S
Shari H.
Scout
ScoutOttawa Metro Park Campground
Nice
Very clean nice place to stay. Friendly ppl, camp hosts are very helpful
Camping near Coldwater, OH
81 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Search destinations
Add dates
SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Campgrounds near Coldwater, Ohio provide a mix of state park and private camping facilities, primarily clustered around Grand Lake St. Marys and Lake Loramie. Grand Lake St. Marys State Park offers full-hookup sites for RVs, tent camping areas, and cabins with electricity. Several private options like River Trail Campground and Cottonwood Lakes accommodate both tent and RV campers with varying amenities. Most campgrounds in the region feature electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings, while some also provide shower facilities and dump stations. Limited primitive camping exists in the area, with most sites being developed rather than dispersed.
Camping is available year-round at several locations including Grand Lake St. Marys State Park, though amenities may be limited during winter months. Many campgrounds operate seasonally, typically from April through October when weather conditions are most favorable. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for summer weekends and holiday periods when sites fill quickly. The terrain is generally flat with minimal elevation changes, making most campgrounds accessible without specialized vehicles. Water quality concerns affect recreational activities at Grand Lake St. Marys, with algae blooms frequently restricting swimming. A visitor noted, "The lake is notorious for having algae blooms that prohibit swimming, so we opted to not kayak or paddleboard because it was clear the water quality was poor."
Family-friendly amenities stand out as a common highlight across multiple campgrounds near Coldwater. Grand Lake St. Marys State Park features a swimming pool, splash pad, and playground that receive positive mentions in reviews. River Trail Campground offers similar facilities plus fishing opportunities in a stocked pond. Campers frequently mention the spacious sites at state park facilities, with one reviewer commenting that the sites are "large compared to what we normally stay in." Most campgrounds provide basic amenities like drinking water and restrooms, with varying levels of cleanliness reported. While waterfront sites exist, water quality issues may detract from the experience at some locations. Campground atmospheres range from quiet state parks to more social private campgrounds with planned activities like bingo and field days.
Best Campgrounds near Coldwater (81)
1. Grand Lake St. Marys State Park Campground
"great like campground on Ohio’s biggest inland lake"
"Stopped for the night while passing through Ohio. Conveniently off the main hwy. The staff at the office were super helpful and friendly and the office was open until 7 on the Sunday we can by."
from $29 - $110 / night
Check Availability2. River Trail Campground II
"Nice lake, you can bring golf carts nice size camping lots. We will go back again great experience beautiful place."
from $45 - $100 / night
Check Availability3. Mercer County Fairgrounds
from $15 - $45 / night
Check Availability4. Lake Loramie State Park Campground
"Relax on the waters edge in shear tranquility. Perfect beach for swimming, excellent trails for hiking, and awesome lake to boat. Multiple launch ramps provide ease and convenience."
"Love being so close to the lake we can fish all the time. The beach is a bit of a walk from the campground but not to far. They offer canoe rentals, and bike rentals."
from $27 - $110 / night
Check Availability5. Cottonwood Lakes
6. Wapakoneta KOA
"We stay here while visiting family nearby Ohio. Lots of shade and quiet even with families and usually pretty full, hosts are extremely nice and accommodating. Swimming pool is clean."
"Great service and help getting the trailer positioned correctly. A few food options on site are nice. The actual sites are very small. Not much room to fit the trailer and vehicle."
from $42 - $55 / night
Check Availability7. Indian Lake State Park Campground
"This Ohio State Park is in a small quaint town. Good sites, nice beach + a real swimming pool. Many places for fishing from shore OR launching your boat !"
"The campground was nearly empty so that was nice but the surrounding area was very crowded. There was nearly no area on the lake that didn’t have houses. The campground was clean and well maintained."
from $29 - $52 / night
Check Availability8. Rustic Haven Campgrounds
9. Ouabache State Park Campground
"The paved bike trail in the park starts near the campground, and connects with a bike trail along the Wabash River that goes into nearby Bluffton, and is an easy ride. "
"Plenty of trails to hike and a nice little lake to enjoy. Will definitely come back here"
from $20 - $33 / night
Check Availability10. St. Mary's Section - Buckeye Trail (Points 6-7)
"You're learning to backpack the Buckeye Trail, and you want to take the first steps towards that without worrying about the physical load you're going to have to carry."
Drive Time
- 1 hr 5 min from Muncie, IN
- 1 hr 7 min from Fort Wayne, IN
- 1 hr 7 min from Dayton, OH
- 1 hr 27 min from Springfield, OH
Recent Camping Photos near Coldwater, OH
51 Photos of 81 Coldwater Campgrounds
Chad W.
Grand Lake St. Marys State Park Campground
Andrea F.
Lake Loramie State Park Campground
Kevin H.
Stillwater Beach Campground
C O.
Venture Out Resorts Arrowhead Lakes Resort
Kelly
Wildcat Woods Campgrounds
Darrell B.
Ouabache State Park Campground
Jeremy D.
Lazy Acres Primitive Camp
loud F.
Poor Farmer's Campground
Andrea F.
Indian Lake State Park Campground
Sammii D.
Wildwood Outdoor Escape
Tim S.
The Firefly Nest
Marsha S.
Kiser Lake State Park Campground
Recent Reviews near Coldwater, OH
288 Reviews of 81 Coldwater Campgrounds
Julie F.
RangerGrand Lake St. Marys State Park Campground
Convenient with all amenities
Stopped for the night while passing through Ohio. Conveniently off the main hwy. The staff at the office were super helpful and friendly and the office was open until 7 on the Sunday we can by. Most sites where we were (#203) were pull through a on concrete. There’s a pool also - although we didn’t have time to check it out. The dump station provides the “stinky slinky” so you don’t have to use yours 🙃 Nice big lake for boats and fishing.
- BBedfordScout
Poor Farmer's Campground
Very nice
Very nice setting, clean, propane, full hook ups. They also have RV parts if needed.
- HHarold
GuideDayton KOA Holiday
Not for class B vans
Arrived after 7:00 p.m. to find an envelope with my campsite number of 78 and directions. The site was a tiny back in site that was so slanted downward that you had to go in head first to keep your head level with or above your feet. Of course, that puts the utilities on the wrong side of the van. There were other sites that were appropriate and were empty and after looking around I believe number 78 is the worst site in the whole facility.
- SStace K.Scout
Indian Lake Adventures
Mostly full time campers
Nice sites with some shaded. Majority of the campground are seasonal. The indoor pool is great but both stalls didn’t have TP and look like they haven’t been cleaned in a long time. Listed as a resort I expected bathrooms to be cleaner. Was hoping to stay here but left after seeing the showers in the main bathhouse.
Jeanene A.
LegendWayne County Fairgrounds
Lots of space, open fields
We had a wonderful camping experience at the Wayne County Fairgrounds during a recent convention we attended on-site! The grounds were spacious, peaceful, and easy to navigate. Having 30 amp electric hookups, convenient access to water, and dump stations on the property made our stay comfortable and stress-free. There was plenty of room to relax and enjoy the outdoors, and the location was convenient for getting around Richmond. We would gladly camp here again and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a comfortable and convenient place to stay!
- CClarence C.Scout
Wapakoneta KOA
Nice for an overnight stay
It's a nice campground, convenient to the Interstate, but the sites are very close together, so you'd better be on good terms with your neighbor. Having cable and a cafe that delivers to your site is a real plus, but the wifi if iffy.
Claudia W.ScoutDeer Ridge Camping Resort
very cozy in a nicely wooded area. very clean. Owners were so gracious.
we have never met such nice people who were so nice to help in any way. We loved our stay at Deer Ridge Campground in Richmond IN.
- ddan H.Guide
Back 40 Campground
Great park.
Stayed over 4th of July. Place was packed. We only stayed two days but had to pay for three. We knew this going in, and I don't blame them for requiring a 3 day stay on holidays because they're just packed; and if you only booked two days , they would lose out on a day because nobody's going to take just one day. Was worth the extra $. As to the park, it is very nice. Clean, mowed and trimmed. Great roads. There are quite a few full timers and several that rent the same slots continously and stay only part time. Access is controlled by a gate and if you arrive after 10pm you'll have to park outside in overflow and walk to your camper. We did not find this to be a problem. Narrow driveway in and out of park, RVs can't pass each other so giving way is a must. Back 40 has many sites and is very popular with the locals Several are only elect and water, quite a few appear to be full hookup, but not sure how many are permanently rented. All Rigs in the park when we stayed were well kept up - no junk ones. Internet was overwhelmed while we were there due to too many users. However we had great 5G Verizon service. Owners and staff were great. Only 2 showers in each gender. They are a bit dated but generally clean and very usable. We really enjoyed our stay and would book again should we return. We didn't have time for investigating local sites, but the Muesum of the US Air Force is a one hr drive and VERY worth the trip. It will take you 6 or 7 hrs to see it all. Highly recommend this park.
Guide to Coldwater
Camping near Coldwater, Ohio concentrates around Grand Lake St. Marys and nearby state parks within a 30-mile radius. The region sits at approximately 900 feet above sea level in western Ohio's flat agricultural landscape. Winter camping options remain available but limited, with temperatures regularly dropping below freezing from November through March, requiring appropriate cold-weather gear and equipment.
What to do
Hiking trails: At Lake Loramie State Park Campground, multiple walking paths provide exercise options. "The park has great trails for hiking and biking. The bison exhibit and ranger programs are great too," notes a camper.
Fishing opportunities: The lakes around Coldwater offer year-round fishing access. At Wapakoneta KOA, campers can fish nearby or enjoy on-site recreation. One reviewer mentioned it's "a great place to stop and recover from the road! Close to I75, level sites, laundry, showers, two dog areas and a store and restaurant."
Local attractions: Explore beyond campgrounds with nearby points of interest. "We ended up driving around the country roads and seeing the sights. Neil Armstrong was born in nearby Wapakoneta so there are some sights to see there, and the towns of Celina and one other are cute too," shares a Grand Lake St. Marys camper.
What campers like
Pool facilities: Swimming pools provide relief when lake conditions aren't favorable. River Trail Campground receives praise for its water facilities. "Nice saltwater pool, a park and a clean pond with a swimming beach. Catch and release fishing allowed," reports a camper.
Recreation options: Many campgrounds offer on-site activities beyond water recreation. "The campground has a nice playground, putt putt golf, boat docks, hiking trails, and some other great amenities. Has group camping area and cabins," notes a visitor to Grand Lake St. Marys State Park.
Camping atmosphere: Different campgrounds offer varying social environments. Indian Lake State Park provides a family-friendly setting with scheduled activities. "Lots of activities and trails. This is definitely a campground for families and for those who want lots of company in there experience," mentions a reviewer.
What you should know
Water quality concerns: Algae issues affect multiple lakes in the region. "The women's shower was gross too. I ended up not using their shower room," reported a River Trail Campground visitor.
Seasonal variability: Campground conditions change dramatically with seasons. A Lake Loramie visitor noted, "I think for us this park might be better in the fall. The bugs were really bad every time we were outside. The mosquitoes were so bad even in the day that we kept away."
Site selection importance: Campground layouts vary widely. Ouabache State Park just across the Indiana border offers an alternative. "The campsites are variable, size and privacy definitely depends on the site you book. The potable water is brown and smelly... be sure to bring your water filter!"
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Select sites near play areas for convenience. "The camping spot was great. It was very close to the pool and playground. Could sit at our spot and watch our kids at the playground," reports a Grand Lake St. Marys visitor.
Scheduled activities: Some campgrounds organize events for children. "We had a great weekend of camping! The kids loved the playground and had fun at the Fun Field Day activities," shares a Lake Loramie State Park camper.
Educational opportunities: Cottonwood Lakes offers nature-based learning. A Lake Loramie camper suggests visiting nearby attractions: "The bison exhibit and ranger programs are great too. The campsites are variable, size and privacy definitely depends on the site you book."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Prepare for flat but sometimes uneven sites. "Our pad was not level front to back so we had to adjust a little bit," reported an Indian Lake State Park visitor.
Hookup availability: Hookup options vary by location. "Only drawback is no water and sewer hook up at the campsite," notes an Ouabache State Park camper about their facilities.
Space considerations: Some campgrounds offer more room than others. "The actual sites are very small. Not much room to fit the trailer and vehicle. Basically the site is as wide as your awning," reports a Wapakoneta KOA visitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Coldwater, OH?
What camping is available near Coldwater, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, Coldwater, OH offers a wide range of camping options, with 81 campgrounds and RV parks near Coldwater, OH and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Coldwater, OH?
Which is the most popular campground near Coldwater, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Coldwater, OH is Grand Lake St. Marys State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 15 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Coldwater, OH?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Coldwater, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Coldwater, OH.
Keep Exploring