Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Defiance, OH has a lot to offer. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Ohio camping has to offer. Discover great camping spots near Defiance, reviewed by campers like you.
$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"
"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"
$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)."
"Showers and bathrooms are cleaned regularly!!! And done beautifully"
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"Very nice, clean, people and staff very friendly. You must reserve a spot by phone or online only, no walk ins. I made my reservation while standing at the visitor cabin"
"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."
GuideThis 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.
GuideThis 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!
GuideWe 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.
TravelerPokagon 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.
GuidePokagon 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!
TravelerThe 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.)
ScoutLove 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!
GuideWe 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.
LegendReally 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 had full hook-ups. 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.) The campground filled up on the weekend but emptied out on Sunday. The RV sites are long, level, and have either 50 amp full hook-up or water and electric only. Tent sites are scattered along the pond which made for a nice view; except, the ridiculous number of geese meant there was poop everywhere along the shoreline and throughout the tent section. Staff does haze the geese but it was not enough to keep them away during the afternoon.
A fee is charged to enter the historic village or you can ask for a “shoppers pass” and visit the stores inside the village. Located on the grounds (and within walking distance of the campground) is a restaurant, bakery, gift shop and hotel (which has an indoor pool, hot tub, and game room campers are allowed to use). The restrooms, laundry, and showers were very clean and relatively new. Other amenities include basketball, shuffleboard, horse shoes, splash pad, volleyball, corn holes, lake for fishing, and free WiFi. There are a couple of covered group picnic areas available for anyone to use which is nice if you have a big group wanting to get together.
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. The town of Archbold is pretty small but does have a decent grocery and restaurants. The nearby town of Bryan is larger and has a really funky brewery/restaurant housed an old church (Father Johns).
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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.
TheDyrt.com has all 16 glamping camping locations near Defiance, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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