RV Rental Alum Creek State Park, OH

If you like boating, you'll love camping in Alum Creek State Park. The park boasts an ideal location on the shores of Alum Creek Lake, a man-made reservoir that draws boating and fishing enthusiasts from all over Ohio and further afield.

Four launch ramps are provided to allow easy access to the lake, and one of those ramps is set aside for the use of campers only. There's also a full-service marina near the Hollenbeck ramp, boasting 240 boat slips and offering fuel, food, and boating supplies. Boat rentals are also available if you don't have your own watercraft.

Out on the lake, the southern end of the reservoir is open to unlimited horsepower and is the most popular spot for water skiing. The ambience is a little more tranquil at the lake's northern end, where the tree-lined shores and sheltered coves are great for kayaking.

Many of these coves also double as excellent fishing spots, so make sure you pack a couple of rods and all your fishing gear. Bluegill, crappie, bass, saugeye, and muskie can all be caught here, and there's plenty to keep everyone from casual to experienced anglers interested. However, you'll need to make sure you hold a valid Ohio fishing license before wetting a line.

If you'd rather spend some time in rather than on the water, Alum Creek State Park is also home to the largest inland beach of any Ohio state park. At 3,000 feet long, it's the perfect spot to catch some sunshine or go for a cooling swim. Designated swimming areas are provided, while a shower house, changing areas, and beach vendors are also available.

The other main way to explore the park is to set out on foot, bicycle, or horseback to traverse its extensive trail network. Hikers have three dedicated trails to choose from, with the four-mile Rocks to Roots Trail a particular favorite. Mountain bikers can take their pick of three trails — one easy, one moderate, and one difficult — and horse riders are spoiled with 38 miles of bridle trails that wind their way around the lakefront.

The best way to experience all these great activities is to camp in an RV in Alum Creek State Park. If you don't have your own camper, you can book an RV in Delaware County and then reserve a spot in the park's huge campground.

You can choose from:

• 286 electric sites. Each of these sites offers 20, 30, and 50-amp electrical hookups. Some sites offer beautiful lake views, and there's a decent mix of sunny and shaded campsites.
• 24 full-service sites. These sites all boast electrical, water, and sewer hookups.

Flushing toilets, hot showers, and a dump station are all provided, as are playgrounds, basketball and volleyball courts, and a mini-golf course. There's even a beach and boat ramp set aside exclusively for the use of campers.

Pets are also welcome in the campground on designated sites. Even better, if you head to the marina, you'll find the Friends of Alum Creek Dog Park. This fenced, four-acre space is the ideal spot for pooches to stretch their legs and even provides water access for your furry friend.

Finally, Alum Creek State Park also features a camper cabin and four Sherman cabins for guests who don't want to camp in a rental motorhome.

When your Alum Creek State Park RV camping vacation comes to an end, the good news is that there are stacks of other great destinations and attractions just a short drive away. Before heading home, you might want to check a few of them out.

For example, if you head into Delaware, you might want to take a tour of the Olentangy Indian Caverns. If you're an animal lover, you'll probably want to make the short drive southwest to Powell to spend a day exploring the Colmbus Zoo & Aquarium.

But if you'd rather head for the big city, you can be in downtown Columbus in less than half an hour. While you're there, make sure to take a tour of the excellent Columbus Museum of Art, or, if you're traveling with kids, spend a few hours at the COSI science museum and planetarium.

There's an extensive range of travel experiences on offer when you rent a camper near Alum Creek State Park, so make sure you take the time to stop and enjoy as many of them as possible.