Best Tent Camping near Hinckley, OH

Public lands surrounding Hinckley, Ohio offer several tent-only camping options within a short drive. Heritage Farms, located about 10 miles east of Hinckley, provides walk-in tent campsites scattered throughout a working Christmas tree farm. The West Woods, managed by Geauga Park District approximately 15 miles northeast of Hinckley, features primitive tent camping with two walk-in sites designed for small groups. Ottawa Overlook Backcountry sites, situated north of Hinckley, offers hike-in tent camping experiences with basic amenities for those seeking more secluded options.

Most tent campgrounds in the region require campers to pack in their own supplies, with limited facilities available on-site. Heritage Farms features grassy tent pads with fire rings and picnic tables, but campers must carry gear from parking areas using provided wagons. Drinking water is scarce at most locations, with Heritage Farms offering wash water but no potable water. The West Woods provides only basic amenities with tent pads and fire rings, while toilets are typically located near parking areas rather than campsites. Weather conditions can affect site accessibility, particularly during spring when rain creates muddy conditions on unpaved access paths.

Tent campers frequently comment on the privacy levels at various sites. According to reviews, Heritage Farms offers well-spaced sites with varying degrees of sun exposure and shade. One camper noted, "Sites are spread apart nicely. Each one has a picnic table and fire ring. Grassy spots are fairly level and mowed." At The West Woods, a visitor reported that sites are "relatively small, 2-4 person tent only" and situated "about a quarter mile from the parking lot," requiring campers to pack light. Wildlife viewing opportunities are common, with birds abundant at The West Woods and occasional coyote sightings reported at other backcountry tent sites. Road and railroad noise can be noticeable at some locations, particularly in early morning hours.

Best Tent Sites Near Hinckley, Ohio (14)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Hinckley, OH

516 Reviews of 14 Hinckley Campgrounds


  • Jen L.
    Aug. 23, 2018

    The West Woods

    Newer isn't always better

    There are 2 sites in the park both of which are walk in only and not close together. They are relatively small, 2-4 person tent only. Run by the Geauga Park District and only $5 for county residents, its cheap and looks it. Reservations must be made 3 days in advance, so no spur of the moment get aways. Basically it was just a space for a tent and a fire ring. No bathroom (about a half mile of trail away), no water, no picnic table, no alcohol. Basically I got the urge to camp in the early spring and wanted somewhere near home but I wouldn't stay there again, and wouldn't recommend anyone else do so either. However, the West Woods as a park is really nice with a nature center, hiking and bridle trails, just the campsite that was lacking.

  • 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!

  • 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.

  • Greg A.
    Jun. 5, 2018

    Punderson State Park Campground

    Meh.

    It could be an ok place if you get the right spot. Some of the sites are VERY SLOPED and some people parked campers in those spots and used very odd things to try and level them. The sites are not maintained well and have lots of weeds and some are very close and are essentially sharing the space with the fire ring and picnic table with other campers. Not very private at all. If you have awnings or slides, you will have to be careful about what site you will get or you will not be able to open the slides or your awning. If you get a good spot or are tent camping then it may be ok.

  • 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

  • Zac C.
    Aug. 28, 2023

    Memory Park Campground

    Quiet but fantastic.

    We stayed in Cousins Cove. Everyone was raving about the newlyweds site so we walked over (when nobody was there, of course). That particular spot had a great fishing spot. Cousins Cove had plenty of shade and was close enough to the portable toilet that it wasn't inconvenient, but far enough to have to worry about smells or run off. The sites were primitive, which we liked and there were plenty of trees to hang hammocks. We used a truck bed and a roof top tent for camping, but the ground was relatively level. The site has plenty of kindling to walk around and gather up as well, so we didn't have to bring our own. There were other campers there, but everyone was so far away, we felt alone.

  • Skooma M.
    Jun. 24, 2022

    Findley State Park Campground

    Organized Group Site 2

    It was difficult to find pictures or reviews of the Findlay group sites. It honestly seemed to me that they didn't exist, so I thought I'd do the service of taking some pictures.

    The group sites are away from the main campsites, so you should have plenty of space for your group to set up and enough distance between them to not disturb the peace if you have a large group. OGA2 is heavily forested, I'm not sure about OGA1. There are plenty of trees so both hammock and tent campers should be accommodated. The fire pit is large and there are 4 picnic tables.

    The campsite is about 75 yards from the parking area, and there is a vault toilet right before the parking area.

  • Brady R.
    Jun. 3, 2021

    Heritage Farms

    Available Through HipCamp

    Review for Site #12. 

    Our site was in the middle of the sites, but upon on a slight hill. Privacy wasn't fully there like many other sites. No tree coverage, so be cautious in summertime heat. That being said, there was a two-open-sided A frame. It was great to store our belongings in there, esp. when it rained overnight - kept everything dry (with the help of a tarp).

    It's hard to not give it any lower than 5 stars when you literally camp within a Christmas tree farm. It's a dream. Lol. 

    You do have to carry your belongings into the campsites, but it wasn't too horrible for us, esp. since our campsite was right off the walking path. The provided wagons and wheelbarrows make it easier too. 

    Firewood is $8 a bundle and required to pay via PayPal. Water is also available for purchase, but we brought our own. 

    2 portopots were provided and were mostly clean. All sites come with fire pit and picnic table. Some of them have tree coverage and access to hang hammocks.

    Sunset was incredible the first night. It did get very chilly when we were there.

  • R
    Aug. 1, 2018

    West Branch State Park Campground

    Well kept campground with access to beach and dock

    Each campsite in on a leveled cement pad and comes with a fire ring a picnic table. There is plenty of room around your site and you don't feel crowded. Most sites offer nice tree coverage for shade. The restrooms and showers are very clean and well taken care of. There is also a laundry facility and sink outside each one for washing dishes and water fountains throughout the park. There is a nice beachfront for swimming and then a dock that be reached from outside the park. A beautiful lake for kayaking or boating. The store has most camping needs in it and once a week they host an ice cream social. Has a very nice playground and a sand volleyball court. There are some hiking trails, but nothing extensive.


Guide to Hinckley

Tent campsites near Hinckley, Ohio offer rustic experiences amid wooded areas and nature preserves. Most sites require short walks from parking areas, ranging from a quarter-mile to half-mile hikes depending on the location. Primitive camping conditions prevail at most locations, with limited amenities and seasonal considerations affecting accessibility during spring and fall months.

What to do

**Wildlife observation: Watching and listening for local fauna enhances the camping experience at The West Woods, where one camper noted there are "TONS OF BIRDS you will hear them all day long and see all sorts of different kinds. Really pretty and relaxing scenery overall."

**Trail exploration: Many camping areas connect to hiking paths suitable for day hikes. The West Woods features "a hiking trail that takes about an hour or hour and a half, it has a waterfall, small tiny cave, bridges and stairs. Really well maintained paths, tiny gravel for less mud."

**Cycling on towpaths: The Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath provides cycling opportunities near Heritage Farms, with one visitor noting it's "Located about ½ mile off the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath" and "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."

**Seasonal activities: During warmer months, Rivers Edge Camping Area offers access to water recreation, with "Ernie's Bicycle Shop (super helpful staff) which has both restrooms and drinking water. On the same property, you'll find a Canoe Livery to rent canoes to use on the adjacent Tuscarawas River."

What campers like

**Privacy between sites: Many tent campers appreciate the secluded nature of campsites. At Heritage Farms, one camper shared: "Our site was beautiful and private. We also had a lot of space. We couldn't really see or hear any other campers."

**Convenient access to attractions: Some camping areas provide easy access to regional points of interest. At Rivers Edge, a visitor mentioned: "Great access close to parking lot with privacy between you and the trail. Right alongside the river with a picnic table and firepit. Only 12 minute drive over to Pro Football Hall of Fame."

**Amenities at Heritage Farms: Despite their primitive nature, these sites offer some basic comforts, as one camper explained: "Sites are spread apart nicely. Each one has a picnic table and fire ring. Grassy spots that are fairly level and mowed. Came with firewood and a little kindling too."

**Natural soundscapes: Penitentiary Glen Reservation offers immersive natural experiences where "the roads close by are unheard" according to one camper, who added: "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."

What you should know

**Wagon transport requirements: Most sites require equipment transport from parking areas. At Heritage Farms, "you park near the front of the campgrounds to check in, and then you are provided wagons to carry your gear to your site. It is kind of a fun adventure."

**Water availability limitations: Potable water access varies significantly. At Heritage Farms, "no drinking water on site- but there is wash up water & very clean porta potties." Campers should plan to bring drinking water or locate nearby sources.

**Restroom facilities: Most locations offer basic sanitation. At Rivers Edge Camping Area, "the porta potty was very big, clean and had hand sanitizer! In the morning there were many runners in the park but they stayed away from the camping area."

**Weather considerations: Spring conditions can affect campsite accessibility. At The West Woods, "Tent pad is raised so even though it rained and the water streamed through the middle of camp, tent was fine."

Tips for camping with families

**Site selection for kids: Choose campsites with appropriate terrain for children. At The West Woods, one camper cautioned the site is "near a slope which leads to the river, which the kids loved but younger kids might find dangerous."

**Pack light when walking in: Consider equipment needs carefully for walk-in sites. A Penitentiary Glen Reservation camper noted, "the walk to the site was a bit more of a haul than expected. It was just myself, kids, and pup. So it made setting up camp a bit more work."

**Prepare for limited amenities: Most primitive tent camping near Hinckley lacks standard facilities. At Hidden Hollow Camp, however, groups find "Facilities are excellent with a large clubhouse with kitchen. Vault toilets are fine."

**Plan for night sounds: Natural areas feature wildlife activity after dark. One camper at Penitentiary Glen shared: "It's like you have the forest to yourselves out here," while another noted the prevalence of coyote sounds in the area.

Tips from RVers

**Alternative accommodations: Most tent-only sites near Hinckley don't accommodate RVs, but some locations offer cabins or shelters as alternatives. Heritage Farms offers "both standard campsites and shelters are available and are scattered among a working Christmas Tree farm."

**Storage considerations: Since most sites don't permit vehicle access, RV campers may need alternative equipment. At Heritage Farms, one camper noted: "Trash can with lid provided (didn't find a suitable tree to hang our food, so we stashed it in the can overnight)."

**Weather protection: Consider shelters for unpredictable conditions. A Heritage Farms visitor using a lean-to shelter reported: "It was great to store our belongings in there, esp. when it rained overnight - kept everything dry (with the help of a tarp)."

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Hinckley, OH is Heritage Farms with a 4.6-star rating from 10 reviews.

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

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