The St. Henry area of western Ohio offers several RV camping options within a 30-mile radius, with campgrounds scattered across the rural landscape. Most sites in this region sit at elevations between 850-950 feet, creating relatively flat camping terrain throughout Mercer and surrounding counties. Seasonal considerations include hot, humid summers with frequent thunderstorms and mild to cold winters that typically close seasonal campgrounds from November through March.
What to do
Swimming and water recreation: Natural Springs Resort features a spring-fed quarry with exceptionally clear water that stays cool even in summer. "The lake is nice and clear, pretty cold (would love to feel it in August or September). Fun to jump into and overall pretty," notes one visitor to Natural Springs Resort.
Fishing spots: Several campgrounds offer accessible fishing opportunities without requiring special permits. At Welcome Woods RV Campgrounds, you can fish at nearby Indian Lake, just a 10-minute drive away. One camper mentioned: "This is a nice little campsite about 10 min from Indian lake beach."
Weekend activities: Poor Farmer's Campground schedules regular weekend events during summer months. A visitor mentioned that "They usually have a lot of activities for the weekends planned," making it a good option for those looking for organized recreation.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Some campgrounds offer roomier sites than others. At Poor Farmer's Campground, visitors appreciate the layout: "Clean family oriented and spacious. Well run facility w good restrooms and showers plus electri hook up per site. Out in farm country so very little light pollution overall."
Kid-friendly features: Natural springs and streams provide natural play areas at some locations. "A stream that runs through the campground is nice for the kids to play in when it's too hot for them on the play ground," reports one camper about Poor Farmer's Campground.
Clean facilities: Dayton KOA Holiday, though farther from St. Henry, maintains well-kept grounds and amenities. "Excellent rural setting. One of the nicer KOAs. Great staff and facilities. Mostly level sites. Grass, trees, and a pond all very well maintained," notes a visitor to Dayton KOA Holiday.
What you should know
Campground management: Some locations have experienced ownership changes affecting quality. "The new owners of Stillwater Beach does not care about the local community nor do they care about family values. They are only interested in lining their own pockets with your hard earned money," warns a reviewer about Stillwater Beach Campground.
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies significantly between properties. At Welcome Woods RV Campgrounds, a camper reports: "The worst part for me were the bathrooms. The bathrooms come in two varieties. One is a outhouse type room it's a concrete 'toilet' with a toilet seat on it that drops into a hole in the ground and the other is a porta potty."
Site spacing: Some RV campgrounds near St. Henry, Ohio pack sites closely together. A visitor to Natural Springs Resort cautions: "If you like your awning to touch your neighbor's camper then this place is for you."
Tips for camping with families
Pool availability: Check pool hours before planning your stay if swimming is important. At Stillwater Beach Campground, one visitor complained: "POOL IS NEVER OPEN WHEN PEOPLE WHO WORK CAN USE IT DURING THE WEEK. WHAT AVERAGE PERSON CAN USE THE POOL FROM 12-5?"
Playground options: Some campgrounds offer better play structures than others. At Natural Springs Resort, a family noted: "Newer playground structure, but for younger kids - no swings."
Unexpected charges: Some advertised amenities may cost extra. Natural Springs visitors mentioned: "Wibit should be included or at least offer 1/2 hour slots," referring to the water play equipment that requires additional fees.
Tips from RVers
Travel connections: For overnight travelers, Love's RV Hookup locations provide convenient stops with basic amenities. A traveler at Love's RV Hookup-Bellefontaine noted: "A little loud at times. Hardee's restaurant is a different option for meals."
Site differences: At Natural Springs Resort, experienced RVers recommend requesting specific areas. "Full service campground. 30, 50 am full hook ups. Water and electric only hook ups, primitive RV and tent sites. Some sites are shaded, most of them seem to be year round rented. Most sites not shaded and small."
Seasonal timing: RV campgrounds around St. Henry, Ohio vary in seasonal operations. Dayton KOA Holiday typically opens April through November, while several smaller private campgrounds operate May through October with limited off-season availability.
