Camping spots near Spencerville, Ohio feature flat terrain with excellent water access options throughout the region. The area experiences warm summers with high humidity and cold winters, with camping available year-round at select locations. While state parks provide structured environments, smaller campgrounds like Blue Water and River Trail offer alternative experiences with varying levels of amenities.
What to do
**Fishing opportunities: At Lake Loramie State Park, visitors can fish directly from their campsites. "Quiet with a spot on water for fishing," notes Joe D. The lake features numerous islands, coves, and inlets perfect for fishing excursions.
**Pool swimming: Several campgrounds maintain swimming pools as alternatives to lake swimming. At River Trail Campground, campers appreciate "a clean saltwater pool" and "a clean pond with a swimming beach." The campground also offers catch and release fishing and organized activities like "Bingo on Saturday evening."
**Mini golf courses: Family recreation options include miniature golf at multiple locations. Wapakoneta KOA provides a "nine hole puttputt" alongside other recreational activities. Indian Lake State Park Campground offers similar amenities, making it suitable for family outings during summer months.
**Boating access: Water recreation extends beyond swimming at most area campgrounds. One camper at Lake Loramie noted it has a "brand new kayak launch" near the beach area. The park offers canoe and kayak rentals for those without their own equipment.
What campers like
**Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the generous site dimensions at Grand Lake St. Marys State Park. "Large spacious sites with cement or paved spots," reports Ashleigh D. Another visitor noted, "The site is huge compared to what we normally stay in."
**Clean facilities: Ottawa Metro Park Campground receives consistent praise for maintenance standards. One camper observed, "It's clean as clean can be, including the bathrooms." Another visitor reported, "Bathrooms and showers are very clean," highlighting the campground's first-come, first-served policy.
**Swimming options: Pool facilities provide reliable swimming when lake conditions are questionable. At Grand Lake St. Marys, a visitor mentioned the "new pool, splash pad for kids, great playground area," making it suitable for families seeking controlled swimming environments rather than lake access.
**Pull-through accessibility: Sites with easy access appeal to many campers, especially those with larger rigs. Chad W. at Indian Lake noted, "The sites were pull through which was nice for having young kids. Could sit at our spot and watch our kids at the playground."
What you should know
**Lake water quality concerns: Several reviews mention water quality issues at certain lakes. At Grand Lake St. Marys, one camper reported, "The entire lake stinks of pig poop" and noted that "the bacteria level in this lake is dangerously high." Always check current water advisories before planning water activities.
**First-come sites: Some parks don't accept reservations. Ottawa Metro Park operates on a first-come basis, with one camper explaining, "It is first come...no reservations. Water and electric 30 Amp and some 50 amps as well."
**Seasonal operations: While some campgrounds operate year-round, others have limited seasons. Blue Water Campground offers specific seasonal amenities, with one camper noting, "They have everything you need for a long stay. Pool, lakes, very dog friendly, activities, food, washer and dryer, showers!"
**Site privacy variations: Campgrounds differ significantly in privacy levels. At Indian Lake State Park, one camper described it as "a giant RV lot" where "the sites are tiny," adding they "could hear the entire conversations of one family" at a neighboring site.
Tips for camping with families
**Playground proximity: When camping with children, site selection near recreational facilities makes supervision easier. At Indian Lake State Park Campground, one family noted they "could sit at our spot and watch our kids at the playground," minimizing the need to constantly escort children.
**Swimming alternatives: When lake swimming is restricted, pools provide reliable options. Wapakoneta KOA offers a "clean pool" alongside other amenities. One visitor described it as having "a nice playground, nine hole puttputt, pool and other recreational activities."
**Weekend activities: Several campgrounds schedule regular events for families. At River Trail Campground, a camper mentioned "Bingo on Saturday evening," while others noted scheduled activities throughout weekends during peak season.
**Kid-focused amenities: When comparing campgrounds, consider special features for children. Grand Lake St. Marys State Park provides "a nice well maintained pool with lifeguards" and "a nice pool and splash pad," creating safe recreational environments for families.
Tips for RVers
**Hookup availability: Full hookup sites vary across the region. At Huggy Bear Campground, RVers should "book ahead to snag the best sites," particularly for weekend stays. The campground offers water and electric hookups suitable for larger rigs.
**Site surfaces: Surface conditions affect leveling requirements. Grand Lake St. Marys offers "cement or paved spots" that "can be muddy after rain," requiring preparation for potential weather changes.
**Pull-through access: Several campgrounds feature pull-through sites beneficial for larger rigs. River Trail Campground has "nice sized sites" with pull-through access, while others require back-in approaches that may be challenging for inexperienced drivers.
**Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds offer sewer hookups at individual sites. Blue Water Campground provides "water and electric hook-up for 30&50 amps" but "there is not a sewer hook up." Instead, they "offer a weekly pump out for a small fee and a dump station on the way out."
