Openings · last 7 days
0
01 · Detected Opening History · the openings record · file CS-233897
When Alum Creek Below Dam Area reopens
Alum Creek Below Dam Area's openings record: every site-date Campsite Sniper detected turning available, logged and time-stamped. Refreshed hourly.
Openings · last 30 days
6
Openings · last 90 days
9
Only 9 openings in the last 90 days: not enough recent activity for a reliable pattern. A free Campsite Sniper alert watches around the clock instead, and pings you the moment one opens.
02 · Availability Outlook · Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027 · of 4 monitored sites
Of the 732 tracked reservation dates (Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027): 26 open for online reservation · 14 reserved · 692 on sites not offered for online reservation (first-come, first-served or administrative).
Where the open windows are
96.4% of tracked reservation dates are not currently open for online reservation. 26 of 732 remain open; here is where they are.
Load status
Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027Not open online96.4%
Open reservation dates26 / 732
Reserved (of online inventory)14 / 40
Weekday openings15
Weekend openings11
Of the open reservation dates on mapped day-use units, 15 fall on weekdays and 11 on weekends (Fri–Sun).
Open dates by month
Sep 2026 – Mar 2027October shows no online availability. 0 of 124 tracked reservation dates are open there — 124 on sites not offered online.
Holiday windows — day use
Units open per date · of 4 shelters| Window | Date | Units open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day | SAT Sep 5 | 0 | None open |
| SUN Sep 6 | 0 | None open | |
| MON Sep 7 | 0 | None open | |
| Thanksgiving | THU Nov 26 | 0 | None open |
| FRI Nov 27 | 0 | None open | |
| SAT Nov 28 | 0 | None open | |
| Christmas | THU Dec 24 | 0 | None open |
| FRI Dec 25 | 0 | None open | |
| New Year | THU Dec 31 | 0 | None open |
| FRI Jan 1 | 0 | None open |
Labor Day: no online availability on any tracked date. Thanksgiving: no online availability on any tracked date. Christmas: no online availability on any tracked date. New Year: no online availability on any tracked date.
Availability by shelter
Most open reservation dates · tracked window| Shelter | Open reservation dates |
|---|---|
| Alum Creek Cricket Field | 8 |
| BUCKEYE SHELTER | 7 |
| Maple Shelter (#1) | 7 |
| Oak Shelter (#2) | 4 |
The 4 shelters with the most open reservation dates in the current snapshot. Pair a bookable date with a free alert to cover everything else.
Next windows
As of Sep 18, 2026 snapshotNext open dateFri · Sep 18
Next open weekendFri · Sep 18
October0 of 124 · not offered online
The next bookable date is Sep 18; the first open weekend starts Sep 18. Campsite Sniper can watch later dates for you.
Reservation dates
26 available reservation dates across 4 shelters at Alum Creek Below Dam Area, from the same hourly snapshot as everything above.
All 4 shelters with current availability
| Shelter | Open reservation dates | Consecutive dates | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alum Creek Cricket Field | 8 | 7 dates | Sep 19, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27 |
| BUCKEYE SHELTER | 7 | 5 dates | Sep 18, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 27 |
| Maple Shelter (#1) | 7 | 5 dates | Sep 18, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 27 |
| Oak Shelter (#2) | 4 | 4 dates | Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25 |
About Alum Creek Below Dam Area
Overview
Alum Creek Lake is located in Delaware County, Ohio, just minutes north of Columbus. The lake provides an ideal location for boating, fishing, camping, hiking and hunting. A special events permit must be obtained if the shelter is used for commercial purposes, large groups that need more than 1 shelter, or if open areas around the shelter will be utilized. Contact the Corps Office at 740-548-6151 for more information.
Recreation
Alum Creek Lake is known as one the best fishing lakes in the state. A wide variety of fish including white, rock, small and largemouth bass, bluegill, white and black crappie, sunfish, channel catfish, muskie and saugeye thrive in the lake.
This spacious day-use area is also a popular spot for water sports and swimming. A boat ramp, large swimming beach and marina are all located nearby.
Facilities
Alum Creek offers three group day-use picnic shelters in the Below Dam Area. Each shelter is accessible, can accommodate up to 100 guests and offers electric hookups. Drinking water, tables and grills are provided. Flush toilets and playgrounds are on-site and the area has great access to fishing. Individual sites with picnic tables and grills are scattered around the shelters and are available on a first come, first serve basis. At the Visitor Center you will find interactive exhibits, programs, and a 48 seat theater to ensure that there is something for every member of the family. The visitor center is located 1 mile East of the Below Dam Recreation Area and Picnic Shelters! A friendly staff, maps and brochures are available to assist you at the Visitor Center.
Natural Features
The lake is situated among gently rolling hills, where open meadows and wooded areas cover the shoreline. A variety of songbirds and waterfowl can be found in the area.
Nearby Attractions
Alum Creek State Park is adjacent, boasting a 3000-foot swimming beach, a marina with a variety of boat rentals and a large campground. Hiking, mountain biking and horseback trails meander through the park.
Other attractions near the lake include the Columbus Zoo, the Center of Science and Industry and the Olentangy Indian Caverns.
4 monitored sheltersDay usePets OKMax party 100
Getting there
From Columbus, Ohio, take I-71 north to exit 121 for Polaris. Turn right on Polaris Parkway, left on Worthington Road, left on Africa Road, then left on Lewis Center Road. Shelters are in the Below Dam Area.
5905 Lewis Center Road, Lewis Center, OH 43035-9215740-548-6151
BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHorseback RidingHuntingInterpretive Programs
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
03 · Field Photos · roll CS-233897 · facility + sites
Photo gallery
Roll CS-233897 · Alum Creek Below Dam Area · Lewis Center OH12 frames · facility + sites
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Alum Creek Below Dam Area?
Reservations for Alum Creek Below Dam Area are made through Recreation.gov. 96.4% of tracked reservation dates are not currently open for online reservation; 26 of 732 remain open. Campsite Sniper has also detected 9 site openings here in the last 90 days, so further dates may appear. Pick the shelter on the map to see its reservation calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this facility for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Sep 18, 2026 16:19 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
How often do new openings appear at Alum Creek Below Dam Area?
Campsite Sniper detected 9 site-date openings here over the last 90 days, none in the last 7. A free alert watches around the clock and pings you the moment one appears.
Which month has the most availability at Alum Creek Below Dam Area?
September 2026, with 26 open reservation dates in the current snapshot of 52.
When is the next open date at Alum Creek Below Dam Area?
As of the Sep 18, 2026 snapshot: the next open date is Fri, Sep 18 and the next open weekend starts Fri, Sep 18. Detected openings can add earlier dates at any time; a free Campsite Sniper alert catches those the moment they appear.
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Pick dates
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Watch
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Get the ping
When a selected date becomes available, you get a push with a Recreation.gov link so you can review and book it yourself.