Holland, Ohio tent camping sites lie within the Oak Openings Region, a globally rare ecosystem containing oak savannas and wet prairies. The area sits 620-650 feet above sea level with relatively flat terrain and sandy soil composition. Seasonal temperature fluctuations create distinct camping experiences, with summer highs averaging 80-85°F and evenings cooling to 60-65°F.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Maumee Bay State Park Campground offers extensive biking opportunities with both paved and natural surface trails. "It is also an amazing place to ride bikes, everything is flat and there are also plenty of bike paths. You are also close to the lake which I love," notes camper Kayla H.
Fishing access: Multiple fishable lakes at Maumee Bay State Park provide good angling spots. "Several lakes are good for fishing or boating. A beautiful and extensive boardwalk constructed by the Ohio Civilian Conservation Corps is available only for foot traffic," according to reviewer Lee D.
Hiking through varied ecosystems: White Oak Campground connects directly to the 15.5-mile Scout Trail loop. Camper Cassandra writes, "I was able to park my car here in the morning, hop on the trail (which runs right through the campground), and return later in the day."
Bird watching opportunities: The wetland areas attract diverse bird species. According to Dan N. at Maumee Bay, "I came for the birding and wasn't disappointed. Parts of this park are very built up as a resort feel but the nature center, shore swimming, and wilderness is still very nice."
What campers like
Private site layouts: Wiregrass Lake Metropark offers just three camping spots with natural barriers. Joe C. notes, "There are only 3 camping spots around the lake so you're not packed in like sardines. If you're looking for a camping experience without being surrounded by a whole bunch of people this is it."
Free firewood service: White Oak Campground provides complimentary firewood at campsites. "The fire ring was in good condition and fire wood was already stacked," reports Megan T., while Lisa T. adds, "FREE firewood available. Grey water sinks for dish cleaning."
Clean facilities: Despite being primitive sites, bathrooms receive regular maintenance. "Very clean facilities (bathroom, wash station, pavilion), extra fire wood available to purchase (we had 2 bundles waiting for us at our campsite), and trash station as well," according to Chadwick's review of White Oak.
Lake views: Independence Dam State Park Campground provides riverside camping. Andy K. shares, "The park itself is very narrow and long, and stretches down the Maumee River bank. It's very green with lots of trees and shade cover."
What you should know
Insect preparation required: Mosquito activity can be significant, especially near water features. "My only tip would be to bring plenty of bug spray in the summer, there are lots of bugs that come off the lake," advises Kayla H. at Maumee Bay.
Noise factors: Some ambient noise exists at White Oak Campground. "It falls short of 5 stars as there was still a bit of road noise from the state highway a couple hundred yards away, as well as the large airplane taking off early in the morning at the nearby Toledo airport which woke us," notes Aaron.
Ground conditions: Soil drainage varies seasonally. Jeffery R. from Maumee Bay reports, "We stayed there in early May, we didn't have reservations so they had three sites open. We took the driest spot we could find. The ground was soft and marshy."
Reservation requirements: Walk-up camping isn't always available. "MUST RESERVE ONLINE BEFORE 4PM. There is no walk-up service, and online site goes down after employees go home at night," cautions Lisa T. about White Oak Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly amenities: Cannaley Treehouse Village offers unique accommodations. "This little village was so much fun for my 2 little people! I think 1 night is plenty as the site itself doesn't offer a ton of amenities but there are some trails that you can walk/bike without leaving base," writes Leah R.
Playground access: Some parks feature play areas for children. Kevin K. from White Oak notes, "We loved the hiking, bike trails, playground at Mallard lake area, and the kids liked exploring the sand dune area."
Beach options: Lake Erie access provides swimming opportunities. "The campground was full when we were there on a weekend in September, we did not feel overcrowded," writes Lee D. about Maumee Bay, which features "the HUGE beach on Lake Erie, the inland Beach," according to Daniel U.
Educational opportunities: Nature centers offer learning experiences. Daniel U. recommends visiting "the 2-mile boardwalk through the wetlands, the Big Hill, and the nature center" at Maumee Bay State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing considerations: Oak Openings Preserve provides good separation between campsites. "The sites are very nicely spaced and shaded, and not right on the parking lot," notes Cassandra C.
Hookup availability: Maumee Bay State Park offers various utility connections. "Large state park with 256 campsites, all with electric (20-30-50 amp) hookups. Sites 1-11 and 21-29 have full hookups (water, sewer, electric)," according to Lee D.
Vehicle access limitations: Some campgrounds restrict RV size or access. "All camper pads are paved and long enough to accommodate large RVs. Some have concrete pads for picnic tables, although the sites in our loop did not," explains Lee D. from Maumee Bay.
Privacy features: Natural vegetation creates site separation. Marla S. observes at Maumee Bay, "Large sites, private by trees. Gives each on your own yard. All Back of sites are fields. No one behind."
