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.

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

    $19 - $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)."

    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."

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Glamping Reviews near Defiance, OH

146 Reviews of 17 Defiance Campgrounds


  • J
    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.
    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.
    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
    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.
    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.
    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
    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.
    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
    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.


Guide to Defiance

Northwest Ohio's countryside offers diverse camping experiences beyond the glamping yurts at Harrison Lake State Park. Defiance sits in a region characterized by glacial till plains with elevations ranging from 700-740 feet above sea level. The area's seasonal humidity creates lush landscapes during camping season, with temperatures typically ranging from 60°F to 85°F from May through September.

What to do

Explore local history: At Sauder Village Campground, campers can immerse themselves in Ohio's past while enjoying modern camping amenities. "This campground is associated with Historic Sauder Village – a living history destination in northern Ohio. (You can get discount admission to the village if you stay in the campground)," explains Nancy W., who appreciated the educational opportunities alongside camping.

Enjoy water recreation: Multiple water activities await at Pokagon State Park Campground, just across the state line in Indiana. "There are trail, beaches, boats, horses... so many things to do," notes Becky N., highlighting the variety of options at this well-maintained facility that offers year-round camping.

Utilize bike trails: Local campgrounds feature extensive cycling opportunities. At Harrison Lake State Park, one camper specifically mentioned the biking options: "The sites are spacious. It is one of the only state parks in northwest Ohio, a beautiful little spot nestled in farmland of Ohio." While many campgrounds feature bike-friendly paths, Van Buren State Park offers "tons of trails and a pond" according to Lindsay B., making it suitable for both casual riders and more adventurous cyclists.

What campers like

Clean facilities: Consistently mentioned across reviews is the exceptional cleanliness of restrooms and shower facilities. At Bluegrass Campground, campers praise the maintenance standards: "Really clean campground with friendly family atmosphere. Showers and bathrooms are cleaned regularly!!! And done beautifully," says Alan I., highlighting what many visitors prioritize.

Family-oriented activities: Johnny Appleseed Campground offers an urban camping experience with access to Fort Wayne amenities. Tara W. notes, "This is a great little campground if you are wanting to explore Fort Wayne or are local and want to campout. Easy access to downtown, the Coliseum, IPFW, and shopping." The River Greenway path cutting through the park adds recreational value.

Proximity to attractions: Many campgrounds serve as convenient basebases for regional exploration. One visitor to Sauder Village Campground noted, "The campground is about four miles south of the Ohio Turnpike (I-80/90) which is pretty convenient if you are just passing through and looking for a place to stay overnight."

What you should know

Site spacing varies: While some campgrounds offer privacy, others place campsites close together. At Van Buren State Park Campground, Brendan V. notes: "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."

Reservation timing: Campgrounds in this region fill quickly, especially during summer months. Harrison Lake's yurt camping options require advance planning, and similarly at other popular campgrounds. For Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, Tiffany H. advises: "Only complaint would be that if you are planning a summer weekend you have to book wayyyyy in advance due to demand."

Seasonal considerations: While Harrison Lake offers yurt camping in Defiance, Ohio throughout most of the year, other campgrounds have more limited seasons. Sauder Village Campground operates from April 15 to October 31, and many water features at area campgrounds close earlier in the fall based on temperature.

Tips for camping with families

Choose campgrounds with kid-specific amenities: Families seeking yurt camping near Defiance, Ohio should consider proximity to children's activities. At Harrison Lake, Sherrie W. says, "Our kids loved the yurt," mentioning the benefit of having "bike rentals which was fun as well" to keep children entertained.

Look for playground access: Huggy Bear Campground provides dedicated play areas. Laura D. reports: "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."

Consider bathhouse proximity: When camping with children, especially in alternative accommodations like yurts, bathroom access matters. Hillary W. from Harrison Lake notes the campground has "exceptionally clean campsites, helpful hosts" and "the bathrooms were scrupulously clean and always available without a line," making family camping more comfortable.

Tips from RVers

Check hookup details: Verify the specific electrical service offered at each site. At Van Buren State Park, Shannon G. observed: "All sites had electric and water, no full hookup. There were only drop toilets and no showers... Our site was really nice. The pads were recently paved and had a huge bumper at the end."

Consider space limitations: RV campers should verify site dimensions before booking. At Sauder Village, Nancy W. explains: "The RV sites are long, level, and have either 50 amp full hook-up or water and electric only." This information helps ensure your equipment fits properly at your chosen campground.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Defiance, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Defiance, OH is Sauder Village Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 8 reviews.

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Defiance, OH?

TheDyrt.com has all 17 glamping camping locations near Defiance, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.