The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Tent Camping near Columbus, OH

639 Reviews

Tent camping options near Columbus include several primitive sites within a short drive of the city. Scioto Grove Metro Park offers reservable backpacking tent sites with tent pads and fire rings where firewood is provided. Located along the Scioto River, these sites serve as a convenient option for testing backpacking gear or enjoying quick weekend getaways. Old Stone Church Trailhead provides free tent camping in a more remote setting about an hour southeast of Columbus in the Wayne National Forest area.

Most tent sites around Columbus have basic amenities suited for self-sufficient campers. Scioto Grove's backpacking sites are accessed via a hiking trail and cannot be reached by vehicle. Each site includes two designated tent pads and a fire ring. Sites operate on a reservation system and are only available on weekends during specific seasons. The Old Stone Church area offers more primitive conditions with roadside parking and walk-in access to tent sites. Drinking water is limited or unavailable at most locations, so campers should pack their own supplies.

Walk-in tent sites provide a more secluded experience than standard campgrounds. One camper noted that Scioto Grove's Site 5 was "right on river and away from the busier parts of park - didn't see a single person." These tent-only areas generally offer more privacy than developed campgrounds. Geneva Hills Camp provides tent sites in a more established setting with amenities like showers and toilets. Despite being relatively close to Columbus, many tent camping locations offer surprising solitude. The walk-in nature of sites at Scioto Grove creates a genuine backpacking experience while remaining close to urban amenities. For tent campers seeking longer trails, the Wayne National Forest area provides more extensive hiking options connected to primitive camping areas.

Map showing campgrounds near Columbus, OhioExplore the Map

Best Tent Sites Near Columbus, Ohio (12)

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 12 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Columbus Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Tent Camping Photos near Columbus, OH

8 Photos of 12 Columbus Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Columbus, OH

639 Reviews of 12 Columbus Campgrounds

  • Nancy R.
    Jun. 9, 2018

    Alum Creek State Park Campground

    Puzzled Campers

    We had reservations, but didn’t figure out how to check in. The site numbers were very hard to see and figure out. The numbers didn’t appear to be sequential. The worst part for us was that there were no tent pads for pitching the tent. We were there during a very rainy time and had to pitch the tent in a ditch. Water flowed under the tent so we had quite a bit of mud on the bottom of the tent when we packed up. Luckily our tent kept us dry inspite of its location. Space was extremely limited. The picnic table was on the driveway. There was poison ivy less than a foot from our tent. Restrooms and showers were adequate, but toilet paper rolls would fall in the floor if you weren’t careful. All three showers drained into the middle stall making it difficult to keep thing dry.

  • Dave V.
    Oct. 31, 2019

    Hocking Hills State Park Campground

    Close proximity to natural attractions

    Hocking Hills State Park, Oh-Site 89. https://thehockinghills.org/

    Hocking Hills State Park offers close proximity to most of the popular natural attractions...Old Man’s Cave, Ash Cave, Cantwell Cliffs, etc....but for a tent camper that prefers solitude and space, I found it unappealing.

    I did arrive late on a Monday evening, mid-October and got one of the last available sites. Packed on a Monday night!

    I found the camping sites a bit cramped both in depth and width. Site 89 and 90 shared the same parking pad. Limited flat locations existed for a tent and my tent footprint is fairly small. You do have a firepit and picnic table with all three in fairly close proximity, so you must be extremely cautious with wind direction when deciding for a fire, else you’ll have embers dotting your tent and picnic table. Even though the neighbors were trying to be respectfully quiet...you heard every conversation and saw their every move.

    No electric, which is fine in my book...the water spigot is centrally located on the loop and happened to be next to my site.

    The restroom/shower facilities were not well cared for upon my visit. The floors were very muddy and trash was piled up in the corner of one stall and out of necessities.

    Construction and dump truck noise started early with a project behind the restrooms.

    The visitor’s center was well-stocked and the employee was pleasant. Cell service is unavailable and even sketchy at the visitor’s center. Wood can be purchased at the visitor’s center.

    Close proximity to local attractions and a swimming pool are likely the big draw.

    Knowing that I prefer solitude and distance when camping, I’ll likely not return but choose nearby Lake Hope State Park for my local visits.

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 3, 2020

    A.W. Marion State Park Campground

    A Good Place to Meet is in the Middle

    A new site for us at this campground, site 59 which is an inside site. We also had friends who booked 2 inside sites very nearby so we were able to all set up in the middle and share a large space for 10 people and 7 dogs. We were able to be socially distant, have space for cornhole and lots of room for the dogs. Our site pad was pretty level. My husband went over the pad just a little onto the grass, as the other side sloped. So when we stepped out of the camp, we wouldn't be stepping down on a slope. This is one of the quietest campgrounds we go to even though there is plenty for kids to do (playground). Had the weather been better, we would have brought our kayaks for the lake. You have three different types of restrooms. The ones closest to use are the drop toilets, a little further is a porta potty and the furthest was the flush toilets (no showers). It's our little slice of heaven so we like to try a new site each time if we are able. We take our dogs with us so we have to be a little more picky so we don't bother anyone.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 4, 2022

    Hocking Hills State Park Campground

    Beautiful scenery!

    General: 172-site state park with a mix of full hook-up, electric, and no hook-ups in separate areas plus a 33-site family hike-in camp, two group camps, and three cabins. All sites need to be reserved – no walk-ins are allowed. There is a beautiful visitor center, and the camp office has a small store as well. There is a very nice coin-operated laundry room. Don’t count on cell service– with a fleeting one bar of Verizon, it was just enough to tease us, but the break was also a welcome respite. 

    Site Quality: Standard issue for state parks with paved driveways, picnic table, and fire ring, however, there are a few things to note: Some sites are decidedly not level (#105 is very sloped). 103 and 101 meet at a V at the back end and this impedes the separation between the sites. Our site (103) had a drop-off between the driveway and the rest of the site that could pose a tripping hazard if you are not careful. All of the restrooms emit a hum, but the wastewater treatment facility is very loud and is located directly behind the first 9-10 full hook-up sites. 

    Bathhouse: The restrooms were clean, but the showers were just adequate (not the worst camp shower but definitely not the best I have experienced) but at least there was hot water. 

    Activities: We came for the hiking, and we were not disappointed. This park is gorgeous! We hiked the Blue trail (Grandma Gatewood Trail) to Cedar Falls, taking in Upper and Lower Falls, and Old Man’s Cave along the way, and returned via the Rim Trail, which was much easier (fewer roots and up and down). We received a color-coded map of the trails upon check-in but had difficulty deciphering it, especially the mileage. We went to the Camp Office before starting our hike to get clarity. Once on the trails, they were well-marked with either signs or blazes. While you could do a long hike (12 miles one-way) from one end of the park to the other), don’t miss Ash Cave – we drove there the next morning before leaving. There are also mountain biking trails, two playgrounds (the one more centrally located is a bit dated and does not look very safe but there is a newer, larger one at the very end of the road (near the lake trail) and there are also horseshoe pits and a volleyball net there. In season, there is a large swimming pool. 

    The campground itself gets 3 stars for some of its flaws but the scenery is so beautiful, 4 stars are merited, in my opinion. I would recommend reserving in one of the “spurs” as there would be less traffic.

  • Brady R.
    Aug. 15, 2019

    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.

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 7, 2020

    A.W. Marion State Park Campground

    Inside Campsite and Pleasantly Surprised on the Fourth of July!

    After staying one night in non-electric we were able to transfer to an electric site thanks to our great camp hosts. They let us know that one had opened and recommended us to call in the next morning. We were able to get an electric site that was on the inside, a site we would have never chosen otherwise as we have dogs and try to find a space with no one behind us. The site was actually really nice. There was grass and some partial shade. We had room for our ez-up tent, our pop-up bathroom and still room to set up our chairs and walk the dogs without bothering our neighbors. Our friends had the site next to us and they were able to use the trees to hang their hammocks. There was a nice fire ring and the pad was easy to level our a-frame camper. We had another set of neighbors who were in a class A motorhome (it was huge!). Everyone we talked to were very friendly. We were closer to the vault toilets (they were kept clean) and the playground. It was Fourth of July weekend and the campground was really quiet. If you have kayaks, you can drive them down the hill next to the campground to get into the lake. If you like to hike or mountain bike there are trails to use as well.

  • S
    Jun. 17, 2016

    Hocking Hills State Park Campground

    Walk-In Primitive Family Campground

    Walk-in campground provides a nice amount of quiet for the price of carting your gear in (up to a .6 mile, depending on site chosen). Several sites are somewhat hidden from the path while others have little-to-no privacy from your fellow campers . Pit toilets are adequate. Water pump located in the parking lot along with access to biking trails. All sites include picnic table and fire ring.

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2020

    A.W. Marion State Park Campground

    Hot hot hot! So we kayaked!

    Site 32 - A new site for us at this campground. We had shade in the morning but lots of sun in the afternoon. This site is on the outside and backs up to trees. There is lots grass and space - good for us to walk the dogs and not have them pee and poop where we were sitting. Bathrooms were cleaned regularly and they have flush, vault and portable toilets. There are no showers. This was our first time to kayak which you can launch right near the campground. It’s a little mucky at the bottom of the hill but if you take the path off to the right there is a small beach which is much easier to launch from. There is a small island that has two spots you can stop on and then swim. Lots of birds to see and plenty of other kayakers and fisherman. They are now selling wood and ice at the campground but the store is still closed. A gas station is right down the road in case you forget anything.

  • Nicole L.
    Sep. 4, 2021

    John Bryan State Park Campground

    Not bad, just disappointed

    Visited twice in May 2021 (sites 54 & 39) bookending our camping roundtrip from Virginia to Kansas and this was one of the worst places we stayed. We lived in Dayton for a number of years and Yellow Springs is one of our favorite places. That being said, we were quite disappointed at the set up.

    There is no privacy between campsites, at all. If someone on one end of the campground is having a party, everyone in the campground is going to be up all night (our first night). On our last night there, we (and the poor family with young kids in a tent 15 feet away) were audibly assaulted by a very amorous and inebriated couple in a tent until the wee hours. With no trees between sites, you have no buffer and good god what I would have given for a buffer.

    Pit toilets have those heavy doors that help keep things less buggy (positive) but because they are on a raised area in the middle of an almost treeless campground, the clang of them shutting echoes throughout the night.

    No showers.

    No dedicated tent-pads. We were car-top camping so I can't speak to ground conditions for tent camping but do know our two spots would have put us on some sort of slope. (Unless we set up a tent right next to the road on 54).

    Like I said, it wasn't bad. Definitely wasn't great.

Guide to Columbus

Tent camping near Columbus, Ohio offers several primitive options within 60 miles of the city center. Wayne National Forest provides free dispersed camping opportunities southeast of Columbus where tent campers can experience more solitude than at developed sites. Temperature variations in the region can be significant, with summer highs often reaching 85°F and occasional thunderstorms requiring proper shelter and site selection.

What to do

Trail hiking opportunities: Geneva Hills Camp, located about 45 minutes southeast of Columbus, connects to several hiking trails suitable for day excursions. A camper noted it was "a nice driving distance from Hocking Hills and a neat place to camp" with minimal mosquitoes despite being positioned "right above a swamp."

Water recreation: Waters Edge Canoe Livery offers paddling opportunities along with camping. One visitor described it as a "very fun place to camp and enjoy the creek on a kayak or canoe" with "very friendly staff."

Gear testing excursions: Scioto Grove Metro Park provides designated backpacking sites specifically designed for short overnight trips. A reviewer mentioned it's "great if you're looking to test out some new backpacking gear" with "totally primitive" sites that each include tent pads and fire pits.

What campers like

Easy access sites: Old Stone Church Trailhead offers free tent camping with roadside access. Campers appreciate that it's "well marked" with parking available "on side of road or down below where campsites are."

Weekend accessibility: The backpacking sites at Scioto Grove operate on a limited schedule. One camper explained they "only do it for a short season and in that season two weekend a month to avoid over use," making reservations competitive but ensuring less impact on the environment.

River proximity: Many campers value sites positioned near water features. One reviewer of Scioto Grove mentioned, "Spacious in between 5 campgrounds and right next to the Scioto River," providing both privacy and scenic water views.

What you should know

Reservation challenges: Securing campsites can require advance planning. For Scioto Grove, a camper noted "2020 season was closed due to covid-19" and sites typically "books up very fast" when available.

Limited facilities: Most tent sites have minimal amenities. At Old Stone Church Campground, facilities consist of "a single pit toilet (surprisingly clean) and a trash can at each site" with no running water available.

Seasonal restrictions: Operating schedules vary significantly. One camper mentioned Scioto Grove allows "only weekend stays and it ends in wintertime," limiting camping to Friday and Saturday nights during warmer months.

Tips for camping with families

Bridge attractions: Family-friendly features can enhance camping experiences for children. Scioto Grove features a "rope bridge crossing over a creek that kids and adults would love to explore" according to one visitor.

Cell service considerations: For families needing connectivity, some remote areas maintain surprising coverage. At Old Stone Church Campground, a camper reported "good 4G ATT cell service. Worked well, with no drops. Data was a bit slower than usual but still good."

Walk-in distance planning: Scioto Grove Metro Park requires hiking to reach campsites. A visitor warned "no driving your vehicle any further than the bottom of the hill," requiring families to pack accordingly for the walk to sites.

Tips from RVers

Small trailer options: Limited RV accommodations exist at select locations. One camper at Old Stone Church Campground found "easy pull-thru site for our small travel trailer" though noted sites are primarily "set-up for horses, but RVs are allowed (according to NFS website)."

Fee structures: Camping costs vary by location. At Old Stone Church, "campsite fee is $15 on the honor system. If you have a National Park's Golden Age or Access pass, they honor a 50 percent discount."

Road surface changes: Access roads may present challenges for larger vehicles. One camper noted that at Old Stone Church area, the road changes surfaces multiple times: "a short distance further down the road, just after it turns to gravel... and even further down the road, after it turns back to asphalt."

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Columbus campgrounds with tent sites?

Tent campgrounds near Columbus offer varying levels of amenities. Waters Edge Canoe Livery provides creek access with kayak and canoe rentals, making it perfect for water recreation enthusiasts. Their friendly staff enhances the camping experience. SaltCreek Retreats offers more developed amenities with both drive-in and walk-in access, potable water, and toilet facilities. Sites are reservable, which helps ensure availability during peak seasons. Most tent campgrounds in the Columbus area provide basic facilities like fire rings or pits, while some offer additional amenities such as tent pads, designated parking, and access to recreational trails.

Are there private tent camping options near Columbus with more seclusion?

Geneva Hills - Camp and Event Center offers private tent camping with good seclusion. Their tent sites are nicely positioned, including some above wetland areas that surprisingly don't have mosquito issues. It's within reasonable driving distance to Hocking Hills for additional exploration. For a more unique private camping experience, Caveman's Retreat provides secluded options with both drive-in and walk-in access. For those seeking privacy but still wanting recreational activities, private campgrounds often offer a better balance of amenities and seclusion than public facilities, though they typically charge higher fees for this exclusivity.

Where are the best tent camping sites near Columbus, Ohio?

Scioto-Grove Metro Park offers excellent tent camping just outside Columbus in Grove City. This hidden gem features five backpacking sites along the river trail, each with tent pads and fire pits. It's perfect for weekend trips, with firewood provided and beautiful trails. The sites require advance reservation and are popular during the camping season (typically spring through fall). Another good option is Old Stone Church Campground, which provides clean, well-maintained sites with easy access. The campground is well-marked with roadside parking available or spots down by the campsites.

What amenities are available at Columbus campgrounds with tent sites?

Tent campgrounds near Columbus offer varying levels of amenities. Waters Edge Canoe Livery provides creek access with kayak and canoe rentals, making it perfect for water recreation enthusiasts. Their friendly staff enhances the camping experience. SaltCreek Retreats offers more developed amenities with both drive-in and walk-in access, potable water, and toilet facilities. Sites are reservable, which helps ensure availability during peak seasons. Most tent campgrounds in the Columbus area provide basic facilities like fire rings or pits, while some offer additional amenities such as tent pads, designated parking, and access to recreational trails.

Are there private tent camping options near Columbus with more seclusion?

Geneva Hills - Camp and Event Center offers private tent camping with good seclusion. Their tent sites are nicely positioned, including some above wetland areas that surprisingly don't have mosquito issues. It's within reasonable driving distance to Hocking Hills for additional exploration. For a more unique private camping experience, Caveman's Retreat provides secluded options with both drive-in and walk-in access. For those seeking privacy but still wanting recreational activities, private campgrounds often offer a better balance of amenities and seclusion than public facilities, though they typically charge higher fees for this exclusivity.

Keep Exploring