Best Tent Camping near Columbus, OH
Looking for tent camping near Columbus? The Dyrt helps you find campsites with tent camping near Columbus. Each tent campsite offers quick access to one or more of Columbus's most popular destinations.
Best Tent Sites Near Columbus, Ohio (11)
1. Scioto-Grove Metro Park
8 Reviews•13 Photos•100 SavesGrove City, OhioScioto Grove Metro Park is a 620-acre park along the Scioto River with mature forests and scenic bluffs overlooking the river. It features more than seven miles of trails, two picnic areas with shelters, tables and grills, a kids play area and several overlook decks. The park is located on a scenic bend of the Scioto River and is a great destination for canoeists, kayakers, anglers and people wanting to see waterfowl and other wildlife. Dogs on leashes are welcome throughout the park, which also features a sledding hill. Thanks to a generous donation of 193 acres of land from the City of Grove City, funds from the State of Ohio Clean Ohio Program, and passage of a property tax levy by Franklin County voters, Metro Parks has developed this park for people of all ages and abilities to experience nature and enjoy quality time with family and friends. Additional support came from outdoor retailer REI to construct a backpack trail along the river for those just getting into the sport, as well as those seasoned backpackers who want a quick overnight without having to journey several hours.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Trash
2. Geneva Hills - Camp and Event Center
2 Reviews•3 Photos•5 SavesRockbridge, OhioProviding a place for all God's children to grow in Faith, Fellowship and Fun through Christ-centered camps and outdoor ministries. Located in the beautiful Hocking Hills in southern Fairfield County, Ohio, it is a quick and convenient drive that feels a million miles away - providing the serenity and connection with God's creation that only being emerged in nature can provide. Learn more about who we are, what we do and how you can participate in or support our work. As a non-profit with a seasonal mission, we still must maintain our facilities throughout the year to allow us to adequately support our mission. Lodging is a great way to help support our camp and help us cover our basic costs throughout the year while enjoying the outdoor experience and facilities that Geneva Hills has to offer.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Tents
$35 - $600 / night
3. Old Stone Church Campground
2 Reviews•6 Photos•14 SavesNew Lexington, OhioThe horse camp has ten sites are provided at the campground, each with a 45' long by 15' wide parking space. Two sites are fully accessible for people with disabilities. Each site has a covered paddock, fire pit, grill, and tent pad.
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Group
- Equestrian
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Trash
4. Old Stone Church Trailhead
1 Review•2 Photos•25 SavesNew Lexington, OhioPrimitive camping is allowed at no charge at the Old Stone Church Trailhead.
This trailhead is part of the Stone Church Horse Trail System. Named for the skeletal ruins of an old stone church nearby, the Stone Church Horse Trail System provides a great opportunity for scenic riding on 21 miles of trails. Various loops for other distances are available. The horse trail winds through the rolling hills of the Wayne National Forest. The trails will lead you through a variety of vegetation: open fields, brushland, mature forest, and new forest. Along the way, you may glimpse wildlife, and will recognize the influence of humans, both now and in the past. You will also pass many of our land management activities.
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Alcohol
5. Waters Edge Canoe Livery
1 Review•3 Photos•27 SavesChillicothe, Ohio- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Tents
$12 / night
6. Merritt Site
Be the first to review!•2 SavesClarence J. Brown Dam and Reservoir, OhioThis recreation area is part of Clarence J. Brown Dam and Reservoir
- Tents
7. SaltCreek Retreats
Be the first to review!•2 SavesAdelphi, OhioLocation, Location, Location! In the heart of the Hocking Hills, high up on the top of the hills overlooking the SaltCreek Valley. We offer our Family Farm with dry off grid camping in Mini convertible A frame cabins, dry camping cabin, yurt, dispersed camping & full service cabin home. We offer acres of private land with hiking trails, the Salt Creek for swimming & fishing, bikes available to share, firewood cut & stacked on site. We provide all the necessities for enjoying a camping trip without you having to lift a finger. We provide Comfy beds, linens, propane heaters, chuck camp box with all your culinary needs, lanterns, flashlights, maps of area attractions & supported businesses. Let’s not forget you will be in the middle of the woods where all the birds and animals live. That includes, flying insects, ants, stink bugs, skunks, raccoons, fox, coyote, deer, birds, bats and Hillbillies.
We are 20 minutes from The Caves, 5 minutes to a full service Village with grocery store, butcher shops, gas stations, 5 restaurants & banking needs. Luxury camping at its best.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Cabins
$50 - $225 / night
9. Caveman's Retreat
Be the first to review!•2 SavesSouth Bloomingville, Ohio- Electric Hookups
- Tents
- Cabins
$32 / night
10. Stone Church Horseback Riding System
Be the first to review!•2 SavesNew Lexington, OhioNamed for the skeletal ruins of an old stone church nearby, the Stone Church Horse Trail System provides a great opportunity for scenic riding. Various loops for other distances are available. The horse trail winds through the rolling hills of the Wayne National Forest. The trails will lead you through a variety of vegetation- open fields, brushland, mature forest, and new forest. Along the way, you may glimpse wildlife, and will recognize the influence of humans, both now and in the past. You will also pass many of our land management activities. The trailhead provides a camp specifically for equestrians and 21 miles of scenic riding. The horse camp has ten sites are provided at the campground, each with a 45' long by 15' wide parking space. Two sites are fully accessible for people with disabilities. Each site has a covered paddock, fire pit, grill, and tent pad.
- Tents
Recent Tent Reviews near Columbus, Ohio
644 Reviews of 11 Columbus Campgrounds
Brady R.
Guide
Hocking Hills State Park Campground
Fave Midwest State Park
I get asked "where should we go camping or hiking in the Midwest?" Hocking Hills State Park is always my go-to answer.
It has a ton of different terrains, it's easily accessible from Columbus, OH, and has great hiking opportunities.
This particular campground is amazing because it's located nicely to many hiking trails but far away that you aren't overly crowded so you still get the feeling that you're in nature.
I've been here a ton growing up in the horse campground area, but most recently was there for tent camping. We were surrounded mostly by RVs, but we fit in quite nicely into our site.
The sites were nicely spaced out and the hiking trails were all nearby.
Angie J.
Scout
Campbell Cove Camping
Great Location to Old Man's Cave
We loved the location of Campbell Coves to Old Man’s Cave and hiking trails. We do a family trip to the area every fall and this will be our go-to location. We've already booked for fall 2021. We stayed in one of the rustic cabins. With other family members bringing their RVs. The bathroom facilities were some of the nicest and cleanest we’ve experienced. My parents had an RV site overlooking the lake. I wouldn’t tent camp there. The tent sites were all in the same area with no division from each other. They are expanding and can’t wait to see those offerings.
- OOlivia S.Guide
Hocking Hills State Park Campground
Amazing State Park!
Best state park in Ohio for sure! 2 1/2 hour drive from Cincinnati, 1 1/2 hour drive from Columbus, and 3 hour drive from Cleveland. This park has plenty of trails for all types of people, my favorite is conkles hollows, so I highly recommend that!
- Grace D.Guide
Alum Creek State Park Campground
Peaceful, quiet, and scenic.
Alum Creek State Park is just under 40 minutes from Columbus. It makes a great weekend getaway from the city. The campground offers some spots next to the water which have a wonderful view.
- bbill R.
Traveler
Hocking Hills KOA Holiday
Great site
Never staying at a KOA before I was surprised how clean and well kept it was. The tent area was on a small elevation above the rvers so you could look down on them. Lol. The tent site was very nice and mostly flat. There are plenty of things for the kids to do. It does cater to the rvers so not that many tent sites. The one down side is the tent sites close to the bathrooms was crowded so if a little more privacy is wanted choose one a short distance away. All in all a nice place and I would return..
Greg W.ScoutAlum Creek State Park Campground
Really high quality
tent camping two nights. very well run park. great facilities
Don B.Traveler
John Bryan State Park Campground
John Bryant State Park
Great place to visit has three parks in one John Bryant and Glen Helen nature preserve and Clifton Gorge are some of the best hiking trails in south west Ohio. Camp sites are great for tent camping with a few RV spots. You can visit the near by historical town of Yellow Springs.
- SStephanieScout
Hocking Hills State Park Campground
Good Camp
Tent camped on a non-electric site in early May. Great campground. Clean, relatively quiet, and great bathrooms. The camp sites are right off one of the main trails in the park, so very easy to get out for a hike.
- Grace D.Guide
Delaware State Park Campground
Hidden treasure
This campsite is the destination for a relaxing weekend of camping with friends and family. There are hundreds of sites (RV and tent camping). The facilities were clean and well maintained. It’s an added bonus to have a frisbee golf course in the park!
- Tammy G.Guide
Hocking Hills State Park Campground
easy access to local trails and sights
many electric sites,usually busy, some rustic tent sites, 3 camper cabins in park. some shower houses . state park also offers cabins that sleep 6 with amenities also hike in campground in area.
- KKaitlyn H.Traveler
Buck Creek State Park Campground
Infested Bathrooms
This campsite would have been perfect if not for the bathrooms littered with bugs, insects, and spiders. Otherwise, the campsite was quiet, the tent sites were nicely spaced out, and the bathrooms were easily accessible.
- AA B.Traveler
Geneva Hills - Camp and Event Center
Would stay again
Tent site was nice. We could make dinner and there weren’t any mosquitoes even though it was right above a swamp. It was a nice driving distance from Hocking Hills and a neat place to camp.
- Mary S.Traveler
Alum Creek State Park Campground
Alum Creek State Park
This is a huge campground! I tent camped by myself--felt very safe. Happened to be next to the park host. No choice of where to locate my large tent. Showers/bathrooms were OK--older facilities. Wish this park had a laundry facility--another Ohio park I recently stayed at had a fairly new shower facility that included a laundry facility! Did not appreciate the waste management company emptying the dumpsters at 4:00 AM!!! There is a huge, lakeside beach that was just packed with people (no social distancing) and there was trash everywhere--not enough dumpsters. Near to shopping (Polaris), if you are interested. Will try to get a lakeside site next time.
- AAutumn J.Scout
Hocking Hills State Park Campground
Great Beginner site
This was our first tent camping experience and over all went really well! Our particular site wasn’t very tent friendly and was overall a little awkward with the placement of hills and our fire pit, but I think that was a one off. We made it work and had a great time! The sites are close together so be aware if you aren’t fond of neighbors :) we will definitely be back!
- Timothy C.Traveler
John Bryan State Park Campground
Lovely, well maintained park.
Great tent sites on mowed lawn under old growth trees. Our night’s rest was interrupted multiple times with airport noise—airplanes and helicopters. Note that at this time (COVID) you cannot just pull in and occupy a site. You must call in for a reservation.
- MMike H.Scout
Hocking Hills KOA Holiday
Bad Business
Had reserved two tent sites, had to put down 45$ for each site. On Friday the weather was to be awful. Forecast calling for 3-4" of rain. Flash flood watches for entire area. So being in tents we cancelled our reservations. Campground would not return our 90$ deposit. To me that's bad business! I was out 90$!!!
Joy M.TravelerBuck Creek State Park Campground
Nice, safe campsite
Stopped here during a road trip with a friend. Very family friendly. Tent sites were nice and flat, felt a little cramped though. Bathrooms were clean. The lake was very nice, clear, and refreshing. Flet good to be close to it! Easy to find the campsites and pretty affordable.
- April H.Scout
Kokosing Valley Camp & Canoe
Beautiful River
Beautiful location along a river. All the permanent sites are down by the river. Weekend sites are up front and aren't as nice. Most if not all are grass sites. Only water and electricity, no sewer, even for permanent campers. Has nice facilities, especially the pool and golf area. Also was a little hilly. Would suggest tent camping if coming for the weekend.
- KKKTraveler
Dillon State Park Campground
A delightful park for families, lots of RVs
We had a great time in the walk-in, non-electric section — easy to get to with its own dedicated parking. These sites had good space between them, but no real barriers from other tents, so just depends who’s staying near you!
The full electric sections were packed with RVs and trailers, looks like a fun place to be for a bit, but glad we weren’t tent camping between them all. Access to water sports and trails is great!
Fred J.Guide
Top O' The Caves Campground
Great Campground for everyone
This Campground was pretty great! My wife and I stayed in a rather large tent site and my parents stayed in an RV site. The RV site was rather small without much personal space. But it worked for what they needed. The tent site was decently secluded and near a nice small pond.
The campground put on a free BBQ for all of the guests one of the nights! It was very good and well thought out. They also put on a very long firework show that night which was awesome! We must have came the perfect weekend.
The restrooms were rather large and and worked fine. As well as the showers. There are also a few nice looking cabins! There is a camp store in the office, but it's rather small without anything interesting. There is a large barn with a few arcade games that the kids seemed to like.
The best part about this Campground?? DOGS ARE ALLOWED!! We were so grateful of this because we love taking our dog camping with us!
Carlos F.TravelerTop O' The Caves Campground
Very nice campground
We’ve stayed twice at this campground and have had a great time both times. It’s located very close to Hocking Hills State Park. Some of the tent sites are on an incline, but the RV site we had (site 24) was very spacious. There’s a a nice pool and nature trails. There’s even a trail to Ash cave from the campground.
Cassandra C.Guide
A.W. Marion State Park Campground
Small and friendly
We chose A.W. Marion State Park on this particular weekend because it's relatively close to home (Columbus area). While I had come here to hike the 5 mile trail around Hargus Lake in the past, it was our first visit to the campground.
We reserved site #4 in the non-electric section. Unfortunately #4 isn't the best site in the campground - it was very small and wide - one of our 3 small tents ended up right next to the car. But we made it work and really enjoyed our stay. It was right across from the porta johns, so that's something of which to be aware. It's right next to #3 (obviously), which is not available for reserving because it's the extra site that remains available if someone has an issue with their existing reservation. Regardless of these little issues, we had a great time. This primitive section of the campground is really nice overall, and far away from the noisy RVs. The hosts were super nice, as were the other people camping. The distance from Columbus makes it a quick and easy weekend trip.
Karen H.ScoutA.W. Marion State Park Campground
Nice but has needs
We have tent camped here three times. Small but nice campground. Nice lake close to the campground just down an access road. I would give it a higher rating but there are no showers, concrete floored, hole in the ground 'outhouses' (one men's, one woman's) by the playground and port-a-johns at the other end of the campground. The last time we were there in September 2016, the port-a-johns were absolutely full and nasty despite daily phone calls by the camp caretakers that they needed serviced. They were finally serviced just before the weekend campers came in and we were leaving. Small adequate camp store. Movie for the kids at the outdoor theater.
- AJ J.Traveler
Stacked Stones Retreat and Horse Camp — Hocking State Forest
Nice Location and great hosts!
Stacked Stones has a very nice location and the camp hosts/owners are wonderful. They truly make you feel like family. The only complaints that we had was the shower house seems like a scene from a horror movie. Cinderblock stalls with a wooden pallet on the floor to keep you off of the drain. The toilets are non flushing pit latrines. They have some very secluded tent sites which is great when you have dogs. They also allow horses which is nice for any trail riders. Overall a great camp ground with great people. If the bathroom was updated I would give it 5 stars for sure!
Debra H.ScoutDelaware State Park Campground
Chilly Evening in Quiet Park
We stayed for 1 evening (a trip cut short due to rain) at this campground and I have to say we were impressed!
While very obviously a site made for RVs, our tent camping experience was excellent. The spaces are very roomy and so we never felt encroached on by RVs. We typically don't get electric spots because of this, but the space in between each area made staying at an electric site a non-issue. Bathrooms are centrally located for each "spoke" and was big and clean. Site 212's fire pit is not in a great spot, but we didn't use the fire due to our short trip so it was not an issue. Very few spots for hammock camping, but if you want some open area, this is a great campground.
Melissa W.
Legend
Tar Hollow State Park Campground
Loved it for tent camping
Great camping experience! Waited too late to book in hocking hills state park but found a site here instead. We are tent campers and stayed in site 106 on"Northridge". Loved that the non-electric tent sites were so isolated from the RV campers. Site 107 gets muddy with a lot of rain. Sites 108-112 have a pretty significant slope. Each site in the loop has a picnic table and fire ring. There's a dumpster, pit toilets, and water. It was a short drive to the rest of the campers, a great hot shower, fantastic general store, miniature golf, and the beach to swim or lake to kayak. Took us at least 30 minutes to drive to the common hocking hills hikes but well worth it. We would return.
- KKelli W.Scout
Top O' The Caves Campground
A little outdated, but still a great choice!
We have returned to this camp ground four times! Everything is quite outdated especially the park and mini golf. With that said it was a great time. It has mini golf, a pool, park and small game room which is awesome for camping with kids. It offers rustic cabins for those that dont tent camp or have a rv. On this particular trip it was chilly and we were staying with small children so we went the rustic cabin route. There's a small pond for fishing and a church from the 1800s and all together a beautiful place to walk around. The best part is you can walk to ash cave from your campsite! There is a connecting trail right at the front of the campground. It was a fairly simple hike too.
Guide to Columbus
Tent camping near Columbus, Ohio offers a variety of scenic spots where nature lovers can unwind and enjoy the great outdoors. With options ranging from public parks to private retreats, there's something for every type of camper.
Tent campers appreciate these amenities
- At Scioto-Grove Metro Park, campers can enjoy drinking water, firewood, and sanitary dump facilities, making it a convenient choice for a weekend getaway.
- Geneva Hills - Camp and Event Center provides picnic tables and showers, ensuring a comfortable camping experience even in the wild.
- Waters Edge Canoe Livery features a market and water hookups, perfect for those looking to combine camping with water activities.
Some prices for tent camping range from $0 to $15
- Camping at Old Stone Church Trailhead is free, making it an excellent option for budget-conscious campers.
- The fee for a site at Old Stone Church Campground is $15, which is collected on the honor system.
- Merritt Site does not allow reservations and has no amenities, making it a true back-to-basics experience for adventurous campers.
Local activities to enjoy while tent camping
- Explore the beautiful trails and scenic views at Scioto-Grove Metro Park, which offers a peaceful environment right by the river.
- Caveman's Retreat serves as a great base for ziplining adventures in the nearby Hocking Hills area.
- Enjoy kayaking or canoeing at Waters Edge Canoe Livery, where you can paddle along the creek and soak in the natural beauty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Columbus, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Columbus, OH is Scioto-Grove Metro Park with a 4.3-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Columbus, OH?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Columbus, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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