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Ohio State Fair RV Park Camping

RV Park Pre-Fair Camping (July 14 and earlier)

For pre-fair activities occurring at the Ohio State Fair on or before July 14, camping is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are NOT accepted or needed. Camping permits are available at a cost of $60 per day and can be purchased upon arrival at the main entrance gate. If your stay will overlap through July 15 or later, you enter the lottery (see lottery information below). Please note the spot you have reserved for July 15 or later so that you can plan to stay in the same spot, if available, during your stay July 15 and earlier. If you do not receive a lottery spot for stays on or after July 15, you may be required to relocate or remove your camper, as your space may be reserved for another visitor.

2024 Camping Update

As the Ohio Expo Center & State Fair embark on implementing the vision of the Expo 2050 Master Plan, a number of changes will be happening throughout the property. A full review of the Phase 1 changes, which are underway with completion between 2025 and 2026, is available online.

While the camping areas at the Ohio State Fair are not directly impacted by the construction changes, there are indirect impacts that will relocate some camping that has previously occurred on-grounds into the main camp lots, reducing the overall camping by approximately 138 spots in an area with limited utilities, Korbel West.


As a result, exhibitor camping will be limited to the full hookup area of the Korbel North and East camping lots. We are making changes in the process to equitably distribute the available camping spots, as well as offer off-site reservation areas for those who wish to camp rather than stay in hotels overnight. As such, changes that you will see for the 2024 Ohio State Fair season include:

Camping lottery reservation system

In recent years, available camping has sold out in a matter of minutes to those who logged on first and early. In order to allow as many exhibitors and participants as possible access to available camp lots, we will introduce a lottery system. Specific details are forthcoming, but include:
  • Earlier opportunity to enter the lottery – A two-week period from May 6 (9 a.m.) through May 17 (11:55 p.m.) will be available for interested parties to enter the lottery with their needed camping dates, utility needs, and camper size.
  • Online entry process – All lottery entries can be submitted easily online using a simple online form.
  • Timely, Random Selection - After the lottery entry period has concluded and needs have been consolidated, each entry will be assigned a number. A random number generator will be used to select those who will be able to purchase on-site camping. Those individuals will then be able to confirm and pay for their reservations. Those who were not selected will be notified so that alternate arrangements, such as off-site camping, can be made. All those who entered the lottery will be notified of their status beginning May 27 but no later than June 10.

Off-site camping partnerships

Recognizing that on-site camping is most desirable, but that it is limited, the Ohio State Fair has built partnerships with the following sites, including some who will offer an exclusive reservation window for Ohio State Fair exhibitors, marked with an asterisk (*) below. For those offering exclusive registration windows, the reservation period will close at least two weeks after the on-site lottery has concluded and all who entered have been notified, allowing adequate time to select a site and make reservations. Some additional details are forthcoming, but off-site camping partnerships include the below options. Click to each option for more details.

The 2024 Ohio State Fair Camping Lottery closed on May 17. Interested exhibitors can complete the Camping Waitlist form. Lottery entrants who did not receive a camping spot will automatically be added to the waitlist. Addition to the waitlist DOES NOT imply or guarantee a camping spot. The waitlist will solely be utilized to fill canceled reservations, if any cancelations occur.

Join the Waitlist

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Franklin County Fairgrounds*

  • Distance from Ohio Expo Center & State Fair: 16 miles
  • Total number of sites available: 50
  • Dates available: July 23 - Aug. 4, 2024
  • Utilities: Partial hookup (water and electricity; 30 and 50 amp spaces)
  • Cost: $35/day - camper, $25/day — Primitive
  • Limitations:
    • No campers/vehicles longer than 40 ft.
    • No dump stations available
  • How to reserve: Email countyfairfranklin@gmail.com or call 614-876-7235

Delaware State Park

  • Distance from Ohio Expo Center & State Fair: 35 miles
  • Total number of sites available: 92 (Open to the public as well as Ohio State Fair exhibitors)
  • Dates available: July 15 - Aug. 8, 2024
  • Utilities: Electric
  • Cost: Rates vary depending on site type
  • Limitations:
    • Booking windows begin six months prior to the date of arrival
    • Maximum length of stay is 14 days
    • There is a two-night minimum stay if staying Friday or Saturday unless you are within seven days of your desired arrival. Last minute campers can book Friday or Saturday night only, based on availability.
    • Regular Ohio State Park reservation policies and cancellation fees apply. For more information, please visit the Reservation Policies page on the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' website.
    • The campgrounds is open to the public and sites may be reserved by other individuals not affiliated with the Ohio State Fair. It is recommended that individuals reserve spots early.
  • Additional location information: https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/delaware-state-park
  • How to reserve: Book online at reserveohio.com anytime of the day or via the call center at 614-644-6727 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Alum Creek State Park

  • Distance from Ohio Expo Center & State Fair: 19.5 miles
  • Total number of sites available: 242 (Open to the public as well as Ohio State Fair exhibitors)
  • Dates available: July 15 - Aug. 5, 2024
  • Utilities: Primitive to Full Service
  • Cost: Rates vary depending on site type
  • Limitations:
    • Booking windows begin six months prior to the date of arrival.
    • Maximum length of stay is 14 days.
    • There is a two-night minimum stay if staying Friday or Saturday unless you are within seven days of your desired arrival. Last minute campers can book Friday or Saturday night only, based on availability.
    • Regular Ohio State Park reservation policies and cancellation fees apply. For more information, please visit the Reservation Policies page on the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' website.
    • The campgrounds is open to the public and sites may be reserved by other individuals not affiliated with the Ohio State Fair. It is recommended that individuals reserve spots early.
  • Additional location information: https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/alum-creek-state-park
  • How to reserve: Book online at reserveohio.com anytime of the day or via the call center at 614-644-6727 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Cardinal Center Campground*

  • Distance from Ohio Expo Center & State Fair: 29 miles
  • Total number of sites available: 545 sites, 29 cabins
  • Dates available: July 22 - Aug. 4, 2024
  • Utilities: Water, Sewer, and Electric (Premium and Standard) / Water and Electric (Basic)
  • Cost: Basic - $53/night, Standard - $58/night, Premium - $65/night, Cabins - $150 to $160/night + tax
  • Limitations: None
  • Additional location information and campground map: www.thecardinalcenter.com
  • How to reserve: Call the camp office 419-253-0800

Camping maps

Camping maps are available for viewing, however, spots will be assigned by availability through the lottery. If you want to get an advance look at a map of all or our camping locations, including sizes, any obstructions, and amenities, please click here to download/view the map.

Ohio State Fair RV Park Rules & Regulations


Reservation limits/subleasing

Each person may make no more than one (1) site reservation. Reservations are for the individual who placed the reservation and their associated camper/vehicle only for the length of time necessary. “Subleased” spots, in which the individual making the reservation allows a third party to later occupy his or her spot after he or she exits the Ohio State Fair, are strictly prohibited. This means that individuals cannot make a reservation, stay for a portion of the leased time, pull out and then let his or her friend pull in. Violators may be towed and prohibited from booking future camping reservations.

Hours and check-in/check-out

  • Campground is open from July 15 – Aug. 4, 2024.
  • All campers must vacate campground no later than 6 p.m. on Aug. 5, 2024.
  • Check-in time begins at 3 p.m. If RV/camper will be late on arrival, they must notify the camping office at 614-644-4191 no later than 6 p.m. on the day of check-in. Otherwise, the reservation will be forfeited the following day and an automatic one-night charge of $60 will apply. The remaining reservation amount will be refunded to the original form of payment.
  • Check-out time is no later than noon. All campers must exit the campgrounds no later than noon on their scheduled departure date. Check-in and check-out times will be strictly enforced. Guests who do not move their camper by the required check-out time will automatically be assessed a $100 penalty. Violators will be towed. Please see below for information on extended stays.
  • The campgrounds will be patrolled. If a purchased spot is found to be vacant or being leased to another camper fraudulently using another owner’s permit and reservation, both violators may be prohibited from booking future camping reservations.

Cancellations/forfeitures

  • No call, no show results in automatic one-night charge of $60, with remaining reservation amount refunded to the original form of payment.
  • Campers must notify the camping office at 614-644-4191 of reservation cancellation no later than 24 hours prior to the reservation’s scheduled start time in order to receive a full refund.

Prohibited items and activities

  • TENTS ARE PROHIBITED — We are strictly RV-type camping ONLY.
  • Charcoal grilling is permitted.
  • Absolutely NO fire pits/bonfires, etc.
  • Absolutely NO pools or water sprinklers of any kind.
  • NO dumping of gray or black water on the grounds. All violators will be ejected from the premises without a refund.
  • Unmanned aircraft systems (drones) are PROHIBITED in the campground and throughout the fair.
  • The use/possession of Segways/hoverboards is strictly prohibited.
  • You must be a licensed and insured driver to operate any motorized vehicle including golf carts, scooters, gators, 4-wheelers, cars and trucks. Patrons with golf carts/4-wheel devices must adhere to the rules and regulations of the Ohio State Fair including permits, which can only be purchased pre-fair starting in 2023. Violators will answer to the Ohio State Highway Patrol on the premises.
  • No bicycles are permitted to be ridden after 10 a.m. within the grounds of the Ohio State Fair.
  • No skateboards are permitted within the grounds of the Ohio State Fair.
  • Please dispose of trash in the provided receptacles.
  • Please report any unlawful activity!
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