Camping options around LaGrange, Ohio center around Lorain County and neighboring areas. The region features a mix of state parks and private facilities within a 30-minute drive radius, sitting at elevations between 700-900 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F with higher humidity from June through August, while spring camping often requires preparation for muddy conditions.
What to do
Hiking trails for all abilities: Findley State Park Campground offers extensive trail systems through wooded areas. A camper shared, "We can easily get lost on 3 mile hikes in the woods and still be on marked paths! The roads are paved and excellent for biking and skating."
Kayaking and canoeing: American Wilderness Campground provides water recreation options with rentals available. "We loved the fishing available here we also had the kids they enjoyed the arcade and gem mining we also liked the access to self serve laundry and camp store as well," notes Jessica J.
Swimming options: Both natural lakes and pools are available at several campgrounds. At Willow Lake Park Inc, a visitor mentioned, "Has lots of space, it has a pond, and a large pavilion, nice bathrooms & showers."
Family-friendly activities: Many campgrounds schedule regular events for children. "Beautiful clean serene park with absolutely stunning beach views at sunset. Also the park has older shower and bathrooms however there always clean and well taken care of every few hours staff cleaning!" reports Andrew V. about American Wilderness.
What campers like
Well-spaced campsites: Sunset Lake Campground receives praise for site layout. One camper noted, "This is a very quiet and relaxing campground. The grounds are clean and the sites are very well spaced."
Clean facilities: Maintenance standards vary across campgrounds but cleanliness is frequently mentioned. At Findley State Park Campground, a visitor shared, "Shower houses are clean. Canoes and kayaks are available for renting. Many musicians set up camp and would jam out for some live evening music!"
Accessibility to Cleveland: Several campgrounds serve as convenient base camps for city excursions. A reviewer stated, "This is our favorite local campground. It is close to the city and the park has nice trails and many things to do."
Budget-friendly overnight options: Travelers using I-80 can find economical places to stay. "Electric hookups. Dump station with potable water and if you want to take a shower they have free showers! Those are the pros! The cons…lots of highway noise and trucks coming through but I like it if I am in a public place."
What you should know
Booking timing considerations: During peak season, campgrounds fill quickly. A reviewer for Findley noted, "Very nice, comfortable campground, kids loved it. Only downfall is trying to find an open spot for reservations. Place is booked most of the time. If you're planning a holiday weekend you need to book 6 months in advance."
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds in the area operate from April/May through October, with few year-round options. Many campgrounds begin to open facilities in early spring, with one visitor remarking, "My wife and I visited in early May 2023, they were just starting to open things up after drying out."
Site conditions and terrain: Packed dirt at some campgrounds may present challenges. According to one camper at Findley, "Dirt in the campsites is packed super tight, it's hard to drive tent stakes. However, it's flat enough where it isn't really an issue."
Water quality varies: Some locations have water with distinctive properties. A visitor to Willow Lake Park Inc noted, "I'm not sure what's up with the water, but it smells like metal and you're probably better off bringing your own drinking water."
Tips for camping with families
Playground availability: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Willow Lake Park Inc, "The playground was good for the kids. The grounds are well maintained. There's a good-sized fishing pond and a separate swimming pond."
Weekend programming: Family-oriented events typically occur on weekends. One camper at Cleveland/Sandusky Jellystone Park mentioned, "We stayed during the week so it wasn't as busy and they didn't have as many activities. It is gravel and has an outdoor pool."
Site selection for families: Some campgrounds offer more privacy than others. A Findley visitor advised, "There are only so many sites available with electric but if you do not require electricity, you can get spaces away from the people and have a nice bit of privacy."
Research bathroom locations: Facility placement varies widely between campgrounds. One camper at Findley shared, "The original site I booked was a tent site too small for 2 tents however I was able to switch to another sight which was larger. Site 118 had water 2 sites down, an outhouse 5 sites down and nice clean rest rooms just a short walk away."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Full hookups are limited at most locations. At Pier-Lon Park, "This was our maiden voyage and it was fantastic. Check in was fast and easy, the park was VERY clean and quiet."
Site grading and access: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain for larger rigs. One RVer at Sunset Lake Campground mentioned, "Many of the sites are grassy and I could see the potential to get stuck if you ended up in heavy rains."
Overnight parking options: For travelers just passing through, service plazas offer convenient stopover points. A traveler noted, "Pulled in to the RV parking area around 9:45 pm, there was one other vehicle there. 3 more came and parked before midnight. Felt completely safe and not crowded by the campers on either side."
