Tent camping near Paulding, Ohio provides primitive camping experiences within 45-60 minutes of town. Most campgrounds in the region are situated along waterways, with the Maumee River serving as a central feature for several locations. Campsites typically require reservations in advance, particularly during summer months when weekend occupancy reaches capacity.
What to do
Kayaking access points: Independence Dam State Park offers convenient river access for kayakers, with one camper noting, "There are no direct access to the river in most areas, but there is an opening near the middle of the campsite which allows access, along with access for kayaks." The park stretches along the Maumee River with paved paths connecting campsites.
Hiking trail systems: White Oak Campground connects directly to the 15.5-mile Scout Trail loop, providing tent campers immediate access to hiking opportunities. A visitor shared, "I was able to park my car here in the morning, hop on the trail (which runs right through the campground), and return later in the day."
Fishing opportunities: The riverfront location at Independence Dam makes it popular for fishing enthusiasts. According to one review, "This park is great for the right kind of trips, we visit here often in the summer to enjoy the river, kayak, and relax."
What campers like
Free firewood service: White Oak Campground provides complimentary firewood for campers, unusual for the area. A camper noted, "The sites are inexpensive and come with free firewood, the restroom is cleaned regularly and maintained well."
Well-maintained facilities: Many tent sites feature clean restroom facilities despite being primitive campgrounds. One visitor to White Oak mentioned, "There is also a dish washing station near the restrooms, with a huge sink and hot water."
Nature diversity: Oak Openings area offers unique natural features not mentioned in most campground directories. According to a local camper, "Oak openings has everything from pine tree forests to sand dunes. The sites were nice for primitive camping."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require online booking before arrival with no walk-up registration available. A White Oak visitor cautioned, "MUST RESERVE ONLINE BEFORE 4PM. There is no walk-up service, and online site goes down after employees go home at night."
Tent pad surfaces: Independence Dam State Park Campground features varying site layouts with some riverside spots requiring careful tent placement. A reviewer explained, "Most sites are on a small elevated bank on maumee river, (you can walk down the path but not put a kayak in)."
Ambient noise considerations: Proximity to transportation infrastructure affects sound levels at some sites. One White Oak camper reported, "There definitely is some road noise from 295 nearby and we did hear and see one plane in the morning."
Tips for camping with families
Sand exploration: Oak Openings features unique sand dune areas that children enjoy exploring. A family camper shared, "We loved the hiking, bike trails, playground at Mallard lake area, and the kids liked exploring the sand dune area."
Shower availability: While not all campgrounds have on-site showers, alternatives exist nearby. One resourceful camper discovered, "There are free showers available at the Wheel House (5min drive) at the Beach Ridge area of the park by the tree houses."
Weekday visits: For quieter camping experiences with children, consider non-weekend stays. An Independence Dam visitor noted, "I will be returning and I'd like to stay in another location towards the end of the site, and on a less busy weekend."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for vans/small RVs: River Camp Fort Wayne, while primarily for tent campers, accommodates small campervans in select spots. A traveler mentioned, "There were only a very few sites that had paved pads that would accommodate our van; the rest were clearly for tents only."
Campsite layout considerations: Independence Dam sites vary significantly in their layout and river views. A reviewer advised, "Sites 11-15 are the best in my opinion. Site 13 has direct access to the river on a small walking path."
Limited hookup options: RVers should prepare for primarily primitive camping with few amenities. One Independence Dam camper observed, "The rates seemed kind of steep ($19 on weekdays; $20 weekends and $22 on holiday weekends) for sites with no hookups and only porta-potties."
