Camping near Athens with climbing
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96% (308 reviews)
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- Athens
96% (308 reviews)
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Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.
Public campgrounds near Athens
Stories from the community
A
Amy
3 weeks ago
With pets
We absolutely loved this cabin! It was extremely clean and had a great big front porch surrounded by trees! William was very nice and helpful, we highly recommend you stay any one of the cabins!
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Michael
3 weeks ago
Tent
With kids
We had a great time tent camping at Geneva Hills. It was a hot weekend (mid 90's) but our campsite, blue gill was all shade and actually quite comfortable. We booked the blue gill site in advance but when you arrive the primitive sites are first come, first serve so if you want that specific site make sure to get there on time.
We spent some time on the lake kayaking and fishing. Great for paddling, not for swimming. They have kayaks/canoes there for rent but we brought our own. We also spent all day at the pool, which was about a 30sec walk from our site. The pool was fantastic, clean and very refreshing on a hot day with lots of chairs/loungers.
Check in was a breeze and the staff was super kind. We will definitely be back to try out some of the other activities such as hiking and games that Geneva Hills has to offer.
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Michelle
3 weeks ago
Tent
Roger and Rita have a beautiful and peaceful property. They were so welcoming and kind to us during our visit. We are so grateful to have had such a wonderful experience. And we hope to visit again soon! Thank you Rita and Roger!
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Christopher
3 weeks ago
Tent
I loved everything about Roger's property. Not only was the site we stayed at accommodating, Roger made sure we had everything we needed for our stay. Beautiful landscape with an array of wildlife rustling in the plush forest. Minutes away from the Mothman Museum and other places to visit. I hope to come back and hear more of your stories. Thanks again.
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Kirsten
June 2025
Tent
We had such a great time up here! John and Julie were so welcoming and kind! The area was in a beautiful field tucked away on a hilltop. The area was very private, and each campsite was spread out, if each were full it would still feel private. The land was very well maintained, and so were the bathrooms! It was so nice to have the luxury of a private bathroom and shower while camping, especially on a hot day. The trail and walkways around the fields were fun to explore and full of butterflies and birds! It was also close to town too, so it was easy to head in to visit some of my Athens favorites :) I’d absolutely recommend staying here, and will be back! I think this would be a really great spot to come back with a group of friends!
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Andrew
June 2025
Tent
With kids
Camping at Tenderfoot was great! Owners were very kind and willing to answer questions and share their land with us. We had a great time using the pond, exploring the property and it's in a good location near Athens and Lake Hope.
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Brianna
June 2025
Tent
The area is nice and under the trees. It was a short walk to the bathroom and the pond. The bathrooms are clean but lots of bugs living in there. There was a truck doing work at 6:30AM so we became early morning people while staying here.
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Marissa
June 2025
Tent
With pets
Being fairly new to camping this was a great spot! Little over an hour away from Columbus and minutes from Athens. I’m familiar with the area due to being an OU alumni but wish I knew about this hidden gem sooner.
To get to the site there is a bit of a downhill that can be tough after heavy rainfall, so be careful!! We experienced slick conditions but managed. Site was private, serene and a great getaway from the city for a bit. Our pup Indy (Indiana Jones full name lol) had a blast exploring and being a dog.
Got to learn a bit of what happens at Tenderfoot Learning Labs as well and it’s awesome all the programming they have! Definitely on my return Hipcamp List! (Will have to try to other site out next).
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Jacob
June 2025
Tent
With pets
We really enjoyed our stay at Tenderfoot, as soon as we hit camp everything was quiet and peaceful. One of the highlights was feeling like you’re in the woods without a long hike! The picnic table and fire pit were well constructed. We enjoyed the natural pit to a metal ring. Overall we really enjoyed this camp!
Things to consider:
It rained each day we were here which made it extremely difficult to carry our gear to and from the car because of the steep incline. There aren’t any steps so you really need to be careful in wet/muddy conditions. There are trails but we weren’t sure where they were so some type of marker/map would be helpful. I didn’t get service which made it challenging to message the host so I would suggest printing info before and scheduling when to drop off wood ahead of time. Also I would suggest bringing a way to keep wood dry like a leakproof tub, the tarp supplied let in a lot of moisture.
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Victor
June 2025
Tent
A perfect spot to get away from the highway on my way back to NC from NE Ohio. A dark night sky made for fantastic star gazing. Will be back!
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tyler
May 2025
Tent
With kids
I stayed at site #6. Great location right next to the pond
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clara
May 2025
Tent
Group trip
Couldn’t have asked for a better camping trip for me and my friends,, the owners are so kind and helpful, the space is big and private, the bathrooms are accessible and clean, and is a short drive from town so we could easily get more stuff if we needed,, we would 100% come back here again <3
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Faith
May 2025
Tent
We enjoyed our stay. Enjoyed waking up to birds singing. Enjoyed having trails on the property. Only drawback was the group renting the lodge near us didn’t observe the 10pm quiet rule.
If we stay again, will try out a few of the extras, like kayaking.
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Adam
May 2025
Tent
Gorgeous spot. Owner was very helpful. Facilities were top notch.
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Chad
May 2025
Weekend Trip to Cozy mountain log cabin
We had an awesome time at the cabin! William was a great host! We had to call, trying to find it late at night, and he was calm and patient helping us find the place! The cabin was clean and had everything we needed. Loved hiking the trails and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere! Will be recommending this place for anyone looking for a getaway!
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Hunter
May 2025
1 night at Tenderfoot Learning Lab
Amazing camp site! This was our second time here and won’t be the last. It was our first time exploring the trails. The land is absolutely beautiful and magical and an explorer’s paradise. I highly recommend!
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Enrique
April 2025
Tent
Group trip
Excellent campsite near Athens and Lake Hope State Park. It was great chatting with Travis and learning about what they did at Tenderfoot. There are two sites on the property and we stayed at the larger one, called Deciduous Downtime. It was a short downhill walk from the parking area to the site. The site itself is surrounded by the woods and very peaceful. You don’t really see the house at all from there. One thing to point out though is the ground is not completely level across the site. We didn’t find it to be a deal breaker though. We had enough room for two tents and a big shelter that we could put over the picnic table. Note there is just one tent pad. The outhouse is clean and well kept and there’s lots of trails on the property to explore. We'd highly recommend staying here!
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MARCIE
April 2025
With pets
Peaaceful, trees and sunlight, 10 different bird species singing in the morning 🐦⬛🤓; easy to find location definitely off the beaten path up some dirt roads.
Cabin was clean on bed was very comfortable.
There are trails on the land that are meant for ATVs, which I didn’t use, but I walked on them with my dog and the solitude was great
William was very accommodating and went above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable. New private hot tub. I didn’t get a chance to get in it to tired from traveling. The area is gorgeous. If you have not been just riding through the countryside hills was serene.
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Overview
Welcome to Hipcamp, your go-to website for camping in the United States! If you're looking for a camping experience near Athens, Ohio, with a focus on climbing, you're in luck. We offer over 390 options specifically tailored to your preferences. Whether you're a seasoned climber or just starting out, you'll find the perfect campsite for your adventure. Looking for popular campsites with great reviews? Check out Fruitdale Farm (352 reviews), McKee Farm (188 reviews), and Geneva Hills (81 reviews). And with amenities like pet-friendly options, showers, and campfires, you'll have everything you need for a comfortable stay. So pack your gear and get ready for a thrilling climbing experience in Athens, Ohio!