Best Tent Camping near Put-in-Bay, OH

Tent campsites in the Put-in-Bay area of Ohio offer campers proximity to Lake Erie shorelines and natural wetland landscapes. Maumee Bay State Park Campground provides spacious, private tent sites with adequate separation between campers. Fox's Den Campground in Put-in-Bay offers seasonal tent camping from May through November, while Farnsworth Campground features walk-in tent sites with access to drinking water, fire rings, and picnic tables.

Tent camping areas near Put-in-Bay feature varying levels of amenities and terrain. Campsites at Maumee Bay State Park include electric hookups, fire rings, and picnic tables, with many sites separated by natural vegetation for privacy. Most campgrounds maintain vault toilets and some offer shower facilities. Fox's Den Campground provides more basic facilities with electric hookups, showers, and toilets but lacks drinking water access on-site. Seasonal considerations are important as most tent campgrounds in the area operate from spring through fall, with some closing as early as November 1st.

The tent camping experience near Put-in-Bay offers diverse recreational opportunities. Areas around Maumee Bay feature extensive trail systems ideal for hiking and biking, with boardwalks through marsh habitats providing excellent wildlife viewing. Many tent sites provide access to Lake Erie beaches and inland waterways suitable for paddling and fishing. One camper noted that "sites are spaced far enough apart and usually with a divider of trees or bushes between sites to give you a little more privacy than most campgrounds." At Maumee Bay, tent campers appreciate the thoughtful site design that incorporates natural vegetation barriers, enhancing the feeling of seclusion despite the campground's popularity. For tent campers without self-contained facilities, site selection should consider distance to bathhouses.

Best Tent Sites Near Put-in-Bay, Ohio (8)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Put-in-Bay, OH

6 Photos of 8 Put-in-Bay Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Put-in-Bay, OH

385 Reviews of 8 Put-in-Bay Campgrounds


  • R
    May. 3, 2021

    South Bass Island State Park Campground

    Perfect Ohio Oasis

    We camp here at the beginning and end of the season where the bars are less crowded and the campground isn’t as booked.

    These lakeside campsites are stunning and even the one tucked further into the park have a lot of options too. From open areas where it would be fun to book a couple sites with friends, and some secluded for more privacy.

    We always stay lakeside because you cannot beat the view! We’ve stayed 103 and 114!

    One hint: be we are on the cliffs of Lake Erie, some sites you might have to hunt for soft ground to stake your tent.

  • Amanda S.
    Aug. 22, 2021

    Kelleys Island State Park Campground

    Spoiled Diamond in the Rough

    I have been coming up to Kelleys Island for 39yrs and this year really tested my happiness. The campground has gone through quite a bit of changes over the last couple years and it's not entirely for the better. We stayed on the water front site directly next to the trail for the public beach. I do not recommend this site unless you want everyone to walk through the site at any time all day long. People do not respect quiet hours and leave their porch lights on in the cabins that now sit on the water front. There used to be VIPs that cleaned the park everyday and maintained everything. Not anymore and the park seems a little less friendly now. Golf carts are or were prohibited from entering the campground but now drive around the park all day long creating quite the ruckus and disturbing the beauty of nature. The bathrooms did get an upgrade of fixtures and super bright LED lights, but they took out the ADA accessible showers that had detachable shower heads and a bench to sit on in the shower. This beautiful well kept secret feels a lot like it's sister island Put-in-Bay now with all the rules stripped no care for the environment with partying all day. We did however have beautiful weather the entire time we were there. The site was clean but we noticed a lot of trees had been lost over the years and our camper sat in full sun all day long. They have replanted a tree that will cover the parking pad with shade in probably 10 years. The stairs to get to the public beach we decaying railroad ties that need some TLC but work. The dumpstation has moved to back of the campground by the old pet section which is nice and keeps the noise away from the rest of the park. They also stripped the Ranger program and no longer offer education hikes, movie nights, island history hikes, or the nature program. These were all favorites of mine as a child and made me appreciate the island more.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 1, 2021

    East Harbor State Park Campground

    May-June 2019

    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. Also watching the sun set and rise on the beach/ swimming area was a great experience. The location of the camp ground puts you right on Lake Erie and close to great locations such as Put in Bay, Kelly’s island and cedar point.

  • Skooma M.
    Jun. 24, 2022

    Findley State Park Campground

    Organized Group Site 2

    It was difficult to find pictures or reviews of the Findlay group sites. It honestly seemed to me that they didn't exist, so I thought I'd do the service of taking some pictures.

    The group sites are away from the main campsites, so you should have plenty of space for your group to set up and enough distance between them to not disturb the peace if you have a large group. OGA2 is heavily forested, I'm not sure about OGA1. There are plenty of trees so both hammock and tent campers should be accommodated. The fire pit is large and there are 4 picnic tables.

    The campsite is about 75 yards from the parking area, and there is a vault toilet right before the parking area.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 14, 2025

    Maumee Bay State Park Campground

    Very close to Toledo but you'd never know it!

    General: Large state park with 256 campsites, all with electric (20-30-50 amp) hookups. Sites 1-11 and 21-29 have full hookups (water, sewer, electric). Also, there are a lodge and cabins. The park is very well maintained. This park is close to Toledo and within spitting distance of several refineries although you’d never know it! 

    Site Quality: 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. All camper pads are paved and long enough to accommodate large RVs. Some have concrete pads for picnic tables, although the sites in our loop did not. A wooden picnic table and fire ring complete each site. 

    Restroom/Shower house: Very clean, however, bathhouses are shared between two loops. Each bathhouse only has two shower stalls, which may necessitate a wait when the campground is full. A hook and a small bench but nowhere to put soap/shampoo in the shower. Good warm water. 

    Activities/Amenities: 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. A beautiful and extensive boardwalk constructed by the Ohio Civilian Conservation Corps is available only for foot traffic. Bike rentals are available. A small camp store. Laundry facilities. Donuts and muffins on the weekends. Several playgrounds. Bird houses and feeders are located throughout the park and especially in the spring, you can hear many varieties of birds chirping (however, you will also experience the by-products of so many birds!). Excellent cell service (Verizon). There is also a dump station.

    There was a warning that due to the proximity to an urban area campers, bikes, etc. should be locked up but I didn't feel that vibe.

    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. There were many empty campsites when we were there during the week in May (the week before Memorial Day); we very much enjoyed our stay both times!

  • not S.
    Aug. 5, 2022

    East Harbor State Park Campground

    Lake Erie travels

    We tent-camped in well-shaded loop D, which is a non-electric tent area. Loop D is much smaller and more private than the larger non-electric area (loop A). If you're in a camper, then the area next to loop A (loop B)  is your best bet for shade. We loved our stay here. It's a great base camp for exploring the area and the beach is just a short drive. I wish the bathrooms in the non-electric loop were updated,  but they were cleaned on a daily basis. Daily nature programs for kids at the campground 's excellent nature center were great. Take the ferry to Put-in-Bay while you're at East Harbor, or take a road trip to the Mad River & NKP train museum in Bellevue.

  • Simone N.
    Jul. 17, 2018

    Sandusky-Bayshore KOA

    Great "base camp" location

    The campground was in pretty good shape. It's location is amazing for getting around the area. We took trips to Vermillion, Put-in-Bay and Cedar Point. All within about 30 - 60 minutes of driving. The restrooms could use updating, but apart from that it's a really great campground.

  • Victoria B.
    Jun. 5, 2020

    South Bass Island State Park Campground

    Camping on the cliff—a great get-away

    I recently camped here at South Bass Island State Park. Because of current Covid-19 restrictions, the campground was pretty empty (which I hear is very unusual for summertime). I camped in a tent-only site on the edge of the 25 foot cliff. Great for adults, but no safety barrier for young children.  Campsite #97 and#99 have fire rings right on the cliff. (I camped at #99.)

    The facilities at the campground are clean and well maintained and the people who work at the camp store are friendly.

    The campground is well shaded with mature trees throughout and it over looks Lake Erie to the West making for great views of the sunset. Some sites are right on top of each other and others are well spread out.

  • K
    Aug. 20, 2020

    Findley State Park Campground

    Clean and great hiking

    Findley state park is well maintained large park! We can easily get lost on 3 mile hikes in the woods and still be on marked paths! The roads are paved and excellent for biking and skating. About half the sites are for tent or dry camping. Half have electric and a few of those have full hookups. We have enjoyed the shade at our site this week and the space between us and our neighbors.

    Shower houses are clean. Canoes and kayaks are available for renting. Many musicians set up camp and would jam out for some live evening music! Everyone was so nice at the campground. We enjoyed our stay.


Guide to Put-in-Bay

Tent camping near Put-in-Bay, Ohio, offers a delightful escape into nature with a variety of campgrounds that cater to outdoor enthusiasts. From well-equipped sites to scenic surroundings, there's something for everyone.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

Local activities to enjoy

  • Explore the paved bike paths at Maumee Bay State Park Campground, perfect for cycling enthusiasts looking to enjoy the outdoors.
  • Kayaking and fishing opportunities abound near Rockland Lake, making it an ideal spot for water lovers.
  • Take a short drive to Portageview Campground for a peaceful retreat surrounded by nature, perfect for hiking and wildlife watching.

Some prices for tent camping range from $20 to $40

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Put-in-Bay, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Put-in-Bay, OH is Maumee Bay State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 41 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Put-in-Bay, OH?

TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near Put-in-Bay, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.