Camping near Northwood, Ohio offers extensive sites along Lake Erie's western basin where summer temperatures average 80°F with moderate humidity. The area features mostly flat terrain with varied tree cover across developed campgrounds. Most sites remain open from April through October, though a few yurt accommodations near Northwood provide year-round glamping options.
What to do
Boardwalk exploration: At Maumee Bay State Park Campground, trails wind through marshlands with wildlife viewing opportunities. "The 2-mile boardwalk constructed by the Ohio Civilian Conservation Corps is available only for foot traffic. Bike rentals are available," notes Lee D., highlighting accessible paths for all skill levels.
Beach access: Sterling State Park provides sandy shoreline for swimming and water activities. "Sandy beach on Lake Erie is very nice," reports Joe S., while another camper mentions the park "has a boat ramp to put into Lake Erie. Not a lot of shade on the sites!"
Island exploration: South Bass Island State Park Campground offers unique exploration of Put-in-Bay with distinctive terrain. "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," according to Megan M., making transportation simple for glamping visitors.
Evening stargazing: For nighttime sky viewing, Kelleys Island provides optimal dark-sky conditions. "No city lights and being in the middle of the lake means lots of stars, the sounds of water and being so dark you can barely see," describes Daniel U., making this a top spot for astronomy enthusiasts.
What campers like
Private sites: Harbortown RV Resort maintains well-spaced areas with concrete pads. "All concrete roads and pads. Basketball court, sand volleyball, playground, dog run, batting cages and go karts within walking distance," notes Bill B., appreciating the development quality.
Waterfront access: East Harbor State Park Campground features sites with water views. "Last time I came here was in 2019. Words cannot describe how great this camp ground was. The wild life in the area was abundant making hikes in the afternoon great especially near sunset when the deer in the area started to come out," shares Elijah G., highlighting the natural experience.
Natural vegetation: Many campers value the plant barriers between sites. "Sites are nice and large paved slabs, most trees are immature offering little shade. Beach is kept fairly clean and raked often," according to Nicole A. at Sterling State Park Campground.
Diverse accommodation options: Glamping close to Northwood, Ohio includes specialty lodging like the Cannaley Treehouse Village. "This little village was so much fun for my 2 little people! I think 1 night is plenty as the site itself doesn't offer a ton of amenities but there are some trails that you can walk/bike without leaving base," notes Leah R.
What you should know
Lake conditions: Water quality varies seasonally. "During the week only one shower house was open, they opened them all in the weekend. Got stuck due to rough waters so we got a free night on the island. Always plan ahead and be flexible when going to an island," warns Daniel U. from Kelleys Island.
Limited shade: Sterling State Park Campground has exposed sites. "Very well maintained park. The shower house is clean and in good condition. Sandy beach on Lake Erie is very nice," states Joe S., though multiple reviews mention limited tree cover.
Seasonal insects: Expect insect activity during summer months. "Finally, I've never been to this park when it wasn't very windy," notes Edward C., while another camper reports "First two nights were perfect but then the may flies hatched (in mid June) and covered everything."
Ferry requirements: Island camping requires ferry transport. "You have to take a ferry to the camp ground. Kelley's Island Ferry in Marblehead. It is a few miles to camp ground so if you are renting and don't bring a vehicle you will want to rent a golf cart," explains Lauri J.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds: Maumee Bay State Park Campground offers multiple play areas. "So much to do! Several lakes are good for fishing or boating. Many trails, some grassy and some paved are good for walking, running, and biking," shares Lee D., noting the family-friendly infrastructure.
Biking opportunities: Flat terrain makes cycling accessible. "It is also an amazing place to ride bikes, everything is flat and there are also plenty of bike paths. You are also close to the lake which I love," recommends Kayla H.
Swimming areas: Designated sections for water play exist at multiple parks. "The campground has a beach and playground. You can also purchase wood. Yurts are available for rent," notes Erin H. from Kelleys Island State Park.
Off-peak timing: For quieter family glamping near Northwood, consider non-summer visits. "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," shares Lee D.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Kelleys Island State Park Campground offers mostly level sites. "Large sites, private by trees. Gives each on your own yard. All Back of sites are fields. No one behind. Angled driveways, easy to get trailer in. Or back in A and C class easy in and out too," describes Marla S. from Maumee Bay.
Hookup availability: Full connections available at select sites. "All sites are very generous in size and appear to be spaced with a decent amount of space apart with foliage providing varying levels of privacy. Some have beautiful trees that in peak fall color would be stunning," notes Lee D.
Ferry logistics: For RV travelers to islands, plan ferry arrangements early. "The slow ferry to the island (Miller) is the car ferry and it has free parking if you can leave your vehicle behind on the mainland and transport your stuff to the campgrounds via a bike trailer," advises Stephen S.
Site selection strategy: For greater privacy, choose perimeter locations. "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)," recommends T.S. from South Bass Island.
