Best Tent Camping near Zanesfield, OH

Tent camping options near Zanesfield, Ohio include several primitive and established sites with varying amenities across the region. Notable options include Scioto Grove Metro Park with backcountry tent sites accessible via a 1.25-mile hike, and St. Mary's Section of the Buckeye Trail offering an Adirondack shelter for overnight hikers. While limited in number, these tent-focused camping areas provide alternatives for those seeking outdoor experiences without the crowds found at larger campgrounds.

Most tent sites in the region require advance planning due to limited availability and seasonal restrictions. Scioto Grove operates primarily on weekends with restrictions during winter months, and firewood is typically provided at designated fire rings. The Narrows Reserve features tent pads in a meadow setting with minimal shade, accessible via a well-maintained 1.25-mile trail from the parking area. Many sites lack amenities like showers or running water, though some provide pit toilets or portable facilities. "Free reserve ahead weekend backpacking campsites. All sites have 2 tent pads, a fire ring and firewood provided," notes one camper about Scioto Grove.

Tent campers in the Zanesfield area often appreciate the relative solitude compared to more developed campgrounds. The backpacking sites at Scioto Grove are particularly valued by hikers testing gear setups before longer expeditions. The primitive nature of these backcountry tent sites attracts campers looking for a more authentic outdoor experience. Sites along water features like the Little Miami River at Jacoby Road Canoe Launch offer pleasant tent camping with picnic tables and fire pits. A camper described Jacoby Road as a "beautiful, private spot for tent camping right next to the Little Miami River." Sites vary in terrain from forest settings to open meadows, with different experiences available depending on specific location and season.

Best Tent Sites Near Zanesfield, Ohio (11)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Zanesfield, OH

10 Photos of 11 Zanesfield Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Zanesfield, OH

422 Reviews of 11 Zanesfield 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

  • 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.

  • 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
    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.

  • Kim H.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 13, 2024

    Deer Creek Camping Resort

    Generous Sites!

    We stayed two nights in #184. Our site was HUGE! The pad was very level, so setting up the TT was quick and easy.

    We checked one restroom and one wash house: both were in good condition and quite clean. Lysol was in the air.

    The lake was pretty. Watching the herons was relaxing.

    The people in our section were courteous. All seemed to obey the quiet hours.

    The only negative was the lack of a central fresh water fill station. Spigots are dispersed throughout the camp, which means sitting in the road for as long as it takes to fill your tank. Fortunately, we had a spigot by our site, so we could fill once we parked.

    We'll definitely be back.

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 16, 2025

    Wright-Patterson FamCamp

    The right place for a stop on a road trip

    If you are retired or active duty military, you have access to recreation sites maintained adjacent to many bases. Wright-Patterson has a recreational family-friendly “Fam Camp” campground located by a small lake in the woods on the south side if the base. Families or adults can enjoy staying at the campground for a few days of camping, fishing, paddling and as a base for exploring in and around Dayton. There are many sites with hookups for RV’s, an area for RVs that dont need hookups, basic tent sites, and also a number of camper cabins by the lake. It is also a convenient stopover for folks on roadtrips and seems to be popular with retirees traveling with RV’s. We stopped for one night while on a road trip ourselves, and stayed in one of the tent sites which was very pleasant. This stay was in May, but we stayed here one time in October as well. There is a full bath house with showers snd bathrooms, a rec center with rental equipment for getting out on the lake, and a clubhouse. There is a field with bleachers for ball games, and a nice fenced in dog park.

  • K
    Jun. 13, 2018

    John Bryan State Park Campground

    Great Location, Fiesty Raccoons

    Beware of the raccoons. They are adorable but will literally steal your food right in front of you. We were set up for about 5 minutes before a raccoon appeared and swiped a large bag of sunchips off the picnic table as I was about to make a sandwich. Straight savage. Campground is a few minutes from Yellow Springs which is a beautiful town with a lot to see and do including a brewery and nature preserve. John Bryan park itself has some nice hikes and offers top rop rock climbing and repelling. Climbing routes are all available on mountainoroject.com Campground/Park also offers disc golf and volleyball with a ton of picnic areas. Facilities are not the best with outhouse style bathrooms, no showers. This isnt notmally an issue but we visited at the end of June and weather was crazy hot. All in all it's a pretty cool place. Had a great time and even ended up naming all the raccoons, Larry, Mary, & Baby Terry.

  • Ron G.
    Oct. 15, 2019

    Pastime Campground

    Quiet and Convenient

    There are 38 grass sites that are a bit snug, but mostly pleasant. New in June 2019 are 18 gravel padded sites, with lots of space. All sites are W/E. All the new gravel sites and half the grass ones have 50/30/20A electric, the rest are 30/20A. The park has a dump station. Two of the gravel sites have sewer hookup.
    All sites are clean, with tables and fire rings. There is a very nice and clean restroom/shower facility. Walking path and playground are adjacent to the campground. There is a nice swimming pool at the south end of the village park. Campers get a discounted admission. Most all sites have lots of shade.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 26, 2021

    Mt Gilead State Park Campground

    Nice State Park

    Campground was nice and well maintained. The "Camp Host" came around a few times a day to ensure trash was picked up and needs were met. Site 8 has full hookups and a concrete parking pad. The roses are narrow and the larger rig next to us had issues getting in. The sites on our side of the road sloped away from the parking pad. It there wasn’t a level spot off the concrete. We had to use our leveling blocks under the picnic table.


Guide to Zanesfield

Tent campsites near Zanesfield, Ohio provide backpacking opportunities within reasonable driving distances. The region features small nature reserves and county parks offering primitive camping experiences. Most sites require advance reservations and have varying open seasons with some closing during winter months, while others remain accessible year-round.

What to do

Water activities: Jacoby Road Canoe Launch offers riverside camping with picnic tables and fire pits. "Went with a buddy for a one night stay. Beautiful spot for tent camping right next to the Little Miami River," notes Logan in his review of Jacoby Road Canoe Launch.

Backpacking trails: The backpacking sites at Scioto Grove Metro Park provide a perfect testing ground for gear and techniques. "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," says Zach.

Bird watching: The meadow setting at Narrows Reserve attracts various bird species. "Tons of traffic with bird watchers and joggers," mentions Chelsie B. about the camping area, noting the popularity of this activity among daytime visitors.

What campers like

Secluded river spots: Campers appreciate the peaceful locations near water. At Narrows Reserve, "along the trail there were spots where you could jump in the river and even a rope swing," according to Austin R., offering cooling relief during warmer months.

Provided firewood: Some parks supply wood for campfires, eliminating the need to bring your own. Anna S. mentions at Scioto Grove: "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. Nice tent pads, campfire ring, and provided wood."

Trail accessibility: Many camping areas connect to broader trail networks. At Morris Bean Reserve, Buck B. notes it's a "good spot to waste a few hours," making it suitable for day trips and exploration.

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Most backcountry sites must be reserved in advance and fill quickly. "Need to reserve online, books up very fast," warns Anna S. about securing a spot at Scioto Grove Metro Park.

Limited facilities: Many tent sites lack amenities typical of developed campgrounds. At On Cedar Pond, facilities are basic but the setting makes up for it. "The stay was amazing! So beautiful," shares Charlie H. about their experience at this small campground with only two sites.

Hike-in distances: Some campgrounds require walking to reach your site. Austin R. shares about Narrows Reserve: "I actually didn't even look at a map until I arrived. That's when I realized the primitive campsites were 1.25 miles from the parking lot."

Seasonal operations: Many sites have limited availability during winter. "Only weekend stays and it ends in wintertime," notes Joaquim P. about Scioto Grove Metro Park's schedule restrictions.

Tips for camping with families

Water features: Look for camps with swimming opportunities. Chelsie B. mentions Narrows Reserve has "nice river/creek access to cool off," providing natural water play for children during hot weather.

Playground availability: Some campgrounds offer limited play equipment. At Tee Pee Family Campground, Bryatt S. notes: "The pond was fantastic. Has a large inflatable slide and a dock that you can jump off of in the middle. Kids loved it," though they also mention "playgrounds for the kids are very weak. Just a few swing sets but that's about it."

Trail difficulty: Consider the hiking ability of children when selecting sites requiring a walk-in approach. Kenpocentaur K. describes the trail at Scioto Grove as suitable for newer backpackers: "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."

Tips from RVers

Limited RV options: Most primitive tent sites near Zanesfield aren't suitable for RVs. For RV camping, Tee Pee Family Campground offers full hookup options but has drawbacks. "Sites are close together. Our fire pit is less than 3 feet away from the next camper," reports Bryatt S.

Weekend popularity: Weekends see increased traffic at most campgrounds. "We saw a few cars and trucks during our weekend as it is a canoe launch. Locals also will stop here to hike and avoid the crowds in town," describes Kenpocentaur K. about St. Mary's Section - Buckeye Trail, where an Adirondack shelter offers a unique accommodation option.

Bath facilities: Plan accordingly for limited facilities. "2 bathhouses for the entire campground. And it's a decent walk to get to them if you are just there for a weekend," notes Bryatt S. about Tee Pee Family Campground's amenities.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Zanesfield, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.