Top Tent Camping near Elyria, OH

Looking for an adventure where you can explore Elyria and then fall asleep in your tent? Find the best information on tent camping near Elyria, including sites, reviews, and tips for getting the most out of your camping experience. Search nearby tent campsites or find top-rated spots from other campers.

Best Tent Sites Near Elyria, OH (15)

    Camper-submitted photo from Cuyahoga Valley National Park - CAMPING NO LONGER OFFERED
    Camper-submitted photo from Cuyahoga Valley National Park - CAMPING NO LONGER OFFERED
    Camper-submitted photo from Cuyahoga Valley National Park - CAMPING NO LONGER OFFERED
    Camper-submitted photo from Cuyahoga Valley National Park - CAMPING NO LONGER OFFERED
    Camper-submitted photo from Cuyahoga Valley National Park - CAMPING NO LONGER OFFERED
    Camper-submitted photo from Cuyahoga Valley National Park - CAMPING NO LONGER OFFERED

    1. Cuyahoga Valley National Park - CAMPING NO LONGER OFFERED

    26 Reviews
    127 Photos
    117 Saves

    Verified 8/19/2020 Camping is no longer offered here. Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a destination for millions of visitors each year who enjoy hiking, riding the scenic railroad, biking and picnicking. Whether you need an area large enough for a family reunion or just an intimate spot for two, Cuyahoga Valley is an ideal destination. Picnic areas are scattered throughout the park. Two rustic shelters, Ledges and Octagon, are available for reservation in the Virginia Kendall Unit of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Natural Features: The Cuyahoga River flows through the park for 22 miles, fed by more than 190 miles of perennial (permanent) and ephemeral (temporary) streams. The Beaver Marsh and other wetlands, many lined with cattails and dense patches of duckweed, provide a home for many of the parks reptiles and amphibians and help filter pollutants from the water. Recreation: With many different facilities and attractions in the park, there is something to interest everyone. Most shelter areas have open fields for games and nearby hiking trails.Visitors enjoy riding the scenic railroad, exploring the visitor centers, catching one of the summer concerts, attending one of the ranger-guided programs, biking the Towpath Trail or picnicking in one of the parks picnic shelters. Facilities: Cuyahoga Valleys two shelters are fully-accessible. The Civilian Conservation Corps constructed them with American chestnut and locally quarried sandstone. The shelters are located near Ritchie Ledges, an area with approximately 2 miles of Sharon conglomerate stone cliffs about 30 feet tall. A large play field and hiking trails are available near each shelter. Ledges Shelter accommodates up to 75 people. It has two fireplaces and eight picnic tables inside, as well as eight tables in the outside pavilion and a large grill. Octagon Shelter accommodates up to 50 people. During the summer months its walls are removed; they are in place from about October 15 to May 1. Seven indoor picnic tables, two fireplaces and an outdoor grill are provided. Both shelters have electricity for normal two-pronged household appliances such as coffee pots and crock pots. Drinking water is available at a drinking fountain from May 1 to September 15. Restrooms with flush toilets are available year-round. Nearby Attractions: Visit Brandywine Falls, the historic Boston Store Visitor Center, Ritchie Ledges, the Beaver Marsh and the Everett Road Covered Bridge. These are some of the more popular attractions in the park.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    Camper-submitted photo from Heritage Farms
    Camper-submitted photo from Heritage Farms
    Camper-submitted photo from Heritage Farms
    Camper-submitted photo from Heritage Farms
    Camper-submitted photo from Heritage Farms
    Camper-submitted photo from Heritage Farms

    2. Heritage Farms

    9 Reviews
    52 Photos
    156 Saves
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • Tents
    • Dispersed

    $35 - $55 / night

    • No image available

      3. Hidden Hollow Camp

      1 Review

      Hidden Hollow Camp features a beautiful one-acre woodland pond and two nature trails. In geographical terms, a “hollow” is exactly as it sounds – a small valley or basin in the land. At the bottom of Hidden Hollow is the West Fork of the East Branch of the Black River. The rich soil of its floodplain is home to towering sycamore, black willow, and black walnut trees -- along with a diverse array of wildflowers. The trees and thickets here provide ideal habitat for migrating warblers. Visitors should plan on bird-watching during spring and fall migration.

      The enclosed building at Hidden Hollow Camp offers the perfect amenities for an “indoor camping” experience for up to 75 people, including a wood-burning stove, scenic wraparound porch, movie screen, electric range, food preparation tables, and a refrigerator. Alcohol is permitted inside the enclosed building only when reserved for day-use or camping.

      Although there is no indoor plumbing, the frost-proof water spigots with potable water are easily accessible at two outdoor locations. A gray-water pit for disposal of dirty dish water is located adjacent to the toilets. The site includes a campfire ring surrounded with plenty of flexible bench seating and a parade ground area with a flagpole for scout ceremonies. There are turf areas for outdoor recreation activities and a team-building challenge course.

      • Reservable
      • ADA Access
      • Tents
      • Group
      • Cabins
      • Drinking Water
      Camper-submitted photo from The West Woods
      Camper-submitted photo from The West Woods
      Camper-submitted photo from The West Woods
      Camper-submitted photo from The West Woods
      Camper-submitted photo from The West Woods
      Camper-submitted photo from The West Woods

      4. The West Woods

      3 Reviews
      14 Photos
      36 Saves

      There are 2 primitive sites here. The West Woods is a 902-acre park that protects the historic sandstone ledges of Ansel’s Cave, Silver Creek and its watershed, extensive wetlands and mature forests.

      • Pets
      • Fires
      • Phone Service
      • Reservable
      • Tents
      • Dispersed
      • No image available
        Camper-submitted photo from Penitentiary Glen Reservation Campsite
        Camper-submitted photo from Penitentiary Glen Reservation Campsite
        Camper-submitted photo from Penitentiary Glen Reservation Campsite
        Camper-submitted photo from Penitentiary Glen Reservation Campsite
        Camper-submitted photo from Penitentiary Glen Reservation Campsite
        Camper-submitted photo from Penitentiary Glen Reservation Campsite
        Camper-submitted photo from Rivers Edge Camping Area (Bridgeport Quarry Trailhead)
        Camper-submitted photo from Rivers Edge Camping Area (Bridgeport Quarry Trailhead)
        Camper-submitted photo from Rivers Edge Camping Area (Bridgeport Quarry Trailhead)
        Camper-submitted photo from Rivers Edge Camping Area (Bridgeport Quarry Trailhead)
        Camper-submitted photo from Rivers Edge Camping Area (Bridgeport Quarry Trailhead)
        Camper-submitted photo from Rivers Edge Camping Area (Bridgeport Quarry Trailhead)
        • No image available

          8. Ottawa Overlook Backcountry sites

          Be the first to review!
          6 Saves

          Three primitive sites along the trail with few amenities. Remember to LNT.

          • Pets
          • Reservable
          • Tents
          • Drinking Water
          • Toilets

          $5 / night

          • No image available
            • No image available
            Showing results 1-10 of 15 campgrounds

            Recent Tent Reviews In Elyria

            397 Reviews of 15 Elyria Campgrounds


            • Michele M.
              Camper-submitted photo from Town and Country Camp Resort
              Oct. 2, 2024

              Town and Country Camp Resort

              Affordable, friendly and beautiful

              I have camped here 3 times as an adult and most of my childhood here. It's quiet, the campers and staff and friendly. They have large shaded sites and a few tent sites in the back still. It's not going to blow your mind here, but I will continue to enjoy T&C because of its cost, how close it is to home, and how enjoyable of a time I've had here.

            • Brian O.
              Camper-submitted photo from Sandusky-Bayshore KOA
              Oct. 1, 2024

              Sandusky-Bayshore KOA

              Great base camp for visiting Cedar Point

              The owners are very frank about what they have here. This isn't a place to get away from it all. It's behind a car dealership and next to a fairly busy railroad. But they do offer amenities to make your stay easier.
               We normally stay at State Parks, so didn't understand all the options they had, and ended up with a deluxe dual site which had more than we needed, but was a pleasant surprise.
              Our site was not in the tree shaded area, but instead included a Shelter with table, a patio with furniture and a fire pit, a grill and a free-stranding sink and electricity. the sites are close together, but our neighbors were friendly and comradery was the norm. 
               The showers are a bit cramped, but plenty of hot water.  There are TWO heated pools, which we didn't have time to use.  Plus there's  a big bouncy hill for the kids, something I've never seen before. A good General store and friendly staff.
              We spent all our time at Cedar Point, but here are things for the kids to do here, including a crafts barn.

            • RThe Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Crystal Rock Campground
              Sep. 22, 2024

              Crystal Rock Campground

              Lakeside - East Harbor State Park

              Super nice people- small sites- bathroom/ shower cleaned - a interesting area by Lakerside which is an 1800s art with very nice restaurants and shops most closed after Labor Day / do not take your rv /small roads - skip Sandusky

            • GThe Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Charles Mill Lake Park Campground
              Sep. 17, 2024

              Charles Mill Lake Park Campground

              Nice older campground

              Eagle point is more rustic than the campground by the marina. Gravel pads, many on sloping ground. No way to know which sites might work for you until you look when you arrive. Someone did answer the phone, though, and let us move to another site.We had electric-only, by choice, for 2 nights. Water nearby. Not very many transient campers, but lots of "seasonal" to permanent-looking larger trailers. Quiet in our loop because only a few sites were occupied. Very nice bathroom and shower building. The dump station here is set up for emptying totes- not much room to park a trailer/RV for dumping at it. We drove to the dump station by the marina to have more room to work. Rinse water hose at the sewer opening had no water hose fitting on it (just a skinny brass angled spout), so no way to rinse our blackwater tank. Potable water was 40 feet away, but all water came out of a backflow preventer, so no way to use a hose. Disappointed with the dump station. Overall, it was fine for 2 nights. If you have a boat, there are lots of covers to explore on the lake. The water is very silty, and rather shallow in most places.

            • T
              Camper-submitted photo from Streetsboro-Cleveland SE KOA
              Sep. 9, 2024

              Streetsboro-Cleveland SE KOA

              Gross & Rundown

              I don’t have much to say about this campground but to start off on a high note the pool was nice. Now the reasons for our low rating. WiFi was nonexistent, everything was dirty and run down. Our RV site was ok. Family rented a cabin and it was disgusting. Dirty furniture-dishes-run down. Toilet looked like someone died in it. For $250 a night our recommendation is get a hotel-cheaper and cleaner (which is what our family ended up doing). Oh and letting permanent sites fly all sorts of political flags makes this KOA unwelcoming and honestly a little scary. Do not waste your money here.

            • Wailym C.
              Camper-submitted photo from Kelleys Island State Park
              Sep. 7, 2024

              Kelleys Island State Park

              Simply amazing camping

              This state island campground is more than expected!  worth the ferry travel, a paradise kept secret.  We stumbled upon this island by accident along our travels after Labor Day and we totally fell in love.  The water front camping, swimming, boating, kayaking, historic sites, attractions and facilities are superb.  Everything you need and more than you expect.  We traveled in with our 34’ trailer.  The ferry cost was a bit high, around $200 round trip for us, truck and camper….but it was worth it!!  The campground is immaculate, quiet during the week especially after Labor Day, the weekend brings a larger crowd.  Walking trails, sites, boating and swimming all available from campground.  Sandy shallow beach with beautiful view.  Ice, firewood and a store conveniently located at campground.  The campground is small and sites a bit tight but spaced accordingly and comfortable.  Two waterfront cabins and two yurts available for rent as well.  We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and the island overall. The glacial grooves, limestone crusher, north loop trail, beach and boat launch all withing walking distance.  We rented bikes downtown to explore rest of island, including winery, cantina and local bars.  Counting the days to go back.

            • Charles K.The Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Ashland Fairgrounds
              Aug. 31, 2024

              Ashland Fairgrounds

              Great place to stop over night

              Ashland fairgrounds has $20 tent sites or $35 full hookups. You may need an extension cord. All back in sites. Bathrooms are open and close by. No showers. Very clean and quiet. There were 4 others staying here. All were nice. If you arrive after hours grab an envelope and drop payment in an envelope. If you stay in the grass parking lot while no other events are going on you can stay for free.

            • Hali R.
              Camper-submitted photo from Clay's Park
              Aug. 19, 2024

              Clay's Park

              Disgusting

              We recently stayed at the Yogi Bear Campground and, while the overall experience was fun, the condition of our cabin was absolutely unacceptable, especially considering the$900 we paid for just two nights. Upon arrival, we were shocked by the state of the cabin. There was hair all over the sink, toilet, and shower. The floors were filthy, with dog hair everywhere. It was clear that the silverware hadn't been properly cleaned, and the fans were caked with about a quarter-inch of dust. To make matters worse, we found trash and wrappers lying around, and there was a huge stain on the mattress protector. Crumbs were scattered throughout, indicating that the cabin had not been cleaned prior to our stay. I tried to clean the futon myself after realizing how dirty everything was, and the amount of dog hair and dirt I collected was appalling. When I spilled something on the floor and wiped it up with a paper towel, the towel turned black, showing that the floors likely hadn't been scrubbed in ages.

               The water situation was equally disturbing. The water smelled horrible, and both the shower head and faucet were caked with scum. My kids begged not to have to take a shower because of the smell. While I understand that water softeners and filters can be expensive, this was simply unacceptable, especially given how much we paid for the higher-end cabins. At the very least, the website should mention that guests might want to bring a shower head filter or be prepared for the poor water quality. 

              To add to our frustration, unlike the other cabins, ours didn't have a WiFi access code panel. Some of our friends stayed in nearby cabins, and only a few of them had the WiFi password. When we called to ask for the password, nobody ever called us back. This was especially concerning for our friends who had babies with them and needed WiFi to set up their baby monitors. 

              This level of cleanliness might be expected in a$50/night cabin, but for the price we paid, it is beyond ridiculous and incredibly disappointing.

            • JThe Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Riverview RV Park
              Jun. 20, 2024

              Riverview RV Park

              Friendly Campground

              Everyone at this campground is so friendly even the staff is great. The campground has season spots to daily and weekly spots along with yearly. Of course your stay length can determine your views. The campground has waterfront spots with tree coverage to no tree coverage to close up against one another spot where you can hear your neighbors. It’s the you get what you pay for. I have so far enjoyed my spot so far along with my neighbors. I have enjoyed the owner and managers despite other reviews on google. I would recommend and come back. My reasons for 4 stars is your are responsible for maintaining and cutting grass for your campground if you are seasonal to yearly, which is crazy since it’s not our grass and everywhere I have been before takes care of this. This campground does not have sewage and pumps you out twice a week if seasonal and yearly. If you need a pump out it 20$ for emergency situations.

            • J
              Camper-submitted photo from Maple Lakes Campground
              Jun. 19, 2024

              Maple Lakes Campground

              Overnight

              We stayed for a quick overnight. Plenty of grass and good spacing between the sites. Most appear to be seasonal or full time living. You aren’t allowed to walk a dog around the park which was a very odd rule. Had to stay at your site.

            • dellimama_6@yahoo.com
              Camper-submitted photo from Claremar Twin Lakes Camping Resort
              Jun. 18, 2024

              Claremar Twin Lakes Camping Resort

              Clar Mar/ Twin Lakes

              After booking online, they changed my reservation site to a small spot no where near the bathrooms as I asked. She told me it was right across from the site. Not true. No fire pit in this spot and the site was so small, (my driveway is bigger). Not the picture that supposedly represented what I was paying for. We went home very disappointed. The kids were so excited to go camping and it wasn't worth paying for. We will NEVER reserve a spot at this campground again.

            • Kimberly C.
              Camper-submitted photo from Willow Lake Park Inc
              Jun. 16, 2024

              Willow Lake Park Inc

              Enjoy the great camping! Absolutely beautiful and fun!

              Some days you just need peace and quiet sitting by the campfire and enjoying the creek and the woods. Other times you want to get up and go dance to the band, swim in the lake, join the bingo and other games or throw a grand picnic.  Willow Lake Campground offers it all.

            • i
              Camper-submitted photo from Willow Lake Park Inc
              May. 28, 2024

              Willow Lake Park Inc

              Beautiful campground

              Stay here for the holiday weekend, they offer plenty of activities for everyone. Had a band each night! Bad Juju was definitely a favorite of mine. During the band and the day they have a concession stand open with really good food, the girls that work in there are very lovely. The facilities were clean and staff members were respectful and friendly, really the whole park was. This is a great park for a weekend getaway for the family or even just for yourself.

            • A
              Camper-submitted photo from American Wilderness Campground
              May. 19, 2024

              American Wilderness Campground

              We love AWC

              Such a great place to camp. We had such an enjoyable trip. The campground was just incredible.

              We visited with our family and really made

              Some happy camping memories, which will always treasure. Our site was really pretty and we would visit again!

            • CThe Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from East Harbor State Park
              May. 16, 2024

              East Harbor State Park

              Very Cramped in Season

              Park on the lake and close to many amenities including Cedar Point Amusement Park. Sites are very tightly packed. Park was mostly empty while we were there early in season. We camped at East Harbor State Park in a Motorhome. Sites in our section were back in and would be difficult to back a trailer into a site with a full campground.

            • April J.
              Camper-submitted photo from Sandusky Milan RV Park
              May. 14, 2024

              Sandusky Milan RV Park

              Wonderfully Updated!

              This campground has been wonderfully updated! The owners have added in an additional playground, dog park, newly paved roadways, newly redone building, a new pavilion, fire pit, and boat parking! We love camping here every chance we get! It is convenient to the turnpike and Cedar Point is just a few miles away!

            • J R.The Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Countryside Campground
              Apr. 27, 2024

              Countryside Campground

              Liked and will make a season of it

              Although my recent visit to do a recon for a seasonal site was in the off season, it was a really good first impression.  Friendly staff, and found what I hope will be be good spot with reservoir in the distance and leaves on the trees.

            • K
              Camper-submitted photo from Findley State Park
              Apr. 2, 2024

              Findley State Park

              Beautiful

              Absolutely love Findley. So much wildlife and great campsites. Amazing trails including bike trails for beginners up to advanced. We always have a great time.

            • Owen I.
              Camper-submitted photo from Sandusky-Bayshore KOA
              Feb. 23, 2024

              Sandusky-Bayshore KOA

              Much Cheeper Then Light House Point (But still Perfect Service)

              Some of My Favorite Things About This Campground

              • The Cafe (Great Pancakes)
              • Great Staff And Owners (Friendly And Caring)
              • Perfect Beginner Campground (Helps You Back In)
              • Nice Pool (Large & Clean) 
              • Located In Sandusky (Perfect For Cedar Point)
              • Great ATT Cell Service!
            • Ky G.
              Camper-submitted photo from Penitentiary Glen Reservation Campsite
              Nov. 15, 2023

              Penitentiary Glen Reservation Campsite

              Cozy and Quiet

              My friends and I decided to stay here for the weekend. Even with the colder weather it was nice and cozy. Plenty of fire wood provided and a short distance away from the gorge to walk. The second night had lots of coyotes around, which is cool but can be dangerous if not careful of course. Coyotes were heard all around the general area. Other than that quiet and the roads close by are unheard. Overall a great experience and definitely recommend for a rustic experience.

            • Kerry R.
              Camper-submitted photo from Streetsboro-Cleveland SE KOA
              Oct. 26, 2023

              Streetsboro-Cleveland SE KOA

              Beware

              We booked a tent plot for two days in advance, once we set up camp though the weather report said 30% chance of rain it proceeded to rain nonstop all night long. Our tent leaked horribly bad and it was evident with the forecast we would not last another day in the tent. We had to pack up and leave. KOA was not sympathetic to us at all. In fact when I called to ask questions I was ignored on the phone then disconnected. We were packed up and checked out by the check out time and they refused to refund us for a night. There were plenty of spots open so it's not as though they would have been loosing money. Not only that but we bought$25.00 worth of firewood that was in plastic that we could not use because of the non-stop rain. They would not take it back for a refund. Then oddly advised us to take it if we wanted to, knowing firewood is not to be transported. We left the unopened firewood at the campsite which I'm sure they were able to resell. All in all we spent about$140.00 for one night of camping where we were stuck inside of our leaking tent. Never again will we ever stay at another KOA camp.



            Guide to Elyria

            Camping near Elyria, Ohio, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

            What to do:

            • Explore the outdoors: Many campgrounds are near lakes and parks. For instance, at West Branch State Park Campground, visitors enjoy “many lakefront sites” and “great showerhouses.” It's a perfect spot for swimming and picnicking.
            • Visit local attractions: If you're near East Harbor State Park Campground, you can easily access Cedar Point Amusement Park. One reviewer mentioned, “Park on the lake and close to many amenities including Cedar Point.”
            • Hiking and biking: Trails abound in the area. Campers at Mohican State Park Campground appreciate the “close proximity to hiking, MTB trails, canoeing,” making it a great base for outdoor adventures.

            What campers like:

            • Clean facilities: Campers often rave about the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. One visitor at Punderson State Park Campground noted, “Shower houses were spacious, well lit, and clean.”
            • Family-friendly atmosphere: Many campgrounds cater to families. A reviewer at Findley State Park Campground said, “I absolutely love this place!!! No party people very family friendly.”
            • Beautiful views: Campers at South Bass Island State Park Campground enjoy stunning scenery. One camper mentioned, “The cliffside sites are absolutely beautiful. The view is breathtaking!”

            What you should know:

            • Tight camping spots: Some campgrounds have closely packed sites. A visitor at East Harbor State Park Campground mentioned, “Sites are very tightly packed,” which might not be ideal for those seeking privacy.
            • Limited amenities: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. A camper at Silver Springs Campground pointed out, “There are portable bathrooms located throughout campground,” but no showers.
            • Seasonal access: Some campgrounds, like Kelleys Island State Park Campground, are only open from April to October, so plan your trip accordingly.

            Tips for camping with families:

            • Choose kid-friendly sites: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities. Campers at Mohican State Park Campground enjoyed the “playground that is extremely age-friendly for every kid there.”
            • Pack for the weather: Be prepared for rain. A family at Streetsboro-Cleveland SE KOA had a tough time when their tent leaked during a storm, so check the forecast before you go.
            • Plan for activities: Campgrounds like West Branch State Park Campground offer plenty of activities, making it easier to keep kids entertained.

            Tips from RVers:

            • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Punderson State Park Campground mentioned, “Some sites were definitely better suited for RVs and tents were the minority.”
            • Be ready for tight spots: Some campgrounds have narrow roads and tight turns. A camper at Findley State Park Campground noted, “It looked like there was a lot to do and it was a nice family place.”
            • Bring extra cords: If your site has electric hookups, ensure your power cord is long enough. A visitor at Silver Springs Campground mentioned the outlets are “at the top of a gentle slope,” which can be tricky.

            Camping near Elyria, Ohio, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. With a little planning, you can enjoy the great outdoors and make lasting memories.

            Frequently Asked Questions

            • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Elyria, OH?

              According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Elyria, OH is Cuyahoga Valley National Park - CAMPING NO LONGER OFFERED with a 4.4-star rating from 26 reviews.

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

              TheDyrt.com has all 15 tent camping locations near Elyria, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.