For those who want to get away from civilization for a weekend, but still want the comforts of home, consider renting a cabin for your Lorain camping trip. It's easy to find cabins in Lorain with The Dyrt. Each cabin rental offers quick access to one or more of Lorain's most popular destinations.
Findley Lake State Park Campground is large and wooded. It offers Full Hookup, Electric, and Non-electric sites; all are pet friendly. Reservations are required; they may be made up to six months in advance online or by calling (866) 644-6727.
$25 - $50 / night
East Harbor State Park Campground is the largest in the Ohio State Park system. It offers Full Hookup, Electric, Non-electric and ADA sites. Pets are permitted at all sites. Other options include a Yurt (ADA), two Sherman Cabins (one ADA cabin), and Group Camping. Reservations are required and can be made online or by calling (866) 644-6727.
Located in Ohio on the sandy shores of Lake Erie awaits an enormous haven of fun, with tons of chances to recreate. Boating, fishing, swimming, picnicking, and camping all attract flocks of visitors to East Harbor State Park.
Nature lovers will rejoice thanks to the dense population of waterfowl, shore birds, and other species of wildlife. Owing to the swampy, wetland climate, a host of migratory species regularly flock to the region. However, the land was not always this rich. It wasn’t until the draining of the Great Black Swamp that the land transformed into an agricultural oasis, producing regional varieties of fruits such as grapes and peaches.
Before European Settlement, East Harbor region was home to Native American tribes like the Ottawa and Wyandot Tribes. Stemming from the translation “trader”, the Ottawa tribe earned its title due to the geographic location of East Harbor. During the period of Westward Expansion, this park’s acreage was first the heart of popular trade routes for Native Americans.
As it developed, the region has long been valued for its recreational potential. In fact, Lake Erie is more similar (and exotic) to a tropical beach resort than you’d first think. This is due to the extensive range of plant and animal life, long sandy beaches, and the immense size of the lake itself. As a result of these factors, 1,831 acres were reserved and protected, to be known today as East Harbor State Park.
Camping at East Harbor is readily available with 352 electric sites. Furthermore, there are 160 non-electric sites available for a cheaper nightly rate. There are also an additional 51 full hook-up sites for those in Recreational Vehicles. Working Nomads and Van Dwellers will be grateful to find Wifi Available, however there is a small fee to use it.
Finally, there’s Dump Stations, Bathrooms, and Showers are routinely located throughout. For a more secure (and expensive) shelter option, there is one Yurt available for reservation. Book in advance, however, as it tends to be very competitive.
If you’ve got furry friends, you can take a breath of relief as pets are permitted on all sites. Moreover, Bike rentals are available as well as games and sporting equipment from the camp office/lodge. Get outside with your friends (any number of legs invited) and enjoy everything that East Harbor State Park has to offer.
Lighthouse Point was voted one of the 9 most beautiful RV Campgrounds in the U.S. by Travel and Leisure Magazine. This relaxing space features full hook-up luxury RV sites plus 50 ultimate patio sites along with waterfront cottages, inland cabins and ten person deluxe cabins. Each tiny home features upgraded bedding, multiple televisions with cable, full linen services, mini-fridge, microwave, and private bathrooms. All accommodations include outdoor seating and a charcoal grill. Guests also enjoy property-wide wi-fi and a convenience store as well as laundry facilities, planned activities and an outdoor pool. Book online now or call us at 419-627-2106.
$150 - $500 / night
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a destination for millions of visitors each year who enjoy hiking, riding the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad , biking and picnicking. Whether you need an area large enough for a family reunion or just an intimate spot for two, Cuyahoga Valley is an ideal destination. Picnic areas are scattered throughout the park. Two rustic shelters, Ledges and Octagon, are available for reservation in the Virginia Kendall Unit of Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
With many different facilities and attractions in the park, there is something to interest everyone. Most shelter areas have open fields for games and nearby hiking trails.Visitors enjoy riding the scenic railroad, exploring the visitor centers, catching one of the summer concerts, attending one of the ranger-guided programs, biking the Towpath Trail or picnicking in one of the park's picnic shelters.
Cuyahoga Valley's two shelters are fully-accessible. The Civilian Conservation Corps constructed them with American chestnut and locally quarried sandstone. The shelters are located near Ritchie Ledges, an area with approximately 2 miles of Sharon conglomerate stone cliffs about 30 feet (9m) tall. A large play field and hiking trails are available near each shelter.Ledges Shelter accommodates up to 75 people. It has two fireplaces and eight picnic tables inside, as well as eight tables in the outside pavilion and a large grill. Octagon Shelter accommodates up to 50 people. During the summer months its walls are removed; they are in place from October 15 to May 14. Seven indoor picnic tables, two fireplaces and an outdoor grill are provided.Both shelters have electricity for normal two-pronged household appliances such as coffee pots and crock pots. Drinking water is available at a drinking fountain from May 1 to September 15. Restrooms with flush toilets are available year-round.
The Cuyahoga River flows through the park for 22 miles (35 km), fed by more than 190 miles (306 km) of perennial (permanent) and ephemeral (temporary) streams. The Beaver Marsh and other wetlands, many lined with cattails and dense patches of duckweed, provide a home for many of the park's reptiles and amphibians and help filter pollutants from the water.
Visit Brandywine Falls, the historic Boston Store Visitor Center, Ritchie Ledges, the Beaver Marsh and the Everett Road Covered Bridge. These are some of the more popular attractions in the park.
Cancellations more that 14 days before arrival will receive a refund minus a $10 cancellation fee. Cancellations less than 14 days out will forfeit the entire fee. However, the reserving party may be given an opportunity to reschedule the reservation (based on availability) within 12 months of the original reservation by contacting the park.
$80 - $110 / night
Sandusky's Hidden Gem. Crystal Rock Campground has called Sandusky home for over 45 years and is just minutes from Cedar Point Amusement Park and the Lake Erie Islands, including: Marblehead, Port Clinton, Catawba, Put-in-Bay and Kelleys Island! We offer a quiet place to stay with nearby access to a variety of area attractions. Beaches, Boating, Fishing, Roller Coasters (Cedar Point), Water Parks, Hiking, Kayaking, Water Sports, Foodies, Breweries and Wineries, and exploring Nature.
$32 - $1 / night
Scout
The cabins are spacious with tons of outdoor space on each cabin lot. Fishing, boats, hot tubs, and lots of other activities on the grounds. Fun things to do in the surrounding area like Perry’s Caves.
Scout
Lotsto do, heated pool and hot tub, everyone nice and accommodating.
Ranger
If you're looking for a quiet place to hang your pole for a weekend, this near-city escape is for you! Less than an hour from downtown Cleveland, and minutes from historic downtowns Wellington and Oberlin, Ohio, is a quiet, wooded retreat with all the amenities.
Fishing, canoeing, and kayaking (rentals and bait available too!) are offered on Findley Lake, as well as a small, uncrowded public beach. Have your own small, non-motorized craft? There is a designated kayak launch at the boat launch area. For day campers, there are numerous sites around this large state park for picnicking and events, bonfire pits and fishing inlets....and bring your frisbees because there is also an extensive frisbee golf course.
The campground consists of several "arms", roads that branch out from the main road, with a good deal of wooded area between for rear site privacy between them. Beware, the sites are close to these roads and quite shallow, but because each road dead ends in a cul de sac, traffic is very light, even when the campground is full, as when we visited. Tall, dense trees surround, deadening sound, which makes the campsites very quiet, and the curve of each "arm" also suggests a more intimate space than the actual site sq footage does. There is a tent only side, with no hookups or electric, where sites are slightly larger and deeper, tucked between treed areas, and the other half of the campground is with hookups, and nearer to the lake, although it is not visible, but accessible by short path. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table, pretty standard. There are openings into the wood behind the "arms" for kids to explore, but beware of poison oak, which is prevalent and can be found along the edge of where the campsites all meet the woods...it didn't creep into the woods much, but watch out anyway if you have an allergy. Our group was able to avoid it.
There is a clearing at the entrance to the campground with a large playground, camp store with pizza and ice, occasional vegetable dealers, farmers market style, set up with carts around outside there as well. And if you forgot anything, have no fear, town is only minutes away. Cabin rental is also available in this area. Pets are welcome leashed.
Overall, it's a spot worth spending some time at. Convenient family fun for all.
As a Dyrt Ranger, I have the opportunity to try out new and fun camp gear and in this case COFFEE! Which could not have been more well received for these quiet mornings by the lakeside. Admittedly, at first I had my reservations. I enjoy a good coffee and am a great lover of my french press. But also admittedly, I hate cleaning it out campside. Nature's Coffee Kettle allows me to forgo the part I hate and keep the pour over we all love. With a wide selection from Columbian, to darker or flavored roasts, and even hot cocoa and teas for those toasty nights, Nature's Coffee Kettle impressed me. It comes in it's own reusable kettle bag, although I felt that, when changing out the coffee packs (refill packs are sold) after the initial use, the coffee was not as potent as the first use...probably because once the water is poured through, the bag doesn't stick together as well, holding the coffee to steep as long. (Refer to video review) Regardless, I enjoyed the ease of use, quality of the coffee and pourability. I was able to make a kettle in the morning, screw the spout lid back on and take it with me to the lake later for refills. Later when we went across country for a trip, I was able to board the plane with it in my carry on, flat, hardly taking up any room, and so convenient for those hiking or packing trips. It was fantastic, and easy as pie...which goes great with coffee, coincidentally...
Traveler
Sites are generally larger than many state parks.
Remember that your Golden Buckeye card gets you half off on weekdays.
Disappointed to hear that two of the prime lakefront sites will have cabins built on them in the near future!
Scout
Chet's place is my favorite place! They have rv and tent sites and also a few cabins. They often have gatherings in the pavilion. There's the river to fish in. Docks for your boat. It's a very family friendly place in the middle of nowhere yet close to everywhere!
Scout
The owners keep this place up. It is neat and clean and friendly. During peak season, there is excellent BBQ to purchase. Pool, trails, indoor and outdoor showers, toilets, water hookup. Each area has its specific flavor: RV seasonals, campers, cabins, bunkhouse and tent area. Someone is always throwing a party. Entertainment on weekends.
ScoutWe’ve stayed here a couple of times and rented one of the cabins. It’s a clean and well maintained KOA, but it’s gets crowded.
They have a nice campstore, restrooms, playground and and pool. It’s a good location for fishing, exploring Lake Erie or hitting Cedar Point.
It doesn’t feel like camping to me when we are so close to everyone.
Ranger
This is absolutely one of the nicer KOAs I’ve been at. Well kept, nice size, mostly level /gravel sites with grass. Pavilion picnic areas throughout. 3 ponds. Nice pool, a few play areas. Tent, seasonal, short-stay, cabins. All very nice! Bathrooms/showers immaculate! About 10 minutes off the highway. Nice trees everywhere and sites are good size! Off the road and quiet! Very pleased with it! Walmart just down the road and close to Cuyahoga National Park (lots of hiking).
ScoutStarting off, everyone from the employees to the other campers were super friendly! My boyfriend and I rented The Park Model Cabin which was sort of a half trailer with a full bathroom and full kitchen. The bed was the only detractor of our trip, as it was mostly springs. We brought our air mattress in for the second night and slept much better. The themed weekends throughout the season are fun and festive and there are a lot of activities to do and participate!
Traveler
This campground has a little bit of everything. Rv parking, tent sites and several cabins to rent. Rates are decent. Has lots of stuff for kids to do. Pools are small and can be a little crowded during the summer on weekends. They have a great splash pad and wading pool for kids. There is a new Tiki Hut to get adult drinks. A gem mine. Horseshoes, basketball court and lots of kids activities. Nice camp store that carries a little of everything. This is our second trip there.
GuideWe went at the end of September, off peak season. Instantly notice how huge this KOA was. Whole rows of the various types of sites, lots of cabins and housing as well. Lots of kids activities as well.
We stayed at a deluxe pull thru. Very nice, good space between neighbors. Overall good KOA, no issues and we had a great trip.
Things to note: It has a very large seasonal section There are train tracks in front so you will hear the train several times a day. Very little shade (consideration for summer) Close to Cedar Point
GuideI don’t have much to say about this campground but to start off on a high note the pool was nice. Now the reasons for our low rating. WiFi was nonexistent, everything was dirty and run down. Our RV site was ok. Family rented a cabin and it was disgusting. Dirty furniture-dishes-run down. Toilet looked like someone died in it. For $250 a night our recommendation is get a hotel-cheaper and cleaner (which is what our family ended up doing). Oh and letting permanent sites fly all sorts of political flags makes this KOA unwelcoming and honestly a little scary. Do not waste your money here.
RangerThis state island campground is more than expected! worth the ferry travel, a paradise kept secret. We stumbled upon this island by accident along our travels after Labor Day and we totally fell in love. The water front camping, swimming, boating, kayaking, historic sites, attractions and facilities are superb. Everything you need and more than you expect. We traveled in with our 34’ trailer. The ferry cost was a bit high, around $200 round trip for us, truck and camper….but it was worth it!! The campground is immaculate, quiet during the week especially after Labor Day, the weekend brings a larger crowd. Walking trails, sites, boating and swimming all available from campground. Sandy shallow beach with beautiful view. Ice, firewood and a store conveniently located at campground. The campground is small and sites a bit tight but spaced accordingly and comfortable. Two waterfront cabins and two yurts available for rent as well. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and the island overall. The glacial grooves, limestone crusher, north loop trail, beach and boat launch all withing walking distance. We rented bikes downtown to explore rest of island, including winery, cantina and local bars. Counting the days to go back.
Ranger
There is so much structure and order to this campground! The grounds are laid out so nicely! One big circle with cross roads all along the way. You can camp however you'd like too! They have RV sites, tent sites and cabins. All mixed in together so you can travel with all your favorite campers. They do breakfast every morning in the front pavilion for $4.50 (all you can eat pancakes, 1 sausage and coffee) I haven't tried it yet, but its certainly popular. Laundry is open 24 hours a day and in an open area. Not the biggest fan of that due to needing to do laundry in the rain. Bathrooms are clean and standard. Row of toilet stalls and showers in a separate room. They have a stellar playground area, I don't have kids but even I was drawn to wanting to play on it. Very pet friendly around here. Close to downtown, near Cedar Point and all the other attractions over here. They have 2 pools, one being heated. We haven't had a bad rain storm while we're here but you can tell by the ground of our spot its going to be bad and super muddy. All in all this campground is pretty awesome.
Legend
General: This campground is huge with a mix of FHU (some back-in and some pull-through), electric hookup, no hookup, group sites, cabins, and one yurt. On a Monday night in June, many of the sites were occupied.
Site Quality: All camper pads were paved and appeared level. Some sites were a little close together but there was reasonable separation and there was plenty of foliage. Site H3 was a good one as it had no site next to it on one side.
Bath/Shower house: In our loop, the bathhouse was clean. It took a while for the water to get hot but once it did, it was very hot. The water pressure was very good. The only problem with the shower was that water leaked out onto the floor outside and there always appeared to be a lot of water, which could pose a slipping hazard.
Activities/Amenities: A camper store and nature center, game room, laundry, dump station and potable water, disc golf, hiking trails, multi-use trails, marina (for large boats, not kayaks or SUPS), basketball, volleyball, archery, fish cleaning station. I think I mentioned everything!
We enjoyed our two-night stay here, and if/when we return, we would consider taking a ferry to some of the smaller islands nearby.
Scout
We stay here a couple of times per year and every time it’s a blast. The swimming pond has inflatables and boat rentals. There’s good fishing, and typically lots of activities. The place is clean and friendly with a pretty good selection at the camp store.
TravelerKelleys Island State Park is a small, family friendly campground with a beautiful beach. There are kayak rentals available, many nature trails, and fun things to do in the town as well. Be sure to check out the glacial grooves! You can bring your vehicle over on the ferry, or rent a golf cart when you get there.
Scout
We drove down from MI for a quick weekend getaway. Nice and friendly staff with plenty of things to do in the area. Bathrooms and showers were clean which is always a plus. Wifi reception was also good. Definitely a place to stay if you’re fishing Lake Erie or visiting Cedar point.
ScoutBeautiful scenery. Located right on the water, with beautiful views of Lake Erie. Well maintained campground, although the bathrooms had limited number of toilets. I usually had to wait to get a stall. You can rent a golf cart, but I took my bicycle and everything was a short ride away. It’s a very quiet island; especially during the week, which is when I went. If you want more shopping and nightlife, consider Put-in-Bay. But Kelley’s Island is a perfect quiet getaway.
Traveler
Overall good campsite on South Bass Island. It's close to Put in Bay - famous for it's bar scene. If you're good at trekking, everything on the island is walking distance, but if you can bring it a bike would make for much quicker trips. There are also a number of taxi services or golf cart rentals available.
The sites are very small, but have very nice views of the lake. It stormed while I was there and the winds got strong, so make sure your tent is sturdy, or choose an in-land campsite.
LegendFindley State Park was our family's getaway! Living in Northeast Ohio, you have the "benefits" of a big city, yet you are within a half hour of solitude and good trails.
While there are several fantastic places to camp within an hour of Cleveland...FSP was our "go-to!" It didn't take us long to pack it all up and head out for a quick weekend, weekday or overnight stay.
We have camped at Findley State Park in every season, and each season holds it own beauty. Fall color change is brilliant with its yellow, orange and reds! Winter brings great (yet sporadic) snowfalls...where we have Xcountry skiied and tented (only pit latrines are open at that time). Summer is pleasant and affords dips in the swimming area. Fishing is superb...and wildlife is abundant.
The trail system is very well maintained and marked. It makes for great daily hikes and enjoyable trail-riding. They do offer a challenging mountainbike trail...but be forewarned...it is not for the beginner.
Peak times and holidays are super busy...and wall-to-wall campers and people. Weekdays are usually sparse...and shoulder season weekdays you'll have the park to yourself.
What I enjoyed most was the flat water paddling. Here, even if it was busy, you can escape the crowds and enjoy nature. If you get the itch to go, check out: http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/findley for all the details.
TravelerWe love camping at South Bass. It's the perfect weekend getaway. The campground is about 1.5 miles from the "party" side of the island, which makes staying on PIB a much quieter experience. Stayed at #132 and #135, and we're headed back later this month. Can't beat the view and plenty of space. Slight slant on 135, but we positioned our tent the right way so it wasn't a problem. Occasionally heard some people coming in late at night being at the front of the park, but overall it was a great experience.
TravelerAlthough we camp in a motor home, this is one of the best tent camping spots I’ve seen. About twenty of the tent spots overlook the cliffs with great views of the water. Sites 97 and 114 sit on the edge of the cliff. This makes these two spots really unique. However, families with young children, unstable adults, and those who like to party would find these sites profoundly dangerous. The tents are two feet from the edge of the cliff.
There are no electric RV sites with a cliff-edge view. We stayed in Site 46, which was next to the restroom and just fair. The flattest RV sites with fair to good locations are Sites 57 and 44 (although even these will require a little leveling).
The campground includes very clean flush toilets and even cleaner showers (no cost for the showers). Wood and ice are available at the check-in building. In the summer there are kayak rentals.
If you haven’t been to this island everyone uses golf carts and bikes (90% golf carts). Golf cart rental shops are everywhere. We used bikes and saw the entire island. The restaurants and shops are at the other end of the island from the campground. Getting there took about twenty minutes by bike (probably seven minutes by golf cart).
We loved it here and extended our stay. The people are wonderful and the town is filled with things to do. The campground is quiet and tranquil. Rates for an RV site with electricity were $39.00 in September of 2021.
RangerWe love this campground because of its amenities and availability. It's so large, we can usually get a weekend space for either tent or RV with only a couple weeks notice, even in summer. There's obviously, the beach - but also playgrounds, multiple shower/bathhouses and pavilions, and a camp store. We also like the cul de sac set up of the electric site layout. It allows for a lot more "good sites". There's a marina, restaurants and boat launches as well as rental spots all near there. At only a couple miles from the islands, you can also take a boat over and spend the day there too!
GuideA busy family oriented campground with lots to do. Beaches, trails, biking, kayaking, and exploring the glacial grooves kept our family busy over our three night tent stay. While the campground does allow pets, they are restricted to specific sites and can use only one of the swimming beaches. Bathrooms were clean considering heavy traffic and showers were warm. The island itself provides loads of entertainment at a minimal price making the 20 minute ferry trip (about $100 round trip for our family and car) worth it. Kelly's Island State Park is a great place to stay if you are looking for an active getaway!
RangerI have been coming up to Kelleys Island for 39yrs and this year really tested my happiness. The campground has gone through quite a bit of changes over the last couple years and it's not entirely for the better. We stayed on the water front site directly next to the trail for the public beach. I do not recommend this site unless you want everyone to walk through the site at any time all day long. People do not respect quiet hours and leave their porch lights on in the cabins that now sit on the water front. There used to be VIPs that cleaned the park everyday and maintained everything. Not anymore and the park seems a little less friendly now. Golf carts are or were prohibited from entering the campground but now drive around the park all day long creating quite the ruckus and disturbing the beauty of nature. The bathrooms did get an upgrade of fixtures and super bright LED lights, but they took out the ADA accessible showers that had detachable shower heads and a bench to sit on in the shower. This beautiful well kept secret feels a lot like it's sister island Put-in-Bay now with all the rules stripped no care for the environment with partying all day. We did however have beautiful weather the entire time we were there. The site was clean but we noticed a lot of trees had been lost over the years and our camper sat in full sun all day long. They have replanted a tree that will cover the parking pad with shade in probably 10 years. The stairs to get to the public beach we decaying railroad ties that need some TLC but work. The dumpstation has moved to back of the campground by the old pet section which is nice and keeps the noise away from the rest of the park. They also stripped the Ranger program and no longer offer education hikes, movie nights, island history hikes, or the nature program. These were all favorites of mine as a child and made me appreciate the island more.
GuideThis campground has beautiful, cliff-side sites right on the water, which is probably not good for small children. The interior sites are just ok, but most are level with a bit of shade.
There is a rocky beach, boat rentals, and lots to do all over the island. There are shuttles from the campground into the main part of town.
What you need to be aware of here is the party atmosphere. Many young people camp here so that they can party in Put-In-Bay all day and night. Last time I was here, a group of 20-somethings came home at 2am and blared their music til 5. They quieted down a bit but started right back up at 7am. Not fun at all. This made me reluctant to return to this campground in the summer, as beautiful as it is. I'd try it in mid-September or October, but never summer again.
Cabin camping near Lorain, Ohio offers a perfect blend of nature and comfort, allowing you to enjoy the great outdoors without sacrificing the conveniences of home.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Lorain, OH is Findley State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 41 reviews.
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