Tent camping near Chardon, Ohio features predominantly primitive sites requiring walk-in access with limited facilities. Located in the northeastern Ohio snowbelt, this area receives significant precipitation throughout the year, with sites often situated among dense hardwood forests and ravines. Campgrounds typically close during winter months due to heavy snowfall, with optimal camping conditions from May through October when temperatures range from 55-85°F.
What to do
Birdwatching opportunities: The West Woods offers excellent bird habitat with numerous species visible from campsites. "TONS OF BIRDS you will hear them all day long and see all sorts of different kinds. Really pretty and relaxing scenery overall," notes camper Zachary A.
Trail running and hiking: The parks around Chardon provide well-maintained paths for outdoor exercise. At The West Woods, "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," according to Kayla S.
Fishing opportunities: Several parks offer stocked fishing ponds. Big Creek Park features "a few ponds on the property, complete with fishing docs, that are stocked with bluegill and small man fish," as Brannon M. points out.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Most tent campgrounds provide good separation from other campers. At Heritage Farms, "Our site was beautiful and private. We also had a lot of space. We couldn't really see or hear any other campers," shares Abbey E.
Unique camping environments: Several campgrounds offer distinctive settings. Heritage Farms provides "sites scattered among a working Christmas tree farm," with Josh W. noting each site has "a picnic table and fire ring. Grassy spots that are fairly level and mowed."
Natural soundscapes: The ambient sounds enhance the camping experience at Lake Erie Bluffs, where Jessica R. enjoyed "watching Eagles soaring over Lake Erie listening to the waves hit the bluff below!"
What you should know
Gear transport challenges: Many sites require significant carrying distance from parking areas. At Penitentiary Glen Reservation Campsite, Jillian E. notes the "walk to the site was a bit more of a haul than expected. It was just myself, kids, and pup. So it made setting up camp a bit more work."
Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for various wildlife in the area. At Penitentiary Glen, Ky G. reports, "The second night had lots of coyotes around, which is cool but can be dangerous if not careful of course. Coyotes were heard all around the general area."
Site amenities vary widely: Research what each site provides before booking. At The West Woods, Jen L. found "Basically it was just a space for a tent and a fire ring. No bathroom (about a half mile of trail away), no water, no picnic table, no alcohol."
Tips for camping with families
Consider distance to facilities: Children may struggle with long walks to bathrooms. At Heritage Farms, Danielle C. notes, "Our site was a little bit of a hike from the parking lot and it took a couple of trips to get everything to the site (along with the dog). The carts they provided helped."
Pack light or bring transport assistance: For sites with long approaches, plan accordingly. Zachary A. recommends for The West Woods: "Site is about a quarter mile from the parking lot so pack light, bring a wagon, and/or be ready for a work out."
Look for sites with shelter options: Some locations offer structures for weather protection. At Headwaters Park, "Campsite G is the one. It is an open lean-to with a stone fireplace facing the inside of the three sided wooden structure," according to Rebecca G.
Tips for RVers
Limited RV options: Most campgrounds near Chardon are tent-focused with minimal RV facilities. Big Creek Park does accommodate some RVs but offers no hookups.
Consider alternative arrangements: For RV travelers, staying further from Chardon may provide better amenities. Lake Village at Pymatuning (30 miles east) and Yeager's Hide-A-Way Campground (35 miles southeast) offer more suitable RV camping.
Accessibility challenges: Many campgrounds have limited vehicle access. Rebecca G. at The West Woods notes, "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."
