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Best Tent Camping near Dover, OH

648 Reviews

Tent campers exploring the Dover, Ohio region can find several established campgrounds within a 30-mile radius, including Rivers Edge Camping Area at Bridgeport Quarry Trailhead and Mohican State Park Campground. These sites offer varying levels of amenities and accessibility, with most providing basic facilities for tent camping. Several locations feature walk-in tent sites that provide more seclusion than standard campgrounds, particularly in the Mohican-Memorial State Forest where Park and Pack campsites are available.

Most tent sites in the area require registration, either through first-come, first-served systems or by signing in at ranger stations or kiosks. The Park and Pack sites in Mohican-Memorial State Forest are particularly popular for backcountry tent camping, with campers needing to register at the forest office kiosk rather than the state park. Fire rings are provided at most sites, though firewood availability varies. Portable toilets or vault toilets are typically available near parking areas, but drinking water is limited at many locations. A visitor commented, "Make sure you register for your site and do not camp illegally. It is an issue here and they are looking to make sure folks did register at the kiosk."

The tent camping experience near Dover offers opportunities for both easy access and more remote experiences. Heritage Farms provides tent sites scattered among a Christmas tree farm with some sheltered options, while Rivers Edge offers riverside camping with picnic tables and fire pits. For more secluded backcountry tent camping, the Park and Pack sites in Mohican-Memorial State Forest provide spacious areas for setting up tents or hammocks with varying levels of accessibility. Some sites require creek crossings or short hikes from parking areas. Cell phone coverage is often limited at these more remote locations. According to one camper, "This site was one of my favorites as it was right by the creek. The creek was clear and cool. It was also far enough away that I wouldn't be constantly worried about it."

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Best Tent Sites Near Dover, Ohio (17)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Dover, OH

18 Photos of 17 Dover Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Dover, OH

648 Reviews of 17 Dover Campgrounds

  • K
    Aug. 26, 2020

    Park and Pack Campsite 10 — Mohican-Memorial State Forest

    Campsite 10 large and beautiful

    Make sure you get a reservation at the kiosk by the ranger station in the forest. Do not go to the state park as that is completely different. For the forest office I go to Co Rd 939, Perrysville, OH 44864

    Do not camp illegally or without a reservation. They do post signs and ask other campers to report the illegal camping.  

    The sunset photo is by the entrance of the parking lot to the campsite.  This is the 2nd easiest campsite to walk into out of the 10.  If you have any mobility issues this is the second best camp site to go to as most of it is along the wide access road and mountain bike trail. The parking lot was clean and easy to access. 

    I had limited cell phone signal while here but this had the best signal out of the 10 sites. 

    All of the Park and Pack camp sites do not have a bathroom. As you can see from this site I took the time to take a picture of the moon pole.  So do leave no trace of your bathroom habits. 

    This site was great for both hammocks and tents.  You could have a small group here and not feel crowded. The camp fire set up is awesome. We had another camper over by that spot so I didn't take pictures of his gear.  He had a hammock and tent set up. He was camping at the spot for a week for his vacation. On our last night at this site another backpacker came through and set up.  Make sure you get a reservation and look closely at the board at the kiosk.  Our main camper at this site was gracious as he had booked the site for the week most folks didn't realize the site was taken as his name was so far up the clipboard.  We weren't alone in not realizing that and he enjoyed the brief company we provided as good neighbors to each other.

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2022

    Tomlinson Run State Park Campground

    Camping in the trees

    Electric Site 37 - pad is pretty level, plenty for our small camper and truck, on a slight hill to get to fire ring but lots of space to spread out. You could tent but not really a flat spot. We were near the non-electric cul de sac and a neighbor right across but not on top of each other. Trees are everywhere and wonderful during the fall season. We had a big night of rain and with the wind it dried up pretty quickly.

    Camp store - small, not a lot in it but may be end of the season items only. Mostly shirts and mugs and very little snack food. The camp store staff were all very friendly and helpful and the store has limited WiFi if you stood in the right spot. There is a laundry room available there as well.

    Dump station- 2 way and potable water on the other side of it. The only place to drop your trash too.

    Trails - lots of trails to choose from. Some were pretty easy some were a little hilly. My favorite was the fern trail - lots of ferns and a very pretty stream. Hiking poles are recommended especially if it rains.

    Playground - is available for kids and a huge shelter house too.

    Firewood is $6 a bundle and burns well, no slab cut.

    Water - have to go up to entrance as the water spouts are still shut off.

    Showers - in womens the shower on the left never got warm, other two were fine. There are 4 flush toilets.

  • Danielle S.
    Apr. 16, 2021

    Hidden Hollow Campground — Fernwood State Forest

    Can't beat free, but caveats abound.

    This tiny gem of a campground is actually quite decent. Each site is furnished with a small fire ring and picnic table. The fire rings do not have a grill grate. The pit toilets in the restroom are "fragrant" when you enter the women's side of the building but not so terribly that they can't be used. My friend did gag upon entering the men's room. There are designated wastewater areas to dump grey water, but you'll have to bring your own water for drinking, washing, etc. There are no electric hookups.

    As others have mentioned, there is a gun range nearby and you can hear occasional firing. Helicopter traffic at night was a slight distraction from the otherwise quiet night I spent here.

    There is an easy orange-blazed trail behind site 10 but as of this writing, a there are several downed trees blocking the trail a good distance in.

    I'd definitely stay again.

    5/3/2021 Edited to add:. Well, our second stay here is decidedly less positive. We are at site 9 this time. No fire ring here. The women's bathroom is filthy and it made me gag (there is feces all over one toilet seat and the other smells so bad that I just peed in the woods). It's turkey season so lots of noise in the woods.

  • Jennifer K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 18, 2022

    Mill Creek Camping — Berlin Lake Wildlife Area

    Beautiful but no peace and quiet

    Camp hosts were amazing and our spot was large and pretty. Our neighbors however were absolutely obnoxious. Just screaming obscenities nearly the whole time and were definitely drinking even though no alcohol is allowed in the park. Rangers drive by very frequently yet do absolutely nothing even after quiet hours start. Maybe it's not always like this but I may never return because of it. I want a nice quiet and relaxing time not put up with screaming drunks and kids. Also there was so much traffic constantly!

  • Aloma O.
    Sep. 5, 2022

    Tappan Lake Park Campground

    Needs accurate website for bookings

    Booked 2 sites online using website. Upon getting to our sites the numbers listed on the site posts did not match the numbers on the site map used for booking. Section 4. Seasonal campers verified the campground constantly changes site numbers around.. It is very misleading. Should not offer booking online or should make sure all online booking locations have the site numbers and pictures accurate. The site we had was NOT the one pictured on the map online. Very small, muddy, and could not even have a fire on it. Got lucky no one was across from us. We used that site to build a fire. Make sure you don't forget anything or need gas, not much around.

  • W
    Jun. 10, 2022

    Rivers Edge Camping Area (Bridgeport Quarry Trailhead)

    Great location

    Great access close to parking lot with privacy between you and the trail. Right alongside the river with a picnic table and firepit. Portable toilet in parking lot. No running water but close to gas stations and restaurants. Only 12 minute drive over to Pro Football Hall of Fame.

  • Emily S.
    Jun. 1, 2017

    Hidden Hollow Campground — Fernwood State Forest

    Free!

    Spent the first camping trip of the summer here on Memorial Day weekend and it was a beautiful spot. There are a number of sites set up in a circle, the initial sites are better suited for RVs while the sites along the back of the loop are flatter and can accommodate a tent. This was our first car camping in an actual campground experience in a while - our last few trips were all backcountry sites - and it felt very luxurious. The campground is situated near shooting ranges so the gunfire lasts late into the evening and begins early in the morning disrupting the serenity a bit.

    The best part - it's free! Just register at the box. There are vault toilets and each site has a fire ring, picnic table, garbage cans, and there are spots to dump waste water. It's very well-organized and well maintained.

  • K
    Jun. 25, 2021

    Jefferson Lake State Park Campground

    Quiet and Beautiful

    This smaller campground has a mix of equestrian sites and tent/RV sites. There are no showers, but the vault toilets were cleaned thoroughly ever morning. You need to be careful when booking, especially if you are trying to pitch a tent, as some sites are quite sloped. Our site was huge and right next to the water spigot.

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 28, 2018

    Heritage Farms

    Great for cyclists along the Towpath in Cuyahoga National Park

    Located about ½ mile off the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath, this campground is a part of a 5th generation working farm.  Both standard campsites and shelters are available and are scattered among a working Christmas Tree farm.   A very sweet couple owns the place and runs the campground, George & Carol Haramis.

    Each site is situated on grass, has a picnic table, and fire ring (firewood is supplied with your campsite fee).  Both pit toilets and water are available to campers as well. Some are shaded and other sites have quite a bit of sun.  The shelters are robustly constructed, but don’t have much cross ventilation as they are only open to the front, so are quite hot in the heat of the summer, and provide no barrier to insects.  No electricity is available. Come prepared to hang your food (not for bears, but for mice).

    They prefer reservations, but happily accommodated our reservation-less lifestyle as it was early in the season.  Our shelter site was just next to the gravel parking area and overlooked the farm as well as had a great view of the sunset.  Unfortunately, you can hear the highway from the campground, despite the fact that it is located a good distance away. It didn’t bother us at night, but we definitely heard it first thing in the morning.

    Just down the road in the village of Peninsula, OH (and right next to the towpath) are Century Cycles (super helpful bike shop!!) and the Winking Lizard Tavern (fun restaurant/bar). After a long day of cycling, we enjoyed an adult beverage and some dessert after making dinner in the campground.

    More info here:  https://centurycycles.com/articles/camping-along-the-towpath-trail-pg1342.htm

Guide to Dover

Tent camping near Dover, Ohio offers a blend of natural beauty and convenient amenities, making it an ideal getaway for outdoor enthusiasts.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

Tent campers should check out Rivers Edge

  • The Rivers Edge Camping Area is conveniently located near gas stations and restaurants, making it easy to stock up on supplies.
  • Enjoy the scenic views and tranquility of the river while camping at Franklin Trailhead, which is designed specifically for hikers and cyclists.
  • If you're up for a short hike, Springhill County Park offers a peaceful setting for tent camping amidst nature.

Tips for tent camping near Dover

  • Arrive early at Rivers Edge Camping Area to secure a good spot, as it operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Be prepared for mosquitoes at Franklin Trailhead; bringing insect repellent can enhance your camping experience.
  • Always check for nearby water sources, as some sites like Rivers Edge do not provide drinking water on-site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Dover, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Dover, OH is Rivers Edge Camping Area (Bridgeport Quarry Trailhead) with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Dover, OH?

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

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