Top Tent Camping near Columbus, OH

If you're looking for a place to pitch your tent near Columbus, look no further. Finding a place to camp in Ohio with your tent has never been easier. Each tent site offers quick access to one or more of Columbus, Ohio's most popular destinations.

Best Tent Sites Near Columbus, OH (12)

    Camper-submitted photo from Scioto-Grove Metro Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Scioto-Grove Metro Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Scioto-Grove Metro Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Scioto-Grove Metro Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Scioto-Grove Metro Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Scioto-Grove Metro Park

    1. Scioto-Grove Metro Park

    8 Reviews
    13 Photos
    97 Saves

    Scioto 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
    Camper-submitted photo from Geneva Hills - Camp and Event Center
    Camper-submitted photo from Geneva Hills - Camp and Event Center

    2. Geneva Hills - Camp and Event Center

    2 Reviews
    3 Photos
    4 Saves

    Providing 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

    Camper-submitted photo from Old Stone Church Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Old Stone Church Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Old Stone Church Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Old Stone Church Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Old Stone Church Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Old Stone Church Campground

    3. Old Stone Church Campground

    2 Reviews
    6 Photos
    14 Saves

    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.

    • ADA Access
    • Tents
    • Group
    • Equestrian
    • Standard (Tent/RV)
    • Trash
    Camper-submitted photo from Old Stone Church Trailhead
    Camper-submitted photo from Old Stone Church Trailhead

    4. Old Stone Church Trailhead

    1 Review
    2 Photos
    22 Saves

    Primitive 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
    Camper-submitted photo from Waters Edge Canoe Livery
    Camper-submitted photo from Waters Edge Canoe Livery
    Camper-submitted photo from Waters Edge Canoe Livery

    5. Waters Edge Canoe Livery

    1 Review
    3 Photos
    27 Saves
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    • Tents

    $12 / night

    • No image available

      6. Merritt Site

      Be the first to review!
      2 Saves

      This recreation area is part of Clarence J. Brown Dam and Reservoir

      • Tents
      • No image available

        7. SaltCreek Retreats

        Be the first to review!
        1 Save

        Location, 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

        • No image available
          • No image available
            • No image available

              10. Stone Church Horseback Riding System

              Be the first to review!
              2 Saves

              Named 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
            Showing results 1-10 of 12 campgrounds

            Recent Tent Reviews In Columbus

            632 Reviews of 12 Columbus Campgrounds


            • TThe Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Old Stone Church Campground
              Nov. 2, 2024

              Old Stone Church Campground

              Easy Access - Mostly Quiet

              Easy pull-thru site for our small travel trailer. Each pull-thru is set-up for horses, but RVs are allowed (according to NFS website). Maybe because it was Halloween night, maybe due to hunting season, I dunno, but there seemed to be more traffic than expected for this road. Our only neighbors got a little... rowdy, but it was okay.

              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.

              I had good 4G ATT cell service. Worked well, with no drops. Data was a bit slower than usual but still good.

              The only facilities here were a single pit toilet (surprisingly clean) and a trash can at each site. There may be more services during the height of the season, at least water for horses, but nothing else I could tell.

              A short distance further down the road, just after it turns to gravel, at the Old Stone Church trailhead, there are grassy places to back in smaller campers/RVs. And even further down the road, after it turns back to asphalt :D, there's a private campground with utilities, I think, but we only saw it and didn't check it out.

            • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Delaware State Park Campground
              Oct. 29, 2024

              Delaware State Park Campground

              Large, well-laid-out park on the Delaware Reservoir

              General: 214-site campground, all with electric hookups. Campsites are in four loops.

              Site Quality: All sites are paved and appeared to be level. A fire ring, picnic table, and electric hookup complete each site. Generous foliage provides separation between most sites. 

              Bath/Shower: Fully contained all-gender units in the third loop. Each one has a bench and a baby changing station. Soap and air dryers. A more traditional bath/shower house was in the fourth loop (don’t know about the first two loops). 

              Activities/Amenities: Several hiking trails (but it was raining when we were there so didn’t explore), a small putt-putt course (free use of putters and balls), disc golf, shuffleboard, basketball, tennis, and a small camper store. Each loop has a playground and other recreational options (i.e. volleyball net). The marina offers water toy rentals. 

              My five-star rating is based on the possibility of what our stay might have been if the weather had cooperated! Unfortunately, it was cold and rainy during our stay in June. We will definitely be back again to take advantage of the marina rentals.

            • AThe Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Geneva Hills - Camp and Event Center
              Oct. 13, 2024

              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.

            • DThe Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Hocking Hills State Park Campground
              Sep. 23, 2024

              Hocking Hills State Park Campground

              Best place

              This is a great place to visit and camp. I am a tent camper so I was in the non electric site. The hiking is fantastic. Rose lake is also a wonderful lake and quite beautiful. Will always come back

            • JThe Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Rustic Knolls Campground
              Sep. 14, 2024

              Rustic Knolls Campground

              Great campground

              Excellent campground with fantastic staff and owners. Nice swimming pond with inflatable attractions. Well stocked camp store. Lots of activities for the whole family.

            • Wailym C.
              Camper-submitted photo from Alum Creek State Park
              Sep. 9, 2024

              Alum Creek State Park

              Road Noise

              First time visiting this state campground and we only stayed one night, did not explore entire park.  Grounds well maintained, clean and decent amenities.  The sites are well placed and a good size.  But no water view on any of the “premium water view” sites in loop L, other than one L17 (the picture with view)  Same for loop K.  Guests and hosts were friendly and welcoming.  Quiet except for the road noise due to nearby busy roads.  The boat launch to lake access is very nice with plenty of parking and space.  Not bad for a stop when traveling through or a weekend.  We stayed with 34’ camper.  Site L15 (picture with red truck)

            • afshar Y.The Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Logan Ohio KOA
              Sep. 3, 2024

              Logan Ohio KOA

              Awesome stay

              Stayed with the family for 5 days/ 4 nights and had a wonderful time. The KOA had a lot of amenities to offer. The staff was friendly, courteous and great to deal with. The sites were nice and wide but not all level but it's an area that has lots of hills. The pool was wonderful, the bathroom was clean and spacious. The camp store has everything you may need with a Walmart 10 minutes down the road. Close to the park to go explore but the KOA had a lot to offer for your stay.

            • Kyle B.
              Camper-submitted photo from Hocking Hills Camping & Canoe
              Sep. 2, 2024

              Hocking Hills Camping & Canoe

              New Ownership and its amazing!!!

              This campground has been a staple of Hocking Hills for decades. Finally some new owners took over in May ‘24 and have really done an amazing job renovating things. The staff is super friendly, large primitive campsites right on the river with tons of shade trees! They are even building treehouses to stay in. We love it here!

            • Anna S.
              Camper-submitted photo from Scioto-Grove Metro Park
              Sep. 1, 2024

              Scioto-Grove Metro Park

              Great for a quick getaway

              Need to reserve online, books up very fast. Got lucky and found an opening for site 5 which was right on river and away from the busier parts of park - didn’t see a single person. Nice tent pads, campfire ring, and provided wood.

            • Brianna L.
              Camper-submitted photo from Campbell Cove Camping
              Jul. 28, 2024

              Campbell Cove Camping

              The perfect family campground !

              This is our first time staying at a non state park. I was a little nervous, but I already booked our next visit here ! To start, the staff are absolutely amazing and so kind. We stayed at site 61 and the lake view is perfect. Bring your hammock because there are plenty of trees !!

              There is a great playground for kids and a swimming hole. The bathrooms are so clean. You can kayak on the lake and they do have rentals .

            • J
              Camper-submitted photo from Dillon State Park Campground
              Jun. 16, 2024

              Dillon State Park Campground

              Nice spacious campsites

              First time at this park booked last minute so options were limited wasn't sure what leftovers we would get but ended up with 2 great sites. We lucked out and had 2 trees just right for hammock relaxing but it seems like lots of sites have no trees just depends on the section of park not alot of privacy between. Sites but there huge so you don't feel stuffed in next to everyone. Shower houses are limited 1 in each section but plenty of flush bathrooms located all over and kept very clean. Internet works very well verizon and att.

            • s
              Camper-submitted photo from Jackson Lake Park
              May. 26, 2024

              Jackson Lake Park

              It’s was pretty decent

              So originally I was not super thrilled when we arrived but that changed quickly. We booked last minute on a holiday weekend and had like 2 options for a spot. I wasn’t happy with our spot but again that’s my own fault. I would definitely book ahead and look at the map to find a good spot. Some are very close to neighbors. Others are really nice. I was upset The pool was not open since there was no post about it being closed and the website says it would be open the weekend of Memorial Day. So I went into everything with a pretty crappy attitude. THEN, we went to the lake and at the desk was the new managers. They have only had it for 2 weeks now. They were super super sweet. She told us that they really did everything in their power to have the pool open and it just did not work out. They worked really hard to get it fixed and it needs to cure for like a week. I believe she said. So completely NOT their fault. Again they have only been there 2 weeks. We met some seasonal people and they were super nice as well. Our kids made friends quickly. The little lake was so much fun. My children were upset we had to leave early due to the storm coming in. We did not want to travel back in the storm. However I could have paid 100 dollars more and got into the jellystone park. I don’t think I recommend our spot though. It was on a corner which was nice but so small, no shade, fire pit was so little, no picnic table or anything. But if the pool was up, it would have been better.

            • CThe Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Alum Creek State Park
              May. 23, 2024

              Alum Creek State Park

              Large Established State Park

              Very well maintained, established state park. Sites are paved, level, and generally ample in space. Ample shade and privacy if needed. Amenities include boating, fishing, disc golf, MTB trails, live music select evenings, etc. Facilities are cleaned regularly. Staff are friendly and helpful..

            • Kim H.The Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Deer Creek Camping Resort
              May. 13, 2024

              Deer Creek Camping Resort

              Generous Sites!

              We stayed two nights in #184. Our site was HUGE! The pad was very level, so setting up the TT was quick and easy.

              We checked one restroom and one wash house: both were in good condition and quite clean. Lysol was in the air.

              The lake was pretty. Watching the herons was relaxing.

              The people in our section were courteous. All seemed to obey the quiet hours.

              The only negative was the lack of a central fresh water fill station. Spigots are dispersed throughout the camp, which means sitting in the road for as long as it takes to fill your tank. Fortunately, we had a spigot by our site, so we could fill once we parked.

              We'll definitely be back.

            • J
              Camper-submitted photo from Alum Creek State Park
              Apr. 27, 2024

              Alum Creek State Park

              Great park

              Been here before came back because we liked it so much. Sites are good sized compared to alot of state parks good for tent and rv. Cell service is good, bathrooms are older and could use updating but are decently clean for use.

            • s
              Camper-submitted photo from Campbell Cove Camping
              Apr. 14, 2024

              Campbell Cove Camping

              Cute little spot fun for kids

              This place was really cute. I personally feel like it was a little too open for my liking. I’d rather feel like I’m out in the woods more and maybe a little bit more space between you and your neighbor . However, it was nice. One of the gentlemen that worked there I think also stays during the season. His name is Steve. He is super friendly and helpful. He taught my kids some fishing tricks ! And don’t get me started on the bathrooms!! I have NEVER seen such amazing, clean, nice bathrooms at a campground we decided to use their shower instead of our camper shower ! 

            • Cody M.
              Camper-submitted photo from Buckeye Run Farm
              Apr. 14, 2024

              Buckeye Run Farm

              Absolutely Wonderful!

              One of the best trips I've ever gone on! We went here for the solar eclipse. Absolute beautiful farm with plenty of space for various tents and a gorgeous cabin. Adorable and friendly variety of animals. We loved the donkeys and horses! Very cute little bar with plently to stare at and read. The best part about all of it is the host, shes a absolute joy to be around and very kind! We cannot wait to possibly come back in the summer!!

            • s
              Camper-submitted photo from Tar Hollow State Park
              Mar. 25, 2024

              Tar Hollow State Park

              Really nice spot

              We just purchased our camper and this was the first place we went. We are familiar with this park due to the little “beach“ area they have. We stayed in the off-season, so there was not a whole lot of people. Our stay was quiet and relaxing. loved our site too.

            • Matthew P.
              Camper-submitted photo from Campbell Cove Camping
              Mar. 25, 2024

              Campbell Cove Camping

              Campbell cove

              My family recently stayed at Campbell Cove for the weekend. Everything appeared new and updated. The sites were nice and level. Nice playground and clubhouse building.

              Unfortunately we went during the office season so the clubhouse was closed and the jump pad wasn't up.

              We hope to come back someday

            • Alexia C.The Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Dillon State Park Campground
              Mar. 8, 2024

              Dillon State Park Campground

              GREAT VIBES

              Absolutely loved the short overnight stay. Perfect sunset and sunrise experience, the grounds are kept well, bathroom/shower house is as clean as can be 😻🥰 perfect for families!

            • NThe Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Hocking Hills State Park Campground
              Nov. 9, 2023

              Hocking Hills State Park Campground

              Hike in spots

              Beautiful area with great hikes and views close by. None accessible directly from our camp which was in the walk in section, separate from the regular camp ground. This area does not have many of the amenities that the other site does, just vault toilets. The walk in can be up to .3 miles so I highly recommend some sort of cart for your gear.

            • M
              Camper-submitted photo from Hilltop Resorts and Campgrounds
              Oct. 24, 2023

              Hilltop Resorts and Campgrounds

              Fantastic Location and Nice Folks

              We stayed here for 3 nights and it’s our family of 5 in late October (Class C, water and electric only). We enjoyed the great sunrises and sunsets. We also thought the facilities were quite nice. The kids especially loved the bouncy “pillow” by the main lodge. The location is fantastic for both town and the state park. Would definitely stay here again.

            • Pete D.The Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Berkshire Campgrounds
              Sep. 12, 2023

              Berkshire Campgrounds

              Incorrect pricing

              The price advertised on The Dyrt is incorrect. It is not $38.50/day. We paid $50.29 with full hook ups. Very clean, staff very nice, but guests are not allowed without registering at the office. Many seasonal/full time residents which made for quite a bit of early morning traffic. Beautiful fishing pond with well groomed trails. Dogs are allowed off leash on the trails. Staff very pet friendly and courteous. Well appointed camp store. Water pressure excellent. Electric well within standard. Gravel pads, our site was off 2”.



            Guide to Columbus

            Camping near Columbus, Ohio, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor lovers. From scenic hikes to family-friendly amenities, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful region.

            What to do:

            • Hiking: Explore the stunning trails at Hocking Hills State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "Beautiful area with great hikes and views close by," making it a must-visit for nature enthusiasts.
            • Fishing and Boating: At Alum Creek State Park Campground, you can enjoy fishing and boating. A visitor shared, "Excellent location for hiking Hocking Hills area," highlighting the park's diverse activities.
            • Disc Golf: If you’re into disc golf, check out Delaware State Park Campground. One reviewer noted, "They put in a putt-putt course recently, had disc golf," which adds a fun twist to your camping trip.

            What campers like:

            • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the facilities. A review for Caesar Creek State Park Campground stated, "The showers are clean and the staff is friendly," making it a comfortable choice for families.
            • Spacious Campsites: Many campers enjoy the spacious sites at Buck Creek State Park Campground. One visitor remarked, "Large park with a marina, archery range, disc golf and more," emphasizing the ample space for activities.
            • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Mohican State Park Campground is noted for its family-friendly vibe. A camper said, "The pool is nice in the summer and the people working at check-in and at the camp store are so nice," making it a welcoming spot for families.

            What you should know:

            • Close Proximity of Sites: Many campgrounds have sites that are close together. A review for John Bryan State Park Campground mentioned, "The sites are very close together," so be prepared for some neighborly interactions.
            • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Lake Hope State Park Campground, may have limited amenities. A camper noted, "The latrines smell for a good distance," so keep that in mind when choosing your spot.
            • Wildlife Encounters: Raccoons can be a nuisance at certain campgrounds. One camper at John Bryan State Park Campground warned, "The sheer number and boldness of raccoons...freaked the kids and new campers out," so secure your food properly.

            Tips for camping with families:

            • Plan for Activities: Choose campgrounds with plenty of activities. Delaware State Park Campground offers a beach area and playgrounds, making it great for kids. A visitor said, "Each section has its own playground for the kids."
            • Bring a Cart for Gear: If you're camping at Hocking Hills State Park Campground, consider bringing a cart for your gear. One camper advised, "I highly recommend some sort of cart for your gear," especially for the walk-in sites.
            • Check for Events: Look for campgrounds that host events. Alum Creek State Park Campground had a trivia night and a pancake breakfast, which can be fun for the whole family.

            Tips from RVers:

            • Level Sites: Make sure to choose level sites for your RV. A review for Alum Creek State Park Campground mentioned, "The sites have level pads," which is a plus for RV camping.
            • Check Water Availability: Some campgrounds may have limited water access. A visitor at A.W. Marion State Park Campground noted, "The flush toilets are closed for the season," so plan accordingly.
            • Use GPS for Directions: When heading to Caesar Creek State Park Campground, ensure your GPS is set for the campground, as it can be tricky to find. One camper advised, "Make sure your GPS is set for the campground and not the park."

            Camping near Columbus, Ohio, has a lot to offer, from beautiful parks to family-friendly activities. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

            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 12 tent camping locations near Columbus, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.