Best Campgrounds near Chardon, OH

Camping areas around Chardon, Ohio range from established state parks to smaller county-managed sites, with both tent and RV options available throughout the region. Punderson State Park Campground provides a variety of accommodations including tent sites, RV spaces with electric hookups, and cabin rentals. Big Creek Park, located directly in Chardon, offers a more rustic camping experience with tent sites, lean-tos, and even a treehouse structure for overnight stays. Most campgrounds in the area maintain picnic tables and fire rings at each site, with varying levels of amenities like showers, drinking water, and electric hookups.

The camping season near Chardon generally runs year-round at some locations, though many smaller sites operate primarily from May through October. "The park is very nice. Great Lodge. Nice lakes and cabins to rent. The camp grounds for RV's is not the best. Very few full hookups," notes one visitor about Punderson State Park. Terrain throughout the region tends to be hilly, creating challenges for level RV parking, and some tent sites require walking uphill from parking areas. Several campgrounds feature lakes for fishing and paddling, though algae can be prevalent during summer months. Mosquitoes are commonly reported after rainfall, and campers should be prepared with appropriate supplies, particularly during summer months.

Many mixed-use campgrounds in the area provide access to recreational opportunities beyond camping. Fishing is popular at several locations, with stocked ponds at Big Creek Park and lake access at Punderson State Park. Hiking trails connect most campgrounds to surrounding natural areas, ranging from short, family-friendly paths to more challenging routes. According to visitor experiences, sites tend to vary significantly in size, privacy, and accessibility. Sites near water features typically book quickly during summer weekends. Visitors seeking specific amenities should research individual campgrounds carefully, as facilities vary widely from primitive tent sites with minimal facilities to full-service RV parks with complete hookups. Those camping with pets should note that while most sites allow pets, some public areas have restrictions.

Best Camping Sites Near Chardon, Ohio (101)

    1. Punderson State Park Campground

    34 Reviews
    Newbury, OH
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (440) 564-2279

    $38 / night

    "Staff was great, check in area also has a little store with all the essentials stocked up, lots of trails, great for biking and hiking, a park for the kids, fishing, canoeing, showers, flush toilets, all"

    "I had the furthest lakeside tent from the office. was a beautiful site but the water treatment facility had a loud hum all night, even though they said it was quiet."

    2. Geneva State Park Campground

    39 Reviews
    Madison, OH
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (440) 466-8400

    $25 - $41 / night

    "Geneva State Park Campground:  This was our first trip here and given the COVID situation it was still very pleasant. "

    "Easy to get to, not crowded, the sites were paved and spaced decently and, it had bike paths! Another bonus is that it borders Lake Erie."

    3. Perry Township Park

    12 Reviews
    Perry, OH
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (440) 259-5957

    $25 - $45 / night

    "The campground is adjacent to the small community park and baseball fields. Very well maintained and quiet. As an added bonus it is right next to Lake Erie."

    "Perry Township Park campground is exactly what campground should be: great accommodations, beautiful views, tremendous service, and easy accessibility to a lot of fun stuff :-) Most of the tent sites"

    4. West Branch State Park Campground

    67 Reviews
    Ravenna, OH
    31 miles
    Website

    "Ranger Review: Morsel Spork at West Branch State Park **Campground Review: **

    This state park was very welcome after our first two unlucky Ohio state park experiences."

    "Here's what's great about this campground situated at an easy drive from major cities like Columbus and Cleveland...its scenic, a fully loaded campground with bathhouses, parks, hiking paths, swimming"

    5. Hidden Lakes Family Campground

    4 Reviews
    Huntsburg, OH
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (440) 968-3400

    "Our site was lakeside and was probably the largest campsite I ever stayed in."

    "We stayed here mid June on their premium lot, super large and right on fishing lake. We brought our canoe and enjoyed fishing and just cruising around."

    6. The West Woods

    4 Reviews
    Novelty, OH
    9 miles
    Website

    "While this is a spot in a smaller park with a lot of day use, the site is a walk off of the trail, and situated slightly lower than trail level for privacy. Amazing sounds, smells, and relaxation."

    "Great small park with a hiking trail that takes about an hour or hour and a half, it has a waterfall, small tiny cave, bridges and stairs. Really well maintained paths, tiny gravel for less mud."

    7. Thompson/Grand River Valley KOA Holiday

    4 Reviews
    Madison, OH
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (440) 298-1311

    "Fishing lake, swimming lake, trails. Children play areas. Basketball, bad mitten/volleyball, Dog wash, dog parks (2), private fenced dog sites. (2)- pull through site."

    "The kids loved both the pool and the lake. The breakfast pizza was great. The food prices were very reasonable. The wrist band for kid activities is well worth it."

    8. Penitentiary Glen Reservation Campsite

    2 Reviews
    Kirtland, OH
    7 miles
    Website

    $25 / night

    "Plenty of fire wood provided and a short distance away from the gorge to walk. The second night had lots of coyotes around, which is cool but can be dangerous if not careful of course."

    "Would have given this site 5 stars but the walk to the site was a bit more of a haul than expected. It was just myself, kids, and pup."

    9. Headwaters Park

    2 Reviews
    Middlefield, OH
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (440) 286-9516

    $10 - $20 / night

    "Best for relaxation, chill kayaking, fishing, horseback riding, and shorter walks. Four stars because it is not a vast wilderness adjacent experience."

    "I camped at site J the tent pad was level and easy to drive stakes into. I didn't use the toilets so can't comment on the cleanliness there."

    10. Big Creek Park

    1 Review
    Chardon, OH
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (440) 286-9516

    "Most of the trails are small, well-marked, accessible, and easily walkable for families."

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Recent Reviews near Chardon, OH

577 Reviews of 101 Chardon Campgrounds


  • Zachary A.
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Punderson State Park Campground

    Solo tent camping went well

    I had originally gotten lot #81 but quickly got it switched to #83 because it was just waaaay better. Flatter ground and I was able to go deeper into the woods.

    I went the first week of October, and on weekdays, which was great because I had no neighbors.

    Staff was great, check in area also has a little store with all the essentials stocked up, lots of trails, great for biking and hiking, a park for the kids, fishing, canoeing, showers, flush toilets, all that fancy stuff was there.

    Only down side was occasional road noise which I just can't seem to escape in my area of Ohio. And I personally wouldn't go here on weekends or over the summer because there are RV sites everywhere, which is another thing that dominates my area of Ohio.

    Going again, as long as I don't have the kids, I would try for a test space as far from the road and is deep in the forest as possible. Do that at tge right time of year and I think this will be a great spot for me in the future

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Jamestown Campground — Pymatuning State Park

    Clean and Spacious

    A beautiful campground with plenty of things to do. Fishing, boating (nice docks), beach for swimming and various functions throughout the year. All bath houses and restrooms are handicap available with each toilet and shower set up individually . Really nice

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Woodside Lake Park

    Nice quiet camping

    Quiet tent campsite parked in this area. There are quite a few RVs parked here and it appears lively, but the tent area in hilltop was quiet and secluded. Very kid friendly. At night, there was highway noise in the background. A lot to do here but also very close to Cuyahoago Valley National Park.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Geneva State Park Campground

    Beautiful and close to a beach

    You can camp right on the lake in some spots. Tons of trails to hike and a beautiful beach.

  • Jeff and Linda L.
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Perry Township Park

    Beautiful

    There are many sites taken by permanent campers for the summer. There are pickleball courts in park. Right on Lake Erie, nice hot showers.

  • Maddy T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Village Green Campground

    Long-term RV

    This site is great if you’re moving in with your RV. I’m tent camping, and while there were tent sites (about 5), it wasn’t the atmosphere I generally go for.

    Positives- there are bathrooms, showers, and laundry. Right on Lake Erie. Fine for overnight.

    Cons- this is a live-in RV site in the outskirts of Ohio.

  • Don H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Shenango Campground

    Great camping

    Great place to camp. Beautiful lake and wonderful people.

  • K
    Aug. 27, 2025

    American Wilderness Campground

    American Wilderness

    We had a good experience the place was clean and nice the amenities were great the staff was helpful and the laundry room was clean as well as bathrooms and showers.

  • Travis O.
    Aug. 27, 2025

    American Wilderness Campground

    Property is so relaxing and nice

    We had a nice time the place was clean and the people were nice as in other campers we had a good time we went to the pavilion to a get together.


Guide to Chardon

Camping near Chardon, Ohio, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With several campgrounds in the area, you can find the perfect spot for your next adventure.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Nature Walks: Explore the beautiful trails in the nearby parks. One camper mentioned, "The campground is very pretty—lots of large trees and it's pretty quiet," highlighting the natural beauty around Punderson State Park Campground.
  • Fishing and Boating: Many campgrounds, like Pymatuning State Park Campground, offer access to lakes for fishing and boating. A visitor noted, "Beautiful lake on the Ohio/PA border. Clean bathrooms/showers."
  • Playgrounds and Family Activities: Campgrounds such as West Branch State Park Campground have playgrounds and activities for kids. One family shared, "The playground is extremely age-friendly for every kid there."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and shower facilities. A review for Findley State Park Campground stated, "The facilities were clean. The campground was quiet as much as can be expected."
  • Spacious Campsites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. A camper at Mosquito Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "The campsites are nice. Wish they had more electric sites."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like Geneva State Park Campground are known for being family-friendly. One reviewer said, "This was my daughter's first camping trip, and she had a blast."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can get noisy, especially on weekends. A visitor at Mill Creek Camping noted, "It gets loud and crowded on the weekend as usual."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full hookups or showers. A camper at Silver Springs Campground mentioned, "There are portable bathrooms located throughout the campground."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for wildlife. A camper at Punderson State Park Campground warned, "Be sure to keep all food in cars or bring your bear cans, as we were approached by a raccoon."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose the Right Campsite: Look for sites that are spacious and have nearby amenities. One family at Findley State Park Campground enjoyed the "great showerhouses and very nice playground."
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities for kids. A camper at West Branch State Park Campground mentioned, "Tons of activities to do, especially for my toddler!"
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Keep everyone happy with plenty of snacks. A visitor at Geneva State Park Campground suggested, "Treat yourself to a meal at the A&W Root Beer Stand in nearby Ravenna."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Punderson State Park Campground advised, "Make sure you check pictures of the sites to see if they will accommodate your rig."
  • Be Prepared for Mosquitoes: Bring bug spray, especially in warmer months. A visitor at Mosquito Lake State Park Campground noted, "There were lots of mosquitoes, so be prepared to bring bug spray!"
  • Use Dump Stations Wisely: Plan your departure around dump station availability. A camper at Silver Springs Campground mentioned, "The dump station was overflowing on my first visit but fine to use in my second visit."

Camping near Chardon, Ohio, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for family fun or a peaceful getaway.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Chardon, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, Chardon, OH offers a wide range of camping options, with 101 campgrounds and RV parks near Chardon, OH and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near Chardon, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Chardon, OH is Punderson State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 34 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Chardon, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Chardon, OH.

What parks are near Chardon, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 parks near Chardon, OH that allow camping, notably Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Michael J Kirwan Lake.