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Buckeye Lake / Columbus East KOA
- 4460 Walnut Road, SE
- Buckeye Lake, OH 43008
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Reserve(800) 562-0792
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2011 President's Award
KOA President's Award
Awarded to KOAs that meet exceptional quality standards and are recognized by their guests for outstanding service.
2011 KOA Founder's Award
KOA Founder's Award
KOA's highest service award, presented to KOA owners that achieve world class service scores from their camping guests.
Easy on and off Interstate 70 (1.5 miles from interstate), with no highway noise.
Visit our list of Events to see all the great things happening at our Buckeye Lake/Columbus East KOA
Come and relax in our park-like setting with lots of trees and open space. We are an easy on and off from Interstate 70 (1.5 miles from interstate), but we don’t have highway noise. Enjoy our long, level shady pull through sites, ideal for big rigs or smaller campers. We have fifteen cozy, sleeping Kamping Kabins or two full service Lodges complete with kitchen and bathroom waiting for you and your family. If you prefer being out with nature, we have a large, shaded primitive tent area. All sites have easy access to 3 bathroom/shower facilities. Camp with all the amenities in our Deluxe and Super deluxe big rig sites (new for 2008) complete with patio furniture, chiminea, patio light, swing, large stamped concrete patio, grill, wifi, cable or satellite accessible. This is a beautiful family campground situated on 40 acres.
Let Fido take you for a walk in our "Bark Park". This is an enclosed area for our 4-legged campers complete with agility structures for those pets that want to exercise more than walking. Also, we have a brand new professionally structured mini golf, new shuffleboard courts, and new playground equipment. We also have a jumping pillow, basketball goal, horseshoes, pedal carts, swimming pool and large game room. Look at our activities to see what we have planned for each weekend.
We are the closest KOA to Columbus, Ohio's state capital, state fairgrounds, Ohio State University, Denison University, German Village and National Trails/NHRA race track.
Easy day trips to Ohio's Amish country, AMA Museum, Longaberger Baskets, Columbus Zoo and more.
Our entire staff is ready to greet and meet you. Come create some memories in Central Ohio at our President's & Founders Award Winning KOA.
Meet Your Hosts
You'll see plenty of experience at work when you visit the Buckeye Lake KOA Kampground.
The Buckeye Lake KOA is the second campground owned by Mike and Shirley Groseclose. They purchased Buckeye Lake KOA in 2003, after many years of operating the Toomsuba, Mississippi KOA Kampground.
Before purchasing their first campground, Mike was a regional services manager at a computer cash register company for 20 years, and Shirley was the manager of a credit union for 17 years.
"We're really proud of what we are able to do for our campers during their stays with us," says Shirley. "We want to give our guests the best service at a competitive price to ensure they have a great camping experience."
Mike and Shirley married since 1970 have two grown sons, Jeff, a Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Coast Guard and David Married w/2 sons a Senior Tire Engineer for Bridgestone Tire. When they aren't working hard to keep their campers happy, Mike and Shirley can be found traveling and visiting friends and family and taking their 1954 Lincoln Street Rod to Car Shows.
Campground Amenities
- RV Sites: Patio and Deluxe Sites
- Tent Sites: Primitive Tent Sites
- Cable TV on all Full-Hookup Sites (no charge)
- Basketball
- Game Room (Available with Charge)
- Giant Checkers
- Military Clubs
- Self-service, convenience foods offered
- Food prepared by staff for consumption by the customer at their site or in outdoor seating provided by campground
- RV Sites: Pull-Thru and Back-in Full Hookup
- Tent Sites: Tent Sites with Water
- Planned Activities Available on the Weekends
- Shuffleboard
- Fire Truck and Wagon Rides
- Giant Chess
- Families
- Catering on-site by the campground
- Guests are provided various entree options at a full service, sit down meal
- RV Sites: Pull-Thru and Back-in Water/Electric Sites
- Tent Sites: Tent Sites with Water and Electric
- Horseshoes
- Ping Pong (Available with Charge)
- Jumping Pillow
- RV Clubs & Rallies
- Motorcycle Clubs
- Catering on-site by a local caterer
Campground Activities
Kampground activities:
- Planned activities and crafts on selected weekend
- Fire Truck rides on our vintage fire truck
- Ice Cream socials
- Breakfast on Saturday & Sunday mornings, Memorial Day through Labor Day Weekends
- Dinners on selected weekends
- Music & dancing on selected weekends
- Awesome Halloween Weekends the entire month of October
- Click on KOA News for this month's events or call us for more information regarding our Activities
Buckeye Lake/Surrounding area activities:
- Golf
- Fishing, boating, skiing, swimming on Buckeye Lake (Pre-Arranged)
- Boat ride/tour on Buckeye Lake
- Discount outlet shopping
- Hiking & bike trails (in Licking County Parks)
- Drag racing
- Canoeing & kayaking
- Zoo
- Museums
- See Buckeye Lake attractions or check with our Guest Services.
Local Attractions
Greater Buckeye Lake Historical Society Museum
http://www.buckeyelakehistory.org/home.htmlAt the Museum they have memorabilia about the Buckeye Lake area and the Amusement Park that once called Buckeye Lake home.
* The Columbus Zoo
http://www.colszoo.org/The Columbus Zoo is central Ohio's most popular attraction and one of America's most renowned zoos, (Jack Hanna, Director Emeritus) open 365 days a year.
COSI
http://www.cosi.org/COSI offers an incredible experience for the entire family, no matter what age. There are lots of "hands on" exhibits. It will really "WOW" you.
* Longaberger Baskets
In nearby Frazeysburg, OH visit the home of Longaberger baskets at the Longaberger Homestead.
Longaberger Homestead
Home of Longaberger Baskets, factory tours, weave your own basket, shopping, museum and great food.http://www.longaberger.com/homestead.aspx
Dresden, OH
http://www.dresdenohio.net/intro.cfmShopping in the quaint little of town of Dresden, OH , there are many specialty shops and shops with baskets.
NHRA National Trails Raceway
http://www.nationaltrailraceway.com/Championship Drag Racing from April through October is located within 10 minutes of the campground. For more information, visit the National Trails Raceway online.
Dawes Arboretum
http://www.dawesarb.org/Founded on June 1, 1929, the Dawes Arboretum contains a beautiful display of plants and trees, with hikes and tours available.
The National Heisey Glass Museum
http://www.heiseymuseum.org/Home of hundreds of Heisey patterns produced by A. H. Heisey and Company from 1896 through 1957. See The National Heisey Glass Museum online for more information.
American Motorcycle Association Hall of Fame Museum
http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/A "great" motorcycle ride away from the campground, this museum has something for everyone. Visit the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum online for more information.
Buckeye Lake
Buckeye is a 3000+ acre lake that is great for boating, water skiing and fishing. See Buckeye Lake online for more information.
* Roscoe Village
http://www.roscoevillage.com/index.phpIn nearby Coshocton, OH, Living history depicted in this 19th century restored canal town. Roscoe Village includes shops, restaurants and exhibits all staffed by employees in period costumes.
Ye Olde Mill
This original old mill was built in 1817 and has been readapted into a museum, ice cream parlor, restaurant and picnic park by the Velvet Ice Cream Company . Buckeye Lake KOA is proud to serve Hand Dipped Velvet Ice Cream, Milk Shakes and Root Beer Floats in the store.
The Works
The Ohio Center of History, Art and Technology is housed in a block long complex of historic buildings that inspires an appreciation for industry, innovation and the creative process in learners of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. Things to see: interactive exhibits, glass blowers, digital studios, paint your own pottery, and climb aboard a 1918 interurban car. See The Works online for more information.
Moundbuilders State Memorial (The Great Circle Earthworks) & Ohio Indian Art Museum
http://ohsweb.ohiohistory.org/places/c08/greatcircle.shtmlThis Memorial includes preserved remnants of a complex of earthen walls and mounds that once covered an area of approximately four square miles. The Art Museum traces the prehistoric Native American people of Ohio.
* Amish Country / Ohio
Ohio's Amish Country , home to the largest settlement of Amish in the world. Attractions include: Behalt, a 10' by 265' cyclorama illustrating the history of Amish and Mennonite people; Amish cheese houses and handmade furniture, Amish restaurants specializing in family style home cooking, Lehmans hardware specializing in non-electric items, Amish farm market days for practical treasures, countless crafts and home baked goods.
Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve
Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve is a 956 acre area dedicated as an interpretive nature preserve whose main feature is a spectacular narrow gorge cut by the Licking River. Hiking trails and more than 4 miles of bike trail wind through the preserve.
Easton Town Center
Easton Town Center is a unique place with shopping, dining and entertainment venues.
* - These can also be made into Day Trips, depending on time spent.
Lehmans Hardware Store
At Lehman's, being old-fashioned is always in fashion. That's why our massive, 32,000-square-foot retail store contains not one, not two, but three pre-Civil War era buildings, including a Buggy Barn cinema, where you can relax on Amish-made hickory church pews while learning about organic gardening, oil lamp restoration or wood stove maintenance. Museum-quality antiques line the walls and thousands of products you thought they quit making years ago fill the shelves. Fall in love with our oil lamps, handmade pottery and copper cookie cutters. Marvel at our wood-burning cook stoves and retro refrigerators. Reminisce with our tin toys, cast iron cookware, hand tools and water pumps. http://www.lehmans.com
William C. Kraner Nature Center
http://www.ohionature.orgThe Center is designed to bring the outdoors indoors with a 2400 square foot nature center. The Nature Center contains interpretive nature displays where children and adults can get up close and personal with Licking County's "wild side".
Licking County Parks
http://www.lickingparkdistrict.com/index.htmNumerous parks and preserves in the surrounding area, with hiking, bike trails and nature centers.
Campground News
See Us On Facebook!
See our Facebook Group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7477925033
Or just search for Buckeye Lake KOA
If you have a Great story or Photos of your visit please post them on Facebook.
Upcoming Events
April 2012
Shake out those sleeping bags and dust out those campers just in time to enjoy Mother Nature as she blooms over your campfire. April brings our off-season rates as we are making improvements on our campground. Again this year the game room will have new games for the entire family. On our weekends enjoy Hay wagon and Fire Truck rides and movies on Friday nights as weather permits. Starting on Memorial Day weekend breakfast will be cooking on Saturday and Sunday mornings in the Breakfast Kafe. Also, the jumping pillow will be FREE for all kids 3-17 all the time. They also will get 1 free cart ride and one free game of golf per campground stay. One requirement, wristbands must be worn by all kids who use these activities.
Easter: April 6-7
Easter falls in April this year and we will be having a traditional Easter egg hunt on Saturday afternoon. As weather permits, we will also have the fire truck rides, too. Come on out for a fun time!
Wine and Cheese Party: April 27-28
All our seasonal adult family members, employees, and all the adults in the campground are invited for a wine tasting and cheese party on Saturday evening. Saturday afternoon will be activities for the kids, plus the fire truck and movie night on Friday night.
Free! Free! Free! May 11-12National "Come Camp and Care with us Day"
Yes, with advance reservations, enjoy a Free night of camping on the 12th, No kidding!!! In order to get Saturday, May 12th free, you have to pay for Friday night at the regular rate. In other words, stay 2 nights for the price of one. Of course we will give you 10% off with a Value Card. Ice cream social Friday night $ and movie. Pancake breakfast $ Saturday morning. All $ collected are for the kids with cancer. On Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. there will be a Chinese Auction. So bring things that are new, homemade or slightly used. Enjoy an ice cream social ($) on Saturday. There will be music (DJ) on Saturday night with a scavenger hunt. Donations to KOA Care Camps are appreciated. These donations help kids with cancer go to summer camp. This is what this weekend is about - HELPING KIDS WITH CANCER! Call early for your reservation because the campground will fill up. What a Deal!
May 18-19
On Friday night we will have fire truck rides and a movie. Saturday afternoon will be crafts for the kids and an ice cream social ($) for everyone.
Memorial Day Weekend: May 25-27
Our 10th annual Kids Dog Show and Parade. Kids bring Fido or Fifi and show off their new tricks or cute costumes. Prizes awarded. This is all in fun, no serious competition. Our DJ will be there Sunday also conducting the scavenger hunt. Enjoy ice cream social ($), fire truck rides and movie on Friday night. Breakfast will be served on Saturday, Sunday and Monday morning. Fun for all!
50's Weekend and Car Show: June 8-9
Come dressed like the 50's, bobby socks, slicked back hair, t-shirts and enjoy games, a real antique car show located at Buckeye Lake KOA, (beautiful cars and trucks) 50's music plays Saturday night at the car show from 5 p.m. till 9 p.m. Enjoy fire truck rides, root beer floats ($). Also, participate in the watermelon seed spitting contest, watermelon eating contest and other 50's games.
Construction Weekend & Father's Day: June 15-16
Kids, join us as we learn all about construction-shovel It Fix It, Build It, Dump It! Movie on Friday night. Make something for Dad for Fathers Day. Dads get a free pancake breakfast on Sunday morning as long as the kids eat too.
Pirate Weekend: June 22-23
Ahoy mates!! Join us for a treasure hunt and games dealing with pirates. Try not to "walk the plank" Fire truck rides and a movie on Friday night.
Celebrate the 4th of July: June 29, 30 and July 1st.
The Buckeye Lake Annual fireworks display will be this weekend on July 3rd. On June 30th we will have 2 work sessions and a pinewood derby car race on Sunday afternoon. Kids will build their own car to race$ from top to bottom. Adults will be there to handle any machine sawing and sanding. Then, the great race will be on our computerized track, so kids, don't miss this fun experience. Trophies will be awarded! This is for boys and girls. Parents, you can come observe and suggest, but the kids must build their own car. Parents can build a car$ also and race theirs in the parent division (against Mike). Everyone had a blast last year! There will be bike decorations, ice cream social, site decorating contest, and DJ with scavenger hunt. Kids don't forget to bring your bikes to decorate. Bring your decorations for the site, Kabin, or Deluxe Cabin decorating contest. Prizes will be awarded. Randy Swihart, our DJ, will be here and will conduct the scavenger hunt. Also, hay wagon and fire truck rides and an ice cream social ($), there's a lot going on, so don't miss it!
More July 4th Celebration on July 6-7
Bike decoration contest, site decorating contest, DJ with scavenger hunt. Prizes will be awarded. Fire truck rides, Ice cream social$. Don't miss it!!
Hawaiian Weekend: July 13-14
Pack your grass skirt and join us for some island fun KOA style. Make flower leis, pineapple eating contest. Fire truck rides, and an Ice Cream Social ($).
New! Disco Weekend !!!! July 20-21
New this year, come dressed "Disco Style" and dance to the "groovy" music. Movie on Friday night, Fire truck rides and an ice cream social ($) on Saturday.
Super Soaker Weekend July 27-28 - Back by popular demand!
Be prepared to get wet! ALL DAY ON SATURDAY!! Bring your big soaker water guns or buy them in the store. Look for the yellow shirts! Enjoy the fire truck ride while getting wet and wetting everyone else. The Buckeye Lake Fire Department will be on hand to give you some fire prevention tips and their water hose in the activity field. Randy the DJ on Saturday night! Fire truck rides and ice cream social ($).
Chocolate Lovers Weekend: August 3-4
Kids, slip n' slide in chocolate (make sure you wear your swimsuits), sample cake, strawberries, marshmallows, pretzels in the chocolate fountain ($), and chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast. Fire truck rides and a chocolate ice cream social ($).
Mopar Weekend: August 9-12
Shine up those classic cars just in time for MOPAR Weekend. Ice Cream social ($), fire truck rides. Kids and Dads, try racing pinewood derby cars on our own track. We will have the cars for you to purchase$ and build yourself. Begin Friday night and race Saturday night. Parents can make a car, too and race Mike! Make your reservations early. Everyone had a blast last year! Trophies will be awarded! Breakfast will be served on Friday, Saturday and Sunday a.m. ($).
Field Day: August 24-25
Kids enjoy field day. All types of games are played in our activity field on Saturday afternoon. Ice Cream social $ and Fire Truck rides, too.
"KOA Kids Day" Labor Day Weekend: August 30- September 3rd.
Saturday will be bingo (2 cards for $1.00), 50/50 and cake walks. Bring items for a Chinese auction for Sunday afternoon. Homemade items are the best! All proceeds go to KOA Care Camps for kids with cancer. Come and participate for a good cause! Randy, the DJ, will be here Saturday night. Fire truck rides. Ice cream social ($). Breakfast will be served on Saturday, Sunday and Monday a.m. ($).
RCD/KOA Customer Appreciation Rally: September 7-9
Anyone that has purchased an RV from RCD Sales in Heath or Pataskala, Ohio is invited to participate, one price for camping, all meals, seminars, ice cream social, door prizes, and entertainment for the whole weekend. If you haven't made your reservation yet do it today this weekend is filling up fast!
Camper Appreciation & Grandparents are Cool Weekend September 14-16
Grandparents, bring your grandchildren and they camp FREE! Also we are rolling out the red carpet to say "Thanks for camping at Buckeye Lake KOA Kamping Resort". During 2012 (Memorial Day - Labor Day) , if you stayed with us one paid night you will get 10% off, 2 paid nights 20% off, 3 paid nights 30% off, 4 paid nights 40% off and 5 paid nights 50% off your stay this weekend. Maximum discount is 50% (Campsites, Cabins or Deluxe Cabins) There will be planned activities for kids.
Haunted Halloween: October 5-6
Enjoy crafts, activities, games, and pumpkin painting.
Haunted Halloween - 1st Monster Ball Weekend: October 12-13
1st. Monster Ball Weekend, Because we have had so much participation in past years, we are making 2 weekends in October our monster ball weekend, so no one will miss out. The same thing will happen this weekend and the weekend of October 19-20. Site decorating contest, trick-or-treating, pumpkin painting, and Randy the DJ will be here so you can dance until the moon is full!
Note....These are special event weekends, so Holiday cancellation policies apply.
Haunted Halloween - 2nd Monster Ball Weekend: October 19-20
Our 2nd Monster Ball weekend is just like the week before including Randy the DJ. On Sunday, October21stay late and enjoy our very own 11th Annual Dick Leindecker Car Show, held on the campground sponsored by the Buckeye Lake Firefighters Association. With good weather we could have as many as 200 cars. Food will be available ($).
Haunted Halloween: October 26-27
This is the last weekend to camp for 2012, Oct is a great time for one more trip before Winter, see you next year!
