Best Tent Camping near St. Marys, OH

Tent camping options near St. Marys, Ohio include both established campgrounds and primitive sites along hiking trails. The St. Mary's Section of the Buckeye Trail offers free primitive tent camping at an Adirondack shelter between Points 6 and 7, accessible only by hiking in. On Cedar Pond provides a more developed alternative with just two tent sites featuring amenities like drinking water, electric hookups, picnic tables, and shower facilities.

Primitive tent setups along the Buckeye Trail require proper preparation as facilities are minimal. The Adirondack shelter can accommodate up to six people sleeping off the ground and includes a stone fireplace for cooking and warmth. Deadfall from surrounding trees provides kindling and fuel for fires. For those seeking more amenities, On Cedar Pond offers reservable sites with standard campground facilities including toilets and trash disposal, though these are not free. Saulisberry Park Campground provides another option with electric hookups and picnic tables, but lacks shower facilities.

The tent camping experience varies significantly between locations. The Buckeye Trail shelter sits approximately 10 miles from trailheads at Lockington or Fort Loramie, making it ideal for breaking up a two-day backpacking trip. One camper noted that "you cannot miss it as you go along the trail" and appreciated being able to "drop the tent" while learning to backpack the Buckeye Trail. This shelter represents a practical first step toward backpacking without carrying the full physical load of tent gear. For those preferring more comfort, On Cedar Pond offers a scenic setting that one visitor described as "beautiful" with an "amazing" stay. Most tent sites in the region require advance planning regarding water sources and waste disposal.

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Best Tent Sites Near St. Marys, Ohio (4)

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Tent Camping Reviews near St. Marys, OH

172 Reviews of 4 St. Marys Campgrounds


  • Napunani
    Jun. 26, 2022

    Indian Lake State Park Campground

    FHUs Sites in a field

    PROS 

    Able to reserve 144 days prior to arriving 

    Very nice campground but the design leaves a lot to be desired 

    Friendly camp hosts who were busy picking up trash in common areas and cleaning sites Moveable picnic table 

    Metal fire ring with cooking grate 

    Site D45 level asphalt parking pad surrounded by grass 

    Great view of lake from D loop; some had water access at rear of site 

    Quiet except for campground party animals who kept it going into the wee hours of the morning 

    Coin-operated laundromats in non FHU loops $1.50 wash and $1 dry 

    Free WIFI available and able to connect at campsite 

    Dump Stations at Park exit have complimentary hoses 

    Camp store sells hard dipped ice cream 

    14 miles from the Airstream Service Center in Jackson Center 

    CONS 

    No senior discount

    $6.50 reservation fee for self made on-line reservation 

    Basically the FHU loops are out in a field…no privacy from neighbors and no shade what so ever 

    Grass around sites desperately needed mowed, if you could get thru the large mud puddles 

    FHU loop D has narrow roads and require driving on grass to back in trailer and some campers in other sites had to move their vehicles 

    Short length of campsite required creative parking of tow vehicle 

    Damn Canadian Geese poop every...what a mess! 

    Site number on electric utility box 

    FHU sewer connection at the back of the campsite so bring the looooong stinky slinky FHU loop D had tiny toilet building, but no showers; showers were in non-FHU loops 

    No entry gate personnel on a Friday afternoon to accomplish check-in. Went to park office next morning and was informed no check in required prior to Memorial Day. Never saw a Park ranger driving thru campground

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Indian Lake State Park Campground

    Lots of sites

    Our pad was not level front to back so we had to adjust a little bit. The fire ring was nice but our picnic table was beat up. I went to move it and the seat pulled right off. We stayed on a Sunday night so it wasn’t packed. There are a ton of sites. Some had great shade and others didn’t have any at all. The bathrooms were flush toilets and they did have shower houses too. The camp store is really big and it’s right next to their pool. They have a dog park, place to dock your boat and a small beach. I would imagine this would be a pretty busy during the summer.

  • Andrea F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 30, 2020

    Grand Lake St. Marys State Park — Grand Lake St Marys State Park

    Off Season and No Water

    We love camping in the off season but with that comes closures. Some sections of the campgrounds might not be open, no camp hosts and limited bathrooms and showers houses. This is to be expected, but when I called the morning of our trip to make sure potable water was available and I was told yes it was only to drive 2 hours and realized they were wrong. No water 🙁. This would not have been a peas we have dry camped before but all the bathrooms were closed as well.

    After called the park ranger he did let us get some water at the maintenance building so we were at least able to finish the weekend. Lesson learned always pull with at least some water.

    Now back to the campground itself was nice and clean. Site are a little close together. The biggest down side is you are there to enjoy the lake but the lake had algae warnings everywhere not to go near the water.

    They do have a dog park, pool and splash pad when in season and a marina. Also they have WiFi and good cell coverage.

  • J
    Aug. 21, 2024

    Sun Valley Family Campground

    Clean facilities, poor book keeping

    Making the reservation didn’t go very smooth, the person taking the information didn’t sound like they knew what they were doing… They charged our credit card, and lost our reservation, however they did honor our word and allowed us to camp. The bathrooms and showers were clean. The camping area had portable toilets that were clean! For just overnight it was OK, not a place I would vacation at.

  • Jonathan W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 24, 2019

    St. Mary's Section - Buckeye Trail (Points 6-7)

    On the trail Adirondack shelter

    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. You can drop the tent on this portion! This Adirondack shelter, located between Points 6 and 7 on the St. Mary's Section of the Buckeye Trail, 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. You cannot miss it as you go along the trail. There is a fireplace (stone, make sure you check that the chimney is not blocked) large enough to cook your hotdogs and keep you happy as you sit in the shelter.  There is deadfall from the trees around you that will serve as kindling and fuel for the fire.  If you start in Lockington or Fort Loramie, this shelter is approximately 10 miles in and the right place to break a two-day backpacking trip.

  • R
    Aug. 19, 2019

    Wapakoneta KOA

    Nice little weekend getaway

    Stayed 2 nights here. Had a back-in, water/electric spot that was roomy as we were on an end. Wood deck, picnic table, and fire ring included. Very well kept grounds, friendly staff, and all-around good atmosphere.

  • R
    Jul. 19, 2023

    Ouabache State Park Campground

    Camp sites are tiny

    Camp sites are tiny. We had site 88 and it was supposed to be full shade. It was full sun and they have it set up so the camp side of the trailer faces the road. The fire pit is also three feet from the road. Who wants to have a fire next to the road?

  • Scott W.
    Jul. 7, 2019

    Woodbrige Campground

    Bleh

    Kids and I enjoyed our time visiting friends however being to sites away from the pavilion and the band the campground provided going well past quiet hours. Let a dirty taste in my mouth for the rest of our stay

  • Megan M.
    Sep. 6, 2018

    Kiser Lake State Park Campground

    Beautiful lake, no running water, feral cats

    This park has a beautiful lake and nice (although short) hiking trails. The problem is that there is no running water- no showers and smelly pit toilets. There is one spigot for drinking water.

    Beware that the campsites are mostly in one big grassy field with no shade. I'd pick a site along the perimeter or along the lake.

    This park is overrun with feral cats (or it was when I was there). Some people might think that is cute. I consider feral cats to be wild animals that carry disease. What's really bad about them is that they've been fed so they are comfortable around people. We spent the whole weekend trying to fend them off- every time our backs were turned, they jumped up on our picnic table. They ate our food, which we had to throw away. When we sat by the fire, they rubbed up against our legs, which is disgusting, considering they carry Bartonella, which is transmitted through their fleas and ticks (Bartonella is a co-infection of Lyme, or you can get it on its own. I know- I've had it since middle school. Feral cats probably carry Lyme too, as they are mammals). I can't express how stressful it was, trying to keep these wild cats away from us the entire weekend. I don't know why the park can't get them under control.

    Sure, cat people will be offended by my statement, but would you want raccoons or skunks up on your table, eating out of your pots and pans? Would you want raccoons rubbing up against you while you are trying to relax? These cats are also wild animals, yet way too tame for comfort. Ugh,I shudder remembering it.


Guide to St. Marys

Tent camping near St. Marys, Ohio, offers a variety of scenic spots and unique experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several options to explore.

Tent campers should check out the beautiful amenities

  • Enjoy the comforts of nature at On Cedar Pond, where you can find drinking water, electric hookups, and even showers to enhance your camping experience.

Explore local activities along the Buckeye Trail

Discover nearby attractions for a fun-filled stay

  • Visit the serene surroundings of Saulisberry Park Campground, where you can enjoy tent camping with access to picnic tables and a sanitary dump station, making it a convenient spot for families.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near St. Marys, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near St. Marys, OH is St. Mary's Section - Buckeye Trail (Points 6-7) with a 4-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near St. Marys, OH?

TheDyrt.com has all 4 tent camping locations near St. Marys, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.