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Centralized Reservation System
frequently asked questions
How do I make a reservation at Ohio State Parks?
From the web site click on any Make a reservation button. Locate the type of lodging and park you prefer and follow the instructions.
From any individual park site, click on the appropriate reservation button (Reserve a campsite, Reserve a getaway, Reserve a cottage, or Reserve a lodge).
Or call toll-free 1-866-OHIOPARKS (1-866-644-6727) to make a reservation for camping, getaway rentals (Rent-A-Camp, Rent-A-RV, yurts, tepees, camper cabins, and cedar cabins), and cottages at Buck Creek, Cowan Lake, Dillon, Hocking Hills, Lake Hope, Mohican, Pike Lake, and Pymatuning state parks. Hearing impaired customers can call 1-866-677-2267 for assistance.
To make reservations for resort Lodges Burr Oak, Hueston Woods, Maumee Bay, Mohican, Punderson, Salt Fork, and Shawnee and also for cottage stays at Burr Oak, Hueston Woods, Maumee Bay, Punderson, Salt Fork, and Shawnee state parks, call 1-800-AT-A-PARK (1-800-282-7275).
For reservations at the resort lodge and cottages at Deer Creek State Park, call 1-877-678-DEER (1-877-678-3337).
For reservations at the resort lodge at Geneva State Park, call 1-800-801-9982.
Can I make a reservation anytime?
Beginning December 15, 2003, reservations can be made online at any time, 24 hours seven days a week. The call center at 1-866-OHIOPARKS (1-866-644-6727) will be available from 7:00 AM until 8:00 PM EST 7 days a week.
What are the earliest and latest dates that I can make a reservation to stay overnight at an Ohio State Park?
Reservations for camping and getaway rentals will be available starting December 15, 2003. Reservations for camping and getaway rentals can be made on the day of arrival, or up to six months in advance of the date of arrival. (e.g., January 4 would be the first day a reservation could be made for a July 4, 5, 6, stay). At some parks, with limited staff, reservations will not be taken on the same day as arrival.
Reservations for cottages at Buck Creek, Cowan Lake, Dillon, Hocking Hills, Lake Hope, Mohican, Pike Lake and Pymatuning will be available in February 2004, and can be made from 12 months up to one day in advance of the date of arrival.
How much will it cost to make a reservation?
There is a non-refundable $8.00 reservation fee for each reservation. No discounts apply to the reservation fee. Each campsite, getaway rental, or cottage rented will be considered a separate reservation.
What is the cancellation policy?
Canceling any portion of the reservation will cause the entire reservation to be cancelled. The campsite, getaway rental, or cottage will not be open for a new reservation transaction until the beginning of the next business day.
Campsite and getaway rental reservations that are cancelled more than 30 days before the date of arrival will lose the $8.00 reservation fee, but will be refunded the full deposit. Reservations cancelled from 30 days up to four (4) days before arrival will lose the $8.00 reservation fee and will forfeit $10.00 from the first night stay. Reservations cancelled three (3) days or less before the date of arrival will lose the $8.00 reservation fee, and the amount equivalent to the first night stay.
Cottage reservations cancelled more than 14 days before arrival will lose the $8.00 reservation fee, but will be refunded the full deposit. Reservations for cottages cancelled 14 days or less from the arrival date will lose the $8.00 reservation fee and the first night deposit.
How much is the deposit to reserve a campsite, getaway rental, or cottage?
Campsite and getaway rental reservations will require a deposit in the full amount of the length of the reservation stay.
Cottage reservations will require a deposit in the amount equivalent to the first night stay.
How many campsites, getaway rentals, or cottages can I reserve for one stay?
Up to five campsites or cottages can be reserved per reservation per stay. However, each site must have a different person as the registered occupant. One person can pay for all of the sites. For each campsite, getaway rental, or cottage rented a separate $8.00 reservation fee will be charged.
For large groups such as camping clubs, requiring more than 5 campsites, contact the local park for special arrangements. Parks are to contact the reservation manager in Columbus to coordinate large group reservations.
What is a Getaway Rental?
Getaway rentals are the other types of overnight facilities that are usually, but not always, part of the campground, including Rent-A-Camp, Rent-A-RV, yurts, tepees, camper cabins, cedar cabins, and cabents.
Can I select the specific campsite or cottage I want?
YES - Reservations for campsites and getaway rentals at most state parks made for the summer season will be for a specific campsite or getaway rental, and will be selected at the time of reservation. (Site Specific) During the off-season, campers will be reserving a vacant campsite, not a specific campsite. The site will be assigned upon check-in at the park. (Site General)
Reservations for cottages will be for a specific cottage year round.
Can I change a reservation?
Only specific elements of a reservation can be changed. Changes to a reservation can be made for the following,
- Change the name of the registered guest
- Add a discount that was not given at the time of the reservation
- Change the specific campsite or cottage location, or change the dates of the reservation as long as the dates of the original reservation do not include any of the dates of the original reservation.
Changes to the length of stay of any reservation will be considered a cancellation, and a new reservation must be made. This does not apply to guests who are already at the park and want to extend their stay.
What happens to the call ahead registration program that is in place now?
The call ahead registration system that has been in place for the past few years will no longer be used. The individual state parks will not be accepting phone-in reservations; you must call 1-866-OHIOPARKS.
Do I have to make a reservation to stay overnight at an Ohio State Park?
NO Reservation are not required for camping. All state parks will hold between 10% and 15% of campsites for local sales only. These sites cannot be reserved. Campers arriving at a park without a reservation can select from any of the local sale sites not already rented, or from any of the reservable sites as long as no reservation has been made for that site.
Walk-in campers will NOT be charged the $8.00 reservation fee regardless of what campsite they occupy.
Parks also will accept walk-in registrations for getaway rentals if they are available. However, it is highly recommended that a reservation for the getaway rentals be made due to their popularity.
Most cottage stays will require a reservation. Some parks may have a limited number of cottages available for walk-in usage, especially in the off season months, but there is no guarantee one will be available. Cottages can be reserved from one year in advance of the day of arrival, or up to one day prior to the date of arrival.
Can I extend my stay if I am already occupying a campsite, getaway rental, or cottage?
YES However, there is no guarantee that the campsite, getaway rental, or cottage will be available for an extension of stay. Since a particular campsite, getaway rental, or cottage can be reserved, it may have already been reserved for the dates you are requesting. Guests should check with the registration office as early as possible if they are considering an extension of stay. Guests are also encouraged to pay for their entire stay at the time of registration. Once a campsite, getaway rental, or cottage has been paid for, no one else can reserve it.
Do I have to make a reservation for group areas or horse camps?
Reservations for group areas or horse camps at Malabar Farm, Barkcamp, and East Fork state parks can be made by calling 1-866-OHIOPARKS (1-866-644-6727).
Reservations for group areas or horse camps at all other state parks must be made by calling the individual park.
Can I call 1-866-OHIOPARKS to reserve shelter houses, boat docks or designated group camping areas?
NO - Shelter houses, overnight boat docks, designated group areas, and all park operated day use rentals can be reserved by contacting each individual park.
Is there a minimum stay required to make a reservation?
YES - Minimum stay requirements vary by park and type of accommodation. That information will be displayed when you are making the reservation. In most cases a 2 night minimum stay is required when making a reservation for weekends.
How many people are allowed on each campsite?
A maximum of six people are allowed per campsite. Exceptions can be made for families with more than 4 children.
Can I use my Golden Buckeye card to make a reservation?
YES - Golden Buckeye cardholders can use either the call center or the Internet to make a reservation. The discount can be used for only one campsite, getaway rental unit, or cottage per reservation. The discount will be given when the reservation is made, however you will be required to show the card upon check-in at the park. The guest occupying the campsite, getaway rental, or cottage must be the same person as appears on the card.
The discount does not apply to the reservation fee.
Golden Buckeye cardholders are eligible for a discount of 50% off the regular campsite fee Sunday through Thursday and 10% off on Friday and Saturday, or 10% off getaway rentals and cottage rates any day of the week.
Will I still be able to use my Cardinal Camper Club card?
YES - Cardinal Camper Club card can be used for campsites. Cardholders are eligible for a 15% discount from April 1 through October 31, and 20% from November 1 through March 31. The discount can be used for one campsite per reservation. The discount is given when the reservation is made, however you will be required to show the card upon check-in at the park. The guest occupying the campsite must be the same person as appears on the card. The discount does not apply to the reservation fee.
Will I still be able to use my Passport America card?
YES - Passport America cardholders are eligible for 50% off the regular campsite fees Sunday through Wednesday at participating state parks. Participating state parks are Alum Creek, Barkcamp, Buck Creek, Cowan Lake, Delaware, Dillon, East Fork, Grand Lake St. Mary’s, Hueston Woods, Punderson and Stonelick. The discount can be used for one campsite per reservation.
Passport America cardholders are also eligible for a 10% discount off the regular cottage fee Sunday through Thursday at Buck Creek, Cowan Lake, and Dillon state parks.
The discount is given when the reservation is made, however you will be required to show the card upon check-in at the park. The guest occupying the campsite, getaway rental, or cottage must be the same person as appears on the card.
The discount does not apply to the reservation fee.
What credit cards are accepted?
Reservations can be made using Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express credit cards, and debit and check cards with the Visa or MasterCard logo. ATM cards will not be accepted.
Can I use a check to make a reservation?
YES - To pay for a reservation with a check, the reservation must be made at least 28 days in advance of the day of arrival, and the check must be received by the reservation company within 10 days of placing the reservation. Reservations being paid for by check must be made by contacting the reservation call center at 1-866-OHIOPARKS (1-866-644-6727). Checks are not accepted for reservations made through the web site.
What are the check-in and check-out times for overnight stays?
Check-in time for a campsite is 3:00 pm or later, and check-out time is 1:00 pm or earlier.
Check-in time for cottages and getaway rentals is 4:00 pm, and check-out time is 11:00 am or earlier.
Are all Ohio State Park campgrounds using the reservation system?
55 of the 56 Ohio State Park campgrounds will use the reservation system. West Branch state park is undergoing extensive upgrades in 2004 and will not be included in the reservation system until the upgrades are completed. The campground will remain open for campers on a limited basis until the project is completed.
Can you tell me about the Ohio State Parks Gift Card and how they differ from the gift certificates that I have purchased in previous years?
The Ohio State Parks will soon be introducing a new gift card program for our guests. This gift card will be used by park staff as an alternative to rain checks and some forms of refunds. Parks will also sell them as a replacement for the gift certificate that are currently being sold.
The gift card can be used to make reservations for any of the 56 Ohio State Parks campgrounds, getaway rentals, and cottages at Buck Creek, Cowan Lake, Dillon, Hocking Hills, Lake Hope, Mohican, Pike Lake, and Pymatuning. They can also be used at any state operated retail facility.
The new gift cards can only be used at facilities that are operated by Ohio State Park staff. They cannot be used at any of the concessioned Ohio State Park lodges, concessiond cottages, or other concessioned retail locations.
Will I be able to use my old gift certificate?
YES - Guests who are in possession of any previously purchased paper gift certificates will be able to use them at all Ohio State Park locations.
Owners of the paper gift certificates will not be able to make a reservation for any state operated cottage, campsite, or getaway rental under the new reservation system. However, they can take the paper gift certificate to any of the local parks where it can be converted into one of the new gift cards, which can then be used to make reservations.
Can I purchase gift certificates that can be redeemed at the Ohio State Park Lodges?
YES - Individuals wishing to purchase gift certificates for any of the Ohio State Park lodges or any of the concessioned operated cottages, or concessioned operated retail locations can contact the specific lodge or concessioned retail location for details on the purchase of a gift certificate.
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