Best Campgrounds near St. Marys, OH
Campers can find multiple camping areas near St. Marys, Ohio with options ranging from established state parks to private campgrounds. Grand Lake St. Marys State Park offers tent, RV, cabin, and glamping accommodations with full hookup sites and amenities including showers, drinking water, and picnic tables. Lake Loramie State Park Campground, located about 15 miles southeast of St. Marys, provides similar accommodation types with boat-in access and hiking trails. According to The Dyrt, several private campgrounds like River Trail Campground and Wapakoneta KOA supplement the public options with additional amenities and seasonal availability.
Camping availability in the region typically runs from April through October, with some campgrounds like Grand Lake St. Marys and Lake Loramie State Parks remaining open year-round. Most established campgrounds require reservations, especially during summer weekends and holidays. Water access is a significant feature of camping in this area, with many sites offering proximity to Grand Lake St. Marys or Lake Loramie for boating, fishing, and swimming. However, water quality concerns occasionally affect recreational activities, particularly at Grand Lake St. Marys. As one camper noted, "The lake is so big, it was like being on the ocean! Could not swim in the water due to contamination which they have spent millions to repair and is slowly on the up and up."
Several visitors mentioned the family-friendly nature of campgrounds in the area, with amenities like playgrounds, swimming pools, and organized activities. Campsite privacy varies significantly between locations, with some offering wooded sites while others feature more open layouts. A camper reviewing Lake Loramie State Park wrote, "Relax on the waters edge in shear tranquility. Perfect beach for swimming, excellent trails for hiking, and awesome lake to boat." Campground density tends to be higher during summer months, particularly at waterfront sites. For those seeking more seclusion, primitive camping options exist along sections of the Buckeye Trail, including an Adirondack shelter between Points 6 and 7 on the St. Mary's Section that accommodates up to six people and features a stone fireplace.
