Independence Dam State Park Campground, near Defiance, Ohio, is a solid choice for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors along the scenic Maumee River. The campground is lined with trees, providing plenty of shade, and features a paved path that’s perfect for walking or biking.

You’ll find a mix of tent and RV sites, though keep in mind that there are no hookups available. Visitors have noted that the vault toilets are impressively clean, which is always a plus when camping. Some campers have mentioned that certain sites, like 13 and 15, offer direct access to the river, making them ideal for those who want to dip their toes in or launch a kayak.

If you’re into fishing or just want to relax by the water, this spot has you covered. The park is also a great base for exploring the surrounding area, with well-maintained picnic spots and a peaceful atmosphere. Just be aware that the nearby road can bring some noise, especially on busy weekends. Whether you’re planning a quick overnight or a longer stay, Independence Dam State Park Campground has a lot to offer for a laid-back camping experience.

Independence Dam State Park Campground

Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Defiance, OH has a lot to offer. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Ohio camping has to offer. Discover great camping spots near Defiance, reviewed by campers like you.

Defiance

The Best Camping Near Defiance, Ohio

When researching our trip, I came upon this state park right on the Maumee River and was very surprised to find it had not been previously reviewed. The website indicated the sites were tent only but when I called, I was told we could park and sleep in our campervan. When I tried to make reservations, there was a two-night minimum on the weekends and we were just passing through so I decided to see if we might be able to snag one night if there were sites available. 

  

There is a two-mile road to the campsites once you enter the park and along the way, we passed many pull-out day-use picnic areas on nicely manicured grounds. Once we reached the campsites, there seemed to be less attention paid to the area. Turns out that there were only a very few sites that had paved pads that would accommodate our van; the rest were clearly for tents only (but there was no way to tell this from the website). Even though I had seen that about half of the sites were reserved, there was no one there at 4:30 on a Friday. There did not seem to be any staff or rangers on-site and there is self-registration. The rates seemed kind of steep ($19 on weekdays; $20 weekends and $22 on holiday weekends) for sites with no hookups and only porta-potties. We saw some people fishing near the dam and perhaps the campground would be suitable for these folks and/or people boating/kayaking in who portage down the river (there is a marina) but it just did not feel like a place we wanted to camp.

Not feeling the love

This park is great for the right kind of trips, we visit here often in the summer to enjoy the river, kayak , and relax. Most sites are on a small elevated bank on maumee river, (you can walk down the path but not put a kayak in)

There are no hookups, only vault toilets, no staff only very nice camp hosts ( there are next to site 11 ). 

Sites 1-6 are misleading on the site, they are not on the river bend, there is a gravel trail/road between them and the river bank. its not a huge deal for access but annoying if your expecting direct access. 

Sites 9 and 10 were not bookable in 2020 an hopefully remain that way, they are basically in front on the camp host site, so the camp host is between you and the river. 

Sites 11-15 are the best in my opinion 

Site 13 has direct access to the river on a small walking path.

Site 15 is our favorite, it has the most room and still has a small path down to the river.

Hidden gem for the right people 

River campinging

I spent one night here with my two dogs on Memorial Day weekend and I was much more impressed with this location than I thought I was going to be.

  

The park itself is very narrow and long, and stretches down the Maumee River bank.  It's very green with lots of trees and shade cover.  The paved path that goes along the camping sites is very nice and makes for a great walk or bike ride.  

  

We stayed in campsite 16 which has its pros and cons.  Most of the campsites in this area have one site that is closer to the river and then a site "behind" it, with little roads/walkways on each side.  The pro of 16 is the fact that they don't rent out the space in front of it, at least when I booked it, so there is no one between you and the river.  The down side of 16 is it is situated right next to the toilets, so you get a lot of foot traffic from others using the bathroom and the constant slamming of the toilet door gets a bit annoying.

  

However, speaking of toilets, these were the cleanest port a potties I have ever used.  I was quite impressed with the bathrooms, for what they were.

  

There is no direct access to the river in most areas, but there is an opening near the middle of the campsite which allows access, along with access for kayaks, which is pretty cool.  I would have liked more access to the river along different locations, but I understand the steepness of the hill down to the river and it's not really possible.

  

The one big drawback in my opinion and why I gave this 4 stars and not 5, is the fact that the two lane traffic road is within 50-100 yards of the campsite, so the sound of vehicle traffic is quite frequent, especially since this road appears to be a favorite of motorcyclists. 

  

I will be returning and I'd like to stay in another location towards the end of the site, and on a less busy weekend.  Overall this is a nice location.

Photos of Independence Dam State Park Campground

Real photos from real campers