Featuring some beautiful woodlands, excellent camping facilities, and tons of recreational options, Delaware Lake should be on the top of your RV getaway destination list. Located in Delaware County, Delaware Lake was originally the home of the Delaware tribe, who came from the east and eventually joined forces with other local tribes to stop western settlers in the area.
The lake was man-made by the U.S Corps of Engineers back in 1951 when there was a need to have flood control in the area. On the eastern side of the lake is Delaware State Park, which is where most of the recreational activities that aren't on the lake occur. The lake, state park, and public lands around the lake are known as the Delaware Reservoir Wildlife Area. Outside of the state park on the opposite side of the lake are expansive open grasslands, rifle, and archery ranges. The total area of the lake and the state park is just over 2,000 acres, giving you lots to explore during your visit. Some of the popular recreational activities include boating, fishing, disc golf, swimming, picnicking, and hunting.
If you are considering calling Delaware Lake home for the night in your own or rented RV, there is a fantastic campground within the state park that is waiting for you to come and visit. There are over 211 campsites for you to choose from, all of which have electrical hookups. Peak season at Delaware Lake is from the beginning of April until the end of October.
Driving to and from Delaware Lake is very easy due to its location right near the US-23. The main entrance to the lake and the state park are right off the road, so you will have no trouble with finding where to go. If you need to get any supplies before your visit to the lake, there are plenty of small towns to stop at, including Waldo (around eight miles away), Delaware (around eight miles away), and Cardigan (around 20 miles away). The closest city to the lake is Columbus, which is only 35 miles to the south.
All of the roads in and around the lake are very well maintained as they are state roads or private roads that fall under the U.S Corps of Engineers umbrella. The roads are wide enough for RVs up to 70 feet long to navigate, and you won't have any sharp turns or switchbacks that could cause you any problems.
During the wintertime, the area is known to get a lot of snow that can make driving in your RV quite difficult. If you are planning to visit the park during this time, it's best to call the state park or COE office to ensure that the roads will be open.
There are plenty of parking lots available near the lake, including nine lots in the state park.
The campground at Delaware State Park is undoubtedly the place to be if you want to stay near the lake in an RV. The campground is a very popular place for travelers as the sites are known to be very spacious and level.
The campground is separated over four loops and features a total of 211 sites, all of which have 50 amp electric hookups. Other amenities within the campground include showers, flush toilets, water collection points, laundry facilities, a playground, and a dump station. Pets are also allowed at all of the sites, and you will be able to get cell phone reception throughout the campground.
Reservations for the Delaware State Park are encouraged and can be made up to six months in advance. During the wintertime, the campground is still open, but the sites are available only on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you plan to visit the lake during the wintertime you can choose to stay at the state park campground on a first-come, first-served basis. During this time some of the amenities within the campground may no be operational, so take this into account before planning your trip. During the peak season, we recommend you reserve a campsite as they can fill up pretty quickly. If you want to stay out of your RV there are also 20 walk-in sites that you can stay at.
One of the best ways to enjoy the summer sunshine at Delaware Lake is to go for a swim. There is an 800-foot public beach available to use, along with a further two designated swimming areas. Swimming at the beach is recommended as it is also close to the playground, picnic pavilion, and toilet block. There are no lifeguards on duty at the lake, so use caution when having fun in the water.
Once you have finished in the water (or if you prefer to stay out of it), you can jump in a boat and head out to explore the lake. There are no horsepower or watercraft restrictions at Delaware Lake, so you can bring any watercraft that you please. There are three boat ramps available for the public to use, and there are also docks that you can keep your boat at overnight. If you would like to rent a boat or get some supplies, there is a private marina that will be able to provide you with anything and everything you will need to enjoy your day out on the lake.
Thanks to the multiple picnic areas scattered around the lake, there are plenty of great spots to host a picnic during your visit. In total, there are eight picnic areas for you to choose from that all have some great amenities, such as picnic tables and grills. If you have a larger group, three larger picnic shelters can be reserved online before your arrival, which is a good idea to guarantee a larger spot to entertain your family or friends.
Unfortunately there are no public transport options that will take you to Delaware Lake.
During the peak season, three "unique getaway" yurts are available to stay at if you want to experience something a little different. The yurts are well equipped with amenities to help you enjoy your stay thanks to the ceiling fan, tables and chairs, futons, and cooler that you will find waiting for you. Outside of the yurt, there is a charcoal grill that you can use to cook up a mean meal, along with a picnic table and canopy that you can use as your dining table.
Please be aware that pets are not allowed at any of the yurt sites. You must reserve a yurt in advance if you wish to stay at one of them, and they are available from May through to October.
The fishing at Delaware Lake is well worth packing your rod and reel for. Fishing can be done from either the banks around the lake or by taking a boat out to reach the harder to get spots. If you are traveling with kids, there is also a smaller fishing pond that they can use to improve their skills and experience how much fun fishing can be. In Delaware Lake, there are plenty of species that you can target, including crappie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and muskie. Remember to get an Ohio fishing license before you throw out a line.
If you are looking for a peaceful family-friendly activity while you are visiting Delaware Lake, you should check out the disc golf course. Located within Delaware State Park, the disc golf course consists of 36 holes and an extra practice hole for you to enjoy. Don't own any discs? There are some available for rent from the park office, so nobody will miss out on experiencing the fun and exciting times out on the course.
Hiking lovers, remember to pack your boots when visiting Delaware Lake as there are some great hiking opportunities available. In total, there are six trails, all located on the western side of the lake within the state park. The trails vary in difficulty and are all under two miles long. They will take you to the lakeshore and also give you the chance to see some lovely meadows, wetlands, and woodlands. Once the winter really sets in, the trails can also be used by snow shoe lovers and cross country skiers.
