Best Glamping near Defiance, OH

Harrison Lake State Park Campground features distinctive glamping yurts nestled in northwest Ohio's countryside, offering comfortable alternatives to traditional camping just minutes from Defiance. These spacious accommodations provide essential amenities including electricity, mini-refrigerators, and proper beds that elevate the outdoor experience while maintaining a connection to nature. One visitor noted, "We rented a yurt as a local weekend escape. Our kids loved the yurt. It was nice with a little mini fridge and 4 double beds." The park's yurts create an accessible glamping option for families wanting outdoor immersion without sacrificing basic comforts, while Sauder Village Campground and Sunny's Shady Recreation Area also offer glamping accommodations in the region with varying levels of amenities.

The lakeside setting enhances these glamping experiences with water-based recreation opportunities including swimming, fishing, and paddle sports. Harrison Lake provides canoe, kayak and paddleboard rentals, allowing glampers to explore the water without bringing their own equipment. The campground maintains clean shower facilities and bathrooms within walking distance of glamping sites, creating a convenient base for exploring hiking trails and biking paths that wind through the park. A recent visitor highlighted, "The lake is nice for swimming and there are bike rentals which was fun as well." Glamping season generally runs from April through October, with some accommodations available year-round depending on weather conditions. Advance reservations are strongly recommended as the limited number of glamping units frequently reach capacity during summer weekends and holidays.

Map showing campgrounds near Defiance, Ohio

Explore the Map

Best Glamping Sites Near Defiance, Ohio (17)

1. Sauder Village Campground
8 Reviews
Archbold, OH
18 miles
Website
+1 (800) 590-9755
$30 - $54 / night
"VERY clean, nice bathrooms with showers. Ice and Wood easily available. We stayed with four kiddos in a tent spot across from a cool plash pad, a little lake to fish in and close to running water."

"Really enjoyed this campground for the short amount of time we were in the area visiting family The park and facilities were very clean, sites were well-spaced, there is a nice walking/biking trail, and"
2. Harrison Lake State Park Campground
18 Reviews
Fayette, OH
25 miles
Website
+1 (419) 237-2593
"It was nice with a little mini fridge and 4 double beds. Campground showers and bathrooms are clean."

"The hosts are terrific: the campsites and fire pits are immediately cleaned, the hosts checked us in remotely (saved us a trip to the office), provided tips for getting quality firewood, cleaned the bathrooms"

3. Pokagon State Park Campground
48 Reviews
Angola, IN
45 miles
Website
+1 (260) 833-2012
$16 - $480 / night
"Sites are in a well wooded area situated on 5 different loops (1 non-electric, 4 electric)."

"There's a few trails and swimming and boating in the lake in the summer. The campground is standard and has a bathhouse and fire pits at each site (both electric and non-electric)."
4. Service Plaza - Tiffin River Overnight Parking
1 Review
Fayette, OH
22 miles
Website
+1 (440) 234-2081

5. Bluegrass Campground
6 Reviews
Swanton, OH
32 miles
Website
+1 (419) 875-5110
"Showers and bathrooms are cleaned regularly!!! And done beautifully"
6. Huggy Bear Campground
3 Reviews
Van Wert, OH
29 miles
Website
+1 (419) 968-2211
"Tons to do especially for kids, pet friendly, definitely get rowdy on the weekends- book ahead to snag the best sites. We stayed 5 days and it was awesome."

"If you you’re going for family friendly fun where you can sit around a fire wIth friends and family, this is the place. There is swimming and family activities to keep everyone busy."

7. Johnny Appleseed Campground
15 Reviews
Fort Wayne, IN
40 miles
Website
+1 (260) 427-6720
"For $24, we got a day of drive in spot with electrical + water hook-ups and wifi. The campground is well-maintained and very clean."

"Easy access to downtown, the Coliseum, IPFW, and shopping. The River Greenway path cuts right through the park, and there is also a boat launch for the river."
8. Sunny's Shady Recreation Area
2 Reviews
Fayette, OH
29 miles
Website
+1 (419) 337-3101
"something happening here sure it’s a camp ground but it more has that small town in summer vibe from the common activities to the golf cart parade of sight seeing it has all the amenities you’d want for trash"

"The beach was clean and they had 5 fishing lakes. They also have a store and a food truck on the premises.

Please know that out of the 500 sites available they are mainly seasonal campers."

9. Van Buren State Park Campground
12 Reviews
Van Buren, OH
41 miles
Website
+1 (419) 832-7662
"The outside of the circle is your best bet and there’s a few scattered in the middle."

"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."
10. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™ at Barton Lake
14 Reviews
Fremont, IN
48 miles
Website
+1 (260) 833-1114
"Yogi Bear JellyStone Park at Barton Lake is located in Fremont, In and to me was noisy, crowded and stressful."

"They have a lake, several pools, including an indoor pool for late in the season. We got rained out for most of the weekend but will be back during the summer."

Showing results 1-10 of 17 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented by

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Enter to Win

Recent Glamping Photos near Defiance, OH

29 Photos of 17 Defiance Campgrounds

Glamping Reviews near Defiance, OH

146 Reviews of 17 Defiance Campgrounds

J
Jodi S.
Guide
Jun. 9, 2018
Johnny Appleseed Campground
Looked like a ghost town
This small, well-kept Campground is a Fort Wayne city park surrounded by industrial & commercial businesses. The Park is clean with the most modern, clean shower/bath house I’ve seen. Unfortunately, the restroom is located across the street from the campground. The sites were occupied by large RVs but we only saw 2 people sitting outside - no campfires, no cooking, no campers. This was just an over night stopover for us so we didn’t care. I suppose this Campground is used by seasonal workers who just sleep & eat dinner there at the end of their workday. The Campground is never dark with streetlights and and the ambient light from surrounding businesses. I’m sure this campground serves a purpose, just not my purpose.This is definitely NOT a destination.
Amanda K.
Guide
Aug. 1, 2020
Sauder Village Campground
Fun with Kids
This was a great campground. VERY clean, nice bathrooms with showers. Ice and Wood easily available. We stayed with four kiddos in a tent spot across from a cool plash pad, a little lake to fish in and close to running water. Only reason this campground doesn’t get five stars is because of noisy trucks/highway noise, and a freight train which drives often at night. There is also a farm near the tenting spots with a rooster. Not the best place for sleeping, but would totally go back!
Sherrie W.
Guide
May. 22, 2020
Harrison Lake State Park Campground
Nice park for Northwest Ohio
We rented a yurt as a local weekend escape. Our kids loved the yurt. It was nice with a little mini fridge and 4 double beds. Campground showers and bathrooms are clean. It is one of the only state parks in northwest Ohio, a beautiful little spot nestled in farmland of Ohio. The lake is nice for swimming and there are bike rentals which was fun as well. We did not use it, but there is a dog beach as well. Sites are crowed and close together.
D
Daniel S.
Traveler
Jul. 5, 2016
Pokagon State Park Campground
Pokagon State Park
Pokagon State Park has an excellent state park campground. Sites are in a well wooded area situated on 5 different loops (1 non-electric, 4 electric). Many sites are flat (good for tent camping) while others are slightly rolling hills (helps breakup the sites a bit). There is a lot to do in the park including many trails, horse riding (horse stable on site), and lake swimming on a nicely improved beach. Only cons are no full hook up and the fire rings/grills could be improved.
Jessica L.
Guide
Jul. 28, 2016
Pokagon State Park Campground
One of Indiana's original parks.
Pokagon was one of the first Indiana state parks, so there's some history here! One of my favorite memories is the toboggan run, which FYI, is seasonal. It's a ton of fun for the whole family. Also, in the winter, there's sledding, ice fishing and cross country skiing. There's a few trails and swimming and boating in the lake in the summer. The campground is standard and has a bathhouse and fire pits at each site (both electric and non-electric). There's a nice Inn as well, if you need a non campgroud place to stay in the winter. It's a great easy trip, even from Chicago. So, come winter or summer!
Hillary W.
Traveler
Sep. 9, 2020
Harrison Lake State Park Campground
Exceptionally clean campsites, helpful hosts, variety of activities, super clean private bathrooms/showers
The hosts are terrific: the campsites and fire pits are immediately cleaned, the hosts checked us in remotely (saved us a trip to the office), provided tips for getting quality firewood, cleaned the bathrooms regularly even during a busy holiday weekend.

The campsites are a bit small, but fortunately the other campers were friendly and helpful. Some of the non-electric sites were used by RVs running generators all day and night, so that was a bummer for those of us hoping non-electric would mean more quiet.

The bathrooms were scrupulously clean and always available without a line.

Three minor complaints: vault toilets instead of bathrooms in the non-electric area, only one gray water dump on the entire south side of the lake, the park lacks much in the way of hiking (but does have boating, fishing, etc.)
B
Brendan V.
Scout
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.
Ashley G.
Scout
Jul. 5, 2021
Angola/Hogback Lake KOA Holiday
A 5 star stay
Love this campground! Events every weekend and some fun for everyone. I will say DONT rent a 4 person bike unless you’re incredibly fit, it is no leisurely stroll 😂 Also, watch out for some of the patio sites, some have a fire pit that would sit directly under an awning. Our patio site though had the pit far out from site and we loved it, the grill even had propane in it to use!
A
Andrew P.
Guide
Aug. 14, 2018
Harrison Lake State Park Campground
Quiet place to get away
We have been here a few times. Really enjoy the secluded sites and the lake. It’s a small campground but it’s clean and quiet. Most sites don’t have water hookups but they do have electric. There isn’t much to do outside of the campground but there is a nice lake with canoe and kayak rentals. Very pet friendly and even has a dog beach.