Best Campgrounds near Columbus Grove, OH

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Campgrounds near Columbus Grove, Ohio include several established sites within a 30-mile radius, offering diverse accommodations ranging from tent and RV camping to cabin rentals. Ottawa Metro Park Campground provides water and electric hookups with paved sites, while Twin Lakes Park features options for tent, RV, and cabin camping with walk-in access. Lake Cody and Robins Nest Campground round out the selection of mixed-use campgrounds in the region, catering primarily to RV travelers but also accommodating tent campers at most locations.

Most campgrounds in this part of Ohio operate seasonally, with many closing during winter months. "Very clean and pleasant campground, not far off the interstate. A 13-mile Greenway passes by there. Very nice bath and shower house," noted one visitor about Ottawa Metro Park. Access to developed campgrounds generally requires no special vehicles, with paved or gravel roads leading to most sites. Reservations are recommended at several locations, including Twin Lakes Park and Bluffton/Findlay SW KOA, particularly during summer weekends. First-come, first-served camping is available at Ottawa Metro Park Campground, which maintains a 30-day maximum stay policy. Electrical service varies between campgrounds, with some offering both 30-amp and 50-amp connections.

Campers consistently rate water features as highlights of the region's camping areas. The swimming pond at Arrowhead Lake RV Park receives positive mention, though one visitor noted "it only goes to about 3.5-4 feet deep at the deepest point." Several campgrounds maintain fishing ponds, with Blue Water Campground and Twin Lakes Park both offering dedicated fishing areas. Bathroom and shower facilities earn mixed reviews across the region's campgrounds, with Ottawa Metro Park receiving praise for cleanliness and accessibility features. Family-friendly amenities appear common, with playground equipment and organized activities available at larger campgrounds. Proximity to highways makes several sites convenient for overnight stays during travel, though road noise can be an issue at Twin Lakes Park, where one camper mentioned "loud noise from the highway" as a drawback.

Best Camping Sites Near Columbus Grove, Ohio (73)

    1. Ottawa Metro Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Lima, OH
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (419) 221-1232

    $25 - $30 / night

    "Beautiful park with bike and walking paths. Camp hosts are very helpful. Bathrooms and showers are very clean."

    "The bath house has men's and women's bathrooms as well as a largish entry room with water fountains (one accessible to those in a wheelchair or child), a vending machine, information about the park, an"

    2. Lake Cody

    1 Review
    Lima, OH
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (419) 641-3782

    $35 - $40 / night

    3. Twin Lakes Park

    4 Reviews
    Bluffton, OH
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (419) 477-5255

    "Playground is great, lots to do, and the fishing and swimming lakes are nice. Caught some decent bass and kids enjoyed all the bluegill fishing. Bath house was very clean."

    CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

    4. Indian Lake State Park Campground

    34 Reviews
    Lakeview, OH
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (937) 843-3553

    "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."

    5. Robins Nest Campground

    1 Review
    Lima, OH
    11 miles
    +1 (419) 649-2267

    6. Bluffton / Findlay SW KOA

    1 Review
    Bluffton, OH
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (419) 477-5255

    7. Wapakoneta KOA

    8 Reviews
    Jackson Center, OH
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (419) 738-6016

    $42 - $55 / night

    "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."

    CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

    8. Arrowhead Lake RV Park & Campground

    4 Reviews
    Bluffton, OH
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (419) 365-5374

    $225 - $250 / night

    9. Blue Water Campground

    3 Reviews
    Grover Hill, OH
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (419) 587-3186

    "The pool, ponds, playground and pavillion are all within walking distance from almost any site."

    "Pool, lakes, very dog friendly, activities, food, washer and dryer, showers!"

    10. Van Buren State Park Campground

    12 Reviews
    Van Buren, OH
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (419) 832-7662

    "It has tons of trails and a pond. There are a few places to car camp or RV camp nearby. I love getting out of town and visiting Van Buren State Park, and I have lots of good memories."

    "Since Van Buren State park is an easy 20 minutes away from home for me, i visit there often. it is clean and quiet, they dont get too busy and loud."

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Recent Reviews near Columbus Grove, OH

217 Reviews of 73 Columbus Grove Campgrounds


  • Marc D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2025

    White Star Park Campground

    Great stopping point

    Nice little campground just outside of the small town of Gibsonburg Ohio. Great stopping point on a cross country road trip. Very quiet. Basic but nice facilities. Showers and bathrooms. Fire pits.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Mary Jane Thurston State Park Campground

    $34 per night for tent (primitive) camping

    It's expensive to stay here, but at least it's a place to park. And it gets us closer to our destination. There are electric hook-ups on some sites, but it costs more. And they do have water. I didn't see a gray dump, but they probably do have one.

  • B
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Van Buren State Park Campground

    Cozy

    Some of the sites are small so you have to be careful which you site you reserve if you’re a tent camper. The outside of the circle is your best bet and there’s a few scattered in the middle. If you can get a good middle spot it’s nice if you have kids since there’s a playground, swings, basketball, and tether court. No running water for bathrooms if that’s important for you. The park is also just off a country road so traffic can occasionally be heard but it’s not excessive. Grounds are very well maintained and the hosts were very nice.

  • S
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Mary Jane Thurston State Park Campground

    Lots to do here

    The camp sites on the river are excellent. Some sights are by the highway. They are still nice, but lots of road noise. There is no water at the camp sites, but water is available. There are no shower facilities. There are great hiking trails and a nice frisbee golf course.

  • Rebecca H.
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Wapakoneta KOA

    Out Standing

    Wonderful facility! Pool, pool table, games for kids and adults. The grounds are beautiful and the staff is super friendly and helpful! Oh and in the laundry room they even have a sink for washing dishes! Great for tent campers ar those with small units that don't have kitchens.

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Indian Lake State Park Campground

    Lots of sites

    Our pad was not level front to back so we had to adjust a little bit. The fire ring was nice but our picnic table was beat up. I went to move it and the seat pulled right off. We stayed on a Sunday night so it wasn’t packed. There are a ton of sites. Some had great shade and others didn’t have any at all. The bathrooms were flush toilets and they did have shower houses too. The camp store is really big and it’s right next to their pool. They have a dog park, place to dock your boat and a small beach. I would imagine this would be a pretty busy during the summer.

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Van Buren State Park Campground

    Small and peaceful

    We stayed one night on our way to IN. We’ve never been here before and wanted to check it off our list. It’s a small campground with one side as equestrian and the other side not. All sites had electric and water, no full hookup. There were only drop toilets and no showers. They were clean but I don’t think I’d want to do more than a weekend there. It had a nice playground for kids and plenty of trails to hike or go horseback riding. They also had a dog park and small wildflower garden. The check in cabin had ice and wood for sale but no store. Our site was really nice. The pads were recently paved and had a huge bumper at the end. The fire ring was nice and the site had plenty of space for tents.

  • Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Resting Roost

    Okay for one night I guess

    We were kind of stuck, looking for a place to stay as we didn’t have reservations during Labor Day weekend so found this place that was listed on Hip Camp. Near Belle Center. PROS- was relatively cheap, $24,out in the middle of fields so pretty quiet, host seems pretty nice. CONS- had to back up a 100 yard driveway, lots of bugs, smells as they just fertilized the fields (not the owners fault). Okay for setting up a tent or a small rig but wouldn’t advise for trailers. Electric was an extension cord. I think water is available. Owner could have mowed the place a bit.

  • Megan M.
    Aug. 27, 2025

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

    Campground is fine but the lake reeks of POO

    First the good: the campground is big and spacious. Some areas were like RV parking lots- no trees, no shade, but there was a grassy area in the middle with nice big trees and shade. There is a nice pool and splash pad. Weirdly, the pool closed from 4 to 5, leaving us with nowhere to go on a 90+ degree day. 

    Now, the not-so-good: we stayed in a camper cabin and it was very shabby and dirty. It had bunkbeds, a full size fridge, and a folding table and folding chairs, which was nice (and rare in Ohio state park camper cabins). The bathrooms were average. Not new, not especially sparkling clean, but fine. Not gross, at least.

    Now, the terrible: the entire lake stinks of pig poop. All the air smells like poo. You feel like you are breathing feces when you approach the water. We were right on the water so we couldn't escape the smell. 

    This lake is notorious for having algae blooms that prohibit swimming. So I did a google search before our trip and the Ohio Department of Health reports that the bacteria level in this lake is dangerously high, and no one should swim in this lake. However, when we walked to the campground beach, there was no sign or warning or anything indicating the bacteria in the water- and people were letting their children and dogs swim in it!! 

    We opted to not kayak or paddleboard in the lake because it was clear that it was full of poop. So we had nothing to do at the park except go to the pool (it was too hot to do anything else). We ended up driving around the country roads and seeing the sights so we could escape the smelly lake and hot poo fumes. 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. 

    Overall, I will not return to this lake or this part of the state. If you can't get in the water, paddle board or kayak, the only thing left to do is ride around in a boat and hope the water doesn't get anywhere near your mouth or your skin. No thanks.


Guide to Columbus Grove

Camping sites near Columbus Grove, Ohio range from established campgrounds to seasonal parks with diverse options for outdoor recreation. Located in northwestern Ohio where the terrain is predominantly flat with an average elevation of 800 feet, the area has a humid continental climate with warm summers and cold winters. Most campgrounds remain open from April through October, with limited winter availability at select locations.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Blue Water Campground maintains multiple fishing ponds that campers can access during their stay. "They have everything you need for a long stay. Pool, lakes, very dog friendly, activities, food, washer and dryer, showers!" notes Nicole S.

Swimming options: The swimming pond at Arrowhead Lake RV Park & Campground provides cooling relief during summer months. According to Bryatt S., "They have two ponds, one for fishing and one for swimming. The swimming one has a dock kids jump off but it only goes to about 3.5-4 feet deep at the deepest point."

Trail exploration: For those who prefer land-based activities, Van Buren State Park offers extensive trail systems. Kevin T. mentions, "I came cross country skiing here in early January and it was absolutely amazing. It is cold but the terrain is simple for first time skiers."

What campers like

Clean facilities: Wapakoneta KOA maintains well-kept grounds and amenities that receive positive feedback. Lisa D. shares, "Super clean KOA with level gravel sites (no weeds popping up through gravel!) 2 Fenced dog areas, nice playground, game room, giant chess set outside, clean pool.. you name it, this KOA has it!"

Peaceful atmosphere: Several campgrounds near Columbus Grove provide quiet environments for relaxation. About Ottawa Metro Park Campground, Yanna C. comments, "It was the best decision to make! It is such a nice peaceful campground! The sites were nicely spaced along with a wonderful bathroom. Its definitely one of the nicest campgrounds I have ever been to!"

Recreational activities: Many camping sites near Columbus Grove offer built-in entertainment options. At Twin Lakes Park, Lauren R. reports, "Playground is great, lots to do, and the fishing and swimming lakes are nice. Caught some decent bass and kids enjoyed all the bluegill fishing."

What you should know

Reservation systems: Some campgrounds require advance bookings while others operate on first-come, first-served basis. Laura M. explains about Ottawa Metro Park Campground: "It is first come..no reservations. Water and electric 30 Amp and some 50 amps as well. Beautiful park with bike and walking paths. Camp hosts are very helpful."

Site variations: Campground layouts differ significantly across the region, with some offering more privacy than others. At Indian Lake State Park Campground, leif D. observes, "There are no wooded areas in the campground so all spaces are open to all the other camper. Some shaded areas but mostly open land."

Bathroom facilities: Availability of showers and restrooms varies between campgrounds. At Van Buren State Park, Angie B. notes, "They keep the restrooms clean, but no flush toilets, which dont bother me. My only complaint about Van Buren State park is that there are no shower facilities."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: When camping with children, site location relative to play areas matters. Scott F. from Van Buren State Park mentions, "Kids loved having the playground so close to the camper."

Swimming options: Indian Lake State Park Campground provides multiple water recreation options for families. Jamie L. says, "There is a sand beach for swimming (even a separate doggy beach!) or a new in-ground pool. Primitive to full hook-up sites available as well as 'boat-camping' sites."

Organized activities: Some campgrounds coordinate events for younger guests. At Indian Lake State Park, leif D. observes, "Lots of activities for kids and families and even movies and music on the weekend."

Tips from RVers

Site dimensions: For RV campers, understanding site specifications helps ensure compatibility. At Wapakoneta KOA, Zachary W. cautions, "The actual sites are very small. Not much room to fit the trailer and vehicle. Basically the site is as wide as your awning."

Hookup information: Electric service types vary between campgrounds. Paula S. explains at Blue Water Campground: "They offer water and electric hook-up for 30&50 amps. There is not a sewer hook up but they do offer a weekly pump out for a small fee and a dump station on the way out."

Pad construction: RVers should note the type of parking surface at each campground. At Arrowhead Lake RV Park, Tim G. mentions, "While looking a bit narrow, it seemed some pull thrus for big rigs were adequate, with concrete pads and picnic tables. But all the driveways and pull thrus were gravel."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Columbus Grove, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, Columbus Grove, OH offers a wide range of camping options, with 73 campgrounds and RV parks near Columbus Grove, OH and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near Columbus Grove, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Columbus Grove, OH is Ottawa Metro Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 6 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Columbus Grove, OH?

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