Bluegrass Campground offers tent, RV, and glamping options just minutes from Swanton, Ohio. Located close to Oak Openings State Forest, this campground provides a natural setting in northwestern Ohio where the terrain remains relatively flat and open. Summer temperatures typically reach the mid-80s with higher humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons bring milder conditions and fewer visitors.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Harrison Lake State Park has a no-wake lake perfect for anglers seeking a quiet experience. "The lake is nice for swimming and there are bike rentals which was fun as well. We did not use it, but there is a dog beach as well," notes one visitor who enjoyed the water amenities.
Biking on flat terrain: The region offers excellent biking options with minimal elevation changes. "There is a bike path that will take you all the way to the Historic Rasin River Battlefield and then to downtown Monroe," reports a camper who stayed at Sterling State Park, noting the extensive connected trail system.
Historical exploration: Sauder Village Campground provides access to living history exhibits. "The historical village is an easy 10 minute stroll and worth visiting," shares a camper. Another notes, "There's so much to do at the village! What a wonderful place for history lovers and/or kids."
What campers like
Privacy despite proximity: Campers appreciate sites that feel secluded even in busy campgrounds. "Sites were crowded but had excellent tree coverage," reports a visitor to Bluegrass Campground, highlighting how natural features enhance the camping experience.
Clean facilities: Multiple campsites maintain high standards for bathrooms and showers. "Showers and bathrooms are cleaned regularly!!! And done beautifully," writes one camper about Bluegrass Campground, while another mentions Sterling State Park has "shower house is clean and in good condition."
Winter camping options: Unlike many seasonal facilities, some locations offer year-round options. "Open space camping on grass with strip of woods between sites and lake," notes a camper about Harrison Lake State Park, which provides camping during colder months when many other sites are closed.
What you should know
Seasonal variations: Many campgrounds have limited operating seasons. "We enjoyed two stays at this campground, once in September and once in May. Even though this large campground was full when we were there on a weekend in September, we did not feel overcrowded," reports a visitor to Maumee Bay State Park.
Noise considerations: Proximity to transportation corridors affects some sites. A camper at Harbortown RV Resort shares, "There are trains that go by during the night. There must be a few crossings near by because they blew the horn for 5+ minutes at 4:30am."
Resident populations: Several campgrounds maintain long-term occupants. "Over half of the campground appeared to be residents who lived there full time," notes one visitor to Bluegrass Campground. Another camper states, "This is campground houses a lot of permanent sites but doesn't ruin the experience."
Tips for camping with families
Activity schedules: Family-oriented campgrounds offer organized events. At Sunny's Shady Recreation Area, "They always seemed to have some sort of activity going on from horseshoe tournaments to football games for the kids. The beach was clean and they had 5 fishing lakes."
Water features: Splash pads provide alternative water recreation. "The fenced in splash pad was our main draw," explains a visitor to Sauder Village Campground, adding that "campers are allowed usage of their pool and game room."
Kid-friendly transportation: Many campgrounds accommodate various modes of getting around. "It is one of the only state parks in northwest Ohio, a beautiful little spot nestled in farmland of Ohio," mentions a camper who enjoyed renting bikes at Harrison Lake State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site surfaces: Concrete pads provide stability in all weather conditions. "All concrete roads and pads. Basketball court, sand volleyball, playground, dog run, batting cages and go karts within walking distance," notes an RVer at Harbortown RV Resort.
Hookup variations: Electric-only sites require planning. "Pull throughs only have electric, no water or sewer. They do have a place to get water onsite which is what we did," shares an RVer at Sauder Village Campground who adapted to the available utilities.
Site dimensions: Length and width measurements matter for larger rigs. "This park will accommodate any size travel trailer, fifth wheel camper of any kind, the pull throughs are huge," explains a visitor to Sterling State Park, highlighting the spacious design of the sites.
