Tent camping near Clarence J. Brown Dam and Reservoir offers a mix of woodland and prairie settings within a 30-mile radius. The area sits at approximately 1,000 feet elevation with summer temperatures averaging 80-85°F and cooler spring and fall conditions in the 60-70°F range. Most primitive camping options require advance planning, with sites often booking up 30-60 days ahead during peak season from May through September.
What to do
Fishing access points: At Jacoby Road Canoe Launch, campers can fish directly from their campsite along the Little Miami River. One visitor noted, "Beautiful spot for tent camping right next to the Little Miami River. Picnic tables and fire pit are also nice amenities."
River activities: The Little Miami River provides kayaking opportunities with several put-in points within the camping area. Constitution County Park serves as an excellent launching point, as one camper explained: "It's literally right beside the river and it has a small ramp into the river. It's the perfect launching point for anyone wanting to take a kayaking trip down the river."
Hiking trails: Scioto Grove Metro Park offers marked trails for day hikes or overnight backpacking. A visitor described, "The backpacking site was a great site for new backpackers. It isn't too long but doing the full loop does let you know if your gear is working or going to be an issue."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many tent campers value separation from other groups. At Narrows Reserve, the walk-in site creates natural spacing. A recent visitor explained, "Camp was in a meadow at the end of about an hour walk in. Literally campsite is on top of trails and meadow provides no shade. There was two fire pits provided within the meadow but enough space for quite a few tents."
Free firewood provisions: Dayton Metro Parks (Five Rivers Metroparks) includes firewood with reservations. As one camper detailed, "The nice thing about the Dayton metro parks is that each night in the front country camp sites they include a bundle of fire wood. This is not the small sad bundle that you often buy at gas stations or other markets. This is a huge bundle."
Quiet camping options: Several locations provide secluded tent camping. A review of Constitution County Park states, "The little town across the way is a fun site to see and quiet. There is only one site to camp at, so you won't have to worry about other campers the park is all yours."
What you should know
Water availability limitations: Most primitive sites require bringing your own water supply. At Jacoby Road Canoe Launch, campers must plan ahead as a reviewer noted, "You will need to bring in the water that you will need for cooking and cleaning during your stay."
Reservation systems vary: Some parks require advance booking while others don't. For On Cedar Pond, reservations are essential with only two available sites, though reviewers report, "The stay was amazing! So beautiful."
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds have limited availability during winter months. Scioto Grove Metro Park has specific restrictions as one camper mentioned: "Only weekend stays and it ends in wintertime. I'm sure it's pretty and all, but it's hard to find legit, free dispersed camping in Ohio!"
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly backpacking: Choose Five Rivers Metroparks for introductory backpacking with children. A parent shared, "This was a lovely backpacking trail that is both challenging while not being too hard for new backpackers. They provided a common cooking area between the backpacking sites. Logs to sit on and cooking surface."
Farm animals nearby: Some parks include educational opportunities. One family at Sycamore State Park reported, "The park is great for hunting and has a few good spots to fish. The hiking trails are often over grown and not very challenging. There are quite a few camping areas and a great day camp for events."
Multiple table setups: Look for sites with extra picnic tables when camping with children. As one family camping at Twin Creek observed, "The nice thing about their site is the additional tables made it easy for us to socially distance. When I camp at local state parks and we only have one table it can be tricky to keep coolers, food, and people separated. We also were able to have kids do craft at one of the tables while we were preparing meals."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options: Most tent-focused sites near Clarence J. Brown Dam don't accommodate larger RVs. Constitution County Park has mixed reviews for RVs as one camper noted, "The park overall is nice, just a little small. Perfect if you want to camp alone or with a small party of six. It runs right next to the little Miami."
Road noise considerations: Some camping areas sit close to roads. One RVer at Constitution County Park warned, "The road is extremely near and you can hear every car driving by. The fall chill by the fire is nice but it's way too open for my taste."
