The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Tent Camping near Hillsboro, OH

542 Reviews

Tent campers looking for places to pitch near Hillsboro, Ohio have access to several established options within an hour's drive. Narrows Reserve offers primitive tent-only camping in a meadow setting that requires a 1.25-mile hike from the parking area. Constitution County Park provides a single tent site along the Little Miami River, while Dayton Metro Parks (Five Rivers Metroparks) maintains multiple tent camping areas across their extensive trail system, including both frontcountry and backcountry sites.

Most tent sites in the region require advance reservations through county or park websites, with fees typically ranging from $5-28 per night. The Five Rivers Metroparks system provides a generous bundle of firewood with each frontcountry reservation, though backpackers must carry their own supplies. Facilities vary significantly between locations - Jacoby Road Canoe Launch offers picnic tables and fire pits but no drinking water, while some Five Rivers campsites include vault toilets and cooking areas. Water availability is limited at many locations, making it essential for tent campers to pack in their own supply. A camper noted that "No water so be sure to bring your own" when describing the Narrows Reserve tent sites.

The tent camping experience in this region often combines river access with woodland settings. Backpackers can utilize the Twin Valley Trail, which connects multiple tent campsites across approximately 25 miles of terrain. According to one visitor, the TVT offers "a variety of ravines" and "while you might think this is small park it actually covers around 2,000 acres." Several tent campgrounds feature proximity to waterways, with Constitution County Park running "right beside the river" with "a small ramp into the river" that serves as "the perfect launching point for anyone wanting to take a kayaking trip." Tent campers should note that some sites like Narrows Reserve experience regular foot traffic from hikers and bird watchers during daylight hours, while Constitution County Park's proximity to a road means tent campers will hear passing vehicles.

Map showing campgrounds near Hillsboro, OhioExplore the Map

Best Tent Sites Near Hillsboro, Ohio (14)

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 14 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Hillsboro Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Tent Camping Photos near Hillsboro, OH

15 Photos of 14 Hillsboro Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Hillsboro, OH

542 Reviews of 14 Hillsboro Campgrounds

  • E
    Jul. 15, 2019

    Kincaid Lake State Park Campground

    Hilly, beautiful and secluded

    My family stayed here because we were visiting the Ark Encounter.  I’m not sure if there are closer campgrounds, but we chose to primitive camp here for our visit.  We arrived with just enough time to set up up our tent and head back towards Alexandria for dinner and supplies at Walmart.  There is not much variety and choices very close.  The RV and tent area is very hilly.  Our tent ground sloped but it didn’t bother us very much.  The campsites are very close to each other but there was only two other tent campers and they were both over 4 sites over from us. The tent area has portable toilets.  I chose to drive to the shower house when I needed to use the restroom.  The shower house is typical of most campgrounds, a few cobwebs but generally clean with shower and toilet stalls.  There are two shower houses for the entire campground.  The lake is very pretty, a few camp grounds are right off the shore.  The only thing I didn’t like was that there was no water spigot in the main tent camp area.

  • Anna S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2024

    Scioto Trail State Park Campground

    Tent only sites - quiet, wooded

    I stayed in the non-electric, tent-only campground NOT the RV campground. Out of curiosity, I drove through the RV campground and it was so loud and cramped! But the tent-only area is separate. Walk-in sites with pit toilets and potable water. The map of how the sites are laid out online is extremely inaccurate, I would not have picked my site if it had been accurate. But there was only one other camper and we all had plenty of space - I could barely see them through the trees. All sites appeared to have a picnic table and fire ring. Many miles of trails / dirt roads for hiking and biking. Clear skies at night. Very relaxing.

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 3, 2020

    A.W. Marion State Park Campground

    A Good Place to Meet is in the Middle

    A new site for us at this campground, site 59 which is an inside site. We also had friends who booked 2 inside sites very nearby so we were able to all set up in the middle and share a large space for 10 people and 7 dogs. We were able to be socially distant, have space for cornhole and lots of room for the dogs. Our site pad was pretty level. My husband went over the pad just a little onto the grass, as the other side sloped. So when we stepped out of the camp, we wouldn't be stepping down on a slope. This is one of the quietest campgrounds we go to even though there is plenty for kids to do (playground). Had the weather been better, we would have brought our kayaks for the lake. You have three different types of restrooms. The ones closest to use are the drop toilets, a little further is a porta potty and the furthest was the flush toilets (no showers). It's our little slice of heaven so we like to try a new site each time if we are able. We take our dogs with us so we have to be a little more picky so we don't bother anyone.

  • 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

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 7, 2020

    A.W. Marion State Park Campground

    Inside Campsite and Pleasantly Surprised on the Fourth of July!

    After staying one night in non-electric we were able to transfer to an electric site thanks to our great camp hosts. They let us know that one had opened and recommended us to call in the next morning. We were able to get an electric site that was on the inside, a site we would have never chosen otherwise as we have dogs and try to find a space with no one behind us. The site was actually really nice. There was grass and some partial shade. We had room for our ez-up tent, our pop-up bathroom and still room to set up our chairs and walk the dogs without bothering our neighbors. Our friends had the site next to us and they were able to use the trees to hang their hammocks. There was a nice fire ring and the pad was easy to level our a-frame camper. We had another set of neighbors who were in a class A motorhome (it was huge!). Everyone we talked to were very friendly. We were closer to the vault toilets (they were kept clean) and the playground. It was Fourth of July weekend and the campground was really quiet. If you have kayaks, you can drive them down the hill next to the campground to get into the lake. If you like to hike or mountain bike there are trails to use as well.

  • Frank H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 7, 2021

    Sandy Springs Campground

    Nice campground

    This was the last campground before returning home from a month long camping road trip across the country and back. Picturesque camp directly on the Ohio River. Very level. Small campground with about 40 sites. Basically all sites are for RVs and equipped with electrical and water and most with sewer. We were tent camping and set up and a very soft & thick grassy space on one of the empty sites. The owners plan to install dedicated tent sites along the edge of the woods. There is a camp store with most needed items. Ice and firewood sold. Very spacious and individual toilet and shower & sink rooms. Good showers with plenty of hot water. Playground for children. Volleyball for anyone. Dumpster for trash. Great people. Easy to make reservations.

  • 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.

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2020

    A.W. Marion State Park Campground

    Hot hot hot! So we kayaked!

    Site 32 - A new site for us at this campground. We had shade in the morning but lots of sun in the afternoon. This site is on the outside and backs up to trees. There is lots grass and space - good for us to walk the dogs and not have them pee and poop where we were sitting. Bathrooms were cleaned regularly and they have flush, vault and portable toilets. There are no showers. This was our first time to kayak which you can launch right near the campground. It’s a little mucky at the bottom of the hill but if you take the path off to the right there is a small beach which is much easier to launch from. There is a small island that has two spots you can stop on and then swim. Lots of birds to see and plenty of other kayakers and fisherman. They are now selling wood and ice at the campground but the store is still closed. A gas station is right down the road in case you forget anything.

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 2, 2020

    A.W. Marion State Park Campground

    Perfect weekend

    Site 56 - We have stayed at this site before with electric. You don’t have close neighbors and the trail is right off your site. Good for you but invited others coming off the trail if they don’t know where they are going. We put up a piece of flagging tape to block off hikers and bikers. It’s a smaller campground with both electric and non- electric sites. Currently there are no walk-ins permitted so the walk-in sites have been made reservable. There is a playground with two vault toilets in the electric - which were very clean. They also have portables in the other end which is non-electric. There are also two flushable toilets by the group campsites. The camp hosts (Diane, John and Steve) were great and very friendly. No showers, sinks or full hookups so come prepared. The marina is on the other side of the lake, just a short drive if you want to kayak. If you like to hike or mountain bike the trail is 5 miles around the lake and very pretty.

Guide to Hillsboro

Tent camping near Hillsboro, Ohio provides access to varied terrain where the Appalachian foothills meet the Miami Valley region. The area sits at approximately 1,100 feet above sea level with a humid continental climate featuring four distinct seasons. Most tent sites close to Hillsboro require either short hikes to reach primitive camping areas or offer drive-up access with basic amenities, making planning for water supplies essential.

What to do

River activities: explore: The Little Miami River offers excellent kayaking and paddling opportunities. At Waters Edge Canoe Livery, campers can enjoy "the creek on a kayak or canoe" with "very friendly staff," making it "one of my favorite places to go."

Backpacking: connect trails: The Twin Valley Trail system provides challenging terrain for overnight hikes. At Dayton Metro Parks (Five Rivers Metroparks), backpackers enjoy "a great backpacking trail that's challenging" with "beautiful hike through hilly terrain, and great spots of overlooks." The TVT connects multiple parks across "more than 25 miles" of trails.

Rope swinging: cool off: During summer months, seek natural swimming spots along creek access points. At Narrows Reserve, visitors mention "spots where you could jump in the river and even a rope swing" that can be accessed from the opposite bank.

What campers like

Privacy levels: varied: Some sites offer isolation while others provide community settings. At Lizzy's Acres, campers appreciate "wooded camping near State Parks & a small town" with excellent "location for those looking to explore the area."

Local town access: convenient: The region offers camping near charming small towns with historical attractions. At Jacoby Road Canoe Launch, one camper noted they "saw a few cars and trucks during our weekend" and mentioned nearby Yellow Springs which "is a popular destination in Ohio" where "locals also will stop here to hike and avoid the crowds in town."

Wildlife viewing: abundant: Bird watching opportunities exist throughout the camping areas. At Constitution County Park, the natural setting attracts wildlife, though campers note "tons of traffic with bird watchers" can sometimes impact the camping experience.

What you should know

Water availability: limited: Most primitive sites require campers to bring their own water supply. At Dayton Metro Parks, campers warn "No water so bring your own" and note there is "a dearth of potable water stations, so all water needs to be packed in from trailheads with water."

Reservation requirements: varied: Booking policies differ between parks and counties. At Jacoby Road Canoe Launch, campers note "set up is 3:00 PM and Departure is at 12:00 PM" and the "reservation service fee was very reasonable" at just $1.33 with restrictions of "no more than 10 folks at a campsite."

Traffic considerations: know patterns: Many sites experience day-use visitors during peak hours. At Constitution County Park, campers warn that "the road is extremely near and you can hear every car driving by" and "anyone can pull in and see your entire setup just from the road or parking lot."

Tips for camping with families

Animal viewing: opportunities: Farms and nature centers provide educational experiences for children. At Dayton Metro Parks, one family mentioned "they also had a farm on the property that was enjoyable for the kids to see the animals" and "you can hear some of the animals but we enjoyed this aspect."

Trail difficulty: appropriate: Seek out family-friendly hiking options with engaging features. Some Dayton Metro Parks trails have "interesting trails here from Prairie land and to a forest with former amusement park remains. Lots to see to motivate short legs to keep hiking."

COVID safety: considerations: Some parks offer better social distancing options. At Twin Creek Metro Park, families appreciated that "this camp site only has 3 camp sites within the park" where "even then they are out of side from each other" which meant "with two little ones we wouldn't have to constantly remind them to socially distance."

Tips from RVers

Limited RV options: research: Most tent-focused campgrounds near Hillsboro offer minimal or no RV amenities. At Dayton Metro Parks, while some sites do accommodate smaller RVs, they typically lack hookups, with reviewers focusing instead on the "lovely campsite with 4 picnic tables, fire ring, and a very clean latrine."

Firewood provisions: check: Some parks include firewood with reservations. Dayton Metro Parks provides "a bundle of fire wood free each night" which "is not the small sad bundle that you often buy at gas stations" but rather "a huge bundle" that is "dry and cut in an easy to use manner."

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Hillsboro, OH is Lizzy’s Acres with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 14 tent camping locations near Hillsboro, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.

Keep Exploring