For Ohio locals seeking a delightful blend of peaceful nature and convenient amenities, Mt. Gilead State Park Campground stands out as a true gem. Often described as a "small & quiet park that’s packed with amenities," this central Ohio destination offers a welcoming environment for both seasoned campers and families looking to create lasting memories outdoors. If you appreciate clean facilities, varied recreational activities, and a friendly atmosphere, Mt. Gilead State Park Campground provides an ideal setting for your next Ohio adventure.
Mt. Gilead State Park Campground distinguishes itself by providing a well-maintained and accessible camping experience without the overwhelming scale of larger parks. It strikes a perfect balance, offering the solitude of a wooded setting combined with the comforts of modern conveniences like clean restrooms and full hookup sites. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway with your RV, a tent camping trip, or a family outing with kids and pets, this park caters to a wide range of needs. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of what makes Mt. Gilead State Park Campground a highly recommended choice for Ohioans, covering its precise location and accessibility, the diverse services it offers, its key features and highlights, and essential contact information. Ultimately, we’ll explore why this friendly and well-equipped state park campground is particularly well-suited for residents across Ohio.
Mt. Gilead State Park Campground is conveniently located at 4119 OH-95, Mt Gilead, OH 43338, USA. This central Ohio location makes it easily accessible from major cities like Columbus (approximately an hour's drive) and Mansfield (around 30 minutes), offering a quick escape for many residents. The park is situated near the center of the state in Morrow County, providing a rural yet accessible setting.
Access to the campground is straightforward, primarily via State Route 95. The roads within the campground are designed to accommodate RVs and trailers, although some reviews indicate that "Some of the sites are very unlevel, so be sure to have plenty of stacks to level your camper." However, full hookup sites often feature concrete pads which can reduce leveling challenges. The park is open year-round, allowing for camping enjoyment across all seasons, though services may vary in the off-season. Its proximity to other regional attractions and towns like Mt. Gilead and Cardington allows for easy resupply runs or exploration beyond the park boundaries. The park's relatively small size contributes to its quiet charm, making navigation simple once inside.
For reservations, current conditions, or any inquiries regarding Mt. Gilead State Park Campground, you can contact the park office directly or utilize the Ohio State Parks reservation system.
Mt. Gilead State Park Campground
Address: 4119 OH-95, Mt Gilead, OH 43338, USA
Park Office Phone: (419) 946-1961
Mobile Phone: +1 419-946-1961 (This appears to be the main park office number for general inquiries.)
Reservations: (866) 644-6727 or visit reserveohio.com.
It is always advisable to call the park office directly for the most up-to-date information on site availability, current park conditions (e.g., trail closures, lake conditions), and any specific regulations or alerts before planning your visit. The friendly staff and camp host mentioned in reviews are available to assist with your questions.
For Ohio locals, Mt. Gilead State Park Campground is an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended destination, offering a well-rounded and accessible outdoor experience right in the heart of the state. Its central location ensures that many Ohio residents can reach it with ease, making it perfect for quick weekend getaways or longer family vacations without extensive travel.
The park's appeal for locals is multi-faceted. Its description as a "small & quiet park that’s packed with amenities" perfectly captures its charm. It provides the tranquility of nature – with "beautiful stand of second growth beech-maple forest" and "wildflowers" – while simultaneously offering the conveniences of modern camping, including full hookup sites, clean bathrooms with hot showers, and a camp store. This balance caters to diverse camping preferences, from those seeking a full RV setup to tent campers desiring well-maintained facilities.
Furthermore, the array of activities available directly within the park, from "great hiking trails" and a lake for "kayaking" and fishing, to a "nice playground for the kids" and various sports courts, ensures that families and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages will find something to enjoy. The positive feedback on staff friendliness and the innovative recycling program also highlights the park's commitment to visitor satisfaction and environmental stewardship, aligning with values many Ohioans hold. Even the note about "unlevel sites" is manageable for experienced campers and easily addressed with proper leveling equipment. Ultimately, Mt. Gilead State Park Campground is not just a place to camp; it's a beloved local asset that offers a consistently pleasant, accessible, and enriching outdoor escape for the people of Ohio, encouraging repeat visits and fostering a deeper appreciation for their state parks.
Onsite services
Picnics
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible restroom
RV camping
RV electric hookup
Hiking
Barbecue grill
Picnic tables
Public restroom
Public shower
Restroom
Running water
Slides
Swings
Tent sites
Credit cards
Debit cards
Good for kids
Kid-friendly hikes
Playground
Free parking lot
On-site parking
Dogs allowed
This past weekend (Th - Sun) was our first time camping here but it won’t be our last. A small & quiet park that’s packed with amenities. We booked site 019 which I think is the best of the full hookup sites but will likely pick one of the more wooded electric sites next trip. The bathrooms were clean & well tended. The auto on/off showers took a minute to get used to but worked just fine. We loved the recycle buckets that are available for use. Such a simple yet brilliant idea. ALL Ohio State Park Campgrounds should be doing this!! A small dog park would be an awesome addition!
Camped a long weekend here, nice camp ground, great hiking trails, great lake to kayak in. Had a kayak launch that made it really easy in and out of the water with kayaks. Nice playground for the kids. Small camp ground, but nice, friendly staff. Some of the sites are very unlevel, so be sure to have plenty of stacks to level your camper. Nice clean facilities. We recommend to camp here.
Mt Gilead probably is better than what I experienced for a non-primitive Ohio State Park.Campground. I fault the online reservation service and the inaccurate site description. There was not a level square inch on the site for tent camping. The camp host would not convenience me a better level site, even though most of the campground was empty and it was already late on a weeknight. I ended up pitching the tent on the edge of the unlevel gravel pad. The site was so unlevel even setting up the stove for a cup of coffee was risky with the burner and pot almost tipping over. I give the campground 4 stars anyway... I just got a bad site and host. Restroom and campground was clean and relatively quiet through the night.
Very clean campground, it has great walking trails, blacktop road leading to the water, picnic areas to have lunch at. Nice size campsites, we have a 33-foot motorhome, and we still had room behind it for our dogs to do their business. There is a bandstand area, Frisbee golf, horseshoes and large open areas if you bring other outdoor games. We will definitely be going again
The office called us at 5 min after 1. check out time is 1. We totally understand RULES and would never consider being late checking out. Unfortunately there was a terrible incident where a deputy sherrif was shot and killed in Mt Gilead. The whole entire town was at a standstill and roads were ALL blocked while a huge procession brought the deputies body home. We were caught up in this and out of respect to the deputies family friends and community we paid our respects rightfully. The state park would NOT even consider this and charged an additional night. Late 35 minutes!! We talked to them on the phone to let them know. They said if we weren't there in 10 minutes we would be charged and we were. The whole town was shut down. We were back there at 1:35 and previously had the motorhome all packed up ready to go. They were very insensitive.a not make an exception and I spent alot if time on the phone to resolve the issue with the ODNR. .It was NOT about the money, it was the principle of the matter. At the same time, behind me was a couple checking in at 1;35. Check IN is 3:00.. WHY are you permitted to check in early but get charged for 35 min late? I feel we were treated very unfairly.. in NO way am I using this awful tragedy as an excuse. God bless him and his family. You would think they would make a small exception for the procession process. No, they were very rude and misunderstanding. We did get notification 2 days later that the money was refunded, but along with an email scolding us and basically said we better never do this again. Up until then it was a good experience. Our experience. Shame on them. Said I would leave a yelp review and they said they never heard of yelp.