7 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Tent camping options near Ridgeway, Ohio include several established campgrounds within a 30-mile radius that accommodate tent campers seeking both primitive and developed sites. Saulisberry Park Campground in Kenton offers tent sites with electric hookups and picnic tables, while the St. Mary's Section of the Buckeye Trail provides walk-in tent sites for backpackers. On Cedar Pond, located about 40 miles southwest of Ridgeway, features two tent campsites with drive-in access in a more secluded setting. Tee Pee Family Campground in Upper Sandusky, operating seasonally from May through November, provides additional tent camping opportunities with more amenities.
Most tent campsites in the Ridgeway area feature flat, grassy terrain with minimal grading. Facilities vary significantly between locations, with Tee Pee Family Campground offering drinking water, showers, and toilets, while the Buckeye Trail sites are primitive with no facilities beyond fire rings. Campers should note that Saulisberry Park does not provide showers, though it does offer electric hookups and trash service. Fire regulations are generally permissive at most sites, with fires allowed at Saulisberry Park, On Cedar Pond, and along the Buckeye Trail, though campers must bring their own firewood to Saulisberry as none is available for purchase.
Tent campers seeking backcountry experiences gravitate toward the St. Mary's Section of the Buckeye Trail, where an Adirondack shelter located between Points 6 and 7 offers an alternative to tent camping. According to reviews, this shelter "is large enough for six to sleep comfortably off the ground" and includes a stone fireplace. For those preferring established campgrounds, visitors to Tee Pee Family Campground note that "sites are close together" with fire pits positioned "less than 3 feet away from the next camper," making it less ideal for those seeking solitude. On Cedar Pond receives positive feedback for its beauty and intimate setting with just two tent sites, providing a more private tent camping experience than the larger, more developed campgrounds in the region.
"The bad- No Wi-Fi Sites are close together. Our fire pit is less than 3 feet away from the next camper. Playgrounds for the kids are very weak."
from $45 - $50 / night
Check Availability"You're learning to backpack the Buckeye Trail, and you want to take the first steps towards that without worrying about the physical load you're going to have to carry."
LegendThis was our first time here. We only stayed one night as we were on our way to Indiana. We were on site 16 which was right next to the Parks building and one of the camp host and right across the street from a playground. It was a short walk to the shower house and the campground itself was very clean and well taken care of. At the back of our site it was like a big giant backyard and it led to the canal.
RangerGreat camping. It’s smaller but most sites are great. There is a lot of site that are on water or close to water. Very clean and well maintained . This is perfect for fishing, boating and kayaks.
ScoutRight close to Columbus this campground is a staple for locals trying to just get away for the weekend. There is an amphitheater, a camper’s beach, nature center, and more all within the campground. Alum creek state park is a larger facility surrounding the campground with a public beach, walking paths, mountain bike trails, archery range, hunting areas, boat marina and more. The public beach is rather gravelly but has nice shower houses and grills available. We are attending during fall fest where they put on many activities for the campers and it is a lot of fun. You have to reserve 6 months in advance to be able to get in on fall fest unless there is a last minute cancellation. Our site is relatively flat parking, we didn’t need to level the rig. It did rain the morning we got here and the area around the fire pit was a bit muddy. The view out the back of this camp site is nice and wooded, you’re not looking at your neighbors out the back window. The sides you can definitely see each other but it’s still wooded and secluded enough between the sites here.
RangerGreat campground. My favorite is each loop has their own shower house! Nice playgrounds for kids. Nice private sites. Lots of woods and trails. Good lake for boating fishing and kayaking. Park is very clean and well maintained. They have a kids fishing pond! It’s also great for biking.
GuideEarly evening online reservation..a tad challenging finding the site upon our arrival but we managed ok......decent site near pool, fairly level, safe, secure,clean bath house, reasonably priced for an out of state visitor. Highly recommend....Would visit again if I pass through this region in the future
TravelerTight
ScoutOur stay was in an RV Sept 2026. I had specifically requested and paid extra for a spot on the fishing pond to fish. Not only was there a lot of long-term campers at this resort, but the fishing pond was covered in duck weed over 3/4 of the water where my site was at, and on the day we left it was 100% covered with duck week. The duck week invasion was not mentioned to me when I called and made the reservation to be on the water. In fairness, I will say I caught some fish at the clear end of the pond before it was 100% covered.
The park itself was clean, quiet and decent. The staff were very nice. The Aqua fun zones water is not clear blue as advertised, it is murky, the 9 hole mini golf is outdated and should be called mini-mini golf as it is very small. The swimming pool and playground were as advertised. I cannot answer to the other amenities as I did not see or utilize them.
In conclusion, this campground could benefit greatly from some updating especially of the amenities as they are not what the pictures portray.
LegendMy husband and I had an overnight stay here on our way to Indy. Sites were level and easy to navigate, with fire rings and picnic tables. Lots of trees and trails. Though the majestic pines were tall, they offered little for privacy. Bathrooms were clean and showers were free. However, the touchless feature made showering difficult as you have to stand directly in front of the sensor to keep the water running which means you must bear the cold water until it heats up. Neither of us had an enjoyable shower experience. Playground for the kiddos and a volleyball court. All around a nice stay.
RangerThis one is the closest to home! We love it here. Great Lake/reservoir for boating, kayaking swimming and fishing. Two Nice shower houses. Playground. Camp store! Updated fhu sites. Has a good size marina with Store in nature Center. Park is great for riding bikes.
Tent camping near Ridgeway, Ohio offers options across varied terrain in north-central Ohio, where the landscape transitions from flat farmland to gentle rolling hills. The region experiences distinct seasons with warm summers reaching 85°F and cold winters dropping below 20°F. Most campgrounds in this area sit at elevations between 900-1100 feet above sea level, creating moderate drainage conditions at most tent sites.
Fishing opportunities: On Cedar Pond provides access to a stocked pond where tent campers can fish directly from their campsite. A visitor noted, "The stay was amazing! So beautiful" while enjoying the intimate setting with just two tent sites.
Water recreation: Tee Pee Family Campground features a swimming pond with recreational features that appeal to families. According to one camper, "The pond was fantastic. Has a large inflatable slide and a dock that you can jump off of in the middle. Kids loved it."
Hiking trails: St. Mary's Section - Buckeye Trail offers backpacking opportunities with trail-accessible camping. This section provides approximately 10 miles of hiking between Lockington and Fort Loramie, making it ideal for weekend backpacking trips.
Shelter options: The Adirondack shelter on the St. Mary's Section of the Buckeye Trail provides an alternative to tent camping. One backpacker shared that it "is perfect for you. Built as an Eagle Scout project by Parker and Keaton Cole of Troop 95 (in Sidney), it is large enough for six or to sleep comfortably off the ground."
Swimming amenities: Families consistently mention the swimming opportunities at On Cedar Pond, which offers a more secluded alternative to the larger campgrounds in the region.
Convenient locations: Tent sites at Saulisberry Park Campground provide electric hookups within a 30-minute drive of Ridgeway, making it practical for weekend getaways without traveling far from town.
Limited facilities: Many tent camping areas near Ridgeway have minimal amenities. The Buckeye Trail camping area has no facilities beyond a fireplace in the shelter, requiring backpackers to "make sure you check that the chimney is not blocked" before starting a fire.
Reservation requirements: Clearfork Marina & Campground requires advance booking during peak summer months (June-August) when sites fill quickly, especially on weekends.
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds in the Ridgeway area operate seasonally, with Tee Pee Family Campground specifically open "May 1 to November 1," requiring tent campers to plan accordingly during the shoulder seasons.
Water recreation planning: Schedule swimming activities at Tee Pee Family Campground in morning hours when the pond is less crowded. One family noted the inflatable water features were especially popular with children who "loved it" despite the campground being "just meh" in other aspects.
Playground limitations: When camping with children at Kamp-A-Lott, bring additional recreational equipment as playground facilities at many campgrounds in the area are minimal. Tee Pee Family Campground has "very weak" playgrounds with "just a few swing sets but that's about it."
Bathroom accessibility: Position tents strategically at larger campgrounds like Tee Pee Family Campground, where there are only "2 bathhouses for the entire campground. And it's a decent walk to get to them if you are just there for a weekend."
Site spacing awareness: At Tee Pee Family Campground, RVers should note the proximity between sites, as one camper mentioned, "Sites are close together. Our fire pit is less than 3 feet away from the next camper."
Wi-Fi connectivity: Bring alternative connectivity options when camping near Ridgeway as several campgrounds have limited or no Wi-Fi service. A camper at Tee Pee Family Campground specifically mentioned "No Wi-Fi" as one of the drawbacks.
Golf cart traffic: Be prepared for considerable vehicle movement at certain campgrounds, as Tee Pee Family Campground "consists of a lot of permanent sites and a LOT of golf carts going around all throughout the day," which can affect the camping experience for those seeking quieter surroundings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Ridgeway, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Ridgeway, OH is Saulisberry Park Campground with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Ridgeway, OH?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 tent camping locations near Ridgeway, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
