Best Tent Camping near Paulding, OH

Tent camping options near Paulding, Ohio include several established campgrounds within an hour's drive. White Oak Campground in Oak Openings Metropark offers tent-specific sites with sandy tent pads in a wooded setting. Independence Dam State Park Campground provides riverside tent camping along the Maumee River with sites situated on small elevated banks above the water.

Most tent campsites in the Paulding area feature basic amenities suited for primitive camping experiences. White Oak Campground provides free firewood, clean flush toilets, and dish washing stations with hot water, but no showers on site. Independence Dam offers more rustic accommodations with vault toilets that campers note are well-maintained. Many sites include fire rings and picnic tables, with varying levels of shade depending on location. Reservations are typically required for tent sites, with some campgrounds requiring online booking before 4 PM on the day of arrival.

The tent camping experience near Paulding offers a mix of natural settings and accessibility. White Oak Campground provides access to the 15.5-mile Scout Trail loop and other hiking paths directly from the campground. Sites are generally well-spaced with moderate privacy, though some road noise may be noticeable from nearby highways. Independence Dam sites offer river views with limited direct water access at specific points. Tent campers appreciate the peaceful atmosphere at these locations, particularly on weekdays when fewer visitors are present. One camper noted that White Oak Campground is "a gem hiding within plain sight" with inexpensive sites and regularly cleaned facilities.

Best Tent Sites Near Paulding, Ohio (7)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Paulding, OH

8 Photos of 7 Paulding Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Paulding, OH

344 Reviews of 7 Paulding Campgrounds


  • Megan T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 11, 2019

    White Oak Campground

    Peaceful Greenery

    I had a friend's wedding at The Stables (which I didn't realize was 3 min away) and decided to camp here rather than get a hotel. I set up right at 3 at Site 7 - there's no check-in process or attendant. I hadn't printed my permit, so I wondered if I would get a visit from a ranger but all was quiet. The site was spacious, sandy, and well suited for both tent and hammock. The fire ring was in good condition and fire wood was already stacked. The property was well maintained and the bathrooms clean and cool - the women's did have some standing water from a leaky toilet it looked like. You can hear distant cars and some not so distant planes. Also, while all the sites are wooded the woods are not very thick so you can see and hear your neighbors pretty well. Site number three looks at the most secluded to me while site number four was pretty much in the open beside the bathrooms. Group sites were full sun it appeared. The stream behind my site was dry. Nice map and brochures at the parking area. Sturdy picnic tables.

  • L
    Oct. 15, 2018

    White Oak Campground

    BEAUTIFUL! 10/10 would camp here again!

    Campground is nicely kept, only 5 individual sites, has two group sites. Nice restroom facilities, FREE firewood available. Grey water sinks for dish cleaning. Picnic table and fire ring at each site. Parking is general, but close to each site. We were there on a Monday night, only had one other tent in the campground. Nice flat sand pads for tents to set up on!

    DOWNSIDE: MUST RESERVE ONLINE BEFORE 4PM. There is no walk-up service, and online site goes down after employees go home at night.

  • N
    Apr. 17, 2019

    Indian Springs Campground

    Dirty

    Dirty restrooms. Dirty lake. You have to pay extra to use the slide. Camp sites have been cut in half. Only 1 bathhouse/restrooms all the eay in the front at the beach. On the 2nf day we did find a porta potty in the back but it was nasty and everyone refused to use it. Manager was rude when i could not fit my car, tent (10x20), table and fire ring on out site. Told me o had to move my tent 1 foot over after it was already set up and loaded with beds. She left and I pulled it down and restaked just in time for her to vome and look disappointed that i had followed her order to pull it down and said i did not have to do that. The site was mostly dirt very little to no grass. When it rained we had nothing but mud. Hay rides on the weekend were late and the man driving it went way to fast down the back hill making you feel you were about to fall out. Employees childrwn throwing water on the people riding the hay ride. Someone went around fogging for mosquitos and allowed the children to run and play in the fog. Karaoke lady was extremely rude to all the children.

  • Clay T.
    Dec. 26, 2024

    Chain O'lakes State Park Dispersed Campsite

    "Free, never heard of that app."

    Although it states in the app free dispersed camping. Doesn't always mean just that. The cheapest campsite at primitive camping is $12 bucks. (Tent sites) For more, you can get electric hookup sites galore that all include a fire ring picnic table and a pretty leveled out spot.

  • A
    Dec. 8, 2020

    Independence Dam State Park Campground

    Hidden gem for the right people

    This park is great for the right kind of trips, we visit here often in the summer to enjoy the river, kayak , and relax. Most sites are on a small elevated bank on maumee river, (you can walk down the path but not put a kayak in)

    There are no hookups, only vault toilets, no staff only very nice camp hosts ( there are next to site 11 ). 

    Sites 1-6 are misleading on the site, they are not on the river bend, there is a gravel trail/road between them and the river bank. its not a huge deal for access but annoying if your expecting direct access. 

    Sites 9 and 10 were not bookable in 2020 an hopefully remain that way, they are basically in front on the camp host site, so the camp host is between you and the river. 

    Sites 11-15 are the best in my opinion 

    Site 13 has direct access to the river on a small walking path.

    Site 15 is our favorite, it has the most room and still has a small path down to the river.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Mary Jane Thurston State Park Campground

    Lots to do here

    The camp sites on the river are excellent. Some sights are by the highway. They are still nice, but lots of road noise. There is no water at the camp sites, but water is available. There are no shower facilities. There are great hiking trails and a nice frisbee golf course.

  • Robin H.
    Jul. 21, 2020

    Kilsoquah Camp

    LOVE but.....

    We love camping out here. It’s our favorite place to be in Huntington. It’s super cheap, the sites are well taken care of, plenty of play spots for kids, electric and primitive, the sites come with picnic tables and fire rings with cooktops, some of the spots are out in the open and others are inset back into the trees. Some spots have wonderful views of the lake too! Our only issue is that because there is no one constantly there like a normal campsite, there are people who take the best view spots are stay for weeks on end knowing you can only stay, I think 14days, before moving to a new spot. Went there this past weekend and the people across from us were also BLARING music so loud you could feel the bass in your chest. We kindly asked if they could lower it, not turn it off, just lower it and the man was so kind and did it, however the woman threw a fit and turned the music back up. We ended up moving sites even tho we paid for that specific one and already were set up. There is no number to call so you just have to deal. But it’s totally worth it for the price and the sites. People just need to learn camping rules and take other people into consideration. 🤷🏼‍♀️

  • Cassandra C.
    Oct. 3, 2017

    White Oak Campground

    Beautiful, small campground

    I camped at this campground after completing the 15.5 mile Scout Trail loop (aka "Hiking Trail" and Yellow trail) that runs through Oak Openings. 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. The sites are very nicely spaced and shaded, and not right on the parking lot. There are no showers, but there are bathrooms with flush toilets. The firewood is free, which is amazing. There is also a dish washing station near the restrooms, with a huge sink and hot water. I absolutely loved my night here, as well as the hike. Definitely a great park.

  • Andrea F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 30, 2020

    Grand Lake St. Marys State Park — Grand Lake St Marys State Park

    Off Season and No Water

    We love camping in the off season but with that comes closures. Some sections of the campgrounds might not be open, no camp hosts and limited bathrooms and showers houses. This is to be expected, but when I called the morning of our trip to make sure potable water was available and I was told yes it was only to drive 2 hours and realized they were wrong. No water 🙁. This would not have been a peas we have dry camped before but all the bathrooms were closed as well.

    After called the park ranger he did let us get some water at the maintenance building so we were at least able to finish the weekend. Lesson learned always pull with at least some water.

    Now back to the campground itself was nice and clean. Site are a little close together. The biggest down side is you are there to enjoy the lake but the lake had algae warnings everywhere not to go near the water.

    They do have a dog park, pool and splash pad when in season and a marina. Also they have WiFi and good cell coverage.


Guide to Paulding

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."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Paulding, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Paulding, OH is Independence Dam State Park Campground with a 3.8-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Paulding, OH?

TheDyrt.com has all 7 tent camping locations near Paulding, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.