Tent camping near Jamestown, Ohio centers around the Little Miami River watershed, with campsites nestled between 700-900 feet elevation in Greene County's diverse woodland terrain. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping months, while spring and fall bring cooler temperatures in the 50-70°F range. Winter camping options remain available but require additional preparation for overnight lows that can drop below freezing.
What to do
Hiking along historic routes: Twin Valley Trail in Dayton Metro Parks (Five Rivers Metroparks) offers challenging terrain over limestone bluffs. As one 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."
Kayaking launch points: The river access at Constitution County Park provides ideal entry for paddlers. A visitor mentioned, "It's literally right beside the river and it has a small ramp into the river. It's the perfect launching point for anyone wanting to take a kayaking trip down the river."
Farm and garden exploration: Several campgrounds maintain educational agricultural spaces. At Possum Creek Metro Park, one camper shared their experience: "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."
Wildlife observation: Birding opportunities abound near meadow campsites. At Narrows Reserve, visitors frequently encounter various bird species, with one camper mentioning, "Tons of traffic with Bird watchers and joggers. 8 to 8 seemed quite other than a dog that came barking through meadow in middle of the night."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer significant distance between camping areas. At Possum Creek Metro Park, a camper appreciated that "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."
Included firewood: Some local parks provide complimentary firewood with reservations. A camper at Possum Creek noted, "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."
Clean facilities: Maintained restroom facilities enhance the camping experience. At Jacoby Road Canoe Launch, a visitor observed, "The porta john was clean and we did see a park ranger a few times during our visit. The sheriff also drove through at one time."
Easy access to water: Riverside camping allows for convenient water activities. At Jacoby Road, a camper shared, "Beautiful spot for tent camping right next to the Little Miami River. Picnic tables and fire pit are also nice amenities."
What you should know
Water access limitations: Most primitive sites lack potable water. As one camper at Twin Valley Trail noted, "If there is one complaint, it would be that there is a dearth of potable water stations, so all water needs to be packed in from trailheads with water, the Welcome Center, or pumped from non-potable sources, filtered and/or treated."
Reservation requirements: Advanced booking through specific park systems is essential. For Narrows Reserve, a visitor advised, "The service fee was $1.33 and you cannot have more than 10 folks at a campsite. It is also important to know that the site does not have electricity or clean drinking water."
Walking distances: Some campsites require substantial hikes from parking areas. One camper discovered at Narrows Reserve: "That's when I realized the primitive campsites were 1.25 miles from the parking lot. Oops."
Traffic visibility: Some sites offer limited privacy from roads or trails. At Constitution County Park, a camper warned, "The road is extremely near and you can hear every car driving by. The fall chill by the fire is nice but it's way to open for my taste. Anyone can pull in and see your entire setup just from the road or parking lot."
Tips for camping with families
Gear rental options: Equipment rentals make camping accessible for beginners. A visitor to Possum Creek Metro Park explained, "If you do not have camping gear but still want to get out and try it then you can rent it from them. A set of 6 is $50.00 for the weekend. This includes the tent, sleeping pads, and sleeping bag."
Educational opportunities: Local farms and nature centers provide learning experiences. One visitor shared, "In addition to the lake, they also had a farm on the property that was enjoyable for the kids to see the animals. You can hear some of the animals but we enjoyed this aspect."
Campsite selection for small children: Choose sites based on distance from hazards. A family camper at Possum Creek advised, "We picked the site further away from the lake as we had little ones. We were still close enough so we could easily walk to the lake."
Nearby exploration options: Small towns within driving distance offer additional activities. A camper at Greene County Jacoby Road Canoe Launch suggested, "Yellow Springs is a popular destination in Ohio. Make sure you do your homework when coming to the area as they have a lot happening in a small area."
Tips for RVers
Limited RV accommodations: Most sites near Jamestown are tent-focused with minimal RV facilities. Five Rivers Metroparks does accommodate small RVs at select locations, though without hookups. A visitor noted, "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."
Alternative parking options: Some RVers use day-use lots for access to trails and amenities. When visiting the area, many recommend parking at designated trailheads then using tent sites for overnight stays.
Group site availability: Larger gatherings can reserve specific sites designed for multiple vehicles. At Twin Creek Metro Parks, a visitor explained, "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."
