New London Reservoir Park and Campground

The New London Reservoir Park and Campground is around an hour’s drive from Cuyahoga Valley National Park, which sprawls across more than 32,500 acres around the Cuyahoga River. Aside from being nestled between the two large settlements of Cleveland and Akron, the park is also unique in being scattered with several small towns and attractions. Begin your visit at the Canal Exploration Center to learn about the 19th-century Ohio and Erie Canal that once traversed the region, then follow a carefully restored section of its original towpath. Other highlights of Cuyahoga Valley National Park include trekking to the picturesque Brandywine Falls and riding the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.

Slightly farther south is Portage Lakes State Park, which encompasses just over 2,000 acres near New Franklin. In addition to boating and swimming, the park is a popular destination for fishing, with several species luring anglers here. Migrating waterfowl and shorebirds are also attracted to the wetlands of Portage Lakes State Park, making it a worthwhile destination for birding enthusiasts.

Another popular birdwatching site is the Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area, which is the largest inland marsh in Ohio at just over 5,000 acres. Butler Spring is the place to head during the winter months while waterfowl, shorebirds, and black terns can be spotted in abundance during the spring. If you’re visiting during the summer months, keep your eyes peeled for yellow-breasted chats, sandhill cranes, and northern rough-winged swallows, as well as bald eagles, Virginia rails, and marsh wrens.

Directly north of the New London Reservoir Park and Campground is the Edison Woods Reserve, which encompasses 1,300 acres of sandstone cliffs, woodlands, and meadows. Around six miles of wooded and prairie trails meander through the park while a boardwalk trail accesses the reserve’s wetlands. Edison Woods has been designated as part of the Lake Erie Birding Trail, while rare plant species and seasonal wildflowers will appeal to botanical enthusiasts.

New London campers enjoy easy access to supermarkets where you can pick up grocery supplies, as well as a couple of gas stations if you need to fill up your RV rental. There are also several eateries for those nights when you don’t feel like cooking, including fast-food restaurants, a pizzeria, and an American-style diner.

Campsites at New London Reservoir Park and Campground are around an hour's drive from Cleveland, which serves as the seat of Cuyahoga County. Browse the outstanding works on display at the Cleveland Museum of Art; its collection spans 6,000 years. Be awed by the huge dinosaur skeletons within the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Music lovers shouldn’t miss a visit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, while green thumbs can explore the observatory at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. If you’re traveling with kids, be sure to spend a day at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, where you can get up close to everything from lions to kangaroos, Chilean flamingos, and colobus monkeys.

En route to Cleveland is the city of Oberlin, which is clustered with several heritage-listed buildings. Join a guided tour run by the Oberlin Heritage Center to explore Monroe House and Jewett House, both of which date to the mid-19th century, and the Little Red Schoolhouse that was constructed in the 1830s. Hear about Oberlin’s role in assisting former slaves to reach freedom on the Underground Railroad and learn about the scientific discoveries made in the region. Also not to miss in Oberlin is the Allen Memorial Art Museum, which occupies an elegant Italian Renaissance building operated by Oberlin College. It’s renowned for its significant collections of 17th-century Dutch and Flemish paintings, as well as 19th-century European and American contemporary works.

Whether you want to birdwatch in the nature reserves of northern Ohio or get cultured in the cities of Oberlin and Cleveland, book a camper rental in Huron County and start planning your visit.