Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Dayton, OH is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Dayton is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Ohio camping adventure.
$23 - $35 / night
"A well manicured campground just outside Dayton, easy to get to, back in pavement site with 30A electric, picnic table and fire pit. Plenty of potable water spigots around, just not at the site."
"We arrived three hours after check in started and headed straight to the camp office to check in."
"This camp ground is pretty standard for Ohio State Parks. It does have a cool new sleeping option. Yurts! We enjoyed our time in the yurt. "
"Clean restrooms, accessible water and friendly staff. Brenda is awesome and all of the staff care about your stay."
"The cozy cabin had a queen bed, twin bunks and a sofa that made out to a full size sleeper. Kitchen included a fridge, sink and single cup coffee maker."
"I never decorate for Halloween but with everything going on in 2020 I said what the heck. I think it turned out nice but not good enough to be a winner."
"Wonderful gem close to Caesar’s Creek and historic Waynesville. Sites are level with plenty of shade."
"The bathrooms are clean. The sites have LOTS of extra space in between for hammocks, kids running, and privacy. There are lots with trees and lots without."
"Autumn is the best time to camp in Ohio. Lots of small bathrooms. Lake access. Only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was due to the fact there was no quick reentry."
"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."
"Literally not even two feet around the fire pit on all sides. Luckily they were quick to accommodate our complaints and move us."
"Our spot was a small walk to the water so we could fish and still keep up with the fire. We were right against the woods. There was a perfect flat spot for the tent."
"Sites are drive-up with plenty of room for a tent or two and fire-rings. Some sites may have trees for hammocks. Can get loud with lots of RVs in spots nearby."
"Sites have fire pits, picnic tables. Campsites in the front section (1F – 25F and 1R – 12R) are big rig-friendly with paved roads wide enough to easily maneuver."
"It sits on a lake with a kayak launch site right in the campground. I like the fact that there is a walking/bike path throughout the park. It’s great for exploring."
"This is a very well managed and maintain campground except the laundry facility. Washers are old and bed bugs were found. If you stick to your own camper you will be safe."
"Sewage, water, and electrical were all easily accessible. The only odd feature was the placement of the sewage."
$30 / night
"Location is great it's near Kings Island and the river is perfect for canoeing and kayaking. There is a paved bike trail and Fort Ancient is nearby."
"https://www.morganscanoe.com/ This site is close to King's Island and Fort Ancient. It also was next to a bike trail. "
LegendHueston Woods State Park, Oh.
http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/huestonwoods
Campground Overview: Hueston Woods State Park is very close to Miami University...in the Southwest area of Ohio. The direction we traveled from the south took us on numerous winding country lanes through farm country that actually meandered in and out of Indiana and Ohio.
(Disclaimer: I am a tent camper, preferring backcountry sites of solitude and privacy...so take my reviews of campgrounds with a grain of salt).
The campground area is separated not only by roadway, but a short walk, ride or drive from the reservoir, docks, boat rental beach area and tiny nature center.
The Campground Office sits at the campground entrance and does offer quite a bit of camping items for its tiny size should you have forgotten anything. The cabins and lodge are on the opposite bank of the reservoir. The tent site area was sparsely occupied and the particular area was empty that I chose.
All campground sites are line of sight, no barriers or buffer between neighbors(something I do not enjoy)...the trees are mature and tall so offer no privacy. Noise/sound travels so when full, you’ll likely hear your neighbors conversations.
Unknowingly, it appeared every weekend in October has a big Halloween emphasis, so the upper campground was sold out. I was advised the lower non electric loop would also be sold out...which reinforced my gratefulness for midweek camping.
With the vast old growth forests, dried/dead branches for firewood was plentiful for a chilly night(38) fire. We evaded the impending rain for once and pressed on. Weekend campers experienced heavy storms as we left.
There are several hiking trails and biking trails. Streams were dried up at our visit. A cool restoration covered bridge was a short hop from the campground. The lodge has a restaurant, a gift shop, an outside pool and a nicely equipped activity room for older kids complete with numerous arcade games, pool table, and ping-pong table. There is also a token tiny exercise center-Key card entrance for lodge stayers. The A-frame lodge, though nostalgic, needs some TLC and updating(especially the exterior).
Traffic noise is noticeable, especially during quiet hours. While not excessive, it’s disruptive.
Deer sighting were plentiful as were chattering tree rats...ahem, squirrels, sorry. Woodpeckers stayed busy overhead. At dusk an overly friendly“masked trash panda” encroached seeking to share my delectable and perfectly toasted s’more...having to be chased off(unfortunately, it appeared he has been fed by campers to be that bold). Other small birds were plentiful as were migrating Canadian honkers.
Housekeeping notes: In the larger non-electric loop newer restrooms existed...modern bathrooms and showers were clean and stocked with TP. No paper towels offered, only electric hand dryers. Bathroom stalls, like the showers, utilized shower curtains rather than lockable doors. In my tent area...antiquated wood shed pit latrines...that truly needed razed.
I did not have time to walk any trails, but talked with mountain bikers that spoke favorably. There were several marked trails near the reservoir area.
Final Thoughts: It was a nice choice for a stop-over as I drifted north. However, I would not want to stay when it’s busy or on the weekends. The reservoir beach and watercraft fishing appears a big draw...and I wish I had brought both my bicycle and canoe.
TravelerThis campground is well attended as most lots are filled each time I visit. The bathrooms are clean. The sites have LOTS of extra space in between for hammocks, kids running, and privacy. There are lots with trees and lots without. There is a commissary that includes everything you could possibly need as well as a hot grill. There is a beach for swimming, trails for hiking (not long distances), a basketball court and multiple playgrounds. When we were there, they had an outdoor movie theater for the kids and served complimentary popcorn. It was nice and hassle free.
ScoutThe adorable cabin fulfilled my tiny home dreams and camping craving! The cozy cabin had a queen bed, twin bunks and a sofa that made out to a full size sleeper. Kitchen included a fridge, sink and single cup coffee maker. Coffee k cups were provided in a few different varieties as well as sugar and creamer packs. Bathroom had tub/shower, clothesline to dry swim suits or hand-washed clothes, toilet, sand sink vanity. Bedding and towels were provided and were crisp, clean white. WiFi was a bonus and although it wasn’t the fastest it was very useful when looking up nearby activities. Our cabin had a grill, an outdoor table with four chairs, a swing and a fire pit which we enjoyed our last night there. Staff was friendly and helpful. There were laundry facilities within the park and lots of activities but we didn’t take advantage of any of that during our brief stay. Overall, we were very pleased and would gladly stay again!
LegendThis camp ground is pretty standard for Ohio State Parks. It does have a cool new sleeping option. Yurts! We enjoyed our time in the yurt. They also have trails that are easy to tackle and well marked at this park.
We were able to easily have the kids in one bed and we were in another bed. The small fridge and microwave made it easy to pull a meal together. The fan kept us cool.
Water is a short walk away and so are restrooms. You have to bring in local fire wood for your camp fires.
GuideA well manicured campground just outside Dayton, easy to get to, back in pavement site with 30A electric, picnic table and fire pit. Plenty of potable water spigots around, just not at the site. Dump station near the entrance of the campground. Walking trails along the lake well cared for. Plenty of activity with playground and an outdoor theater. Plenty of water-front pebble beach for enjoyment in the summer. Close to the campground is the marina with a restaurant , but won’t open til Memorial Day.
Addendum: July 2021 - was speaking with a number of people who have been here and they suggest not going during the summer. There is a large influx of rowdy locals who don't quite respect the peace and quiet many of us like.
GuideAutumn is the best time to camp in Ohio. Lots of small bathrooms. Lake access. Only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was due to the fact there was no quick reentry. Had to wait for rvs in front of me to register.
GuideIt's easy to get there. The non-electric sites don't have a lot of space or privacy (ie; trees) between them, definitely no hammocking. There's also a private camper's beach that is absolutely serene, probably not safe to swim in. Due to it being a holiday weekend, it was busy & loud like you'd expect, but it was so rowdy we left early. When we showed up, someone dumped all their trash in our firepit, absolutely disgusting behavior. Two different camp groups, one in electric and one in non-electric, got into loud verbal fights that resulted in the police being called. Fireworks and loud music were played all night long. No quiet hours, or if there are any they're not enforced. It's still great for a night visit if you're in the area, but it's not a dream weekend getaway by any means.
ScoutAdvertises heated pool and splash pad, but pool was not heated and colder than lake(major bummer- as this was a major draw for us) and splash pad is still under construction- not new and ready for 2021. Lake is nice and clear, pretty cold(would love to feel it in August or September). Fun to jump into and overall pretty. Wibit should be included or at least offer 1/2 hour slots. Everyone is very nice, close to cute coffee shop and stores in Richmond. Park is in need of updates, just feels used- but can tell that is in process. No COVID restrictions other than"stay distanced" sign, but our adults were vaccinated and we just tried to keep our kids distanced. Good WiFi, everything fairly clean, nice little store w/ inexpensive ice cream. No"bar& grill" as advertised. Newer playground structure, but for younger kids- no swings.
GuideThis campground has nice facilities- a nice hot shower (four stalls only for the entire campground) a total of 6 flush toilets, a snack bar and a picnic pavilion with electrical outlets if you need to charge your phone. We were on a riverside campsite but unfortunately none of the brush had been cleared so we could not see the river. Imagine how much more fun it would be to actually be able to see the river and watch all the people floating by! It wouldn't be that hard to cut down some brush to create a view.
The noise was not the greatest. They assured us that there was a night person who monitored noise and partying, and there were signs everywhere saying that quiet hours started at 10, but a group of loud, drunk men right on the river were allowed to yell and make a ruckus until at least 2am, probably later, because I stopped looking at my clock after that. This was really irritating that they would be allowed to party so late and make so much noise that you could hear them all through the property. There were also kids in the water right in front of our site from sunup until way past dusk, screaming their heads off constantly, so if you are camping for peace and quiet, this is not the place for you. It was barely the place for me, but I wanted to be on the river for a weekend so I just tried to ignore all the noise.
Our site was quite muddy but I guess that's to be expected when you are next to the river.
I'd called a few times to make sure they would transport our kayaks and they said "yes, sure" as if that was no big deal, so I was a bit shocked to discover upon arrival that the cost of transporting a personal kayak was the exact same cost as renting one of theirs. This is pretty expensive, and why would we bother with transporting our own if they charge the same to use theirs? If I had known, we would have brought two cars, so I found that very irritating. It cost us $67 for two people to spend 3 hours on the river. Pricey, in my opinion.
All in all, I would return, but be more prepared with two cars and heavy-duty earplugs to block out the loud parties.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are included at glamping sites in Dayton?
Glamping sites near Dayton offer various amenities that elevate the camping experience. At Morgan's Riverside Campground & Cabins, you'll find hot showers, flush toilets, a snack bar, and a picnic pavilion with electrical outlets for charging devices. Natural Springs Resort features a clear lake for swimming and recreation, along with a pool and splash pad facilities (though availability may vary seasonally). Many glamping accommodations include comfortable beds with linens, refrigerators, sinks, and coffee makers. Some provide coffee supplies and basic kitchenware. Most sites include standard campground amenities like picnic tables and fire pits, while also offering access to nearby trails, lakes, and recreational activities. Bathroom facilities vary by location but typically include clean, modern facilities within walking distance.
Where can I find glamping sites near Dayton, Ohio?
Several glamping options exist within driving distance of Dayton. Hueston Woods State Park Campground offers yurts that provide a comfortable glamping experience with separate sleeping areas for families. Lebanon-Cincinnati NE KOA features adorable cabins that satisfy tiny home dreams while fulfilling camping cravings. These cabins come equipped with queen beds, twin bunks, and sofa sleepers, making them perfect for groups. Additional glamping options can be found at state parks and private resorts within an hour's drive of Dayton, particularly in the southwest region of Ohio. Most glamping accommodations require reservations in advance, especially during peak seasons from late spring through early fall.
How does glamping differ from RV camping in Dayton, Ohio?
Glamping in the Dayton area offers a distinctive experience compared to RV camping. While Buck Creek State Park Campground provides paved RV sites with 30A electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire pits, glamping accommodations like those at Winton Woods Campground offer ready-made structures with beds and furniture already in place. Glamping eliminates the need to own, maintain, or transport large equipment like an RV. RV sites typically provide hookups (water, electric, sometimes sewer) but you bring your own living space, while glamping offers permanent structures with built-in amenities like beds, furniture, and sometimes kitchenettes. Glamping typically provides a more curated, comfort-focused experience, while RV camping offers more flexibility and self-sufficiency. Both options give access to the surrounding natural areas, though glamping tends to be more expensive per night than standard RV sites.
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