Camping in Ohio: Best Ohio Campgrounds 2023

Q: Is it legal to camp anywhere in Ohio?

No, it is not legal to camp anywhere in Ohio . Camping is only allowed in designated campgrounds and camping areas on public lands such as state parks, state forests, and wildlife areas. Additionally, private campgrounds and Hipcamp properties are available for camping. It is important to follow the rules and regulations of the area where you plan to camp and to obtain any necessary permits or permissions. For a list of camping options in Ohio , you can visit Hipcamp or explore specific areas like Cleveland and Dayton .

Q: Do you need a permit to camp in Ohio?

In Ohio , whether you need a permit to camp depends on the type of camping and the location. For most state parks and campgrounds, you do not need a specific permit; however, you will need to make a reservation and pay any associated fees. Reservations can be made through the Ohio State Parks Reservation System or by contacting the park directly. For primitive or dispersed camping in Ohio 's state forests, you may need a permit depending on the location and duration of your stay. It's essential to check with the specific state forest or location before embarking on your trip. For private camping options, you can explore and book camping sites through websites like Hipcamp, which provides information on various Ohio camping locations, including tent camping, tent in the woods, and primitive camping. Always check the specific rules and regulations of the location you plan to camp in to ensure you have the required permits or reservations.

United States
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Ohio

97% (9395 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Ohio

Available this weekend

Booked 5 times

Top camping destinations

The pond is quite large and had a canoe, two kayaks and a paddleboard for us to use

Nelson Ledges Quarry Park

596 campgrounds

Hocking Hills State Park

555 campgrounds

Lake Hope State Park

582 campgrounds

12 top campgrounds in Ohio

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Hallstead Cabin & Camping

3 sites · Lodging7 acres · Hartville , Stark

This small farm is 7 acres of the original 25 my great grandmother purchased for her family in 1934. The house dates back to the 1850s and is a post and beam structure. Guests can enjoy the barn, which has been converted to a rec area. Make our home and green space yours for a few days. Camp in comfort in our "little cabin in the woods." Accommodates up to six guests, with a queen-sized bed, a futon and two single rope-beds with foam mattresses in the loft, accessible only by ladder. Kids six and older may sleep in the loft-- just like Laura and Mary-- and they can read a chapter of one of Laura Ingalls' "Little House" books before bed! The Camp Cabin contains a small refrigerator, microwave and gas fireplace (no, the pioneers didn’t have that!). Fresh eggs and other snacks are provided for breakfast. The restroom and shower are located in the walkout basement of the farmhouse, a 40 yard walk from the Cabin. The restroom has a private entrance and is used only by guests during their stay. Pet and feed goats and other farm animals. Enjoy fun activities on the farm and in the barn.

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Geode Nature Domes

4 sites · Lodging, Tents11 acres · Chillicothe, Ross

Come for the thrill, stay for the chill. Geode Nature Dome is a one-of-a-kind outdoor event space nestled at the foothills of the Appalachians in Chillicothe, Ohio. Designed to create epic outdoor experiences immersed in nature’s elements, our space is perfect for groups, teams, wellness getaways, and adventure-seekers of all kinds. Our unique geodesic domes and glamping sites offer you and your community a rare experience in the heart of nature surrounded by its rich elements. Thrill + Chill Escape the daily grind and tap into your divine adventurous spirit. We offer a series of exhilarating outdoor experiences that allow you to connect with the earth. Be inspired by the open fresh air, trees, mountains and seek the adventure that awaits you. However you wish to connect to nature, we provide you a range of experiences that match your energy level. Embrace your bold spirit and take on adventures like ziplining, mountain biking, hiking, and kayaking. Or take a deep breath and find something a little more tranquil like yoga, massage, meditation, foraging, or a nature walk. We want to share the magical space that Geode Nature Dome is while showing gratitude for our natural habitat. It is our mission to leave our space better than we found it. Adventure therapy is calling. Geode Nature Dome: Thrilling Events Brought to Life 36' Dome Ideal for 10 people 16' Dome Ideal for 2 people The Specs: Private, half-mile hiking trail on property Picnic area with fire pit Sunlit with ventilation in summer Majestic views Learn more about this land:

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The Viking Longhall

10 sites · Lodging, Tents5 acres · Peebles, Adams

The Viking longhall has been 9 years in the making by a group of semi serious Viking enthusiasts: the result is a 60 foot long building that has 18, 8,x4' sleeping berths. Set apart from the main open area it also boasts 2 meeting rooms and a kitchen.The campsite is a very peaceful place. Some go as far as to say a healing place! We are proud of what we have achieved and now want people to come out and enjoy it also.The field is close enough to the Appalachian highway (state route 32) for convenience, but far enough not to be bothered by it. The area is steeped in Native American culture. In fact, the world famous Serpent Mound is but 8 miles away, with many other Adena culture sites within easy driving distance. It's also in the heart of the Amish community. The area is known for its natural beauty with many hiking trails and canoeing opportunities.The area is awash in beauty and history from the ancient mound culture to the amish culture. The area has many hiking trails some of which are part of the buckeye trail and range in length from an easy 1 mile loop to rugged hikes of many miles.Come out and share the land that we have loved for the last 30 years

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One Earth Collaborative Sanctuary

4 sites · Tents60 acres · Oregonia, Warren

Learn more about this land:Our campsite is part of a land restoration project of One Earth Collaborative, LLC. This organization consists of artists, naturalists, musicians, and land stewards who are passionate about restoring our Earth to it's full healing. The property is 12 acres that stretches from the remains of an old bridge to the Oregonia Road bridge. There is a field with an organic garden, sunflowers growing and towards the river there are giant sycamores, cottonwoods and more. You may choose to pull your car into one of the field spots or park and walk into the garden forest and camp riverside.

McKee Farm - Treehouses and Camping

14 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents230 acres · Frazeysburg, Coshocton

McKee Farm is rich in memories and rich in history. It has been in the family for over 150 years and we were told that it was one of stopping points for the underground railroad. The 240 acre farm boasts a hidden cave, wide open fields, breathtaking forest land, and historic and rustic barns. Nestled at the edge of a wooded creek, Tullihas in the Trees treehouse boasts a beautiful sunset view with rolling hills. Tullihas combines comfort with the thrill of being immersed in nature. Built using recycled electric poles, Tullihas in the Trees has a deck perfect for hammocking, an interior dressed with windows so that guests can feel as if they are living amongst the trees, and two small lofts ideal for a restful night's sleep. Oxley in the Woods is our newest treehouse cabin. Nestled in the woods with a view of the sunset, the lovely A Frame is filled with lovely woodwork, vintage parquet flooring, and private wooded views. The deck is huge! We've had guests set up a tent on the deck beside the treehouse for fun! Swings, and a slide make the Oxley a fun adventure. The double bed in the loft and the two stacked single beds are comfortable and cozy. The McKee Farmhouse was built in the 1800s and is rich in memories. It's a rustic old house, with wood trim, hardwood floors, and plenty of imperfections that make it unique. You can sit on the porch and drink your coffee with a view of the barn and pastures, or cozy up in one of the house's four bedrooms and sleep in. The house is fully air conditioned and heated, has all the amenities of home, but takes you back to a simpler time. Our campsites are all set apart from one another in various locations on the 240 acre farm. Secluded and unique, each campsite has its own charm. We provide guests with a fire ring and a shovel, and some sites have a picnic table. Hiking trails are marked throughout the land. Guests can hike with views of horses, cows, wildlife, corn fields, large boulders, and rustic barns. The dirt roads provide great places to drive ATVs and four-wheelers. An Amish farm borders McKee Farm. Guests should know there is minimal cell service, however, this can offer a great opportunity to unplug. Tullihas in the Trees provides a perfect remote and rustic getaway for anyone. In October and November, access to hiking is limited.

The Turkey Hollow Campground

6 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Millersburg, Holmes

Turkey Hollow is nestled in the rolling hills of Holmes County Ohio. We are right on the edge of the largest Amish settlement in the nation. The primitive campground is in the corner of a small 40 acre farm owned by Matt Polcyn. He started the campground 8 years ago because of his love for nature and real camping. He enjoys traveling in many places in the States and the Caribbean islands and loves finding places off of the beaten path and not commercialized. Because of his interest and love for primitive camping he decided to open the campground in order to provide the same opportunity as a getaway primitive camping location that he tries to find when he travels. We now just added a in the trees, warm water rinse off area.

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Camping at Heritage Farms

47 sites · Lodging, Tents115 acres · Peninsula, Summit

Heritage Farms was founded in 1848 by my great great uncle, Lawson Waterman. I am the 5th generation to farm the land and carry on the legacy that started 175 years ago. Each generation has done something different with the land. My father started raising Christmas trees on the farm in 1955. I took over in 1979, growing Christmas trees and other crops. Today, our focus is agrotourism. Besides growing Christmas trees, we host a Handcrafted Artisan Market 6 times during the the summer months and celebrate fall with our month-long Pumpkin Pandemonium in October. We added camping 8 years ago after a trip to Denmark, where we saw our first camping shelters. THINGS WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO KNOW BEFORE BOOKING: 1. Sites 1 through 6 have a shelter and room for 2 tents. Sites A through J are tent sites only, with room for 3 tents. All sites are limited to a maximum of 6 campers 2. All vehicles (except bicycles) must park in the parking lot. 3. No vehicles may be driven into the camping area at any time. 4. You must carry all your gear to your camp site. We have wheeled carts for you to use. 5. Our Ohio Primitive Camping License does not allow for any wheeled camping on the farm. This includes car camping, truck campers, popups, RV's, and any other wheeled camping vehicle. 6. Due to Summit County Health Regulations, we can not provide any water. Please bring in all your drinking and wash water. You can also purchase 1 gallon jugs when you make your reservation or upon arrival at Heritage Farms using our Paypal QR code or with cash. 7. No outside firewood may be brought on to Heritage Farms property. Firewood is available for purchase when you make your reservation. There is a discount for buying your firewood at the time you make your reservation. We deliver firewood to you, it will be waiting at your site upon your arrival with your free bundle of kindling. You may also purchase firewood when you arrive at Heritage Farms using our Paypal QR code, with credit card or with cash. 8. Check-in is from 3:00pm to 7:00pm. If you will be arriving after 7:00pm, please let us know your estimated time of arrival. If we know you are arriving after dark, we will mark your site with a solar light. Check-out is before 10:00am. 9. Only registered Hipcamp campers are allowed on property. There is a public picnic area 1/4 mile south of the farm if you would like to socialize with friends and family, who are not camping at Heritage Farms. 10. DOG POLICY: Dogs are welcome WITH PRIOR PERMISSION ONLY from the farm owners. We limit the number of dogs on property each day. There is a dog registration form you must fill out when you arrive, so be sure you have your dog's rabies tag information. Unvaccinated dogs are not allowed. All dogs MUST be on a leash and physically in your control at all times. No pets may be left unattended at any time. You must take your pets with you any time you leave the farm. 11. Tent site occupancy is limited to 6 campers and 3 tents. Our shelter site occupancy is limited to 6 campers and 2 tents. 12. Please read our Farm and Safety Rules before booking. Our 15 primitive campsites are 25 yards to 50 yards apart. This allows plenty of social distancing, as well as privacy. The 15 primitive tent camp sites at Heritage Farms open Friday April 21, 2023. From September 20, 2023 to October 21, 2023 only Camp Sites 1, 2, 3, 4 , 5 and G, H and J will be open. Heritage Farms is a 5th generation, 115-acre farm located in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Our primitive campsites are located along the boundaries of the southeast portion of the property. We have worked hard to place sites so there is privacy with beautiful views. Some tent sites are just feet from the park boundary. We are a working Christmas tree farm, so our tree fields are the backdrop for all of our camping sites. Every site provides you with either a gorgeous sunrise, a beautiful sunset, or both. The sunsets at Heritage Farms are awesome. We ask that no trash be left at campsites. Please take it home with you or deposit it in the dumpster in our parking area. Due to county health department regulations, you must bring in all water. There are 4 portable toilets near the parking area. There is plenty of parking in our parking area. Firewood can be purchased as an extra for an additional cost when you make your reservation. You can preorder firewood at the time of your booking, or at Heritage Farms by using our PayPal QR Code posted throughout the farm or with a credit card or cash. At our information booth, you will find charging stations for charging your electronics and plugs for the electric pump on your air mattress. We do not allow generators in any of our camp sites. Also, at the info booth, you will find: camp rules, emergency information, CVNP trail maps, info on local restaurants and stores, and fliers about Heritage Farms. We have a few events at Heritage Farms you might be interested in: PENINSULA FLEA ARTISAN MARKETS: Check out our 70+ local artists from 10:00am to 4:00pm on June 3rd, June 17th, July 1st, July 22nd, August 5th and September 2nd. There will be food trucks and live music. Free to all. PUMPKIN PANDEMONIUM: Enjoy the fall colors, live music, food vendors, and activities. Admission tickets are required for our maze, scavenger hunt, kids zone, and the hayride. Pumpkins, straw bales, corn stalks, and fall decorations will be available for purchase. Pumpkin Pandemonium takes over the farm on weekends from September 23rd to October 22nd. September and October are beautiful months to camp on the farm. Please note that our hayride trail passes some of the campsites. Check out Heritage Farms online for more info or message Carol and George through Hipcamp with questions. The small village of Peninsula is a short 1/4 mile walk from the farm. There are 2 restaurants, a great music venue, hike and bike trails, and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park right at our door step. We even have a local swimming area called The Quarry that offers day passes to visitors. Peninsula and our farm are true gems in a beautiful rural wooded setting 15 minutes from Blossom Music Center, numerous restaurants, retail areas, CVNP, Akron and Cleveland Metro Parks, and just about anything else you may want or need. We can't wait to see you on the farm!

Camp Cedar

260 sites · Lodging, RVs53 acres · Mason, Warren

Conveniently located just one mile from Kings Island Amusement Park in Deerfield Township near Mason, Ohio, Camp Cedar is a place where families can refresh, reconnect, and escape the grid—without forgoing life’s luxuries. Be our guest and enjoy an urban camping experience, thrilling activities, modern, comfortable accommodations, capacious RV campsites, and delightful amenities. After a day of exciting thrill rides at Kings Island Amusement Park, exploring Mason and Warren County, or a long day of travel, take refuge at Camp Cedar outdoor resort, featuring comfortable cottages, one of our new rental RV's or the option to relax in your own RV traveling accommodations. At Camp Cedar, we deliver big on fun! Explore our family fun attractions, programs, and activities, subtle but appreciated indulgences, and first-rate guest service so you can focus on the most important part of vacation—having fun! Enjoy the Hornbeam Lodge for socializing and activities, take a dip in our multiple pools, dine at our on-site restaurants, shop at our retail store, relax in our resort features such as fitness centers and pools, or upgrade to a private cabana. We look forward to welcoming you and making your stay a memorable one.

The Lake at the Flying J Farm

8 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents250 acres · Johnstown, Licking

The Flying J Farm is 250 beautiful rolling acres including 100 acres of forest, 6-acre lake small pond, three streams, and numerous fields for crops and pastures with cows, horses and chickens. The owner bought the farm in 1998 for his retirement from a faculty position at the Ohio State university. Two buildings, the farm house and old barn, are original dating back to 1831. These have been restored for current use. The mission of the farm is to restore health both in people though the products produced and in the land by farming in a sustainable way with no conventional chemicals, antibiotics, and use of GMO. We host many visitors including tours and events. An on farm market is available to visitors for purchase of our products including grass-fed beef, maple syrup, and fruits and vegetables. The cabin was built using wood from the farm. It has off-grid electricity meaning it is powered by batteries charged by solar panels. There is not sufficient power for devices with a heating element such as coffee makers and hair dryers. You may charge cell phones. For any other use, please check with the owner.

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The Dayton Yurt

1 site · Lodging1 acre · Dayton, Montgomery

Just 15 mins from downtown Dayton, this yurt gives you the opportunity to camp in a beautiful space while still having a quick commute to many great hiking, fishing, and kayaking areas as well as Dayton’s downtown district. This is camping, with the comforts of a home like structure. The couch folds down into a bed, as does the chair. Bring a tent for any extra guests and enjoy a home away from home.

Rustic Retreat

4 sites · Lodging3 acres · Xenia, Greene

Enjoy three vintage airstreams on an 1870s farm property. Lots of wildlife including a variety of birds, birds of prey like owls and hawks and deer. The local Little Miami Scenic bike path is the largest in the nation and is within 2/10 of a mile away. Other activities include hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, sailing, paddleboarding, trail running, bike rental and rock climbing. Guide services available.

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Sawdust FarmCamp

4 sites · Lodging, Tents400 acres · Geneva, Ashtabula

Welcome to Sawdust FarmCamp! Located in Geneva, Ohio. We have four different sites to choose from: 1 tent site, 2 glamping tents, and 1 cabin. Portable toilet available, pets welcome, campfires permitted. Potable water and hot water showers are only available at our glamping sites (not the tent site). Naturalist Isabelle H. Klein wrote a collection of letters from her home of Sawdust (named form the sawdust left by the loggers of the early 60’s) for the Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s Explorer Magazine from the winter of 1969 to the summer of 1976. They then were published as the book “Letters From Sawdust” by the Press of Case Western Reserve University for the Museum. It is a lyrical voyage through the seasons at the Sawdust Tract in Northeast Ohio. She details encounters with the wildlife of the area as well as the changing seasons and plant life. Reminiscent of Thoreau's writings about Walden. In 1978 an additional house was moved onto the property from Sidley's gravel pit and joined with the existing Klein farmhouse. We decided to preserve almost 400 acres of the property with the help of the Western Reserve Land Conservatory for the Cleveland Museum Of Natural History, Natural Areas. Forest is home to the red-sided dace, and 10 rare species of birds, including cerulean warblers. The original small family farm and surrounding woods we have retained are being restored and updated. We are proud to call Sawdust home and would love to share it with you.

Star Hosts in Ohio

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The Turkey Hollow Campground

6 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Millersburg, Holmes

Turkey Hollow is nestled in the rolling hills of Holmes County Ohio. We are right on the edge of the largest Amish settlement in the nation. The primitive campground is in the corner of a small 40 acre farm owned by Matt Polcyn. He started the campground 8 years ago because of his love for nature and real camping. He enjoys traveling in many places in the States and the Caribbean islands and loves finding places off of the beaten path and not commercialized. Because of his interest and love for primitive camping he decided to open the campground in order to provide the same opportunity as a getaway primitive camping location that he tries to find when he travels. We now just added a in the trees, warm water rinse off area.

Hallstead Cabin & Camping

3 sites · Lodging7 acres · Hartville , Stark

This small farm is 7 acres of the original 25 my great grandmother purchased for her family in 1934. The house dates back to the 1850s and is a post and beam structure. Guests can enjoy the barn, which has been converted to a rec area. Make our home and green space yours for a few days. Camp in comfort in our "little cabin in the woods." Accommodates up to six guests, with a queen-sized bed, a futon and two single rope-beds with foam mattresses in the loft, accessible only by ladder. Kids six and older may sleep in the loft-- just like Laura and Mary-- and they can read a chapter of one of Laura Ingalls' "Little House" books before bed! The Camp Cabin contains a small refrigerator, microwave and gas fireplace (no, the pioneers didn’t have that!). Fresh eggs and other snacks are provided for breakfast. The restroom and shower are located in the walkout basement of the farmhouse, a 40 yard walk from the Cabin. The restroom has a private entrance and is used only by guests during their stay. Pet and feed goats and other farm animals. Enjoy fun activities on the farm and in the barn.