Camping spots near Amherst, Ohio center around Lake Erie's southern shore, with most located within a 30-minute drive radius. The region experiences four distinct seasons with humid summers averaging 80°F and winter temperatures regularly dropping below freezing. Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from May through October, though a few locations offer year-round accommodations.
What to do
Lake activities: Findley State Park Campground offers various water recreation options on its lake. "Took the kayaks out on the lake and had a great time," shares one visitor, while another notes, "Canoes and kayaks are available for renting."
Hiking opportunities: Findley State Park Campground features extensive trail systems for different skill levels. "Findley state park is well maintained large park! We can easily get lost on 3 mile hikes in the woods and still be on marked paths!" reports one camper. The park maintains several miles of marked trails through wooded areas.
Cedar Point access: Lighthouse Point at Cedar Point provides direct access to the famous amusement park. "Walk right into the park or swim park! Literally the best way to stay at Cedar Point!!!" notes one visitor. Another adds, "Camping here allows an hour early into the park," which helps beat crowds during peak season.
Biking: Several campgrounds offer paved roads suitable for cycling. At Findley State Park, "The roads are paved and excellent for biking and skating." The relatively flat terrain throughout the region makes biking a practical transportation option between campsites and nearby attractions.
What campers like
Waterfront options: Riverview RV Park offers premium sites with water views. "The campground has waterfront spots with tree coverage to no tree coverage to close up against one another spot where you can hear your neighbors. It's the you get what you pay for," explains a visitor.
Clean facilities: Cedarlane RV Resort maintains high standards for its amenities. "The pools and bathrooms were clean," mentions one reviewer. Another adds that the resort has "a new Tiki Hut to get adult drinks" along with "Pools are small and can be a little crowded during the summer on weekends."
Convenience: The Ohio Turnpike RV lots offer exceptional accessibility for travelers. "Super nice place. Pricey but worth it. Concrete level sites. Friendly staff and can walk to the Roller Coasters," says one visitor. Another notes it's "Perfect for our visit to Cedar Point. We got there late at 9:00 pm and didn't have to check out until 8:00 pm the next day."
Family amenities: Many campgrounds cater specifically to families with children. One camper at Cedarlane RV Resort says, "My daughter had fun doing the gem mining and playing in the pool and splash pad." The resort also has "a great splash pad and wading pool for kids."
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most RV sites near Amherst, Ohio operate from May through October. For Gotta Getaway RV Park, the season runs "May 1 to October 31," with 102 sites available during this period.
Reservation requirements: Camp Perry Lodging and RV Park fills quickly due to its military affiliation and quality amenities. "RV site is paved with electric hookup and water hook up on site. Waste dump on RV site as well," notes one reviewer about the facilities.
Hookup variations: Fort Firelands RV Park offers primarily 50-amp service. "They only had 50w outlets, but will lend you a converter for $15.00, which is refundable upon leaving," explains one camper, important information for RVs with 30-amp systems.
Site quality differences: Site conditions vary widely between campgrounds and even within the same park. At Gotta Getaway, "the site we were assigned took three blocks to level up, the power was on the wrong side and our picnic table was in the back area of another camper," reports one visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Water features for children: Sandusky Milan RV Park has recently improved its facilities. "This campground has been wonderfully updated! The owners have added in an additional playground, dog park, newly paved roadways, newly redone building, a new pavilion, fire pit, and boat parking!" notes a visitor.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. "This campground has a little bit of everything... They have a great splash pad and wading pool for kids," mentions a camper at Cedarlane RV Resort, which offers various activities specifically designed for children.
Beach considerations: For families wanting lake access, be aware of specific conditions. One camper notes about a nearby beach, "there's a rock wall bordering the lake so you have to either climb down the low wall or walk to the designated opening in the wall... once in the water it felt like walking on play doh and the water was pretty shallow definitely a great area for kids especially smaller kids."
Activity scheduling: Many campgrounds offer scheduled events for children. "Horseshoes, basketball court and lots of kids activities," are available at Cedarlane according to one visitor, so check event calendars when planning your stay.
Tips from RVers
Level sites: Vermilion Valley Ohio Turnpike RV Lot offers convenient overnight stops. "Clean with electric hookup got $20. Dump station as you exit," notes one RVer. Another describes it as a "Clean, Cheap and Safe place to stop for the night."
Site spacing: Privacy varies significantly between campgrounds. At Findley State Park, "We have enjoyed the shade at our site this week and the space between us and our neighbors," while another visitor at Lighthouse Point mentions "Sites are level concrete pads packed in close with some privacy trees between."
Big rig accessibility: For larger RVs, some parks offer better accommodations than others. At Gotta Getaway RV Park, "It would be a bonus for big rigs as the pull Throughs are flat and easy to get into," notes one traveler. At Camp Perry, "Sites are very long, water hydrants are boxed in with stone."
Dump station quality: Facilities for waste disposal differ in quality and features. One camper at Lighthouse Point warns, "The washing machine stole my money and would not wash my clothes," highlighting the importance of checking amenity reliability.
