Union City, OH is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Union City is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Union City and user-submitted reviews.
"Fishing, pond swimming, trails"
"Hiking and wooded paths. With small pond out front"
"It has a nice pool and a creek right behind it that you can access from the camp. The bathrooms and showers were clean."
"All RV wrapped and under the tall tree; behind the campground have a running creek, cross the creek is farmland, sometime saw group of goats eating grass on the field."
"Literally not even two feet around the fire pit on all sides. Luckily they were quick to accommodate our complaints and move us."
"The lake and beach area are great. Clean water for swimming. The campground spots are small (too close together) and they don't enforce the quiet time curfew."
$20 - $32 / night
"Very large camping spots with huge lawns away from lake; This spot was #53. lakeside camping a little more packed in but more shade. Reserve early!"
"Many of the campsites are right near the water with lake view. Fishing is fun too with a dock within short walking distance of most campsites."
"Relax on the waters edge in shear tranquility. Perfect beach for swimming, excellent trails for hiking, and awesome lake to boat. Multiple launch ramps provide ease and convenience."
"Love being so close to the lake we can fish all the time. The beach is a bit of a walk from the campground but not to far. They offer canoe rentals, and bike rentals."
"They have a short path in the woods which is a nice little loop. Great location with lots to do!"
"Best tent sites are 320 and the ones next to the creek. Quietest tent sites are 408, 409 and 410, but those are also furthest from the bathroom. Very clean showerhouses."
$24 - $1100 / night
"Very relaxing as it is a drive off the highway which allowed nature to unfold all around campers."
ScoutWonderful 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.
RangerAlthough we only spent one night here during the week, the campground seemed very peaceful and quiet, even though there were quite a few campers. Sites 1 through 74 seem to be a lot more level and larger, but they were in a sort of an open area with very little shade. The rest of the sites were fairly unlevel, but were in shaded areas. I would think a rig more than 31 or 32 feet long would have difficulty maneuvering around the curve at the end of the second loop. We are a 30ft. Fifth wheel and it was pretty tight for us. Lots of trees. The showers were your typical camp showers not great but not horrible. There was a large lake that one could enjoy fishing on. Also some great hiking trails in the area.
GuideFirst the good: the campground is big and spacious. Some areas were like RV parking lots- no trees, no shade, but there was a grassy area in the middle with nice big trees and shade. There is a nice pool and splash pad. Weirdly, the pool closed from 4 to 5, leaving us with nowhere to go on a 90+ degree day.
Now, the not-so-good: we stayed in a camper cabin and it was very shabby and dirty. It had bunkbeds, a full size fridge, and a folding table and folding chairs, which was nice (and rare in Ohio state park camper cabins). The bathrooms were average. Not new, not especially sparkling clean, but fine. Not gross, at least.
Now, the terrible: the entire lake stinks of pig poop. All the air smells like poo. You feel like you are breathing feces when you approach the water. We were right on the water so we couldn't escape the smell.
This lake is notorious for having algae blooms that prohibit swimming. So I did a google search before our trip and the Ohio Department of Health reports that the bacteria level in this lake is dangerously high, and no one should swim in this lake. However, when we walked to the campground beach, there was no sign or warning or anything indicating the bacteria in the water- and people were letting their children and dogs swim in it!!
We opted to not kayak or paddleboard in the lake because it was clear that it was full of poop. So we had nothing to do at the park except go to the pool (it was too hot to do anything else). We ended up driving around the country roads and seeing the sights so we could escape the smelly lake and hot poo fumes. Neil Armstrong was born in nearby Wapakoneta so there are some sights to see there, and the towns of Celina and ? one other are cute too.
Overall, I will not return to this lake or this part of the state. If you can't get in the water, paddle board or kayak, the only thing left to do is ride around in a boat and hope the water doesn't get anywhere near your mouth or your skin. No thanks.
TravelerWe stayed 3 nights. Our site was a dirt pads. There are mostly full-time residents. There is the smell of a massive Chicken coup at our site. THERE ARE A TON OF FLIES!!!!! We had flies for days!. We kill 3 and 5 more would pop-up in our trailer. I was so happy to leave this fly infested site.
It's very hard for me to give them less than 5 stairs because, everyone was so nice. We had them filled up our propane tanks and they actually brought them to us and hooked them up while we were gone. Someone even brought us wood planks for stabilizing our trailer. However, truth be told…. our spot was horrible-right next to the laundry room in direct sun and it stunk! The women's shower was gross too. ( I ended up, not using their shower room.)
We never used their pool.
ScoutClean! Tons to do especially for kids, pet friendly, definitely get rowdy on the weekends- book ahead to snag the best sites. We stayed 5 days and it was awesome. Mini golf, fishing, 3 pools, inflatable in the water, they have a whole schedule for the weekends here. It’s great!
ScoutThe campground has no full hookups but does have electric. RV sites have a view of the lake. Sites are clean and paved. There is a new shower house that’s pretty nice, but the other bathrooms are pretty nasty. For $29 nightly it’s a good campground. They do things with kids on many weekends. You can also rent canoes or paddle boats. No motors permitted on the lake.
RangerHas a nice size dog park.
TravelerI only spent one night in my car here but the camp was nice. It has a nice pool and a creek right behind it that you can access from the camp. The bathrooms and showers were clean.
TravelerBeautiful lake. Wonderful new restroom and shower house. Onsite laundry with coin changer. Wonderful friendly staff and long term guests. Weekend breakfast, wings and pizza.
Camping near Union City, OH, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun-filled adventure, there are several campgrounds to explore.
Camping near Union City, OH, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Enjoy the great outdoors and make some lasting memories!
Frequently Asked Questions
What recreational activities can I enjoy while camping in Union City?
The Union City area offers diverse recreational activities for campers. At Grand Lake St. Marys State Park, you can enjoy Ohio's largest inland lake with swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities. The park features a pool and splash pad perfect for families. For hiking enthusiasts, Dayton Metro Parks (Five Rivers Metroparks) offers challenging backpacking trails through beautiful hilly terrain, making it an ideal meeting point for visitors from Columbus and Cincinnati. Educational park programs, wildlife viewing, and visiting the Raptor Center at some parks provide additional enrichment during your camping trip.
Is there free camping available in Union City?
Free camping is limited in the Union City area. While Possum Creek Metro park isn't free, it offers excellent value with a bundle of firewood included with each night's reservation. For budget-conscious campers, Summit Lake State Park Campground provides reasonably priced options with large camping spots and huge lawns. Most campgrounds in the region require fees, but they typically include amenities like water, restrooms, and sometimes shower facilities that justify the cost. For the most current information on rates and potential seasonal discounts, check with specific campgrounds before your visit.
What are the best campgrounds in Union City?
The Union City area offers several excellent camping options. Hueston Woods State Park Campground is a popular choice with standard amenities typical of Ohio State Parks, plus unique sleeping options like yurts. It's located near Miami University with winding country lanes through farm country. For those seeking a different experience, Natural Springs Resort near New Paris provides RV-friendly sites with water and toilet facilities. Both locations offer scenic surroundings and are conveniently situated for exploring the Union City region.
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