Tent camping options near Carey, Ohio range from primitive sites to more developed campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. The region features a mix of wooded areas and lakeside camping with varying levels of accessibility. Most campgrounds in this area operate seasonally, typically closing between November and April due to the harsh Ohio winter conditions.
What to do
Hiking access: White Oak Campground connects directly to the 15.5-mile Scout Trail loop that runs through Oak Openings. According to one camper, "I was able to park my car here in the morning, hop on the trail (which runs right through the campground), and return later in the day." The trail offers diverse terrain including pine forests and sand dunes.
Water recreation: Tee Pee Family Campground features a pond with recreational facilities. One visitor notes, "The pond was fantastic. Has a large inflatable slide and a dock that you can jump off of in the middle. Kids loved it."
Bike trails: Several campgrounds connect to paved bike paths. A visitor to White Oak Campground mentioned, "You can ride your bikes down the paved road to mallard lake where most of the parks trailheads and multi use trail access lies."
What campers like
Free amenities: Many campers appreciate unexpected free services. One camper at White Oak Campground noted, "There are free showers available at the Wheel House (5min drive) at the Beach Ridge area of the park by the tree houses."
Clean facilities: Multiple reviews highlight well-maintained bathrooms. A visitor stated, "Very clean facilities (bathroom, wash station, pavilion), extra fire wood available to purchase (we had 2 bundles waiting for us at our campsite), and trash station as well."
Site spacing: Rockland Lake and similar campgrounds offer sites with adequate separation. At White Oak, one camper observed, "The site was spacious, sandy, and well suited for both tent and hammock. The fire ring was in good condition and fire wood was already stacked."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Some campgrounds have strict reservation policies. A camper at White Oak warned, "MUST RESERVE ONLINE BEFORE 4PM. There is no walk-up service, and online site goes down after employees go home at night."
Noise considerations: Despite natural settings, some noise interference exists. A camper noted, "There definitely is some road noise from 295 nearby and we did hear and see one plane in the morning but we were already up eating breakfast so it didn't bother us."
Seasonal availability: Most tent camping near Carey operates seasonally. Wolf Creek Park Campground runs from April 15 to November 15, while sites like White Oak maintain year-round availability, though winter camping requires preparation for cold conditions.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds: Some campgrounds offer better play facilities than others. At Tee Pee Family Campground, a visitor observed, "Playgrounds for the kids are very weak. Just a few swing sets but that's about it."
Nature exploration: Farnsworth Campground and similar sites provide natural features for kids to explore. One parent at White Oak reported, "We loved the hiking, bike trails, playground at Mallard lake area, and the kids liked exploring the sand dune area."
Bathroom proximity: Consider campsite location relative to facilities. One camper noted, "2 bathhouses for the entire campground. And it's a decent walk to get to them if you are just there for a weekend."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric options vary significantly. Portageview Campground offers full hookups, while many tent-focused sites like White Oak have no electric connections.
Site spacing: RV campers should note proximity concerns at some locations. One camper at Tee Pee Family Campground reported, "Sites are close together. Our fire pit is less than 3 feet away from the next camper."
Permanent residents: Several campgrounds have long-term campers. A visitor observed, "This campground consists of a lot of permanent sites and a LOT of golf carts going around all throughout the day."
