Turn left onto North High Street and then take a right onto Lazelle Road East. Follow this route to South Old State Road. Travel on this road for seven miles. Alum Creek will be on your right.
Entering Alum Creek State Park
Ohio doesn't charge admission at any of its state parks. At Alum Creek State Park, free parking for day-use explorers is available near the visitor center.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alum Creek State Park
Summer is a great time to visit this park to take advantage of the incredible swimming, boating, and water sports opportunities. If you're more interested in hiking and enjoying the views, you may want to stop by in the fall to see breathtaking foliage and many stunning acres of changing leaves.
At the park, 286 RV campsites offer 20/30/50 amp connections. Reserve your spot early to snag one of the 37 full-service sites that include water, electricity, and sewer. Some camping spots have stunning lake views, and many have trees for shade and privacy.
Common species at Alum Creek State Park include cliff swallows, warblers, sandpipers, pileated woodpeckers, and common loons. You may also see porcupines, deer, squirrels, foxes, snakes, spotted salamanders, and more.
Pets are welcome at all of the campsites in this state park. They must be kept on a leash no more than six feet long and always under your control. The park may request your pet's vaccination history and a physical description for their records.
Reservations are required at this state park, and you can make them up to six months in advance. For every reservation, you'll have to pay a $6.50 fee. Campsite reservations can be made on the day of your arrival, depending on availability.