Harrison Lake State Park Campground sits in northwestern Ohio, surrounded by flat agricultural land approximately 770 feet above sea level. The camping area offers visitors a mix of wooded sites and open spaces within a region known for its humid continental climate with warm summers and cold winters. Water recreation remains a central attraction, with the 95-acre Harrison Lake serving as the centerpiece of camping activities near Montpelier.
What to Do
Biking trails: Harrison Lake offers bike rentals for exploring the park's trails or accessing the swimming beach. "The lake is nice for swimming and there are bike rentals which was fun as well," notes a camper who visited Harrison Lake State Park Campground as a local weekend escape.
Lake recreation: Enjoy the no-wake lake at Pokagon State Park Campground for kayaking and canoeing. "There's 500+ sites, but all nicely separated and shaded. There's an inn, restaurant, cabins, boat rentals, horseback riding, bike trails, beach, toboggan run, etc," explains a visitor who appreciated the variety of water activities.
Historic experiences: Sauder Village Campground combines camping with cultural immersion. "The historical village is an easy 10 minute stroll and worth visiting!" shares a reviewer who enjoyed this unique aspect of glamping near Montpelier, Ohio.
Winter recreation: Seasonal activities expand camping options beyond summer months. Pokagon State Park Campground offers winter recreation options including a toboggan run during colder months, making it a year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts seeking luxury camping near Montpelier.
What Campers Like
Clean facilities: The bathroom facilities at Harrison Lake receive consistent praise. "Modern toilets and showers. Open space camping on grass with strip of woods between sites and lake," mentions one camper who appreciated the well-maintained amenities.
Space between sites: Bixler Lake Park & Campground offers a quieter camping experience. "This is by far the place to just relax. It does have its moments..Holidays and special events. Even then campers here live by the lights out code," shares a visitor who stayed nearly a month.
Family-friendly amenities: At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Barton Lake, families find extensive water facilities. "Great family campground. We came for Halloween weekend so water parks were closed but looked to be a lot of fun. Very well maintained park with good size spots," notes a camper who visited during the off-season.
Lake activities: Multiple camping areas offer water recreation. "We have been here a few times. Really enjoy the secluded sites and the lake. It's a small campground but it's clean and quiet," writes a visitor about Harrison Lake, highlighting its pet-friendly atmosphere including a dog beach.
What You Should Know
Seasonal considerations: The camping season varies by location. Sauder Village Campground operates from April 15 to October 31, while others like Angola/Hogback Lake KOA remain open year-round for luxury camping near Montpelier, Ohio.
Site layouts: Harrison Lake has distinct camping areas with different experiences. "This is actually two different campgrounds -- North and South. The North Campground has larger sites spaced a bit apart to afford you some privacy. The South Campground has smaller sites that were much more closely packed together," explains a camper who provides detailed information about the park layout.
Reservation timing: Angola/Hogback Lake KOA Holiday fills quickly during peak season. "We arrived late to find an envelope with our name on it with all of our info inside.. the site was perfect with everything we would need already there," shares a camper who appreciated the thoughtful check-in process.
Road noise: Some campgrounds have sites near roads. "The one thing that was bit unnerving was that throughout both campgrounds, there are sites on the outer edge that are next to a main road with nothing but a small, wooden split-rail fence dividing the state park from the outside world," notes a Harrison Lake visitor.
Tips for Camping with Families
Water play options: Multiple water facilities keep children entertained. "The fenced in splash pad was our main draw. However the hotel is awesome and campers are allowed usage of their pool and game room," explains a visitor to Sauder Village Campground, highlighting amenities beyond traditional camping.
Safety considerations: Harrison Lake has specific areas better suited for families with young children. "This seemed to be a popular campground for families -- especially little kids on bikes, so be extra cautious when driving around or even riding your own bike," advises a camper who observed children's riding habits.
Activity planning: Bluegrass Campground offers a quieter family experience. "Nice campground with decent showerhouse and service. This is campground houses a lot of permanent sites but doesn't ruin the experience," notes a visitor who found the environment suitable for families seeking a less busy setting.
Off-peak visits: Consider weekday stays for a less crowded experience. "Tents are welcome, as well as big campers. Have a couple of cabins and yurts. A lot of groups camp here. Not a lot of kids activities, no pool, but does have a beach on the lake, canoe and kayak and paddleboard rentals and trails for hiking," explains a Harrison Lake camper about non-peak times.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Verify site dimensions before booking. "Sites are shorter and sometimes uneven," notes a visitor to Pokagon State Park Campground who recommends checking site specifications.
Hookup availability: Harrison Lake offers various hookup options. "Most sites don't have water hookups but they do have electric," explains a camper who visited multiple times, providing important information for RV travelers requiring specific utilities.
Seasonal sites: Many campgrounds near Montpelier have permanent or seasonal residents. "Over half of the campground appeared to be residents who lived there full time," notes a visitor to Bluegrass Campground, explaining it "feels more like a trailer park than a campground" - useful context for RVers seeking a traditional camping atmosphere.
Dump stations: Plan accordingly for sewage disposal. "Three minor complaints: vault toilets instead of bathrooms in the non-electric area, only one gray water dump on the entire south side of the lake," shares a Harrison Lake visitor, highlighting infrastructure limitations RVers should consider when planning their stay.
