East Harbor State Park Campground
East harbor State campground
Very nice with everything you expect from a state run campground 👍👍👍👍
133 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds around Spencer, Ohio feature a blend of developed facilities and rustic settings in the northeastern Ohio countryside. Sunset Lake Campground, located in Spencer, offers tent, RV, and cabin accommodations with amenities including water and electric hookups, sanitary dump stations, and picnic tables. Within a short drive, visitors can access additional options like Findley State Park Campground in Wellington and American Wilderness Campground in Grafton, both providing mixed-use camping areas for tents, RVs, and cabin rentals. Most established campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, typically from April or May through mid-October.
Many campgrounds near Spencer require advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays when sites fill quickly. The relatively flat terrain makes access straightforward for most vehicles, with paved and gravel roads leading to most developed facilities. Seasonal operation is a key consideration for planning trips to the area. As one camper noted, "This trip was memorable for so many reasons but the Chestnuts really make this park stand out." Weather patterns in northeastern Ohio bring humid summers with temperatures typically in the 70s-80s°F and cold winters that limit camping options. Most facilities offer basic amenities including drinking water, restrooms, and fire rings, though availability varies by location.
Campers frequently mention the wooded settings and lake access as highlights of the Spencer area camping experience. Findley State Park, about 7 miles from Spencer, receives particular attention for its lake activities and natural features. A visitor commented that it provides "a quiet, wooded retreat with all the amenities" including "fishing, canoeing, and kayaking" opportunities. Many campgrounds in the region feature forested settings with varying degrees of privacy between sites. Electric hookups are common at developed campgrounds, though several also maintain primitive tent-only areas for those seeking a more rustic experience. Family-friendly amenities such as playgrounds, camp stores, and organized activities are available at larger established campgrounds, while smaller facilities tend to focus on peace and quiet in natural settings.
"Beware, the sites are close to these roads and quite shallow, but because each road dead ends in a cul de sac, traffic is very light, even when the campground is full, as when we visited."
"Lots of walking trails, lots of nature. Once off my favorite local ohio parks."
from $29 - $52 / night
Check Availability"We had nice woods behind us, neighbors to the right and vacancy on the left (jackpot)."
"Drive in sites are set back & not near the lake. They have back in & drive through sites. There is a small store. It is close to Cleveland & has Good Sam discount."
from $35 - $69 / night
Check Availability"A nice lake for swimming & catch/release fishing. Sites very close to each other."
"No Wi-Fi upon the swim in or walk the grounds"
from $50 - $70 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $39 - $79 / night
Check Availability"Fishing lake and swimming lake are separate. Multiple bathroom/shower locations. Game room, snack pavilion and general store."
"Good price very kid friendly , swimming lake and a pool, also a fishing lake. Mostly RV but some tent. Old campground"
from $35 - $65 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $33 - $999 / night
Check Availability"Happy with this campground we just moved out here from utah and this is our first time out with the 5th wheel in Ohio."
"You aren’t allowed to walk a dog around the park which was a very odd rule. Had to stay at your site."
from $45 - $50 / night
Check Availability"There are three fishing lakes, one for boating, a pool, weekly cornhole tournaments, horseshoes, a small playground, and activities planned (at least when Covid is under control.)"












Very nice with everything you expect from a state run campground 👍👍👍👍
We didn’t engage in the many things to do. We are using it as a base camp to go to a Guardians game, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
On the weekend when it was pretty full, it was tight quarters and this you can hear lots of people. We kinda gave up having a quiet night and went inside the camper. Now it is not the weekend and very few people around. Seasonal are all together, transients grouped together.
Did get Hershey’s ice cream at their arcade.
Although it was a full house it was pretty peaceful and quiet at night. The beaches and picnic areas down by the water are great! Saturdays are busy.
We paid $25 for the night and it was definitely worth it! Beautiful grassy area with spacious sites. There were clean porta potties, potable water, dump stations, and also a working restroom but we didn’t try it so not sure what that was like. Great cell service and data connection. Only ~15 minutes drive from Cuyahoga! Overall lovely campsite would 100% recommend!
We came when there had been a lot of rain, the original site we had reserved had a lot of standing water and mud and a big drop off the paved area, so we asked if we could switch. For a $6 change fee we were able to move. They do have some full hookup sites, but those are hard to come by. It is a huge campgeound and the sites are all very close to one another. The bathrooms were clean, I didn't use the showers, but they looked clean. They had a small, simple laundry facility that worked as needed. The hiking in the park wasn't too exciting. There is a disk golf course wr checked out, but it was pretty rainy off and on during our stay so we didn't play. Biking within the Park was good, with some well laid out paths. Overall nothing too exciting, but very adequate for what we needed to explore a little of what Lake Erie has to offer.
We had to leave in the middle of the night due to a bed bug infestation. We let staff know we were putting our belongings out side and would come back in the morning. When we came back in the morning the owner would not issue a refund and instead insulted us. The whole situation was so unbelievably weird. I wish I would've read through all the reviews before booking. This seems to be an ongoing issue with them and the owner couldnt be less bothered. People like him are the reason Ohio bed bug issue will remain a problem! What we thought was going to be relaxed getaway turned out to be a very expensive nightmare. The craziest part of it all is this happend Friday evening/ Saturday morning and as of Monday he is already trying to rent that same cabin out to another family on camping sites. Don't go to Camp Sandusky. Its not worth it. I hope this helps someone!
Not a safe environment for children. The little man at the desk is ok with it too, he claims he kicked us all out but my video I took when confronting him on the situation differs. He also keeps deleting reviews and replying back with blatant lies. If you read through the negative reviews you can see he can’t admit when he’s wrong, it’s always everyone else who’s wrong. I don’t want money back from this joke of a campground and I don’t care what the owner has to say. What I want is to save everyone else from wasting a perfectly good camping trip on a trashy place. It was so bad we DECIDED on our own to leave and camp elsewhere. Aside from the sketchy seasonal campers, the amenities also are trash. The pond is all muck, sites are water and electric only with dirt pads. I have never seen such a hillbilly set up. The pool is ok. Dump station was probably my favorite amenity, dumping our tanks to leave that place! But even that is set up at the entrance so when dumping you can block the incoming campers. I will never be back to this place, let me verify with the video I took, WE WERE NOT KICKED OUT. We left on our own because our CHILDREN DID NOT FEEL SAFE!
Not a safe environment for children. The little man at the desk is ok with it too, he claims he kicked us all out but my video I took when confronting him on the situation differs. He also keeps deleting reviews and replying back with blatant lies. If you read through the negative reviews you can see he can’t admit when he’s wrong, it’s always everyone else who’s wrong. I don’t want money back from this joke of a campground and I don’t care what the owner has to say. What I want is to save everyone else from wasting a perfectly good camping trip on a trashy place. It was so bad we DECIDED on our own to leave and camp elsewhere. Aside from the sketchy seasonal campers, the amenities also are trash. The pond is all muck, sites are water and electric only with dirt pads. I have never seen such a hillbilly set up. The pool is ok. Dump station was probably my favorite amenity, dumping our tanks to leave that place! But even that is set up at the entrance so when dumping you can block the incoming campers. I will never be back to this place, let me verify with the video I took, WE WERE NOT KICKED OUT. We left on our own because our CHILDREN DID NOT FEEL SAFE!
Second time here. Quiet, except for the birds chirping.
Only 3 other campsites in use on an August weekend.
Water and pit toilet.
Enough At&t cell service to connect, but it's not great.
Camping sites near Spencer, Ohio feature a mix of privately-operated and state-run facilities across the gently rolling countryside of Medina and Lorain counties. The area sits at elevations between 900-1,100 feet with summer temperatures typically ranging from 60-85°F and frequent afternoon thunderstorms from June through August. Most campgrounds in this region offer seasonal operation from mid-April through mid-October, with limited winter availability.
Fishing and boating opportunities: Sunset Lake Campground in Spencer provides fishing areas with stocked ponds for campers seeking relaxation on the water. As one visitor to Findley State Park Campground noted, "Took the kayaks out on the lake and had a great time," showcasing the accessible water recreation available nearby.
Trail exploration: The wooded areas surrounding Spencer offer hiking trails for all skill levels. "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," according to a camper at Findley State Park.
Playground access: Most campgrounds maintain dedicated areas for children to play. A visitor to American Wilderness Campground in Grafton commented, "We had the kids they enjoyed the arcade and gem mining," highlighting additional recreation options for younger campers.
Clean facilities: Maintenance standards vary across campgrounds, with some earning high marks for upkeep. One camper at Maple Lakes Campground noted, "Clean showed and bathrooms- excellent spacing between spaces," while another mentioned it has a "super well cared for nestled in the prettiest neighborhood."
Swimming options: Several campgrounds maintain dedicated swimming areas. A visitor to American Wilderness Campground wrote, "Beautiful clean serene park with absolutely stunning beach views at sunset," describing the water features available for recreation during summer months.
Weekend entertainment: Some larger facilities coordinate regular activities. At Willow Lake Park in Medina, a camper shared, "Stay here for the holiday weekend, they offer plenty of activities for everyone. Had a band each night! During the band and the day they have a concession stand open with really good food."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. At Findley State Park, one visitor advised, "Very nice, comfortable campground, kids loved it. Only downfall is trying to find an open spot for reservations. Place is booked most of the time. If you're planning a holiday weekend you need to book 6 months in advance."
Site variations: Campsite quality and size vary significantly across facilities and even within the same campground. A camper at Camp Hiyo in Homerville mentioned, "The grounds and bathrooms were super clean and staff very friendly and helpful," while noting the importance of site selection.
Water quality concerns: Some campgrounds have mineral-heavy water. A visitor to Willow Lake Park observed, "I'm not sure what's up with the water, but it smells like metal and you're probably better off bringing your own drinking water."
Extended stay options: Many facilities accommodate seasonal campers. At Maple Lakes Campground, a visitor noted, "Lots of long term campers. Beautiful trees and the fishing lakes had lovely benches."
Look for organized activities: Some campgrounds offer structured recreation for children. A visitor to Pier-Lon Park in Medina described it as a "Great Family Atmosphere" with "a game room, general store, snacks, and even pot lucks on occasion."
Consider access to amenities: Campgrounds with full facilities make family camping more comfortable. At Findley State Park, a camper shared, "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."
Check swimming options: Water features provide recreation for children during hot weather. An American Wilderness visitor noted, "We loved the beach and the fun we have had this is our favorite place to camp and we love this family local owned business."
Site dimensions matter: Many campgrounds have limited spaces for larger units. A visitor to Findley State Park noted, "It can get fairly crowded if you are here with a trailer that requires electrical hookups since there are only so many sites available with electric."
Hookup availability varies: Full-service sites are limited in the Spencer area. At Willow Lake Park, a camper reported, "I was disappointed we didn't get a full hook-up site, only to find out they don't have any (and this is a large campground!). But, for a prepaid fee, you can schedule an appointment to have someone come by and dump you out."
Access conditions: Road quality impacts larger rigs. A Findley State Park camper stated, "Good signage to the camping sites, very easy to navigate," indicating straightforward access for larger vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Spencer, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, Spencer, OH offers a wide range of camping options, with 133 campgrounds and RV parks near Spencer, OH and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Spencer, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Spencer, OH is Findley State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 45 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Spencer, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Spencer, OH.
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