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Best Campgrounds near Bradford, OH

463 Reviews

The Bradford area of western Ohio features a range of developed campgrounds within a 30-minute drive radius. Stillwater Beach Campground sits directly in Bradford, offering nearly 200 tent and RV sites with electric hookups, though it received lower ratings from visitors. Additional options include Lake Loramie State Park Campground 20 miles northwest, where campers can enjoy lakeside camping with both tent and RV sites, plus cabin accommodations. Fireside Resort Campground and Dayton KOA Holiday provide cabin options alongside traditional camping areas for those seeking more comfort.

Camping in this region follows typical Midwestern seasonal patterns with most visitation occurring between April and October. Many campgrounds like Dayton KOA operate seasonally, closing during winter months, while others such as Lake Loramie State Park remain open year-round. The terrain throughout the region is relatively flat, making most campgrounds accessible without special vehicles. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends and holiday periods when facilities often reach capacity. Water access represents a significant draw for many visitors to area campgrounds, though water quality concerns exist at some locations. As one visitor noted of Grand Lake St. Marys, "The entire lake stinks of pig poop. All the air smells like poo. You feel like you are breathing feces when you approach the water."

Campers frequently mention the family-friendly atmosphere at campgrounds in the region. Several state park properties provide playground facilities, swimming areas, and hiking trails that connect directly to campgrounds. Privacy varies significantly between campgrounds, with some sites offering more seclusion than others. A visitor to John Bryan State Park commented, "The campground is very nice, clean bathrooms, and showers. There is a disc golf course, lots of mountain bike trails and hiking trails!" Dayton Metro Parks receives positive feedback for its campfire program, with one camper highlighting that "each night in the front country camp sites they include a bundle of fire wood...huge bundle...dry and cut in an easy to use manner." RV campers will find various hookup levels throughout the area, from primitive electric-only sites to full-service options with sewer and 50-amp electrical service.

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Best Camping Sites Near Bradford, Ohio (94)

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Recent Reviews near Bradford, OH

463 Reviews of 94 Bradford Campgrounds

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Indian Lake State Park Campground

    Lots of sites

    Our pad was not level front to back so we had to adjust a little bit. The fire ring was nice but our picnic table was beat up. I went to move it and the seat pulled right off. We stayed on a Sunday night so it wasn’t packed. There are a ton of sites. Some had great shade and others didn’t have any at all. The bathrooms were flush toilets and they did have shower houses too. The camp store is really big and it’s right next to their pool. They have a dog park, place to dock your boat and a small beach. I would imagine this would be a pretty busy during the summer.

  • Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Resting Roost

    Okay for one night I guess

    We were kind of stuck, looking for a place to stay as we didn’t have reservations during Labor Day weekend so found this place that was listed on Hip Camp. Near Belle Center. PROS- was relatively cheap, $24,out in the middle of fields so pretty quiet, host seems pretty nice. CONS- had to back up a 100 yard driveway, lots of bugs, smells as they just fertilized the fields (not the owners fault). Okay for setting up a tent or a small rig but wouldn’t advise for trailers. Electric was an extension cord. I think water is available. Owner could have mowed the place a bit.

  • Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Buck Creek State Park Campground

    Quiet park with level spaces

    This park was pretty packed over Labor Day weekend, but it still felt like it wasn’t super crowded. Our space was nice and level. Nice hiking trails in the area. Showers were very nice and clean. Several water spickets throughout the park if you needed to access them. It was a bit of a drive back into the campground, probably 3 1/2 miles.

  • Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Summit Lake State Park Campground

    Peaceful park and great hiking trails

    Although we only spent one night here during the week, the campground seemed very peaceful and quiet, even though there were quite a few campers. Sites 1 through 74 seem to be a lot more level and larger, but they were in a sort of an open area with very little shade. The rest of the sites were fairly unlevel, but were in shaded areas. I would think a rig more than 31 or 32 feet long would have difficulty maneuvering around the curve at the end of the second loop. We are a 30ft. Fifth wheel and it was pretty tight for us. Lots of trees. The showers were your typical camp showers not great but not horrible. There was a large lake that one could enjoy fishing on. Also some great hiking trails in the area.

  • Megan M.
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Grand Lake St. Marys State Park — Grand Lake St Marys State Park

    Campground is fine but the lake reeks of POO

    First the good: the campground is big and spacious. Some areas were like RV parking lots- no trees, no shade, but there was a grassy area in the middle with nice big trees and shade. There is a nice pool and splash pad. Weirdly, the pool closed from 4 to 5, leaving us with nowhere to go on a 90+ degree day. 

    Now, the not-so-good: we stayed in a camper cabin and it was very shabby and dirty. It had bunkbeds, a full size fridge, and a folding table and folding chairs, which was nice (and rare in Ohio state park camper cabins). The bathrooms were average. Not new, not especially sparkling clean, but fine. Not gross, at least.

    Now, the terrible: the entire lake stinks of pig poop. All the air smells like poo. You feel like you are breathing feces when you approach the water. We were right on the water so we couldn't escape the smell. 

    This lake is notorious for having algae blooms that prohibit swimming. So I did a google search before our trip and the Ohio Department of Health reports that the bacteria level in this lake is dangerously high, and no one should swim in this lake. However, when we walked to the campground beach, there was no sign or warning or anything indicating the bacteria in the water- and people were letting their children and dogs swim in it!! 

    We opted to not kayak or paddleboard in the lake because it was clear that it was full of poop. So we had nothing to do at the park except go to the pool (it was too hot to do anything else). We ended up driving around the country roads and seeing the sights so we could escape the smelly lake and hot poo fumes. Neil Armstrong was born in nearby Wapakoneta so there are some sights to see there, and the towns of Celina and ? one other are cute too. 

    Overall, I will not return to this lake or this part of the state. If you can't get in the water, paddle board or kayak, the only thing left to do is ride around in a boat and hope the water doesn't get anywhere near your mouth or your skin. No thanks.

  • d
    Aug. 19, 2025

    River Trail Campground II

    Just So-SO

    We stayed 3 nights. Our site was a dirt pads. There are mostly full-time residents. There is the smell of a massive Chicken coup at our site. THERE ARE A TON OF FLIES!!!!! We had flies for days!. We kill 3 and 5 more would pop-up in our trailer. I was so happy to leave this fly infested site. 

    It's very hard for me to give them less than 5 stairs because, everyone was so nice. We had them filled up our propane tanks and they actually brought them to us and hooked them up while we were gone. Someone even brought us wood planks for stabilizing our trailer. However, truth be told…. our spot was horrible-right next to the laundry room in direct sun and it stunk! The women's shower was gross too. ( I ended up, not using their shower room.)

    We never used their pool.

  • K
    Aug. 8, 2025

    Cedarbrook Campground

    Wonderful stay w one hiccup

    This is a very well managed and maintain campground except the laundry facility. Washers are old and bed bugs were found. If you stick to your own camper you will be safe. Any campground that has cabins will have bedbugs. That’s a fact!

  • Don H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 6, 2025

    Ottawa Metro Park Campground

    Most Excellent Municipal Campground

    This is a beautiful, peaceful campground that's not a parking lot like many city campgrounds. It's clean as clean can be, including the bathrooms. The bath house has men's and women's bathrooms as well as a largish entry room with water fountains (one accessible to those in a wheelchair or child), a vending machine, information about the park, an event calendar, and brochures. While we were there, there was a Blue Grass music event scheduled at the nearby amphitheater.

    I was very impressed with the design of the restrooms regarding accessibility. I don't have a physical disability, but I always consider what the experience would be for someone who does. Everything in the bathrooms was intentionally designed for accessibility, not a thoughtless retrofit. The accessible shower is amazing.

    The campground is first-come first serve, but don't worry about getting a site. There are plenty. Pick up a registration envelope from the mailbox at the entrance sign, complete the triplicate form and follow the instructions. Money and form goes into an envelope and is dropped into the payment slot at the bathhouse.

    If you need firewood, there is an open shed to get some, and instructions on how to pay for it. This is so smart to keep people from bringing in and using their own possibly infested firewood.

    There is a dumpster and water available between sites. Each site comes with a picnic. And the fields around the park are filled with bunnies!

    The sites are well spaced and beautifully maintained. We picked site 30 because it had ample trees on its west side to create nice shade in the afternoon.

    A very relaxed, nice park host lives onsite. The entire vibe is chill. It seems to be run more like in an honor system, but they do have rules. Honor the rules to keep this campground special.

    This campground is only one part of a larger Metro park with lots to offer. Pick up a copy of the booklet (in the bath house) about the entire park system and what it offers.

    The price when we stayed was $30/night with a $5 discount for seniors, and a limit of 30 days (which is incredibly generous).

    We stayed for 11 nights and will return again next time we're traveling through this area.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 26, 2025

    Kiser Lake State Park Campground

    Quiet

    The campground has no full hookups but does have electric. RV sites have a view of the lake. Sites are clean and paved. There is a new shower house that’s pretty nice, but the other bathrooms are pretty nasty. For $29 nightly it’s a good campground. They do things with kids on many weekends. You can also rent canoes or paddle boats. No motors permitted on the lake.

Guide to Bradford

Camping near Bradford, Ohio, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: There are numerous trails around the campgrounds. At John Bryan State Park Campground, one visitor mentioned, "lots of great hiking" nearby, making it a perfect spot for nature lovers.
  • Fishing: Many campgrounds, like Buck Creek State Park Campground, have access to lakes where you can fish. A reviewer noted, "Large park with a marina, archery range, disc golf and more."
  • Swimming: If you enjoy swimming, Indian Lake State Park Campground has a beach area. One camper shared, "The campground is nice, clean restrooms and showers. Plenty of shade."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Hueston Woods State Park Campground said, "The showers are clean and the staff is friendly."
  • Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. A reviewer at Caesar Creek State Park Campground mentioned, "Camp sites are spacious."
  • Friendly staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of campground staff. One visitor at Cowan Lake State Park Campground said, "Campground staff and volunteers are amazing! Friendly atmosphere beautiful scenery."

What you should know:

  • Noise levels: Some campgrounds can get noisy, especially on weekends. A camper at Hueston Woods State Park Campground warned, "Don't go here if you expect peace and quiet."
  • Raccoons: Be cautious of raccoons at certain campgrounds. A visitor at John Bryan State Park Campground noted, "The raccoons are very bold & aggressive with any stray food morsels."
  • Reservation systems: Some campers find online reservation systems frustrating. A reviewer at Indian Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "The online reservation system is clumsy to use at best."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose family-friendly campgrounds: Look for places with playgrounds and activities. A camper at Cowan Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "The lake was beautiful with the ability to rent kayaks."
  • Plan for activities: Bring games and outdoor equipment. One visitor at Buck Creek State Park Campground noted, "Trails to lake covered with shade."
  • Keep an eye on kids: With many campers around, it's essential to supervise children. A parent at Winton Woods Campground said, "Spacious sites and away from highway traffic noise."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Dayton KOA Holiday mentioned, "Plenty of length for our 45’ fifth wheel and dually truck."
  • Look for amenities: Choose campgrounds with electric hookups and dump stations. A visitor at Hueston Woods State Park Campground noted, "Limited level campground with full and electric hookups."
  • Be prepared for weather: Check forecasts and pack accordingly. A camper at Indian Lake State Park Campground shared, "For the rest of the weekend our campsite had standing water around the fire pit."

Camping near Bradford, Ohio, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Bradford, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bradford, OH is Dayton KOA Holiday with a 4.2-star rating from 21 reviews.

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