Best Tent Camping near Groveport, OH
Public lands surrounding Groveport, Ohio offer several tent camping options within an hour's drive, with Scioto Grove Metro Park providing the closest tent-only camping experience. This park features five reservable backpacking sites along the Scioto River, each equipped with two tent pads and a fire ring. The sites are accessible only by hiking the REI River Trail, making them ideal for primitive tent camping experiences close to Columbus. Other tent campgrounds within driving distance include Pops Place Camping, which offers rustic tent sites for approximately $20 per night, and Monday Creek OHV Dispersed camping in Wayne National Forest.
Most tent campsites in the region require advance reservations, particularly at Scioto Grove where availability is limited to weekends during the camping season. Campers should note that Scioto Grove's sites are primitive but include provided firewood and designated tent pads. At Monday Creek OHV Dispersed camping, tent sites are available on a first-come basis with vault toilets and trash cans but no drinking water. Pops Place Camping offers more amenities for tent campers, including drinking water from an outside spigot, clean portable toilets, and shower facilities with on-demand hot water. Most sites throughout the region permit fires in designated rings, though seasonal restrictions may apply.
Tent campers frequently use these areas as testing grounds for backpacking gear or quick weekend getaways. According to reviews, Scioto Grove's sites along the river provide privacy and solitude, with one camper noting that site 5 is particularly secluded: "Didn't see a single person." The sites book quickly, especially during peak season. At Benton's on the Baileys, visitors report the walk-in tent sites require hiking up a steep hill but reward campers with exceptional privacy and quiet surroundings. The proximity to trail systems is another advantage, with Benton's offering access to the Baileys Trail System and Scioto Grove featuring a rope bridge crossing that appeals to both children and adults exploring the park's wide trails and wooded areas.