Several Ohio State Parks campgrounds are receiving upgrades in 2026. (Credit: Ken Drenten)

By Ken Drenten

If you’re getting the itch to de-winterize your camper or RV and start camping soon, you’re not alone. It’s still early, but it’s not too early to plan.

That includes finding out what’s open and what’s not at Ohio State Parks campgrounds.

Two Ohio State Parks campgrounds are receiving upgrades for 2026 — Buck Creek near Springfield and Indian Lake near Lakeview.

Improvement projects at both state parks will provide full-service campsites (50-amp electric service, potable water and sanitary sewer hookup), American Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible sites, and electrical improvements at the campgrounds.

In addition, new ADA accessible showerhouses are planned to replace showerhouses that are beyond their serviceable life and cannot feasibly be modified to meet ADA requirements.

Buck Creek currently offers a 107-site campground and Indian Lake offers a 451-site campground. Both offer electric and non-electric sites, showers, restrooms with flush toilets, and an RV dump station. Indian Lake also offers waterfront campsites and a campground swimming pool.

Buck Creek’s campground is closed for renovations through early summer 2026. The park’s 23 cabins can be reserved, but no campsites are available. Indian Lake State Park campground areas A and D are currently closed for construction and will be opened once construction is completed.

Most state parks in Ohio have their campgrounds and facilities like showerhouses and restrooms fully reopened by April 1 to April 15. Camping reservations can be made up to six months in advance online at the state park’s website of your choice.

Get a video tour through Mohican State Park, including its campground.

A number of other state park improvement projects are nearing completion or have been recently completed:

• Hocking Hills State Park: Essential electrical upgrades will be completed soon at the campground. All campsites and facilities are scheduled to reopen May 1.
• Maumee Bay State Park: The boardwalk at Maumee Bay State Park remains closed for repairs into the spring and summer. Access to the park’s nature center is open.
• Mohican State Park: Gorge Overlook observation deck is undergoing stone restoration work; covered bridge is currently closed through April 30 for bridge roadway replacement.
• Pymatuning State Park: The park office is closed temporarily for electrical work; also the archery range is being relocated due to installation of a new trail.
• Salt Fork State Park: Work has continued this winter to improve the beach complex at Salt Fork State Park.
• Tar Hollow State Park: Repair of roadway slips, construction of modern sewer plant, complete remodeling of park’s 105-site campground to add full hook-up campsites, restrooms with flush toilets, and bridge replacement. Construction is expected to be completed this spring.
• Van Buren State Park: Full-hookup sites added to park’s 61-site campground, campsites upgraded to include water supply at each site. Other upgrades include electrical, drainage and paving work, new playground, basketball court, new RV dump station.

Ken Drenten is creator and editor of Dusty-Tires.com, a travel blog for out-of-the-ordinary places in Ohio.

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