Camp, or Glamp, this outdoor season at one of the best camping resorts in the country. Clay’s Resort Jellystone Park Camp Resort won the Pinnacle Award from Camp Jellystone and Mega Park of the Year from OHI Outdoor Hospitality Industry. Southwest of Akron, Ohio, Clay’s Resort in North Lawrence boasts over 500 acres dedicated to fun with your family, your friends or your furry pals. It offers tons of activities for all, like two large lakes, and aquascape and seasonal activities.
What I Loved at Clay’s Resort Jellystone Park Camp Resort in Ohio
The Swimming Lake & Pools
The Resort Layout and Shady Sites
Activities for All Ages
What I Wanted at Clay’s Resort Jellystone Park Camp Resort in Ohio
Better Tasting Water (Bring Drinking Water)
Better Signage to Get to the Park
Top Things to Do in Indiana Dunes National Park
My Whippoorwill Cabin at Clay’s Resort Jellystone Park Camp Resort in Ohio
My Whippoorwill Cabin offers a home-away-from-home feel with zoned spaces at Clay’s Resort. Guests will find a separate bedroom outfitted with a queen-sized bed, two reach-in closets and drawers. This room is outfitted with a separate wall-mounted air conditioning unit and ceiling fan.
Outside of the bedroom, a pair of twin-sized bunks is perfect for the kids. Across from the bunk beds, the efficient bathroom offers a tub with a showerhead. The sink features a medicine cabinet.
The outfitted kitchen provides pots, pans and utensils for cooking both inside and out. Guests will find dishes, glasses, mugs and silverware for eight.
There’s a gas range with an oven, plus a microwave above. The refrigerator is full-size and includes a freezer. Worth noting, there is no dishwasher in this unit. However, it is outfitted with a drying rack and a small dish soap.
The Whippoorwill Cabin offers ample counter space. There are two barstools on the breakfast bar. The living space includes a futon, a wall-mounted TV and a ceiling fan.
This unit offers a sleeping loft. There are two sleeping mats; however, an air mattress would fit nicely in the space. As this space is located near the unit’s ceiling, it is warmer than the rest of the cabin.
Outside the Cabin
During my stay, I opted to grill outside. It is summer, and that means less clean-up and more fun.
Outside, guests will find a large concrete patio, outfitted with a round picnic table with an umbrella. There is plenty of space for camping chairs or an extra table. Guests can cook outside at the standing charcoal grill or the fire pit, outfitted with a grate.
Most sites are tree-shaded. The cabin area is located on a loop and includes a playscape for the kids. There are comfort stations scattered throughout the park.
Reserve a Golf Cart
Clay’s Resort is 500 acres and the cabins and campsites are a ways from the activities. You can haul your bikes for the trip and ride around. There’s a 5 mph speed limit and the car traffic is limited.
During our stay, we used a 4-person golf cart. It is an add-on and available in 4-person and 6-person options. Must be 21+ to rent and 18+ to drive. Each cabin includes parking for two vehicles.
Top Things to Do in Indianapolis
Pools and Lakes at Clay’s Resort Jellystone Park Camp Resort
Clay’s Resort features a 7,500-square-foot aquascape with twisting water slides, a water tower with a hydrostorm, water cannons, bridges and lots of ankle-deep water for splashing. Next to the kids’ area, you’ll find a 4,500-square-foot swimming pool, perfect for floating or a game of Marco Polo.
Adults can escape to the large whirlpool, which offers seating around its edge. It is next to the swimming pool, so parents can keep their kids in sight. There are plenty of loungers throughout the pool complex. For those who desire additional space, reserve a furnished cabana.
For the youngest guests and the young at heart, the Splash Zone features several misting elements, located outside of the pool complex. Lifeguards guard the water attractions at Clay’s Resort.
Swimming Lake
The 10-acre Swimming Lake is a focal point at Clay’s Resort. There, guests will find Wibit Challenge Course Inflatables for both climbing and sliding on the lake. The swimming lake features a 150-foot Wet Willie dual water slide, allowing guests to race each other from the multi-level platform.
For the athletic, there’s a ring swing course over the water. If traveling with a group, then head over to the Water Volleyball Course. The swimming lake is roped off into sections that includes a Kids Zone is kid-sized floating obstacles, close to the shore.
In another corner of the lake, guests can take out a single kayak, a tandem kayak or a SUP. The lake requires all participants to wear lifejackets. Guests are welcome to borrow a loaner jacket or bring their own.
From primitive tent sites to equipped cabins to season-long sites, Clay’s Resort offers a variety of options for those who love spending time in the outdoors with their people or pets. There are dedicated sites and cabins for pets. The dog park includes two fenced areas.
The swimming pool and lake closes for the season on September 1.
Land Activities at Clay’s Resort Jellystone Park Camp Resort
Land activities include a beautifully landscaped 18-hole mini golf course. Closeby, there are sports courts, like basketball, tennis and pickleball courts. Gem mining, an arcade and a Stuff-the-Bear station are available. Sand volleyball, gaga ball and a separate fishing lake are also options.
There are several outdoor entertainment areas, including an outdoor movie theater and a live music stage with bands scheduled throughout the season. Guests can hop a ride on a hayride or do a scavenger hunt during their stay. There are also arts and crafts scheduled at the Recreation Building.
Seasonal Events at Clay’s Resort
Clay’s Resort hosts seasonal events. From Easter-themed weeks to summer holiday festivals to Halloween celebrations, plan a getaway in Spring or Fall.
One of its most popular times to visit is fall. As soon as the Labor Day Holiday closes, the park changes gears.
First up is the Yankee Peddler Weekends. On September weekends, craftspeople set up tents selling their wares in a wooded 75-acre area of the resort. Visitors will find Colonial food too.
Next up is a Fall Weekend with pumpkin decorating and visiting animals. The first week of October is S’mores Weekend, including a S’mores Cook Off.
For the resort of the season, Clay’s Resort is Halloween Central. There are costume contests and site decorating contests. Visitors will find a golf cart parade and hay rides. Also find a Magic Pumpkin Experience (add-on) and trick-or-treating. In total, there are over 15 activities every weekend.
Clay’s Resort closes for the season in November.
Types of Cabins and Campsites at Clay’s
There is a host of lodging and camping options at Clay’s Resort, like cabins, cottages and glamping tents. There are separate units that are pet-friendly, and others are ADA-compliant. Some cabins are lakeside as well.
RVers will find pull-through sites with all hook-ups and a lakeside view. Some of the sites are paved, others are gravel. All RV sites include a picnic table and a fire pit.
There are basic camping sites without hookups in a quiet area of the park. These sites don’t offer a fire pit or picnic table either.
Located at 12951 Patterson St NW, North Lawrence. Open seasonally from mid-April to mid-November. Reservations are recommended for peak times, like summer and weekends.
Disclosure: Consideration for brands mentioned. Clay’s Resort hosted the writer.
Comments are closed.