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Best Tent Camping near Fort Loramie, OH

308 Reviews

Tent campers near Fort Loramie, Ohio have several options scattered throughout the region, from the rustic Adirondack shelter along the St. Mary's Section of the Buckeye Trail to established tent sites at Sycamore State Park. The Five Rivers Metroparks system offers multiple tent camping locations with varying degrees of accessibility, including backcountry sites along the Twin Valley Trail and walk-in tent areas at Possum Creek Metro Park. Several sites maintain separation from RV camping areas, providing a more authentic outdoor experience for tent campers.

Most tent-only sites in the region require campers to carry water, as drinking water is limited or unavailable at primitive locations. The Buckeye Trail shelter is approximately 10 miles from Fort Loramie and requires hikers to gather deadfall for fires, with no facilities beyond the basic shelter structure. Tent campsites at Five Rivers Metroparks include fire rings and, at frontcountry sites, provide a complimentary bundle of firewood per night. A camper noted, "They provide a bundle of firewood for each night that you have reserved the site," making these locations convenient for those who don't want to transport wood. Vault toilets are available at most established tent sites, though the condition varies from basic pit toilets to well-maintained facilities.

Areas farther from highways offer deeper seclusion for tent campers seeking quiet experiences. The backpacking sites along the Twin Valley Trail combine "the existing network of trails in Germantown and Twin Creek MetroParks" to create over 25 miles of interconnected paths. These sites feature designated tent pads, common cooking areas, and food storage posts. Greene County offers tent camping at Jacoby Road Canoe Launch where paddlers can access the Little Miami River. One reviewer described it as a "beautiful spot for tent camping right next to the Little Miami River" with amenities including picnic tables and fire pits. Backcountry tent camping options typically have minimal improvements but provide greater isolation from other campers and vehicle traffic.

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Best Tent Sites Near Fort Loramie, Ohio (12)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Fort Loramie, OH

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Tent Camping Reviews near Fort Loramie, OH

308 Reviews of 12 Fort Loramie Campgrounds

  • Napunani
    Jun. 26, 2022

    Indian Lake State Park Campground

    FHUs Sites in a field

    PROS 

    Able to reserve 144 days prior to arriving 

    Very nice campground but the design leaves a lot to be desired 

    Friendly camp hosts who were busy picking up trash in common areas and cleaning sites Moveable picnic table 

    Metal fire ring with cooking grate 

    Site D45 level asphalt parking pad surrounded by grass 

    Great view of lake from D loop; some had water access at rear of site 

    Quiet except for campground party animals who kept it going into the wee hours of the morning 

    Coin-operated laundromats in non FHU loops $1.50 wash and $1 dry 

    Free WIFI available and able to connect at campsite 

    Dump Stations at Park exit have complimentary hoses 

    Camp store sells hard dipped ice cream 

    14 miles from the Airstream Service Center in Jackson Center 

    CONS 

    No senior discount

    $6.50 reservation fee for self made on-line reservation 

    Basically the FHU loops are out in a field…no privacy from neighbors and no shade what so ever 

    Grass around sites desperately needed mowed, if you could get thru the large mud puddles 

    FHU loop D has narrow roads and require driving on grass to back in trailer and some campers in other sites had to move their vehicles 

    Short length of campsite required creative parking of tow vehicle 

    Damn Canadian Geese poop every...what a mess! 

    Site number on electric utility box 

    FHU sewer connection at the back of the campsite so bring the looooong stinky slinky FHU loop D had tiny toilet building, but no showers; showers were in non-FHU loops 

    No entry gate personnel on a Friday afternoon to accomplish check-in. Went to park office next morning and was informed no check in required prior to Memorial Day. Never saw a Park ranger driving thru campground

  • K
    Jul. 2, 2021

    Possum Creek Metro park (Five Rivers Dayton Metro Park)

    Peace and Quiet at the lake

    This is one of my favorite campsites in Ohio.  5 Rivers Metro Parks really knows how to provide a great camping experience.  They provide a bundle of firewood for each night that you have reserved the site.  In addition, you can easily purchase more wood that will be right there at the site for you.  "Your camping permit comes with one 2' x 2' bundle of firewood per night. Additional firewood available at checkout(+$10.00 per 1/32nd of a cord)." https://www.metroparks.org/rentals-permits/reserve-a-campsite/?id=786297&api=facilities&type=camp

    The ranger checked in on me and also let me know he was closing the gate to the park.  I had his contact information and felt safe and secure while camping here. We had an awesome conversation and I look forward to seeing him on a future visit. 

    I love how easy it is to put away the trash and recycle as this isn't something I see at the larger campgrounds within the state. It is refreshing to see the attention to small details such as this when camping. 

    The bathroom is simply a porta john.  It is the accessible one and was fairly clean while I was at the site.  No running water, electricity, or other perks such as being able to buy ice at the campground.  You are close enough that you can run into town to stock up on more ice and items. 

    I spent my time at Argonne Lake but you will notice folks fishing at that lake and the other smaller lakes onsite. 

    Buckeye my campsite is rated as for 5 parking spots and a capacity of 12 folks.  This is much more than what is allowed at our local state parks.  As I mentioned it is nice and easy for a group of us to camp here.  I have friends that come over from Columbus and I come up from the Cincinnati region.   It is an easy drive and the parking situation is much easier for all of us to drive ourselves from each city with our own gear no shuffling of items. This spot does have other larger campsites if you need to look into that for a larger group. 

    "This walk-in campsite is located near Argonne Lake parking lot. It features access to hiking trails, nearby sustainable farm and demonstration gardens, as well as fishing in both the lake and fishing ponds(no license required). This site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Potable water and a restroom are located within 600 feet of campsite on the southeast side of the lake." https://www.metroparks.org/rentals-permits/reserve-a-campsite/?id=786296&api=facilities&type=camp

    I have friends that love to explore the lake, ponds, sustainable farm, and the easy access to the trails.  For those that need something interesting to look at you will find old abandoned items such as a pool and street car in the woods.  The land has an interesting history you will want to explore. 

    Another thing that is impressive is that they also have a rental program.  If you do not have camping gear but still want to get out and try it then you can rent it from them. https://www.metroparks.org/rentals-permits/rentals/equipment/  A set of 6 is $50.00 for the weekend. This includes the tent, sleeping pads, and sleeping bag.  If you only needed a tent for the weekend that would b e $30.00.   For folks that want to take advantage of their other campsites (backpacking) they have a full rental of backpacking gear for $40.00.  If you only needed the backpack and and tent that would be $25.00 and if you only needed a back pack tent for the weekend that would be $15.00

  • K
    Aug. 16, 2020

    Dayton Metro Parks (Five Rivers Metroparks)

    Twin Creek Metro Parks (Geronimo camp site)

    This is part of the Dayton Metro Parks (Five Rivers Metro Parks) and it is at the Twin Creek metro park.  This is an old boy scout camp (Camp Hook) back in the day. 

    During these COVID-19 times we wanted a place to park that wasn't the traditional Ohio State Parks camp site. We didn't want to share a common bathroom/bath house or playground area.  We picked this as the Twin Creek camp site only has 3 camp sites within the park.  Even then they are out of side from each other. You can somewhat hear the other two camp sites (rarely).  This meant with two little ones we wouldn't have to constantly remind them to socially distance or put on masks.  We were alone but had plenty of park supports. We had two great park volunteers/security stop by to make sure we had everything we need. 

    The nice thing about the Dayton metro parks is that each night in the front county camp sites they include a bundle of fire wood. This is not the small sad bundle that you often buy at gas stations or other markets.  This is a huge bundle. It is dry and cut in an easy to use manner. It is also kept in a little box so it is dry even if you do have weather while camping. If you wish to add an additional bundle of firewood the price is very reasonable at $10.00. I do this every time I camp there to support their campsites/metro parks. I have yet to use up their firewood in the box when I camp for a whole weekend. It is also nice that we don't have to put it in our cars so less clean up after camping. It also helps with the whole burn local fire wood so you are not transporting bugs. Or you don't have to cross your fingers and hope someone close by sells firewood. 

    The nice thing about their site is the additional tables made it easy for us to socially distance.  When I camp at local state parks and we only have one table it can be tricky to keep coolers, food, and people separated. We also were able to have kids do craft at one of the tables while we were preparing meals. This camp site is listed as a 10 person camp site. There is no water on site so make sure you bring all the water that you will need. 

    We also were able to hike the easy trails around the camp site. No need to put the kids in the car unless we wanted to.  Which we still did:) 

    We drove into town and discovered a covered bridge that I had missed on an earlier camping trip. (Germantown).  This town also has the Florentine which is one of the oldest inns in Ohio. It was closed while we were in town but it is well worth a stop. The town also has a community pool as well that you can buy a day pool pass. 

    The campsite does have two spots that would be neat for a wedding. You can reserve an amphitheater. 

    The campsites during peak season are $20 during week days and $28 for weekends. I still find this to be one of the best values for camping in Ohio. Especially, when you consider the level of privacy that you have on these sites.  The vault toilets are one of the best as they are always clean. We have hand sanitizer and toilet paper. We didn't have to share our vault toilet with any other family units. 

    All of these small touches really made COVID-19 camping with kids much easier. We look forward to being back at this camp site in the fall. 

    Here is the website to make a reservation https://www.metroparks.org/rentals-permits/reserve-a-campsite/?id=786190&api=facilities&type=camp

  • Nicole L.
    Sep. 4, 2021

    John Bryan State Park Campground

    Not bad, just disappointed

    Visited twice in May 2021 (sites 54 & 39) bookending our camping roundtrip from Virginia to Kansas and this was one of the worst places we stayed. We lived in Dayton for a number of years and Yellow Springs is one of our favorite places. That being said, we were quite disappointed at the set up.

    There is no privacy between campsites, at all. If someone on one end of the campground is having a party, everyone in the campground is going to be up all night (our first night). On our last night there, we (and the poor family with young kids in a tent 15 feet away) were audibly assaulted by a very amorous and inebriated couple in a tent until the wee hours. With no trees between sites, you have no buffer and good god what I would have given for a buffer.

    Pit toilets have those heavy doors that help keep things less buggy (positive) but because they are on a raised area in the middle of an almost treeless campground, the clang of them shutting echoes throughout the night.

    No showers.

    No dedicated tent-pads. We were car-top camping so I can't speak to ground conditions for tent camping but do know our two spots would have put us on some sort of slope. (Unless we set up a tent right next to the road on 54).

    Like I said, it wasn't bad. Definitely wasn't great.

  • K
    May. 31, 2019

    Dayton Metro Parks (Five Rivers Metroparks)

    Five Creeks Metro Parks (Dayton) -- Twincreek Group Site #2

    This was a lovely campsite with 4 picnic tables, fire ring, and a very clean latrine. The other two group camp sites were far enough away that you couldn't hear or see them.  It was a camp site that was flat enough for tents and did have trees to hang  your hammock. 

    The nice thing about the metro parks camp sites (front country only) is that they provide a bundle of fire wood free each night and you can purchase additional bundles (See below). No water so be sure to bring  your own. 

    Paved parking lot for the larger groups which is nice. Near by within walking distance a lake, amphitheater, and more as this was once a boy scout camp ground. Capacity is 25 individuals and ample parking.   

    Note: Your camping permit comes with one 2' x 2' bundle of firewood per night. Additional firewood available at checkout (+ $10.00 per 1/32nd of a cord). as this is great as it is left at the camp site in a protected spot.

  • Jonathan W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 24, 2019

    St. Mary's Section - Buckeye Trail (Points 6-7)

    On the trail Adirondack shelter

    You're learning to backpack the Buckeye Trail, and you want to take the first steps towards that without worrying about the physical load you're going to have to carry. You can drop the tent on this portion! This Adirondack shelter, located between Points 6 and 7 on the St. Mary's Section of the Buckeye Trail, is perfect for you. Built as an Eagle Scout project by Parker and Keaton Cole of Troop 95 (in Sidney), it is large enough for six or to sleep comfortably off the ground. You cannot miss it as you go along the trail. There is a fireplace (stone, make sure you check that the chimney is not blocked) large enough to cook your hotdogs and keep you happy as you sit in the shelter.  There is deadfall from the trees around you that will serve as kindling and fuel for the fire.  If you start in Lockington or Fort Loramie, this shelter is approximately 10 miles in and the right place to break a two-day backpacking trip.

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 16, 2025

    Wright-Patterson FamCamp

    The right place for a stop on a road trip

    If you are retired or active duty military, you have access to recreation sites maintained adjacent to many bases. Wright-Patterson has a recreational family-friendly “Fam Camp” campground located by a small lake in the woods on the south side if the base. Families or adults can enjoy staying at the campground for a few days of camping, fishing, paddling and as a base for exploring in and around Dayton. There are many sites with hookups for RV’s, an area for RVs that dont need hookups, basic tent sites, and also a number of camper cabins by the lake. It is also a convenient stopover for folks on roadtrips and seems to be popular with retirees traveling with RV’s. We stopped for one night while on a road trip ourselves, and stayed in one of the tent sites which was very pleasant. This stay was in May, but we stayed here one time in October as well. There is a full bath house with showers snd bathrooms, a rec center with rental equipment for getting out on the lake, and a clubhouse. There is a field with bleachers for ball games, and a nice fenced in dog park.

  • K
    Jun. 13, 2018

    John Bryan State Park Campground

    Great Location, Fiesty Raccoons

    Beware of the raccoons. They are adorable but will literally steal your food right in front of you. We were set up for about 5 minutes before a raccoon appeared and swiped a large bag of sunchips off the picnic table as I was about to make a sandwich. Straight savage. Campground is a few minutes from Yellow Springs which is a beautiful town with a lot to see and do including a brewery and nature preserve. John Bryan park itself has some nice hikes and offers top rop rock climbing and repelling. Climbing routes are all available on mountainoroject.com Campground/Park also offers disc golf and volleyball with a ton of picnic areas. Facilities are not the best with outhouse style bathrooms, no showers. This isnt notmally an issue but we visited at the end of June and weather was crazy hot. All in all it's a pretty cool place. Had a great time and even ended up naming all the raccoons, Larry, Mary, & Baby Terry.

  • A
    Sep. 29, 2018

    John Bryan State Park Campground

    Tents and Trees

    The campground I used is right off of the main entrance to the park. It is surrounded by wonderful trees which give a fantastic ambiance in the fall. The ground was well kept and nearby there were ground latrienes. Make sure to watch for walnuts in the late summer to fall however as there are many, many walnut tres nearby and having one under your sleeping bag can ruin a great night.

Guide to Fort Loramie

Tent campsites near Fort Loramie, Ohio occupy a transition zone between glaciated and unglaciated terrain, creating diverse camping experiences with varying elevations between 850-1100 feet. The region's clay-heavy soils can affect drainage during spring and fall rains, making site selection important during wet periods. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F with higher humidity levels than western Ohio locations.

What to do

Backpacking opportunities: The Twin Valley Trail at Dayton Metro Parks offers 25+ miles of interconnected trails. A camper noted, "There's a great backpacking trail that's challenging and an easy middle meeting place for friends/family from Columbus and Cincinnati that can meet in Dayton Metroparks/Five Rivers - Germantown and take on the TVT challenge."

Fishing access: Multiple lakes and ponds provide fishing spots without requiring licenses at some locations. At Possum Creek Metro Park, "folks fishing at that lake and the other smaller lakes onsite" can be observed throughout the season.

Historical exploration: Trails near some campsites reveal remnants of the region's past. Near Possum Creek Metro Park, "you will find old abandoned items such as a pool and street car in the woods. The land has an interesting history you will want to explore."

Water activities: Jacoby Road Canoe Launch provides direct river access. A camper described it as a "Beautiful spot for tent camping right next to the Little Miami River" with amenities including fire pits.

What campers like

Fire amenities: Five Rivers Metroparks provides exceptional firewood service. As one camper explained, "They provide a huge bundle. It is dry and cut in an easy to use manner. It is also kept in a little box so it is dry even if you do have weather while camping."

Multiple table setups: Some sites offer extra picnic tables, which campers appreciate. At Twin Creek Metro Park, "the additional tables made it easy for us to socially distance. When I camp at local state parks and we only have one table it can be tricky to keep coolers, food, and people separated."

Primitive camping with features: The Adirondack shelter at St. Mary's Section - Buckeye Trail provides structure without requiring a tent. A reviewer explained, "Built as an Eagle Scout project by Parker and Keaton Cole of Troop 95 (in Sidney), it is large enough for six or to sleep comfortably off the ground."

Security and ranger presence: At several sites, rangers check in with campers. At Possum Creek Metro Park, "The ranger checked in on me and also let me know he was closing the gate to the park. I had his contact information and felt safe and secure while camping here."

What you should know

Water access limitations: Most primitive sites require bringing your own water. At Twin Creek Metro Park, "No water so be sure to bring your own."

Reservation requirements: Greene County Parks requires specific vehicle information when booking. At Jacoby Road Canoe Launch, "When you make your reservation online you will need to know the car make/model, year, and license plate number."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Fort Loramie, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Fort Loramie, OH is St. Mary's Section - Buckeye Trail (Points 6-7) with a 4-star rating from 1 review.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 12 tent camping locations near Fort Loramie, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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