Amherst

Iconic sandstone formations and pine forests surround campgrounds near Amherst.

Find & reserve the best beach, lake, and river, stream, or creek campsites near Amherst, Ohio. Tent, cabin & RV camp on private & State Parks, on local farms, vineyards & nature preserves.

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Wayne National Forest

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Thornhill Bluff

This majestic property is home to white-tailed deer, gray squirrels, red fox, several species of woodpecker and owls at night. Red-tailed hawks roost in the treetops when they are not soaring over the trees.

It's just a 1 mile hike to some of the amazing Akron Metroparks Sand Run and Naturealm trails.

Learn more about this land:

The camp area sits in a mature hardwood forest surrounded by ravines.  Access from street after a short hike.  A short walk from indoor bathroom, water and electric.
 
You have access to other Sandrun trails after you climb down a steep ravine from camp or drive to another part of the Metroparks or Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Showers

Cooking equipment

Camping at Heritage Farms

At Heritage Farms, we’re currently a 5th-generation, family-owned and 

-operated Christmas tree farm headed by my husband, George, and me, Carol. Originally founded in 1848 by my great uncle Lawson Waterman, it was my father who shifted our primary focus to cultivating Christmas trees in 1955. George and I took the reins in 1979 and have been happily continuing the tradition of growing trees while also expanding into other areas, including celebrating Halloween with our month-long Pumpkin Pandemonium in October. We’ve also taken to hosting the Peninsula Flea during the summer months, catering to a wide variety of artisan- and craftsman-centric clientele.

As for camping, we began eight years ago following a trip George and I took to Denmark, wherein we stayed in a number of outdoor shelters that would later inspire us to construct the first of our several Adirondack-style shelters. We’ve since expanded to offering six shelters total, three of which share the same Adirondack aesthetic of our original build, and three of which take inspiration from an open-air A-frame design. Along with those shelters, we’ve mapped out nine primitive tent sites, all of which are available for rent, spring through fall—we hope to see you here!

Heritage Farms is a 5th-generation, 115-acre farm located in the heart of the scenic Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and as such we are incredibly close to the various trails located across the Cuyahoga Valley. We are a working tree farm, and while we do ask for your care while residing among our fields, we also encourage you to take advantage of the beauty and serenity that our property has to offer!

WHAT WE OFFER

From April 1st to October 26th, 2024, we have 15 campsites available* for rental, including nine outdoor tent sites, three A-frame sites, two standard Adirondack shelter sites, and one “Glamping” site. Each site comes standard with a fire ring, a grilling grate, a picnic table, and a storage rack for firewood and kindling drop-offs. All shelter sites include closure devices for privacy and protection.

Our Glamping site (numbered as Campsite 3) features an upgraded Adirondack shelter that includes a complimentary mattress, screen door and fasteners, exterior curtain, lean-to awning, and full propane grill and tool set. Also included is a furnished campfire ring featuring rustic bench seating and chairs. It’s a perfect site for large groups!

Included for use by all campers is our Games Field, located by our lower gravel lot, adjacent to campsites A and B. This field holds a cornhole area, a horseshoes pitch, and a tetherball court, all with playing pieces available. We also have our Lending Wagon, stocked with board games, books, puzzles, and miscellaneous gear campers may need—we do request that all items borrowed from the Lending Wagon be returned before departing Heritage Farms.

Other amenities include an information booth where carts, charging stations, and assistance from an on-site attendant can be found.

*During October, several of our campsites (A-F, and 6) are closed in lieu of our Pumpkin Pandemonium. As a result, our reservations are limited during this month.

SOME THINGS TO KNOW

1. We have capacity limits at our sites. Tent sites, labelled A-J, can hold three (3) tents. Shelter sites, numbered 1-6, have a shelter and room for two (2) tents. All sites are limited to a maximum of six (6) campers.

2. All vehicles (except bicycles) must remain in the designated parking lots.

3. No vehicles may be driven into the camping area at any time.

4. Campers are responsible for carrying their gear to their campsites—we provide wheeled carts for your use.

5. Ohio Primitive Camping licensing does not allow for wheeled camping on Heritage Farms property. This includes car camping, truck campers, popups, RVs, and any other wheeled camping vehicles.

6. Due to Summit County Health regulations, we cannot provide ground water. Please bring your own drinking water and washing water. We do have 1-gallon jugs of water available for purchase during reservations and upon arrival at Heritage Farms. Purchases can be made using PayPal, credit card, or cash.

7. Due to the potential risks posed to our crops, and to state and National Park regulations, WE DO NOT ALLOW OUTSIDE FIREWOOD on Heritage Farms property—firewood MUST be purchased from Heritage Farms. Firewood and kindling bundles are available for purchase upon reservation and will be delivered to your campsite prior to your arrival. Firewood may also be purchased upon arrival using PayPal, credit card, or cash.

8. Several of our campsites are situated along the boundary between the farm and Cuyahoga Valley National Park property. Please respect the designated boundaries and refrain from encroaching into unauthorized park territory.

9. Check-in times are from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. If you’re arriving after 7:00 p.m., please let us know your estimated time of arrival—if you’re arriving after dark, we’ll mark your site with a solar light.

Checkout should be completed before 10:00 a.m.—all tents, equipment, and trash must be removed from your campsite prior to your departure. We do have a dumpster on-site where all camp trash must be disposed. Gray water stations are available for the disposal of used or dirty water.

10. Only campers registered to Hipcamp are permitted on Heritage Farms property. A public picnic area is available ¼-mile south of the farm for outside socializing.

11. DOG POLICY: we welcome dogs who have received prior permission from the farm owners. We limit the number of dogs on property each day. A dog registration form must be filled out upon arrival and must include information regarding rabies vaccinations—dogs that have not had the proper vaccinations are not permitted on the property. All dogs MUST be on a leash and in the physical control of their owner(s) at all times. No pets may be left unattended at any time—pets must be taken with their owner(s) any time the owner(s) departs the farm property.

12. Heritage Farms is a working farm, and as such machinery may be in use during your stay. 

OTHER INFORMATION

Our 15 primitive campsites are situated 25 to 50 yards apart from one another. This allows for social distancing and maximizes campsite privacy. All 15 of our campsites at Heritage Farms are available for booking from April 1 until September 27, 2024; from September 28 to October 26, 2024, only shelter sites 1-5 and tent sites and G, H, and J will be open.

We can't wait to see you on the farm!

Riverside Camping

We have a kayak and canoe livery called Portage River Paddling Company. We are nestled on 94 acres on the Portage River. You will be camping
 in the back of our property along the Portage River. You will be just a 5 minute walk from renting kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddle boards, gem mining, axe throwing, cornhole, giant Jenga, goats, Gizmo the 160 pound Sulcata Tortoise, Jasper the iguana and more!  

Blueberry Farm Campsites

We have lived here since 2004, the blueberries have lived here for over 60 years. This site has more topography than most of the surrounding county. 

Learn more about this land:

Several sites available on an organic blueberry farm near Oberlin College and Lake Erie. Blueberries are ripe in July. Site #2 is down by the Chance Creek, about 1/2 mile from the driveway. Very peaceful down there - a walk-in site.  Site #1  is about 100 yards from the driveway, Site #1 also has access to a small shed.  Both sites are woodsy and away from neighbors, roads and houses, however the interstate is not far. When the wind blows from the north you can barely hear it, but when a south wind blows and/or there is rain on the interstate, it can be pretty loud. We don't have a latrine. We have two  "luggable-loo's" if you need them, have liners, too.

Blueberry farm, blueberry bushes on the RH side of the driveway

Camp site #1 is back in this field, about 100 yards from the driveway. 

This is where people can park - right along this road. 

Inside of the shed by site#1, room for two on the floor and a small person or child in the loft. 

Camp site #2 by the creek, after walking down the stairs. 

Friendly pup, this is near where campers can park. 

Earth Song Farm

Earth Song Farm is an organic, bio-dynamic farm growing a variety of produce, chicken, eggs and more.  

We are also a teaching center and a host farm for volunteers looking to experience homesteading, off-grid living, organic growing and hydroponic techniques.  

Discovery Park provides a creative free-play setting for kids to learn, discover and grow. 

A naturopathic wellness center at the farm offers health assessment, iris analysis and botanical herbs to help people dealing with health issues.

Learn more about this land:

Nestled within the 10-acre organic farm that hosts Earthsong Farm and Discovery Park is an authentic American Indian tipi camping experience.   An extra large  party tipi ("Great Gatherings") is available for larger groups as a daytime rental or for overnight stays (up to 18 people).  This tipi is on a woodchip base for a more primitive authentic experience and has optional cots and chairs for your use.  

In the fenced Tipi Village compound area there is a large Tipi on a wooden deck, a small play tipi  for kids.  The Tipi is adorned with native American Indian decor and furnished with one queen size bed, bedside table and camp chair.  Optional cots available, offering sleep accommodations for a total of 5 -6 people.  

Tipi Village is equipped with a shared outdoor kitchen and dining area, including a gas barbeque grill and fresh spring water.  There is also an instant-heat outdoor shower available.   A family-friendly fire pit with surrounding seating is a centralized spot for drum circles, late night marshmallows, and evening conversations.  At night you'll see fireflies and hear plenty of crickets, bullfrogs and singing tree frogs. 

Just outside the Tipi Village fence awaits "Discovery Park" for the kids... the "Best Playground Ever!"  The park includes kid powered train cars, gem mining, dual zip lines, a real fire truck, woods to explore, a shallow lagoon to take a raft across and much more.  Look up DiscoveryParkOhio to see more details.  

Schedule a tour of the farm to see the animals, greenhouses and an off-grid EarthShip.  A walk through the old-growth forest brings a quiet sense of peace and a genuine earthing connection.  An old-fashioned General Store offers seasonal organic produce, herbal tinctures and teas, bulk foods, goat milk soap, honey, maple syrup, jams, wooden toys, free-range chickens and eggs, plus much more.  

Down the road, complimenting the experience of Tipi Village, is the Log Cabin Shop: a muzzle-loading, early American craft & used bookstore.

EarthSong Farm, Discovery Park and Tipi Village are family friendly environments and inline with HipCamp values.  Please understand that we do NOT allow alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs on the property whatsoever. 

Functional Information: Tipi Village has designated parking adjacent to the site.  Firewood is included and stocked in Tipi Village.  Free admission to Discovery Park is included.
Two gas stations within a 5 minute driving distance offer ice refills for your cooler and quick snacks, Miller's Grocery is in Lodi (5 mins) and Medina is just up the road (15 mins).

For the Tourist:  Medina Town Square is adorned with tiny shops and boutiques.  You can also find Castle Noel, a Christmas museum displaying paraphernalia from popular Christmas films throughout time.  Two Farmer's Markets are active from May 1st- September in Medina on Saturday mornings from 9am-1pm.  Nearby Litchfield offers an outdoor Flea Market (about 15 min. drive). Cleveland is 45 minutes away with the rock-n-roll museum, science center, botanical gardens and much more.  Amish country is 45 minutes South with many attractions, stores and restaurants. There is a large assemblage of old order Amish just 10 minutes west with many farm produce stands. Dragway 42 is also just 10 minutes SW near West Salem.  Akron is 30 minutes East and has many worthwhile attractions including Stan Hywet Grounds, the former estate of F.A. Seiberling, co-founder of The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company.

View from inside Deer Tipi looking out the doorway

Interior view of Deer Tipi showing a queen size primitive style wooden bed and Indian design decor

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