Best Tent Camping near Carrollton, OH

Tent campers visiting Carrollton, Ohio have access to several primitive camping areas within a 50-mile radius. Rivers Edge Camping Area at the Bridgeport Quarry Trailhead offers free tent sites in a small grassy field alongside the Tuscarawas River, with privacy between campsites and the trail. Pioneer Trails Tree Farm Campground provides a more secluded tent camping experience with only four designated sites set among the trees.

Most tent sites near Carrollton require minimal preparation, as amenities are typically basic. Rivers Edge provides picnic tables, fire rings, and access to a clean portable toilet in the nearby parking lot, but no running water is available on site. Pioneer Trails offers a campfire pit and access to a bathroom facility. Campers should bring their own drinking water, as most primitive sites in the region don't provide this amenity. Registration is often required either at kiosks or by calling a provided number, with most sites operating on a first-come, first-served basis rather than reservations.

The terrain for tent camping varies throughout the region, with some sites offering level ground while others may require careful tent placement. A recent review noted that Rivers Edge Camping Area provides "great access close to parking lot with privacy between you and the trail." Areas like Big Bend Trailhead Primitive Camping, located about 40 miles north of Carrollton, offer more elevated tent sites on a ridge overlooking scenic railroad tracks, providing a feeling of seclusion despite being visible from nearby trails. Tent campers should be prepared for varied conditions including potential road noise at some locations, with railroad tracks running near several of the camping areas. Early fall typically offers the most pleasant camping weather in this region of Ohio, with fewer insects and moderate temperatures ideal for tent camping.

Best Tent Sites Near Carrollton, Ohio (9)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Carrollton, OH

505 Reviews of 9 Carrollton Campgrounds


  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2022

    Tomlinson Run State Park Campground

    Camping in the trees

    Electric Site 37 - pad is pretty level, plenty for our small camper and truck, on a slight hill to get to fire ring but lots of space to spread out. You could tent but not really a flat spot. We were near the non-electric cul de sac and a neighbor right across but not on top of each other. Trees are everywhere and wonderful during the fall season. We had a big night of rain and with the wind it dried up pretty quickly.

    Camp store - small, not a lot in it but may be end of the season items only. Mostly shirts and mugs and very little snack food. The camp store staff were all very friendly and helpful and the store has limited WiFi if you stood in the right spot. There is a laundry room available there as well.

    Dump station- 2 way and potable water on the other side of it. The only place to drop your trash too.

    Trails - lots of trails to choose from. Some were pretty easy some were a little hilly. My favorite was the fern trail - lots of ferns and a very pretty stream. Hiking poles are recommended especially if it rains.

    Playground - is available for kids and a huge shelter house too.

    Firewood is $6 a bundle and burns well, no slab cut.

    Water - have to go up to entrance as the water spouts are still shut off.

    Showers - in womens the shower on the left never got warm, other two were fine. There are 4 flush toilets.

  • Jennifer K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 18, 2022

    Mill Creek Camping — Berlin Lake Wildlife Area

    Beautiful but no peace and quiet

    Camp hosts were amazing and our spot was large and pretty. Our neighbors however were absolutely obnoxious. Just screaming obscenities nearly the whole time and were definitely drinking even though no alcohol is allowed in the park. Rangers drive by very frequently yet do absolutely nothing even after quiet hours start. Maybe it's not always like this but I may never return because of it. I want a nice quiet and relaxing time not put up with screaming drunks and kids. Also there was so much traffic constantly!

  • Danielle S.
    Apr. 16, 2021

    Hidden Hollow Campground — Fernwood State Forest

    Can't beat free, but caveats abound.

    This tiny gem of a campground is actually quite decent. Each site is furnished with a small fire ring and picnic table. The fire rings do not have a grill grate. The pit toilets in the restroom are "fragrant" when you enter the women's side of the building but not so terribly that they can't be used. My friend did gag upon entering the men's room. There are designated wastewater areas to dump grey water, but you'll have to bring your own water for drinking, washing, etc. There are no electric hookups.

    As others have mentioned, there is a gun range nearby and you can hear occasional firing. Helicopter traffic at night was a slight distraction from the otherwise quiet night I spent here.

    There is an easy orange-blazed trail behind site 10 but as of this writing, a there are several downed trees blocking the trail a good distance in.

    I'd definitely stay again.

    5/3/2021 Edited to add:. Well, our second stay here is decidedly less positive. We are at site 9 this time. No fire ring here. The women's bathroom is filthy and it made me gag (there is feces all over one toilet seat and the other smells so bad that I just peed in the woods). It's turkey season so lots of noise in the woods.

  • Aloma O.
    Sep. 5, 2022

    Tappan Lake Park Campground

    Needs accurate website for bookings

    Booked 2 sites online using website. Upon getting to our sites the numbers listed on the site posts did not match the numbers on the site map used for booking. Section 4. Seasonal campers verified the campground constantly changes site numbers around.. It is very misleading. Should not offer booking online or should make sure all online booking locations have the site numbers and pictures accurate. The site we had was NOT the one pictured on the map online. Very small, muddy, and could not even have a fire on it. Got lucky no one was across from us. We used that site to build a fire. Make sure you don't forget anything or need gas, not much around.

  • W
    Jun. 10, 2022

    Rivers Edge Camping Area (Bridgeport Quarry Trailhead)

    Great location

    Great access close to parking lot with privacy between you and the trail. Right alongside the river with a picnic table and firepit. Portable toilet in parking lot. No running water but close to gas stations and restaurants. Only 12 minute drive over to Pro Football Hall of Fame.

  • Emily S.
    Jun. 1, 2017

    Hidden Hollow Campground — Fernwood State Forest

    Free!

    Spent the first camping trip of the summer here on Memorial Day weekend and it was a beautiful spot. There are a number of sites set up in a circle, the initial sites are better suited for RVs while the sites along the back of the loop are flatter and can accommodate a tent. This was our first car camping in an actual campground experience in a while - our last few trips were all backcountry sites - and it felt very luxurious. The campground is situated near shooting ranges so the gunfire lasts late into the evening and begins early in the morning disrupting the serenity a bit.

    The best part - it's free! Just register at the box. There are vault toilets and each site has a fire ring, picnic table, garbage cans, and there are spots to dump waste water. It's very well-organized and well maintained.

  • K
    Jun. 25, 2021

    Jefferson Lake State Park Campground

    Quiet and Beautiful

    This smaller campground has a mix of equestrian sites and tent/RV sites. There are no showers, but the vault toilets were cleaned thoroughly ever morning. You need to be careful when booking, especially if you are trying to pitch a tent, as some sites are quite sloped. Our site was huge and right next to the water spigot.

  • Zac C.
    Aug. 28, 2023

    Memory Park Campground

    Quiet but fantastic.

    We stayed in Cousins Cove. Everyone was raving about the newlyweds site so we walked over (when nobody was there, of course). That particular spot had a great fishing spot. Cousins Cove had plenty of shade and was close enough to the portable toilet that it wasn't inconvenient, but far enough to have to worry about smells or run off. The sites were primitive, which we liked and there were plenty of trees to hang hammocks. We used a truck bed and a roof top tent for camping, but the ground was relatively level. The site has plenty of kindling to walk around and gather up as well, so we didn't have to bring our own. There were other campers there, but everyone was so far away, we felt alone.

  • Kellie A.
    May. 24, 2021

    Salt Fork State Park Campground

    My Go-to Weekend Getaway

    Saltfork is located about 45 minutes from my house, and makes for the perfect overnight trip. 

    There are tons of things to do, and lots of space in which to do them. My favorites includes hiking trails, and the lakeside dog park. 

    I stay in the primitive camping, it allows for more privacy and quiet. Although it also means you are relegated to the pit toilets. I personally don't mind them, but I know some campers will make the drive to the nicer shower house in the RV heavy side of the park. 

    Each site has a picnic table and fire ring, the fire rings in the primitive section need some work, as the grates are very old and small.


Guide to Carrollton

Tent campers visiting Carrollton, Ohio can find several primitive camping areas within the surrounding region, most concentrated within a 30-mile radius. The area sits at approximately 1,100 feet elevation with a humid continental climate featuring warm summers and cold winters. Early October brings average temperatures between 55-70°F with lower humidity levels that make camping more comfortable, while morning dew can be heavy on tent surfaces during this season.

What to do

Bicycle touring routes: The Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail connects to Rivers Edge Camping Area and provides a scenic corridor for cyclists. "About ½ mile north of this camping area is a cross street where you will find drinking water fountain on the towpath. And, just about 1.5 miles south along the towpath, you will find Ernie's Bicycle Shop which has both restrooms and drinking water," notes reviewer Shari G.

Tree farm exploration: During non-holiday seasons, Pioneer Trails Tree Farm Campground offers a unique camping environment among growing Christmas trees. "Camping in a tree farm has been cool! Clean bathroom. Office to charge electronics and a campsite with firepit was great. Nice and quiet here also," reports Frederick B., who was bicycle touring across the United States.

Football Hall of Fame visit: Several campgrounds provide convenient access to Canton's Pro Football Hall of Fame. Rivers Edge Camping Area offers proximity to this attraction, with one camper noting it's "Only 12 minute drive over to Pro Football Hall of Fame."

What campers like

Clean facilities: Tent campers frequently mention facility cleanliness as a significant factor. At KimTam Park at Melanie Springs, the 15 tent sites have access to shower facilities and toilets. At Rivers Edge, Rebecca K. appreciated that "The porta potty was very big, clean and had hand sanitizer!"

Quiet atmosphere: Despite being near populated areas, several campgrounds maintain a peaceful environment. Frederick B. mentioned Pioneer Trails was "Nice and quiet" while another camper, Andrew O., described it as "Very relaxing."

Trail access: Proximity to walking and biking trails ranks high among camper preferences. Rivers Edge provides immediate access to the Towpath Trail with Whiskey B. noting there's "Great access close to parking lot with privacy between you and the trail. Right alongside the river with a picnic table and firepit."

What you should know

Limited availability: Some campgrounds in the region have reduced their operations or closed entirely. At Camelot Camping Grounds, reviewer James S. reported, "This campground is permanently closed." Similarly, Frederick B. discovered at Pioneer Trails that "they no longer offer the camping service due to low guest attendance" but was allowed to stay as an exception.

Water planning required: Most primitive tent sites near Carrollton do not provide drinking water. At Rivers Edge, one camper noted there's "No running water but close to gas stations and restaurants." Campers should plan to bring sufficient water or know where nearby refill points are located.

Registration procedures: Each camping area has different registration requirements. Rivers Edge operates on first-come, first-served basis but requires campers to "register at the kiosk and call the listed number when you arrive," according to one reviewer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Carrollton, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Carrollton, OH is Cozy Ridge Campground with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Carrollton, OH?

TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Carrollton, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.