Best Campgrounds near Van Buren, OH

Van Buren State Park Campground serves as the central camping destination in Van Buren, Ohio, with electric hookups at most sites and tent camping options. The surrounding area includes Adventure Bound Pleasant View and Adventure Bound Camping & Cabins, both offering RV sites, tent camping areas, and cabin rentals. Several campgrounds within a 20-mile radius provide additional options, including Riverbend Recreation Area Campground in Findlay and Shadylake Campground, which caters primarily to RV campers with full hookups.

Most campgrounds in this region require advance reservations, with limited walk-in availability. Van Buren State Park features recently paved camping pads but provides only pit toilets without shower facilities. "The camp host was nice and friendly. Kids loved having the playground so close to the camper," noted one visitor about Van Buren State Park. Water access points vary by location, with some campgrounds featuring ponds or lakes for fishing and swimming. Cell phone reception can be spotty throughout the region, particularly at Adventure Bound Pleasant View, where visitors reported intermittent service.

Campground amenities differ significantly across the Van Buren area. Adventure Bound Pleasant View stands out for its family-oriented facilities, including a swimming pool, fishing pond with inflatable slides, dog park, and miniature golf. Several campers mentioned the campground works particularly well for group camping events. Van Buren State Park offers more basic accommodations but includes well-maintained trails, a playground, and a dedicated equestrian camping section. A recent visitor noted, "It's a small campground with one side as equestrian and the other side not. All sites had electric and water, no full hookup." Winter visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing at Van Buren State Park, with terrain described as suitable for beginners on the park's trail system.

Best Camping Sites Near Van Buren, Ohio (92)

    1. Van Buren State Park Campground

    12 Reviews
    Van Buren, OH
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (419) 832-7662

    "Van Buren State Park is very easy to access from I-75. It has tons of trails and a pond. There are a few places to car camp or RV camp nearby."

    "Since Van Buren State park is an easy 20 minutes away from home for me, i visit there often. it is clean and quiet, they dont get too busy and loud."

    2. Adventure Bound Pleasant View

    5 Reviews
    Van Buren, OH
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (419) 299-3897

    $76 / night

    "The campground offers a pond for fishing , swimming pool , bounce pad , inflatable lake fun, dog park and mini golf."

    "So there are no hiking trail and there is also a lot of golf cart traffic. They do offer a swimming pool , pond with inflatable slides , dog park , bound pad and miniature golf."

    4. Adventure Bound Camping & Cabins

    2 Reviews
    Van Buren, OH
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (419) 299-3897

    $33 - $35 / night

    5. Shadylake Campground

    2 Reviews
    Van Buren, OH
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (419) 423-3490

    $500 - $1600 / night

    6. Mary Jane Thurston State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Grand Rapids, OH
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (419) 832-7662

    "Some sights are by the highway. They are still nice, but lots of road noise. There is no water at the camp sites, but water is available. There are no shower facilities."

    "There are lots of bike trails as the towpath trail goes through the park and it even leads into the little town of Grand Rapids."

    7. Heritage Springs Campground

    2 Reviews
    Carey, OH
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (419) 387-7738

    "This was a good overnight stop on a cold windy night through Ohio. Front desk people were extremely friendly and helpful. Bathrooms were very clean and hot shower."

    8. Toledo East-Stony Ridge KOA

    18 Reviews
    Millbury, OH
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (419) 837-6848

    "We stayed in a pull thru site which we felt was a really nice size and was wishing the weather was better so we could enjoy some outside time. The bathhouse was nice, clean, and updated."

    "Convenient location nearby downtown Perrysburg."

    9. Fire Lake Camper Park

    1 Review
    Bowling Green, OH
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (419) 352-1185

    "They were very helpful and location was easy to navigate."

    10. Twin Lakes Park

    4 Reviews
    Bluffton, OH
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (419) 477-5255

    "Playground is great, lots to do, and the fishing and swimming lakes are nice. Caught some decent bass and kids enjoyed all the bluegill fishing. Bath house was very clean."

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Recent Reviews near Van Buren, OH

299 Reviews of 92 Van Buren Campgrounds


  • Dillon H.
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Wooded Acres Campground

    peaceful, friendly, clean, quiet pretty great

    New ownership’s about two months ago lots of upgrades new roads, new activities super nice place

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Service Plaza - Blue Heron Overnight Parking

    A rest area with electric

    This is a convenient place to pull over and sleep for the night with cheap electric- 20 dollars for the night. There’s a Starbucks in the service center.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Mary Jane Thurston State Park Campground

    $34 per night for tent (primitive) camping

    It's expensive to stay here, but at least it's a place to park. And it gets us closer to our destination. There are electric hook-ups on some sites, but it costs more. And they do have water. I didn't see a gray dump, but they probably do have one.

  • B
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Van Buren State Park Campground

    Cozy

    Some of the sites are small so you have to be careful which you site you reserve if you’re a tent camper. The outside of the circle is your best bet and there’s a few scattered in the middle. If you can get a good middle spot it’s nice if you have kids since there’s a playground, swings, basketball, and tether court. No running water for bathrooms if that’s important for you. The park is also just off a country road so traffic can occasionally be heard but it’s not excessive. Grounds are very well maintained and the hosts were very nice.

  • S
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Mary Jane Thurston State Park Campground

    Lots to do here

    The camp sites on the river are excellent. Some sights are by the highway. They are still nice, but lots of road noise. There is no water at the camp sites, but water is available. There are no shower facilities. There are great hiking trails and a nice frisbee golf course.

  • Daniel G.
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Inland Acres

    Great place to camp!

    I had a great time at this location. It was clean, had everything that was needed and was a perfect location near the lake. I'll be sure to stay here again in the future!

  • Rebecca H.
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Wapakoneta KOA

    Out Standing

    Wonderful facility! Pool, pool table, games for kids and adults. The grounds are beautiful and the staff is super friendly and helpful! Oh and in the laundry room they even have a sink for washing dishes! Great for tent campers ar those with small units that don't have kitchens.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Toledo East-Stony Ridge KOA

    First KOA

    Nice campground, gravel semi level spot. Full hookup but sewer connection was at very back of spot. We used dump station.

  • 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.


Guide to Van Buren

Camping near Van Buren, Ohio, offers a mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With several campgrounds in the area, you can find the perfect spot for your next adventure.

What to do:

  • Hiking and biking: Explore the trails at nearby parks. Campers have enjoyed the bike trails and hiking paths, with one reviewer mentioning, "The yellow scout trail connects with the NCT, making it great for biking and hiking."
  • Fishing and swimming: Many campgrounds, like Independence Dam State Park Campground, offer access to the river for fishing. One visitor said, "We visit here often in the summer to enjoy the river, kayak, and relax."
  • Playgrounds and games: Family-friendly activities are available at places like Toledo East-Stony Ridge KOA, which features a playground and games like horseshoes and corn hole. A reviewer noted, "They have a small playground and other amenities for children."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and shower facilities. One visitor at White Oak Campground said, "Very clean facilities (bathroom, wash station, pavilion)."
  • Friendly staff: Many campgrounds have welcoming hosts. A camper at Twin Acres Campground mentioned, "Staff were really friendly. It was crowded on the weekends, but during the week it emptied out."
  • Quiet atmosphere: Campers enjoy the peaceful settings. A review for Van Buren State Park Campground stated, "It was quiet and relaxing. The camp host was nice and friendly."

What you should know:

  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds, like Mary Jane Thurston State Park Campground, have fewer facilities. A reviewer noted, "The only real negative is the bathrooms & shower house are a mile or so away at the marina."
  • First-come, first-served: Campgrounds like Ottawa Metro Park Campground operate on a first-come basis. One visitor shared, "It is first come...no reservations."
  • Road noise: Some sites may have nearby road noise. A camper at Independence Dam State Park Campground mentioned, "The sound of vehicle traffic is quite frequent, especially since this road appears to be a favorite of motorcyclists."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Check for activities: Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities. A family at Adventure Bound Pleasant View enjoyed the "pond for fishing, swimming pool, bounce pad, inflatable lake fun, dog park, and mini golf."
  • Bring outdoor games: Pack games like corn hole or horseshoes for family fun. One camper at Toledo East-Stony Ridge KOA mentioned, "They offer horseshoes, corn hole, giant jinga."
  • Plan for quiet time: Choose campgrounds with a peaceful atmosphere for downtime. A visitor at White Oak Campground said, "It was very quiet and relaxing."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Van Buren State Park Campground noted, "Some sites don't have electric hookup."
  • Look for amenities: Choose campgrounds with electric hookups and dump stations. A camper at Big Sandy Campground appreciated the "nice wooded lots available."
  • Be prepared for weather: Some sites can get muddy if it rains. A visitor at Toledo East-Stony Ridge KOA warned, "If it rains your site becomes wet, soft and muddy."

Camping around Van Buren, Ohio, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for family fun or a peaceful getaway.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Van Buren, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, Van Buren, OH offers a wide range of camping options, with 92 campgrounds and RV parks near Van Buren, OH and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near Van Buren, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Van Buren, OH is Van Buren State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 12 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Van Buren, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Van Buren, OH.