Best Campgrounds near Bainbridge, OH

Campgrounds around Bainbridge, Ohio range from basic to well-developed facilities in the surrounding hills and lakefront areas. Pike Lake State Park Campground, situated directly in Bainbridge, provides sites for tents, RVs, and cabins with electric hookups and reservable sites. Paint Creek State Park Campground, located approximately 15 miles west, offers similar mixed-use camping options with water and electric services. Several private campgrounds like Long's Retreat Family Resort supplement the state park system with additional amenities and seasonal operation periods from spring through fall.

Access to most campgrounds in the region requires preparation, especially during wetter seasons when drainage can be problematic. "We enjoyed our stay here. Just an fyi to others - it rained quite a bit and many of the sites got flooded. The ground here doesn't drain well," noted one visitor about Pike Lake State Park. Most developed campgrounds maintain year-round operation, though amenities may be reduced during winter months. The terrain features rolling hills with campgrounds often situated in valleys or along small lakes, creating scenic settings but sometimes contributing to poor drainage. Cell service varies significantly throughout the area, with higher elevations typically providing better connectivity.

Campers consistently rate the wooded settings and relative seclusion as highlights of the Bainbridge area campgrounds. Shaded sites receive particular praise during summer months when temperatures can rise significantly. Pike Lake State Park draws positive comments for its secluded atmosphere and small lake suitable for fishing and kayaking. As one camper described it: "Love this spot, very secluded and quiet... not many spots, but makes it nicer, minimal noise... nice little lake to fish or kayak." Family-friendly amenities appear throughout the region's campgrounds, with several reviews mentioning playgrounds, nature programs, and hiking trails. However, some campgrounds like Paint Creek receive mixed reviews regarding site spacing and privacy, particularly during holiday weekends when the campgrounds reach capacity.

Best Camping Sites Near Bainbridge, Ohio (86)

    1. Paint Creek State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Paint Creek Lake, OH
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (937) 981-7061

    "An excellent disc golf course, hiking and beautiful lake views. Just past the town of Bainbridge, Ohio is Seip Mound to explore and hike the trails."

    "Cute, charming Ohio State Park. Enjoy 4 lovely hiking trails that showcase the parks features by taking you through the woods and fields. Fish is offered and their is boat dock ."

    2. Pike Lake State Park Campground

    11 Reviews
    Latham, OH
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 493-2212

    "Ranger Review: Morsel Spork at Pike Lake State Park

    Campground Review:

    We stayed at site 67 next to the camp host. The camp site was nicely shaded with a small creek behind it."

    "The lake is smaller, but nice beach area and pedal boats are fun. We hiked the Greenbriar and CCC Trails. They are not too challenging but beautiful."

    3. Long's Retreat Family Resort

    13 Reviews
    Sinking Spring, OH
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (937) 588-3725

    "We have been going here for the last 6 summers with a big group (nearly 30 kids with us). Everyone always has such a great time and it is the highlight of all the kids summers."

    4. Rocky Fork State Park Campground

    17 Reviews
    Hillsboro, OH
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (937) 393-4284

    "The camp grounds we stayed in was nearly full and had every conceivable form of camping from tents to full size motor coaches."

    "Camp sites available next to the lake. Beautiful lake for kayaking, boating and swimming. Only downfall is that you have to drive a few miles to get to the beach."

    5. Scioto Trail State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Waverly, OH
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 663-2125

    $25 - $30 / night

    "We chose to camp at Scioto Trail State Park because of it's proximity to Salt Creek Kayak Adventures. While I had hiked at Scioto Trail in the past, this was our first visit to the campground."

    "Walk-in sites with pit toilets and potable water. The map of how the sites are laid out online is extremely inaccurate, I would not have picked my site if it had been accurate."

    6. Lizzy’s Acres

    1 Review
    Bainbridge, OH
    4 miles
    +1 (740) 438-2678

    $25 - $35 / night

    "Lizzy's Acres is a new listing on the Dyrt, but they offer a great location for those looking to explore the area.  Check them out and show them some love!"

    7. Sun Valley Campground

    4 Reviews
    Chillicothe, OH
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 775-3490

    "We were able to reserve a drive-thru site on the same day we wanted it.  It looks like there are quite a few seasonal campers there.  Sites have space between them, many are shaded. "

    8. Hocking Hills State Park Campground

    109 Reviews
    South Bloomingville, OH
    41 miles
    Website

    $29 - $46 / night

    "There are lots of caves, trails, camping options and activities in the area. Be careful, however, every year someone is injured or dies going off trail, often falling from a cliff."

    "If you stay away from the main roads, you might feel like you're in a smaller campground."

    9. Trackside Camping

    2 Reviews
    Waverly, OH
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 701-2908

    $35 / night

    10. Lake Hill Campground

    1 Review
    Bourneville, OH
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 998-5648

    "I needed to be close by and this was perfect for me. "

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 86 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Bainbridge, OH

705 Reviews of 86 Bainbridge Campgrounds


  • John M.
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Sandy Springs Campground

    A Wonderful Campground!

    We had a wonderful weekend stay at this campground; we were fortunate to get a river view site which was amazing. It is so peaceful to watch the river and see the occasional boat or barge go by. The campground is a very nice facility with unique cabins and nice full hook up sites. They have a nice store, restroom and shower facilities and they even have a small menu that they can prepare and bring to your site including a delicious chocolate chip cookie desert!

    The owners are the real gem here; they are so friendly and accommodating and go out of their way to make you feel at home! We had a grandchild visit and we forgot a jacket and Julie(owner) went out of her way to find a hoodie out of her Halloween stock, so he would have something for the weekend. 

    We will be back!

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Sandy Springs Campground

    Nice spots on the Ohio River

    We had a riverfront site. The camp hosts are very nice and attentive to your needs. We will return

  • Kara S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Stonelick State Park Campground

    Big sites but can be loud and crowded

    Nice big sites, fairly level. We camped at site 35 and it was very slopey, our levelers only helped a little. First night the shower house STUNK but then the next day it smelled fine while our closest bathrooms were out of order. The trail to the lake was right next to the sit and that was lovely.

  • Joe B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Campbell Cove Camping

    Nice campground

    We stayed at site 63 , on the water. Big site, water view and plenty of space. The road across the lake has an uphill section and people like to race up it. Trucks, motorcycles and cars. Really loud. I know the campground doesn’t control the road, so it’s just a note about the noise. The site is amazing, and I would come back.

  • Evan C.
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Rocky Fork State Park Campground

    Fine tenting, poorly kept

    8/13/2025

    Got here after dark, but navigated to a pretty secluded loop that's just for tenting (site 61 - see map). Stakes went in fine. Seemed to be a lot of different types of spiders, which was cool to see and even cooler that they didn't bug me. Less cool - the site wasn't very clean - bits of trash that a park attendant/ranger definitely should've been picking up. Moreover, there were stray cats living in that section (I saw three), which were very cute but I'm sure they're not living their best life and the wildlife probably don't appreciate them being around either. I called later to let the park know (nobody was around during my stay) and they said they'd get maintenance on it. If you stay here and see them, I'd urge you to let the park know again, or maybe call animal control.

  • Reb S.
    Aug. 11, 2025

    A.W. Marion State Park Campground

    Horrible

    Really disgusted with out last stay here. We ended up next to some tent campers who were homeless which isn't the issue because things in life happen it was the way they acted that just grossed me out. I spent the first few days listening to them arguing and fighting amongst each other about their welfare checks being spent on their cigarettes beer and weed. They had 2 kids one that was autistic that they called a retard the other one they called stupid and it was just heartbreaking. I ended up having to go inside my camper and turning my ac on to escape their screaming and yelling and fighting that went into the midnight hour. My dog has a heart murmur and it made him anxious. I felt like I was camping in the bottoms of Columbus Ohio. The camp host said they are there all the time which is disturbing that they condone this behavior and makes me question the integrity of this location. Luckily after contacting ODNR we were able to move to a location far from them and given a gift card for our troubles. This was after they moved their camp stuff practically across the front bumper of my 100,000 RV. My husband and I pay way to much for our RV and for our stays to put up with this trash. We'd be hard pressed to come back here and be exposed to this kind of drama again.

  • Jay T.
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Shawnee State Park Campground

    Attractive campground with variety of sites and amenities

    Unlike many Ohio State parks I've visited, the Shawnee campground has a variety of great tent sites.   Several of these are hidden in the trees at the top of some steps and up a short path.  We stayed in 12.  If you don't mind hauling your gear a short distance from your car, sites like this are perfect as they're  for tent campers only.  The campground had fun amenities for kids, like a very small mini golf course and an outdoor screen for movie nights.  The shower houses were clean and the small camp store convenient.  All the Shawnee State Park staff I met were super friendly and helpful.

  • Kim H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Cowan Lake State Park Campground

    Sizeable Site, Good for Families

    We stayed in Site 78. The lot was VERY large and well maintained. The asphalt pad was decently level; a picnic table and fire ring were included.

    There was significant variety in the types of sites: some were quite wooded while others were full sun. Some sites were much larger than others.

    The restrooms were decent. They weren't new; however, they were very clean. I didn't check out any bath houses.

    The campground was filled with parents and kids riding bikes, playing, and having fun. Nobody was out of control or obnoxious. Plenty of dogs were present.

    We'll return next summer.


Guide to Bainbridge

Camping near Bainbridge, Ohio, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails at Hocking Hills State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "Beautiful area with great hikes and views close by," making it a perfect spot for nature lovers.
  • Fishing: Head to East Fork State Park Campground for some fishing fun. A reviewer noted, "We enjoyed this site a lot. Neighbors weren’t sitting on top of one another," which makes it a great place to relax by the water.
  • Caving: Visit Carter Caves State Resort Park for a unique experience. One visitor said, "The caves themselves are quite the treat," highlighting the park's natural wonders.

What campers like:

  • Spacious sites: Campers appreciate the roomy spots at Buck Creek State Park Campground. A review stated, "Large park with a marina, archery range, disc golf and more," which adds to the appeal.
  • Clean facilities: Many campers enjoy the well-maintained restrooms at Deer Creek State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "The shower houses and restrooms were recently redone and in great shape!"
  • Family-friendly atmosphere: Families love the activities at Sandy Springs Campground. A parent shared, "The campsite is totally geared towards family fun! The owners are so hospitable, that you feel like family!"

What you should know:

  • Close quarters: Some campgrounds, like John Bryan State Park Campground, have sites that are close together. A camper noted, "The sites are very close together," so be prepared for some neighborly interactions.
  • Limited amenities: At A.W. Marion State Park Campground, there are no showers available. A visitor mentioned, "There is only one porta-john," which might not be ideal for everyone.
  • Wildlife encounters: Raccoons can be a nuisance at John Bryan State Park Campground. One camper warned, "The sheer number and boldness of raccoons...freaked the kids and new campers out."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Plan activities: Make sure to check out the organized events at Sandy Springs Campground. A reviewer said, "My kids were busy nonstop with planned fun activities!"
  • Choose spacious sites: Look for campgrounds like East Fork State Park Campground that offer more space between sites. One camper appreciated, "There was a tree for shade and plenty of space and grass to walk our dogs."
  • Pack for comfort: Bring extra supplies for your family, especially if you're camping at places like Lake Hope State Park Campground, where some sites can be sloped. A camper noted, "The sites were very sloped and the RV sites were pretty close together."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site dimensions: Before booking at Caesar Creek State Park Campground, make sure your RV fits the site. One reviewer mentioned, "The full hookup sites are a bit smaller."
  • Be prepared for crowds: Popular spots like Hocking Hills State Park Campground can get busy. A camper shared, "We only had a day there as the next night was booked."
  • Bring extra cords: At Carter Caves State Resort Park, some RV sites have hookups that are far from the parking area. A visitor advised, "Be prepared to bring extra electric cord and hose."

Camping near Bainbridge, Ohio, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Bainbridge, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bainbridge, OH is Paint Creek State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 21 reviews.

What parks are near Bainbridge, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 parks near Bainbridge, OH that allow camping, notably Paint Creek Lake and Deer Creek Lake.