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Best Campgrounds in Ohio

3,235 Reviews
SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Ohio state parks offer a range of developed campgrounds with diverse accommodation types, from tent sites to cabin rentals. Popular options include Hocking Hills State Park and Mohican State Park, which maintain well-rated campgrounds with amenities like electric hookups, showers, and picnic tables. Most state park campgrounds provide RV-friendly sites with water and electric connections, while select locations such as West Branch, East Harbor, and Mohican state parks feature cabin accommodations for visitors seeking more comfort. These established campgrounds typically include fire rings, restroom facilities, and reservable sites.

Many Ohio campgrounds remain open year-round, though seasonal considerations affect facility availability and camping conditions. "After a few years of trying, I finally got into Mohican State Park. The campground itself is very well laid out. It's long and just a few rows deep with trees throughout, so you don't feel over crowded," noted one camper who visited in spring. Reservation systems operate for most developed sites, with popular locations filling quickly during summer weekends and holiday periods. State park campgrounds generally feature good road access suitable for most vehicles, though some primitive camping areas may require higher clearance. Alcohol is permitted at most campgrounds, and pet policies vary by location. Weather patterns in Ohio bring humid summers with temperatures regularly reaching the 90s and cold winters that limit camping comfort without proper gear.

The campground experience varies significantly across the state, with waterfront locations receiving particularly strong reviews. Sites at East Harbor, Caesar Creek, and Alum Creek state parks provide water access for boating, swimming, and fishing. Campers consistently rate facilities at Mohican State Park Campground among the highest in the state for their layout and amenities. According to a visitor at Caesar Creek State Park, "The showers are clean and the staff is friendly. Camp sites are spacious." Privacy levels differ between campgrounds, with more wooded sites offering better separation between neighbors. Several reviewers mentioned the importance of shade coverage during hot summer months, with tent-only areas at some parks like Harrison Lake State Park providing relief from direct sun. Full-hookup sites tend to be more closely spaced than standard electric or non-electric options.

Best Camping Sites in Ohio (663)

    1. Hocking Hills State Park Campground

    109 Reviews
    South Bloomingville, OH
    Website

    $20 - $70 / night

    "There are lots of caves, trails, camping options and activities in the area. Be careful, however, every year someone is injured or dies going off trail, often falling from a cliff."

    "If you stay away from the main roads, you might feel like you're in a smaller campground."

    2. Alum Creek State Park Campground

    80 Reviews
    Lewis Center, OH
    Website
    +1 (740) 548-4039

    $23 - $70 / night

    "Happened to be next to the park host. No choice of where to locate my large tent.  Showers/bathrooms were OK--older facilities.  "

    "First off we have to say that Ohio State Park campgrounds are some of the best we’ve ever stayed in."

    3. West Branch State Park Campground

    66 Reviews
    Ravenna, OH
    Website

    $30 - $52 / night

    "Ranger Review: Morsel Spork at West Branch State Park **Campground Review: **

    This state park was very welcome after our first two unlucky Ohio state park experiences."

    "Here's what's great about this campground situated at an easy drive from major cities like Columbus and Cleveland...its scenic, a fully loaded campground with bathhouses, parks, hiking paths, swimming"

    4. East Fork State Park Campground

    65 Reviews
    Concord, OH
    Website
    +1 (513) 734-2730

    $39 - $52 / night

    "This is your standard Ohio State Park campground.  It has the usual parking, water, restrooms, camp store, and activities.  East Fork is rather nice as it has the lake and long trails. "

    "Our favorite campsite for the outskirts of Cincinnati. Lots of great spots available! You can get to the lake in about a 15 minute drive."

    5. East Harbor State Park Campground

    59 Reviews
    Kelleys Island, OH
    Website
    +1 (419) 734-4424

    $31 - $90 / night

    "A great campground in Ohio. So clean and so many things to do. Campsites are close together but they do honor quiet hours. Great trail around the lake and a fun and challenging disc golf course."

    "this is probably my favorite park in Ohio . it’s always clean people are so friendly and the lake is just beautiful !"

    6. Mohican State Park Campground

    48 Reviews
    Perrysville, OH
    Website
    +1 (419) 994-5125

    $27 - $220 / night

    "It’s not the most secluded spots but if you are looking for something tucked away there a few sites. The ability to tube down the river and walk back to your camp site was so much fun."

    "The tent sites (short walk from parking lot) and one car per tent site.  Our site was not the traditional walk up/park camp site. It was a nice change of pace.  More space and great neighbors. "

    7. Caesar Creek State Park Campground

    50 Reviews
    Waynesville, OH
    Website
    +1 (937) 488-4595

    $39 - $52 / night

    "There is a little store, but note that the firewood is in huge, unburnable pieces, (as most Ohio state park firewood is), so you'll need tons of kindling and several firestarters, or an ax and some way"

    "We stayed in Site 12, which was huge and conveniently located close to a fairly new shower house. That facility was among the very best I've seen! Amazingly clean!"

    8. Maumee Bay State Park Campground

    44 Reviews
    Oregon, OH
    Website
    +1 (419) 836-7758

    $41 - $56 / night

    "Just a short walk or bike ride to Lake Erie via a paved path. I highly recommend taking a bike, as there are so many trails and paths to ride throughout the park."

    "Ohio. Let me state: Awesome park Full hook ups, 50,30,20. Sewer. Water. Handicap sites too!!! Dump station, with rinse down hose if needed. Large sites, private by trees."

    9. Hueston Woods State Park Campground

    46 Reviews
    College Corner, OH
    Website
    +1 (513) 523-6347

    $27 - $100 / night

    "This camp ground is pretty standard for Ohio State Parks. It does have a cool new sleeping option. Yurts! We enjoyed our time in the yurt. "

    "It is one of the better beaches for Ohio State Parks in the southern part of the state.  We bought a day pass to the pool at the lodge."

    10. Findley State Park Campground

    45 Reviews
    Wellington, OH
    Website
    +1 (440) 647-0534

    $29 - $52 / night

    "Beware, the sites are close to these roads and quite shallow, but because each road dead ends in a cul de sac, traffic is very light, even when the campground is full, as when we visited."

    "Lots of walking trails, lots of nature. Once off my favorite local ohio parks."

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Recent Reviews in Ohio

3235 Reviews of 663 Ohio Campgrounds

  • Zachary A.
    Jul. 21, 2026

    Headwaters Park

    Campsite A

    Had a nice stay at the Camp Site A tent site, which they label as their ADA Accessible site.

    Overall me and the kids had a really nice time hanging atbthe site and exploring around the lake. Lots of friendly people too.

    Pros:

    • Tent site was generally good with a picnic table and fire pit on-site
    • Pull in parking right next to the campsite (which seems to be true for all tents and leantos)
    • Great walkable area with lots to explore with the kids
    • A few nice things just a 10min drive away like the Eagle Park splash park and playground and the cute Burton town square.
    • Tons of birds for all my bird watchers
    • Right at the entrance to the tent site area and right next to the restrooms
    • Sometimes people bring horses down there for a walk
    • Can't see other campers tent from your site (which i like because Im out here to get away from people)

    Cons:

    • Being right next the restrooms and tent area entrance is a higher traffic area. Didn't bother us much but could get annoying if woken up by a late night driver or door slam
    • The stump on the tent site has a snake in it. Didn't bother us at all, only saw it once as it was slithering away, but thought other might like to know.
    • Toilet was out of hand sanitizer

    FAQ:

    • No electic
    • No plumbing or showers (it is basically an outhouse)
  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 19, 2026

    Tall Timbers Campground

    Compact, bathhouses underwhelming

    Campground is well labeled and maintained. Sites are very very close together but this was expected. The bathhouses were extremely disappointing considering there are no full hookups and the price to stay here at a “resort.” They were both full of spider webs, had very dingy fixtures, and did not live up to the rest of the camp.

  • Peyton L.
    Jul. 19, 2026

    Clay's Resort Jellystone Park

    NO communication and severely lacking customer service skills

    I won’t rate the other categories yet but I’ve been upset the whole process trying to plan my trip and the people have made it impossible. I’m constantly unable to get ahold of the park. I keep getting put on the“call back list” when trying to modify a reservation only for NO ONE to ever call back. I finally get ahold of someone after a MONTH… only to have zero customer service skills… they just said“oh we don’t even have a call list” so I ask for another form of communication I can have with me since my trip is in a month and I’ve had these issues for a month… they offer ZERO solutions and are not empathetic either. Another issue was last year I was hospitalized for several months due to an early twin birth so I had to push my trip to the following year… when I FINALLY got ahold of the park last year the women I spoke with trying to manage the rescheduling…was ZERO help surprise surprise… on top of that it took 13 calls and weeks before a manager got back to me…making the window to reschedule or get refunds closer to closing adding stress that you might not get to make your next move how you’d like… anyway…I simply asked for dates that matched the costs that we already paid for the trip so I didn’t have to pay more… I simply asked for it to be within the summer days since my previous reservation was during the summer time with all the extra water park and amenities that close at the end of August. I booked when my kid could use all amenities and there were no hour restrictions either due to still being in season. However the lady couldn’t accommodate or recommend any alternate dates to suite my trip that weren’t several hundred dollars more… now we started out with a trip all paid for last year with all amenities no hour restrictions to a weekend we had to pay more and are restricted hours wise on the summer amenities. As the person doing reservations you should be able to recommend dates and help me plan the trip accordingly to the money spent and not sit on the other end of the phone demanding I just give you dates…. After our trip we will never plan or schedule anything at this park again. Regardless of the amenities… for families traveling far distances you couldn’t make it anymore inconvenient, difficult, and time consuming for simply planning questions or just getting ahold of you in general. No sorrys…. Just a whole lot of…”hmm that’s weird well oh well, next” kind of attitude. Zero solutions just excuses. So that being first impressions not too excited to find out what we are in for when we arrive. Especially reading other reviews about deflated balls so you can’t use the hoops, broken a/c units that the property won’t even handle that their own employees have to give up their own personal comfort cause management won’t?… concession stands trash everywhere… broken hot tubs, WiFi not working in cabins for night time with children is tough…sad that my family’s first camping trip ever hasnt even happened yet and it’s been nothing but a headache to plan because of the staff. Yall make money to make the experience smooth for your consumers but somebody missed the memo.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 17, 2026

    Lebanon-Cincinnati NE KOA

    Very Nice

    This KOA has been around ever since I can remember. The grounds are kept nice. Staff was super friendly. Lebanon is a great centrally located town. Near Cincinnati, Dayton and Kings Island. It’s also very close to the scenic Little Miami River. That’s great for paddling. There are also a few canoe liveries on the river not far.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 17, 2026

    Thompson/Grand River Valley KOA Holiday

    Enjoyable

     The staff here was excellent. We got a spot near the entrance that had the doggy play pen. It was a well built structure. I felt good about my dogs being in it. The campground is wonderful. So peaceful and pretty. As and added plus for anybody a fan of the band The Cars, Ben Orr’s grave is not far.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 17, 2026

    Winton Woods Campground Hamilton County Park

    Very nice campground

    We enjoyed our stay at Winton Woods.  There was not much shade in the site and it was scorching hot!  The sites were roomy however.  We had no problem pulling our 34ft trailer and truck in the site.  We even had an extra car that fit in the lot with nothing hanging out.  Lots were level.  Bathhouses were clean.  We only stayed for a couple days as we were passing through but it will definitely be an option if we pass through again.

  • J
    Jul. 16, 2026

    Punderson State Park Campground

    One of our favorites

    We love this park! Unfortunately it’s been so booked this summer we haven’t been able to go. It’s literally 30 minutes from us. The sites are fairly nice. Some near the water are shallow and you have to be careful. The park surrounding it is lovely. There’s a beach, a golf course and even a lodge and cabins. We always get good internet with our hot spot. If I’m being honest though, the worst thing is the bath house. The showers suck! There’s no privacy and I would never use them. There’s a nice playground for kids and a little nature center. We love riding our e-bikes there. Lots of critters and I’ve even seen an otter! Give it a try if you can find an opening!

Guide to Ohio

Camping in Ohio offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're a family looking for a weekend getaway or an RV enthusiast seeking adventure, Ohio's campgrounds have something for you.

What to do

  • Explore Nature: Many campgrounds are near lakes and hiking trails. For example, at Alum Creek State Park Campground, you can enjoy boating, fishing, and mountain biking. One camper mentioned, “Amenities include boating, fishing, disc golf, MTB trails, live music select evenings, etc.”
  • Family Activities: Campgrounds like Campbell Cove Camping have playgrounds and swimming areas. A visitor shared, “There is a great playground for kids and a swimming hole.”
  • Wildlife Watching: Many parks are home to diverse wildlife. One camper at Deer Creek State Park Campground noted, “We saw deer, heard coyotes and even saw a flying squirrel one night - really cool.”

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and shower houses. A review from Mohican State Park Campground stated, “Restrooms and showers clean and sanitary.”
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer large sites with plenty of space. A visitor at Dillon State Park Campground mentioned, “Dillon is one of our favorite camping destinations. They have very large sites.”
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of campground staff. One camper at Findley State Park Campground said, “Park Staff was great and very friendly.”

What you should know

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy due to nearby roads or activities. A camper at Alum Creek State Park Campground noted, “The constant road noise and insane amount of small plane traffic is extremely annoying.”
  • Site Selection: Not all sites are created equal. A visitor at A.W. Marion State Park Campground mentioned, “The sites are shaded, which is nice, but pretty close together.”
  • Limited Amenities: Some parks may lack certain amenities. A camper at Mount Gilead State Park Campground pointed out, “The flush toilets are closed for the season so only the vault toilets were open.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with playgrounds and activities. Campbell Cove Camping has a great playground and swimming area, making it perfect for kids.
  • Plan for Noise: If your family needs quiet, check reviews for noise levels. One camper at Findley State Park Campground mentioned, “No party people very family friendly.”
  • Pack for Activities: Bring bikes or kayaks for extra fun. A visitor at Mohican Adventures Campground said, “You can ride your bike from Mohican Adventures Campground into downtown Loudonville without going on any roads.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Dillon State Park Campground noted, “Some of them do hold water in the bottom inside loop of section A.”
  • Look for Full Hookups: If you need full hookups, check the campground details. A review from A.W. Marion State Park Campground mentioned, “The only downfall I saw is that it is not full hook up in most spots.”
  • Be Prepared for Weather: Some campgrounds can get muddy. A visitor at Dillon State Park Campground warned, “If rain is predicted, the place turns into a complete mudpit.”

Camping in Ohio offers a variety of experiences, from serene nature to family-friendly fun. With the right preparation, you can enjoy everything this beautiful state has to offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make camping reservations in Ohio state parks?

Ohio state park camping reservations can be made online through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources website or by calling 866-OHIOPARKS. Reservations typically open 6 months in advance, and booking early is recommended, especially for summer weekends and holidays. At Alum Creek State Park Campground, one of Ohio's larger campgrounds, you'll need to check in at the registration office upon arrival. When visiting Pymatuning State Park Campground and other popular parks, be prepared for potentially longer check-in lines during peak season. Some parks offer first-come, first-served sites, but these are limited. Have your vehicle information, intended length of stay, and payment method ready when making reservations.

Where can I find good fishing spots near Ohio campgrounds?

Wolf Run State Park Campground offers excellent fishing opportunities with campsites that wrap around the lake, providing easy water access. Campers note that the water is clearer than many Ohio lakes, making it ideal for fishing. East Fork State Park Campground is another great option with a 2,160-acre lake stocked with bass, crappie, and catfish. Additional fishing destinations include Caesar Creek State Park (known for its muskie fishing), the Ohio River access points near Shawnee State Forest, and the various ponds at Mohican State Park. Most Ohio state park campgrounds with lakes offer boat rentals and fishing docks. Remember to obtain an Ohio fishing license before your trip, available online or at local bait shops.

What are the best state park campgrounds in Ohio?

Ohio offers excellent state park camping options with diverse amenities. Cowan Lake State Park Campground is highly regarded for its lake access, convenient location between Cincinnati and Columbus, and recent improvements. Many campers find autumn the perfect season to visit. Harrison Lake State Park Campground in northwest Ohio stands out for its unusually spacious, level sites compared to other Ohio state parks. Other noteworthy options include Alum Creek with its beautiful wooded sites, East Harbor along Lake Erie, and Mohican State Park with excellent hiking trails. Most Ohio state parks offer clean facilities, water access, and a variety of recreational activities, though amenities and site privacy can vary considerably between parks.

Keep Exploring

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