Best Tent Camping near Coldwater, OH

Recent Tent Reviews near Coldwater, OH

246 Reviews of 4 Coldwater Campgrounds

• 

  not S.

  Ranger

  

  Jun. 29, 2024

  Dayton KOA Holiday

  Clean and well managed

  I was impressed that this KOA had so many trees. Best tent sites are 320 and the ones next to the creek. Quietest tent sites are 408, 409 and 410, but those are also furthest from the bathroom. Very clean showerhouses. Great basecamp to explore the Dayton area.

• 

  Julie R.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 29, 2019

  Summit Lake State Park Campground

  Clean, fun, quiet

  Restroom & shower facilities are clean

  Flat-steep Grades for tent camping and camper camping.

  Many hiking trails

  Boat rental.

  Swim area

• 

  Erik B.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 18, 2023

  Prairie Creek Reservoir

  Prairie Creek Reservoir North Shore Campground

  Took my hubby there for his birthday. Primitive tent camping is more then affordable, and the fishing was AWESOME!! He had an amazing time. We've been back 5 times since then. It's a hidden gem for sure!

• 

  Daniel

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 21, 2020

  Grand Lake St. Marys State Park — Grand Lake St Marys State Park

  Favorite place

  Second time out love this place has a swimming pool and splash pad for the kids and lots of parks and horseshoe pits bike rentals and put put golf but everything is closed from covid definitely my favorite place to camp primitive or electric tent camp

• M

  Mike B.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 9, 2021

  Indian Lake State Park Campground

  Our Favorite Campaite of the Summer

  State parts are usually good parks, but Indian Lake was our favorite of the summer. A large lake, and large campground. Lots of trailer and tent camping, complete with a beach, boat dock and commissary. The campground had an ice cream stand and showed a movie on Saturday evening for kids in their amphitheater. We will definitely return!

• 

  Mandi B.

  Traveler

  

  May. 9, 2018

  Indian Lake State Park Campground

  May be good for a family

  Our experience with Indian Lake was tough, unfortunately we suffered a pretty severe thunderstorm while we were tent camping, it looked like a tsunami coming in. Despite the weather, our experience was still not the greatest one, the trail was confusing and we were eaten alive by mosquitos, even with bug spray. It also was not a very long hike, just a confusing one. The campground had cut down most of the tree coverage, and it was like we were camping with our neighbors. This may be a great family friendly park with a beach and kid activities, but we dont have kids and prefer a more quiet and secluded atmosphere. We will not be returning.

• 

  Jeremiah G.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 4, 2022

  Natural Springs Resort - RV Park, Campground and Recreation Destination

  Lots to offer-tight sites

  Full service campground. 30, 50 am full hook ups. Water and electric only hook ups, primitive RV and tent sites. Some sites are shaded, most of them seem to be year round rented. Most sites not shaded and small. Lake with beach, fishing, boating, and scuba diving. Golf cart rentals, firewood for sale on site. Pool available. Camp store and hot food available on site. Cabins also available for rent. Within 25 min of Walmart, hole improvement stores, and restaurants. Overall nice campground with lots to offer. But in most cases there is parking lot style camping.

• 

  Casi O.

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 26, 2017

  Venture Out Resorts Arrowhead Lakes Resort

  Big rigs to tents

  We stayed here for free for 10 days as a part of a promotion that came with the purchase of our rig. Not sure about normal pricing though, as this campground is owned by Venture Out Resorts and they are a timeshare company (we had to sit for a hour long "pitch" to get our free days). They have 50amp, full hookup, pull through sites (and we saw 40+ ft rigs there) to tent camping to cabin rentals. The campground was clean (shower houses always looked great) and grounds were maintained. Amenities include an indoor pool, hot tub and sauna (close at 10p), but we did not partake because it was so overridden by children, chlorine, and no open windows - didn't seem worth any effort whatsoever in the July heat. The amenities we did checkout (close nightly at 8p) included their new 18 hole mini golf course, small arcade (4 games and pinball was broken 😢), loaner bikes, and water toys (we liked the paddle bikes). The company recently bought the property, so you can see what they inherited vs what it will probably eventually be like based off their sister properties (they recently added the putt putt and a big jungle gym) so it could evolve more as time passes. Regardless, in its current state as active 30 somethings, we were pretty bored. No hiking, significant highway noise, yes a couple big ponds, but a truck stop and truck storage is behind both - so no views. Most of the campers we saw were elderly or had young kids. I'd say if you fall into a category where you want to sit beside your rig all day or want your kids entertained (playgrounds, kids programming - it was luau week so they had a Moana movie night and other kid activities), go on and book a longer stay. If you're only looking for a spot to stay overnight by the highway, do it! It is simple to pull in and have full hookups to take advantage of but a 10 day stay is too long if you're paying. Other things to know: Walmart, Aldi, Lowes, and several automotive chain stores are at max 5 min away, which made grabbing some needed supplies super easy. That said truck stop above was very convenient to get into to fuel up our rig too. Fun fact: Neil Armstrong was born in Wapakoneta and the Armstrong Air & Space Museum is also a max 5 min drive away if you want to get your inner astronaut fix.

• 

  Patrick M.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 28, 2018

  Grand Lake St. Marys State Park — Grand Lake St Marys State Park

  great facility

  great like campground on Ohio’s biggest inland lake

• 

  Sharon T.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 10, 2018

  Prairie Creek Park

  This campground is used mainly by the locals because of it's location.

  Perfect example of this park...my husband and I were quickly becoming homeless and with 2 cat's needed someplace to go fast! It just happened to be Memorial Day weekend.We had a 10 person tent that we had no clue how to put up. We left to get more supplies and upon returning we found 10 guy's waiting to help us put it up! We had no idea who they were, but they put the tent and another screen tent for us and refused to be paid. We were so touched by their help! The park staff found the very last spot after hearing our housing dilemma and checked on me everyday while my husband went to work. Very clean park and safe as the sheriff's department cruised through every night. Campers helped each other with food and wood and picked up after themselves. Very relaxing as it is a drive off the highway which allowed nature to unfold all around campers.

• 

  kim K.

  Traveler

  

  Jan. 5, 2022

  Kil-So-Quah - J. Edward Roush Lake

  Boating enthusiast

  Cash only self check in on sight. Very small campground. About 20 electric and 20 tent. Level gravel lots. Not any hiking really, mostly fishing and boating. Nearby town for supplies.

• 

  Ralph L.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 4, 2018

  Indian Lake State Park Campground

  Good Site with STRANGE Wildlife !

  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 ! There is even lots of wildlife especially of the pink vriety !

• 

  Lindsay B.

  Ranger

  

  Jun. 30, 2015

  Ottawa Metro Park Campground

  Swimming and Family Fun

  The Ottawa Metro Park has a big swimming area, a fishing area, big campsites (mostly for RVs) and walking trails. It's nice. It's Ohio camping, but it's nice. Wouldn't travel far out of my way, but if you're around, you won't regret stopping by.

• 

  Meredith S.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 2, 2020

  Wapakoneta KOA

  Local base camp

  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. Not far from highway but no real traffic noise. Check out the Template of Tolerance a few miles away in Wapakoneta. Definitely with a visit.

• T

  Tori W.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 6, 2019

  Indian Lake State Park Campground

  Average

  Campground had a nice well maintained pool with lifeguards. Campground had clean bathrooms and showers, and everything was well maintained. Would have liked more hiking trails. Only hiking trail is rather boring. The camper hosts nag about a lot of minor things that we’ve never experienced out of the several Ohio state parks we’ve camped out. So I would say average place.

• D

  Davina B.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 13, 2019

  Summit Lake State Park Campground

  Awesome!

  This campground is small but diverse. You can camp in the woods with a lake view or out in the open with your camper, tent or rent a cottage. It has clean restrooms, a beach, hiking trails and tends to be quiet. It’s not far from the city. It’s a quick trip place for a short weekend.

• 

  Gary J.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 5, 2020

  Indian Lake State Park Campground

  Indian Lake State Park Campground

  Very nice campground with larger campsites. Campers varied from tents to large RV’s. Most sites are shaded with large trees and at the end of the cul de sac’s were canals that let you access the lake from the campground. Even had docks for boat campers. A very pleasant and relaxing atmosphere here. Park and restrooms were clean and the showerhouse in “B” section seemed to have been just remodeled. Some fast food and restaurants were close by with unique places like the “Tiltin Hilton” which offered a selection of sandwiches and beer. Nice large playground for the kids as well. Always seemed to have a breeze through the campsites.

• 

  Megan M.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 12, 2024

  Lake Loramie State Park Campground

  Pretty lake. Parking lot campground

  First, the lake here is beautiful. It has many islands, coves and inlets and is perfect for a couple of days of paddling or fishing. That's where the two stars come in. 

  BUT. There are many buts. The campground is like a giant RV lot. The sites are tiny. We were in a tent-only site and we had two families right on top of us on either side. We could hear the entire conversations of one family, plus there were 11 people there, three cars, and they were partying the first night and extremely noisy.

  The reservation map is incorrect. When I reserved, it showed #13 as being on the end of the tent only area. When we arrived, I found out there was a site #14 that wasn't even pictured on the reservation map, and this is where the giant screaming family was parked! I thought I was going to be on the end- it is not very accommodating for a variety of reasons for a reservation map to be so incorrect. 

  The air everywhere reeks of sewage, ranging from what you smell outside a giant pig farm, to what you smell outside of a porta potty, to rotten egg smell. I don't know where these smells were coming from but it was nonstop. 

  The bathrooms were extremely dirty. It looks like they haven't been renovated since the 80s. 

  The employees in the office never seemed to be able to tell us what we needed to know. We asked on Friday evening where the Saturday morning naturalist paddle would be, and we were told to come back Saturday morning and ask someone else. On Saturday, the person in the office told us to go to a location that was miles away- we spent 40 minutes in the car driving around, trying to find where this activity was, only to give up and find out it was actually adjacent to the campground, not down the road in a different part of the park. 

  Last, the lake is in the middle of a residential neighborhood. You can see houses around the edge of the park while you are sitting in your campsite. It is not remote, and there is a noisy, busy highway running along the side of the campground. 

  I enjoyed the lake but I will not camp here again.

• 

  Jonathan W.

  Traveler

  

  Dec. 24, 2019

  St. Mary's Section - Buckeye Trail (Points 6-7)

  On the trail Adirondack shelter

  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. You can drop the tent on this portion! This Adirondack shelter, located between Points 6 and 7 on the St. Mary's Section of the Buckeye Trail, is perfect for you. Built as an Eagle Scout project by Parker and Keaton Cole of Troop 95 (in Sidney), it is large enough for six or to sleep comfortably off the ground. You cannot miss it as you go along the trail. There is a fireplace (stone, make sure you check that the chimney is not blocked) large enough to cook your hotdogs and keep you happy as you sit in the shelter.  There is deadfall from the trees around you that will serve as kindling and fuel for the fire.  If you start in Lockington or Fort Loramie, this shelter is approximately 10 miles in and the right place to break a two-day backpacking trip.

• 

  Sadye H.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 24, 2019

  Kil-So-Quah - J. Edward Roush Lake

  A little needed rest.

  Kil-so-qauh, used to be a little hidden gem right outside of town but has turned into quite a popular place, but for good reason. The campground accommodates both luxury rv campers and more rustic private tent or hammock goers like myself. Entering the camping area there is a lush grass opening with large campsites with water and electric hook ups for the RV folk. There are also 2 nice play grounds in this area as well. Continuing down the road you begin to enter the woods which is non electric sites with plenty of trees to make your weekend private and to the right is an overlook of Roush Lake where you can watxh the sunset set the water on fire. There are no fantastic bathrooms just pit toilets but easy get away is worth it.

  *I've camped here every season but if you dont like crowds, make sure to avoid the summer holidays.

• 

  Alexandra F.

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 3, 2020

  Kiser Lake State Park Campground

  Great Campground

  With this being my first time camping, I don’t have much to compare it to, but I really enjoyed my stay! I had spot 66 (non-electric standard) and I just had my tent and my car and I would definitely pick that spot again! It was absolutely stunning over looking the water with the trees turning colors. I went the first weekend in October so they had a lot of families there because they had all sorts of Halloween activities going on, so it wasn’t very quiet, but I still enjoyed myself. Got in on a Thursday and it was decently quiet that day. They have some play areas for kids, a few hiking trails and a wetlands, but most people were fishing and kayaking. There is a store, but I didn’t go in. Tons of spots to camp, from very secluded to right in the middle of the action. Very family friendly place. I think some small rules were broken here and there by some of the families, but it was just little things, so no harm no foul. Overall a great campground!

• 

  Cindy J.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 13, 2018

  Summit Lake State Park Campground

  Super Fun Place

  tThis park has a lot to offer. The lake offers amazing fun activities. We love kayaking and have our own (but wait... they rent them- canoes too & for just $5 an hour... Say WHAT? ) Yes it's true. The lake has a fabulous beach for swimming along with a fairly nice concession stand also inexpensive. The park is very clean- LOVE IT! They are currently remodeling and updating one of the restrooms but one was still available (as well as additional port-o-potty's). The camping spots are all fairly large. We could have put an extra 3 tents on our site (we have a 17' camper). This park has 2 seperate loops one which has a large playground.

  So now the drawbacks ... There are NO, I repeat, NO hiking trails. They have walking paths only. Still pretty and lots to look at but no actual trails. Bummer as we love to hike.

  The biggest issue is the strictness of the DNR. We have a large camping group that is very respectful and all environmentalist. However, we managed to get 3 seperate tickets this weekend. There was a sign for no beer on the beach ( so we had beer in our cooler in our car- and someone in the group drank the beer on the way to the beach - empty can by the time we arrived - just to throw in trash and someone saw the can and reported it- automatic ticket. Also 2 friends, who are always cautious of the kids on their bikes, playing in the road, etc. however, got speeding tickets. SO JUST USE CAUTION. But at the actual campsites, we did not have any issues at all.

• 

  Candace H.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 18, 2021

  Grand Lake St. Marys State Park — Grand Lake St Marys State Park

  Great campground

  Loved our we can there. The site was a little bit muddy but no big deal. We were right by the restrooms which were nice they have a nice dump station and lots for the kids to do. The playground could definitely use some up keep there was a lot of rust and sharp metal pieces. The camp store definitely needs updating they hardly had anything in there. All in all we were totally go back is really relaxing and beautiful

• 

  Chad W.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 20, 2020

  Grand Lake St. Marys State Park — Grand Lake St Marys State Park

  2nd time with new camper

  This was our second time here but with our new camper. Great location of pull through sites for families with kids because of proximity to playground. This will be a regular spot for us in the coming years.

• 

  Andrea F.

  Legend

  

  Nov. 30, 2020

  Grand Lake St. Marys State Park — Grand Lake St Marys State Park

  Off Season and No Water

  We love camping in the off season but with that comes closures. Some sections of the campgrounds might not be open, no camp hosts and limited bathrooms and showers houses. This is to be expected, but when I called the morning of our trip to make sure potable water was available and I was told yes it was only to drive 2 hours and realized they were wrong. No water 🙁. This would not have been a peas we have dry camped before but all the bathrooms were closed as well.

  After called the park ranger he did let us get some water at the maintenance building so we were at least able to finish the weekend. Lesson learned always pull with at least some water.

  Now back to the campground itself was nice and clean. Site are a little close together. The biggest down side is you are there to enjoy the lake but the lake had algae warnings everywhere not to go near the water.

  They do have a dog park, pool and splash pad when in season and a marina. Also they have WiFi and good cell coverage.

• 

  Kim M.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 7, 2020

  Grand Lake St. Marys State Park — Grand Lake St Marys State Park

  Nice quiet campground

  The pull through area is very cramped; more like a parking lot; the campground is quiet; family friendly; no golf carts all over;

• a

  amber F.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 4, 2018

  Grand Lake St. Marys State Park — Grand Lake St Marys State Park

  Huge sites!

  My husband and I drove 8 hours to visit family and decided to camp here instead of staying in a hotel. It was great! The showers were always clean, the site is huge compared to what we normally stay in. It was pretty cheap per night. Our site was nicely shaded.

  There must have been a nest of some type of bug in our site because I was bit dozens of times but bug spray pretty much fixed that.