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Best Tent Camping near Worthington, OH

488 Reviews

Tent campers near Worthington, Ohio have several options within a short drive of the city. Scioto Grove Metro Park offers primitive tent camping along its backpacking trail with five reservable sites positioned along the Scioto River. These walk-in tent sites require hikers to park at the trailhead and backpack to their designated camping area, making them ideal for those seeking a more secluded experience without traveling far from Columbus.

The tent sites at Scioto Grove feature tent pads and fire rings with firewood provided by the park. Campers should note that these sites are only available on weekends during specific seasons, and reservations fill quickly due to limited availability. The backpacking trail serves as an excellent testing ground for gear and overnight setups, with varying distances between sites allowing campers to choose their preferred hiking distance. Most sites include basic amenities like fire rings and tent pads, but otherwise maintain a primitive camping experience.

The backpacking experience at Scioto Grove offers a surprising wilderness feel despite its proximity to urban areas. Sites positioned farther from the main park areas provide greater seclusion, with site 5 noted as particularly private with direct river access. The trail system includes interesting features like a rope bridge crossing over a creek that adds character to the hiking experience. A recent visitor mentioned, "Need to reserve online, books up very fast. Got lucky and found an opening for site 5 which was right on river and away from the busier parts of park - didn't see a single person." For those willing to venture farther from Worthington, Geneva Hills Camp and Event Center provides additional tent camping options with more amenities, including drinking water and shower facilities.

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Best Tent Sites Near Worthington, Ohio (8)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Worthington, OH

4 Photos of 8 Worthington Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Worthington, OH

488 Reviews of 8 Worthington Campgrounds

  • Nancy R.
    Jun. 9, 2018

    Alum Creek State Park Campground

    Puzzled Campers

    We had reservations, but didn’t figure out how to check in. The site numbers were very hard to see and figure out. The numbers didn’t appear to be sequential. The worst part for us was that there were no tent pads for pitching the tent. We were there during a very rainy time and had to pitch the tent in a ditch. Water flowed under the tent so we had quite a bit of mud on the bottom of the tent when we packed up. Luckily our tent kept us dry inspite of its location. Space was extremely limited. The picnic table was on the driveway. There was poison ivy less than a foot from our tent. Restrooms and showers were adequate, but toilet paper rolls would fall in the floor if you weren’t careful. All three showers drained into the middle stall making it difficult to keep thing dry.

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 3, 2020

    A.W. Marion State Park Campground

    A Good Place to Meet is in the Middle

    A new site for us at this campground, site 59 which is an inside site. We also had friends who booked 2 inside sites very nearby so we were able to all set up in the middle and share a large space for 10 people and 7 dogs. We were able to be socially distant, have space for cornhole and lots of room for the dogs. Our site pad was pretty level. My husband went over the pad just a little onto the grass, as the other side sloped. So when we stepped out of the camp, we wouldn't be stepping down on a slope. This is one of the quietest campgrounds we go to even though there is plenty for kids to do (playground). Had the weather been better, we would have brought our kayaks for the lake. You have three different types of restrooms. The ones closest to use are the drop toilets, a little further is a porta potty and the furthest was the flush toilets (no showers). It's our little slice of heaven so we like to try a new site each time if we are able. We take our dogs with us so we have to be a little more picky so we don't bother anyone.

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 7, 2020

    A.W. Marion State Park Campground

    Inside Campsite and Pleasantly Surprised on the Fourth of July!

    After staying one night in non-electric we were able to transfer to an electric site thanks to our great camp hosts. They let us know that one had opened and recommended us to call in the next morning. We were able to get an electric site that was on the inside, a site we would have never chosen otherwise as we have dogs and try to find a space with no one behind us. The site was actually really nice. There was grass and some partial shade. We had room for our ez-up tent, our pop-up bathroom and still room to set up our chairs and walk the dogs without bothering our neighbors. Our friends had the site next to us and they were able to use the trees to hang their hammocks. There was a nice fire ring and the pad was easy to level our a-frame camper. We had another set of neighbors who were in a class A motorhome (it was huge!). Everyone we talked to were very friendly. We were closer to the vault toilets (they were kept clean) and the playground. It was Fourth of July weekend and the campground was really quiet. If you have kayaks, you can drive them down the hill next to the campground to get into the lake. If you like to hike or mountain bike there are trails to use as well.

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2020

    A.W. Marion State Park Campground

    Hot hot hot! So we kayaked!

    Site 32 - A new site for us at this campground. We had shade in the morning but lots of sun in the afternoon. This site is on the outside and backs up to trees. There is lots grass and space - good for us to walk the dogs and not have them pee and poop where we were sitting. Bathrooms were cleaned regularly and they have flush, vault and portable toilets. There are no showers. This was our first time to kayak which you can launch right near the campground. It’s a little mucky at the bottom of the hill but if you take the path off to the right there is a small beach which is much easier to launch from. There is a small island that has two spots you can stop on and then swim. Lots of birds to see and plenty of other kayakers and fisherman. They are now selling wood and ice at the campground but the store is still closed. A gas station is right down the road in case you forget anything.

  • Nicole L.
    Sep. 4, 2021

    John Bryan State Park Campground

    Not bad, just disappointed

    Visited twice in May 2021 (sites 54 & 39) bookending our camping roundtrip from Virginia to Kansas and this was one of the worst places we stayed. We lived in Dayton for a number of years and Yellow Springs is one of our favorite places. That being said, we were quite disappointed at the set up.

    There is no privacy between campsites, at all. If someone on one end of the campground is having a party, everyone in the campground is going to be up all night (our first night). On our last night there, we (and the poor family with young kids in a tent 15 feet away) were audibly assaulted by a very amorous and inebriated couple in a tent until the wee hours. With no trees between sites, you have no buffer and good god what I would have given for a buffer.

    Pit toilets have those heavy doors that help keep things less buggy (positive) but because they are on a raised area in the middle of an almost treeless campground, the clang of them shutting echoes throughout the night.

    No showers.

    No dedicated tent-pads. We were car-top camping so I can't speak to ground conditions for tent camping but do know our two spots would have put us on some sort of slope. (Unless we set up a tent right next to the road on 54).

    Like I said, it wasn't bad. Definitely wasn't great.

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 2, 2020

    A.W. Marion State Park Campground

    Perfect weekend

    Site 56 - We have stayed at this site before with electric. You don’t have close neighbors and the trail is right off your site. Good for you but invited others coming off the trail if they don’t know where they are going. We put up a piece of flagging tape to block off hikers and bikers. It’s a smaller campground with both electric and non- electric sites. Currently there are no walk-ins permitted so the walk-in sites have been made reservable. There is a playground with two vault toilets in the electric - which were very clean. They also have portables in the other end which is non-electric. There are also two flushable toilets by the group campsites. The camp hosts (Diane, John and Steve) were great and very friendly. No showers, sinks or full hookups so come prepared. The marina is on the other side of the lake, just a short drive if you want to kayak. If you like to hike or mountain bike the trail is 5 miles around the lake and very pretty.

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 26, 2020

    Mt Gilead State Park Campground

    Fall is here!

    Site 29 - this was a nice site in tall pine trees and colors all around. The pad was gravel and pretty level. We had trees in our site that could be used for hammocks as well. We were able to set up our ez-up and still have room to walk our dogs. It wasn’t the biggest site, but definitely not the smallest. We had electric for our camper. We had a good storm one night that caused a small pool of water out front and around the fire ring, but both areas drained very well the next day. There are vault toilets at the end of the road and a very nice shower house as you drive in that were clean all weekend. The park had a couple of playgrounds for kids, disc golf course and lots of hiking trails. The camp store is now open with limited hours. Wood is available but it’s all slab cut. There are also permanent cornhole boards. There are full hook up sites as well but are right next to one another and not a lot of trees. You can drive down to the lake and kayak and fish. It’s a very small campground with a very big park.

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 7, 2020

    A.W. Marion State Park Campground

    Non-electric on a hot weekend - 1 night

    This was a last minute decision to camp which led us to getting a non-electric site. The pad was level and the site was mostly shaded. There was hardly any grass and a ton of dead leaves. My husband brought the leaf blower so we were able to clean up the site a little more. If it had rain, it could have gotten a little muddy. There was plenty of room for our ez-up tent for our kitchen set up and plenty of room for 1-2 tents. We have an a-frame popup camper so we had more space to walk around. The fire ring was nice and it had a grate you could use to cook on it (not all of them do). We were along the main road, but it's not a very busy park so we weren't worried about noisy traffic. Across the road were the flush toilets which does have a light that comes on at night. The restrooms were kept clean (no showeres). Next to the bathrooms is the dump station and it can get stinky if they happen to come by to do maintenance (which they did). If you have kids, this site is really far from the playground but there is a basketball court and volleyball net near by and an open field for play. There are also three porta-potties in the non-electric if you don't mind them. It's not a bad site especially since it offers shade. There is a very helpful camp host at the entrance of non-electric as well. (3 stars for a non-grassy site and the close to the dump station)

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 15, 2021

    A.W. Marion State Park Campground

    Chilly January Camping

    We stayed on site 36 as it has a long pad and a nice angle that you wouldn't be close to your neighbors (not that we had any this weekend). In the summer it would provide a little shade and lots of green space to spread out. In the winter the flush toilets are closed, but the vault toilets are open, were pretty clean and had toilet paper stocked. This park has nice hiking trials, mountain bike trails, a lake, playground for the kids and both electric and non-electric sites. We had a nice fire ring which had a good cooking great if you wanted to use it. There are no camp hosts in the off season. We hiked part of a mountain bike trail and only saw one bike go through. There are a lot of hikers who use the trail a lot. The only disappointing thing was how full the trash was. They don't really dump them in the winter because the locals use them. Be prepared to walk your trash to the dumpsters up by the flush toilets as they aren't as full.

Guide to Worthington

Scioto Grove Metro Park offers a unique backpacking experience for tent campers within 20 miles of Worthington, Ohio. The trail network covers approximately 5 miles of terrain along the Scioto River, with seasonal availability primarily from April through October. Sites require advance reservations through the Franklin County Metro Parks website, with booking windows opening 30 days before intended stay dates.

What to do

Explore hiking trails: Geneva Hills Camp provides varied terrain for day hikes beyond your campsite. "Tent site was nice. We could make dinner and there weren't any mosquitoes even though it was right above a swamp. It was a nice driving distance from Hocking Hills and a neat place to camp," notes camper A B.

Test backpacking setups: Scioto Grove Metro Park offers designated sites for gear testing. "Scioto Grove is great if you're looking to test out some new backpacking gear. There are 5 reservable sites along the river trail and they all have tent pads and a fire pit, besides that they're totally primitive," explains camper Zach.

Enjoy water activities: Sites near the Scioto River provide opportunities for fishing and water exploration. "It is a backpacking camp. No driving your vehicle any further than the bottom of the hill. Great location, very beautiful. Spacious in between 5 campgrounds and right next to the Scioto River," reports Mama T.

What campers like

Convenient location: Walhonding Hills Campground offers activities without leaving the property. "They have a pool and atv trails on campground property. Great for doom buggies, side by sides, and 4 wheelers, dirt bikes as well. The 4th of July celebration is better than any other town fireworks I've ever seen," shares Carrie H.

Trail features: The park infrastructure adds interest to hiking routes. "Backpacking sites, rope bridge crossing over a creek that kids and adults would love to explore. Wide trails, grass fields and woods that are beautiful all seasons," notes Karen K.

Prepared campsites: Firewood provision eliminates one packing concern. "Free reserve ahead weekend backpacking campsites. All sites have 2 tent pads, a fire ring and firewood provided. Some have log seating and some do not," explains Susan G.

What you should know

Limited availability: Geneva Hills Camp and Event Center offers an alternative when other sites are full. "Had a great experience here, will be back for sure," notes camper Geneva H., providing additional options when Scioto Grove fills.

Seasonal restrictions: Operating schedules vary by location. "Only weekend stays and it ends in wintertime. I'm sure it's pretty and all, but it's hard to find legit, free dispersed camping in Ohio," explains camper Joaquim P.

Reservation requirements: Sites fill quickly during peak seasons. "Nice park. You can reserve spaces to backpack along the rei water trail and stay the night to test gear. Not huge, no crazy obstacles but great for last minute trips close to the city," shares Neal C.

Tips for camping with families

Choose sites strategically: SaltCreek Retreats offers alternative accommodation options for families seeking more amenities, with drinking water, showers, and toilets available on a reservation basis.

Consider weather impacts: Trail conditions change with precipitation. "The bridge was a lot of fun but I did slip on it in the rain as it was hard to get traction on the wood. I cannot wait to return to the site in the fall. Each site has its own personality we picked the further out sites of 6 as less foot traffic by park visitors," explains Kenpocentaur K.

Plan for varying hiking abilities: Multiple site options accommodate different experience levels. "The backpacking site was a great site for new backpackers. It isn't too long but doing the full loop does let you know if your gear is working or going to be an issue," notes one camper.

Tips from RVers

Alternative accommodations: For tent campers seeking the best tent camping near Worthington, Ohio during inclement weather, Clearfork Marina & Campground offers market access and alternative options when conditions aren't ideal for primitive camping.

Equipment limitations: Most tent-focused camping areas near Worthington have restricted vehicle access. Several sites require parking at designated areas and hiking in, making them unsuitable for RV camping but ideal for tent campers seeking secluded experiences.

Seasonal planning: The best tent camping opportunities near Worthington, Ohio vary by season, with many sites closing during winter months. Spring and fall typically offer the most pleasant temperatures, with summer providing the most reliable reservation availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Worthington, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Worthington, OH is Scioto-Grove Metro Park with a 4.3-star rating from 8 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Worthington, OH?

TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near Worthington, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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