Buck Creek State Park Campground, located 30 miles from Fletcher, Ohio, offers 108 campsites with level, grassy grounds under partial tree cover. The park provides a variety of accommodation options with tent and RV sites across wooded terrain. Several campgrounds in the area support yurt camping near Fletcher, Ohio throughout the year, with many staying open during colder months and offering enclosed structures for winter stays.
What to do
Paddle on calm waters: At Buck Creek State Park Campground, visitors can access the water with personal kayaks via a convenient path. As camper Melissa M. notes, "We used the camper beach to launch our kayaks. You could back up to the pathway and park. Then drag your kayak down a short trail to the water."
Visit nearby attractions: The Ohio Caverns make for an educational day trip from area campgrounds. According to Leon H. from Buck Creek, "We visited the Ohio Caverns. The tour is worth the money, the 'gem' mining was fun for our younger kids." Yellow Springs is another popular side trip, described as "a great, funky town with many great places to eat."
Take advantage of evening activities: Wapakoneta KOA offers scheduled entertainment for all ages. Rebecca H. shares, "Pool, pool table, games for kids and adults. The grounds are beautiful and the staff is super friendly and helpful!"
What campers like
Well-maintained bathrooms: Cleanliness stands out at area campgrounds. At Indian Lake State Park Campground, Shannon G. reports, "The bathrooms were flush toilets and they did have shower houses too. The camp store is really big and it's right next to their pool."
Large, level sites: Many campgrounds offer spacious accommodations. Amanda P. from Buck Creek notes, "Over a late-August weekend, we found the non-electric loop to be pretty quiet and uncrowded. The grounds are level and grassy, with trees that provide partial shade."
Swimming options: Natural Springs Resort provides water recreation in a unique setting. One visitor describes, "Lake is nice and clear, pretty cold. Fun to jump into and overall pretty." The resort also offers a spring-fed quarry with swimming areas and fishing spots.
What you should know
Weather preparedness: Summer thunderstorms can be intense in this region. One camper at Indian Lake shared, "Our experience with Indian Lake was tough, unfortunately we suffered a pretty severe thunderstorm while we were tent camping, it looked like a tsunami coming in."
Reservation requirements: Many parks have moved to online-only bookings. At Buck Creek, Mike & Deb L. advise, "Must reserve online as they are still doing everything virtual. Camp spots were decently sized but no cover between camp spots and little shade."
Campground layout variations: Grand Lake St. Marys State Park offers different camping experiences depending on site selection. One visitor warns about certain areas: "The pull through area is very cramped; more like a parking lot; the campground is quiet; family friendly; no golf carts all over."
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated kids' activities: Campgrounds with structured programming keep children engaged. Jason M. from Buck Creek suggests, "The reservoir provides ample opportunity for swimming, fishing and there is great space to fly a kite if that's in your book of tricks. If you are looking for an introduction to camping, this would be a great place to start."
Choose camping loops strategically: For quieter family camping at Buck Creek, Melissa M. recommends, "We loved our campsite 41 which I found is next to impossible to get! But it has shade almost all day and it only has a camper on one side plus is close to the bathroom."
Check for playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Lebanon-Cincinnati NE KOA, Brian B. notes the family amenities: "The bathrooms are amazing and private. The tent site we had was huge and there were actually trees for our suspended tent and hammocks. The dog park wasn't huge, but larger than most."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for hookups: At Indian Lake, Christopher M. advises, "Great park. Staff friendly and helpful, bathrooms close to every site. Would be more convenient if all sites had full hookups."
Arrival timing matters: Lisa M. from Buck Creek suggests, "This park was pretty packed over Labor Day weekend, but it still felt like it wasn't super crowded. Our space was nice and level. Nice hiking trails in the area. It was a bit of a drive back into the campground, probably 3 1/2 miles."
Look for yurt and glamping alternatives: For those seeking enclosed structures similar to yurt camping in Fletcher, Ohio area, Natural Springs Resort offers alternatives to traditional camping. Windi H. shares, "Park is in need of updates, just feels used but can tell that is in process. No COVID restrictions other than 'stay distanced' sign. Good WiFi, everything fairly clean, nice little store w/ inexpensive ice cream."
