3 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Tent camping near Portland, Indiana provides minimal options with just a few established sites within reasonable driving distance. St. Mary's Section of the Buckeye Trail in Ohio offers primitive tent camping at an Adirondack shelter between Points 6 and 7, approximately 30 miles east of Portland. River Camp Fort Wayne, located about 50 miles north in Indiana, provides another basic tent camping location with walk-in access but limited amenities.
Walk-in tent sites at these locations require campers to pack all necessary supplies. The Buckeye Trail shelter accommodates up to six people sleeping off the ground and includes a stone fireplace for cooking and warmth. No drinking water is available at either location, making water filtration or carrying capacity essential. The St. Mary's Section allows fires with deadfall wood available near the shelter, while River Camp Fort Wayne prohibits fires. Neither location offers toilets, trash disposal, or other amenities typically found at developed campgrounds.
The Buckeye Trail shelter serves as a strategic overnight point for backpackers. One camper noted that "it is large enough for six to sleep comfortably off the ground" and positioned "approximately 10 miles in and the right place to break a two-day backpacking trip." The shelter's location makes it particularly useful for those learning to backpack without carrying tent weight. For tent campers seeking additional options, looking beyond the immediate Portland area may be necessary, as the region has limited designated primitive tent campsites. Reviews suggest that while basic, these sites provide functional stopping points for hikers and backpackers traversing longer routes, with the Buckeye Trail shelter offering particular value to those on multi-day treks through western Ohio.
TravelerIt’s a nice park for kids. Has a nice swimming pool. Easy trails. Nice playground. $5 firewood bundles. Mostly a weekender park. It is right next to a small craft airfield do it can get noisy at times and there is little wind protection.
TravelerSpecious sites a bit on the awkward side regarding lay-out. The vehicle separated the tent from the picnic table and fire ring. Less than ideal. I’m told that they’ve planted additional trees. They are relatively non existent at this point. Hence, a lack of privacy . Combined with awkward site layout we seemed to be right on top of our neighbors. No place to hang hammocks, tree swings or clothesline. Just sort of a open Praire. We were visiting by staff shortly after getting settled and told to put my highly trained border-jack on a leash even though she was at the time laying on my bed inside the tent which was zipped closed. The restrooms are kept up twice per day and are extremely clean and well cared for. The fishing was great! Lots of areas to explore even just to fish off shore or bridge. Everything was a good distended away from the campground so unfortunately my grandson could not bike alone to the lake to fish.
GuideThis KOA was everything you expect with a KOA. Filled with happy travelers and workers who want to help you out in any way they can. The town Richmond is very under rated, offering up all kinds of shops, craft beer, and coffee shops. There is also a large amish store nearby that has all kinds of items. The actual campground has great facilities and lots of activities to do for kids all while keeping a safe distance to their sites.
ScoutWe love camping out here. It’s our favorite place to be in Huntington. It’s super cheap, the sites are well taken care of, plenty of play spots for kids, electric and primitive, the sites come with picnic tables and fire rings with cooktops, some of the spots are out in the open and others are inset back into the trees. Some spots have wonderful views of the lake too! Our only issue is that because there is no one constantly there like a normal campsite, there are people who take the best view spots are stay for weeks on end knowing you can only stay, I think 14days, before moving to a new spot. Went there this past weekend and the people across from us were also BLARING music so loud you could feel the bass in your chest. We kindly asked if they could lower it, not turn it off, just lower it and the man was so kind and did it, however the woman threw a fit and turned the music back up. We ended up moving sites even tho we paid for that specific one and already were set up. There is no number to call so you just have to deal. But it’s totally worth it for the price and the sites. People just need to learn camping rules and take other people into consideration. 🤷🏼♀️
TravelerI return to Salamonie River State Forest year after year because it truly feels like Northeast Indiana’s best-kept secret. This 21‑site primitive campground offers peaceful seclusion, 4 pit toilets, and two water sources—including a spring‑fed spigot with crisp, cold, delicious drinking water. I’ve stayed at several sites, with Site 18 and Site 20 as favorites. Tent‑friendly, small camper-friendly, pet‑friendly, and just $15/night, it sits beside horse trails, hiking routes, and great fishing. A small campground with big shine—highly recommended.
LegendWe love camping in the off season but with that comes closures. Some sections of the campgrounds might not be open, no camp hosts and limited bathrooms and showers houses. This is to be expected, but when I called the morning of our trip to make sure potable water was available and I was told yes it was only to drive 2 hours and realized they were wrong. No water 🙁. This would not have been a peas we have dry camped before but all the bathrooms were closed as well.
After called the park ranger he did let us get some water at the maintenance building so we were at least able to finish the weekend. Lesson learned always pull with at least some water.
Now back to the campground itself was nice and clean. Site are a little close together. The biggest down side is you are there to enjoy the lake but the lake had algae warnings everywhere not to go near the water.
They do have a dog park, pool and splash pad when in season and a marina. Also they have WiFi and good cell coverage.
ScoutStayed 2 nights here. Had a back-in, water/electric spot that was roomy as we were on an end. Wood deck, picnic table, and fire ring included. Very well kept grounds, friendly staff, and all-around good atmosphere.
RangerThis is a nice park for those who want to camp/hike/fish and not travel too far from home. It's a relatively quiet campground with lots of different sites available, some of which are right on the water. All sites have a picnic table and fire ring. Sorry, I don't have any pictures :(
GuideMounds is a lovely state park, and the campground is nice, but certainly not one of my favorites. I would return for a weekend excursion, but probably not for an extended stay. Campground was a bit loud due to proximity to the airport. We came right after a big rain and a lot of the sites were flooded out. There was also a raccoon bothering us most of the night. He was really bold! We named him Harold. We also stayed during the off-season, so I can’t attest to the restrooms. Pit toilets were fine as far as pit toilets go. And the sites were wide and open with good fire rings and cooking grates. There was a few options to connect up to a trail, and the park is small enough we were able to see most of it in a day. Would definitely recommend coming here if you prefer RV camping, or just want to get away for a weekend, but I’m a bigger fan of primitive sites more tucked away. All of Mounds sites are electric.
Tent camping options near Portland, Indiana remain limited due to the rural character of east central Indiana. The area sits within the flat agricultural lands of Jay County at approximately 900 feet elevation. Most primitive camping opportunities require traveling 30-50 miles from Portland, with sites concentrated along river corridors and trail systems that cross the Indiana-Ohio border region.
Backpacking practice: St. Mary's Section - Buckeye Trail offers an ideal training ground for novice backpackers. The Adirondack shelter was "built as an Eagle Scout project by Parker and Keaton Cole of Troop 95 (in Sidney)" and provides a strategic stopping point for those learning multi-day hiking without tent weight.
River activities: Paddlers can access River Camp Fort Wayne for overnight stays during river journeys. Though basic in amenities, the location provides strategic access for water-based recreation. One visitor noted the camp "looks like a very nice campground" though they hadn't personally stayed yet.
Wildlife observation: The rural setting around primitive campsites offers opportunities for spotting native Indiana wildlife including white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and numerous bird species. Morning hours typically provide the best viewing conditions when animals are most active.
Shelter convenience: Backpackers appreciate the practical design of the Buckeye Trail shelter. One camper noted the fireplace is "stone, make sure you check that the chimney is not blocked" but is "large enough to cook your hotdogs and keep you happy as you sit in the shelter."
Resource availability: The natural surroundings at St. Mary's Section provide practical resources. Campers mention "there is deadfall from the trees around you that will serve as kindling and fuel for the fire," eliminating the need to carry cooking fuel for overnight stays.
Strategic location: The positioning of primitive sites serves long-distance travelers well. For backpackers starting "in Lockington or Fort Loramie, this shelter is approximately 10 miles in," creating logical breaking points for multi-day journeys through the region.
Camping preparation: The best tent camping near Portland, Indiana requires self-sufficiency. Both available primitive sites lack facilities, so campers must pack in all supplies including drinking water, food, cooking equipment, and waste disposal bags.
Weather considerations: The flat terrain of eastern Indiana and western Ohio offers limited natural shelter from storms. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F while spring and fall can see overnight temperatures drop into the 40s, requiring appropriate clothing and sleeping gear.
Reservation requirements: While the Buckeye Trail shelter operates on first-come availability, River Camp Fort Wayne implements a reservation system despite its primitive nature. Check current policies before planning overnight stays as rules may change seasonally.
Distance management: When planning primitive camping with children near Portland, consider the hiking distances required. The Buckeye Trail shelter requires substantial walking, making it better suited for families with older children experienced in hiking.
Safety education: Use these primitive camping locations as teaching opportunities about outdoor safety. The lack of facilities creates natural lessons about water conservation, fire safety, and leave-no-trace principles that build young campers' outdoor skills.
Alternative options: Families seeking more amenities might consider established campgrounds slightly further from Portland. The primitive nature of immediate camping options means families with young children may prefer driving an additional 20-30 miles for sites with bathrooms and water access.
Site limitations: Traditional RV camping near Portland requires traveling to established campgrounds as the primitive sites discussed are exclusively for tent camping with no vehicle access. The region's camping options focus primarily on backpacking and primitive tent use rather than vehicle-based camping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Portland, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Portland, IN is St. Mary's Section - Buckeye Trail (Points 6-7) with a 4-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Portland, IN?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 tent camping locations near Portland, IN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
