The best star host camping in Ohio

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With its vast agricultural plains hemmed in by mountains, lakes, and rivers, Ohio’s natural scenery covers all terrains. Beach breaks await along the sandy shores of Lake Erie to the north, while to the east, ancient caves and waterfalls are hidden away in the forested foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Outdoor activities take place through all four seasons, from hiking and canoeing to snowshoeing and ice fishing, and camping is possible year-round. Summer temperatures average 80°F, and this is prime time for campers, but the views are most spectacular in the fall, when the eastern hills are ablaze with colorful foliage.

99% (11.7K)

Top-rated campgrounds

Yourway Camp

1. Yourway Camp

98%
(148)
7 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · South Bloomingville, OH
Our camp sites are located in the Hocking Hills Region in the Appalachian Mountain foothills. The campsites are in densely wooded, hilly, terrain. Our 26 acre, residential property, is a great year round destination to get back to nature. Located in the Hocking Hills are several state parks. Hocking Hills State Park Old Man's Cave, Cedar Falls, Ash Cave, Whispering Pines, Conkles Hollow, and Rock House, and Tar Hollow are all within 10 miles. You can enjoy hiking our trails, sitting around the fire ring and relaxing after visiting the amazing Hocking Hills Region . So many options for fun on your trip to Hocking Hills. If you enjoy canoeing, horseback riding, shopping, or a trip to an observatory, Hocking County has something for everyone. Fishing at Rose Lake or Tar Hollow Mountain Biking at Hocking Hills Mountain Bike Trails Swimming at Tar Hollow to name a few.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$38
 / night
A-frame rustic cabin

2. A-frame rustic cabin

100%
(23)
1 site · Lodging · Salineville, OH
Bookings by request only. We want to make sure you’ll be equipped for limited amenities and primitive conditions. 3 miles from Dollar stores and fuel in Salineville, Ohio, **Primitive camping! Bare bones facility after November 30th. Book if you are an advanced winter camper only. (Bring your own bedding, cooking supplies, and as nightly temperatures drop, we will offer a Buddy heater at no additional charge, (bring your own 1lb or 20lb propane bottle) Secluded one acre lot on dead end road surrounded by hundreds of acres of woods. (The aerial map images are outdated. There are no other structures on this property) **2 campers recommended for Cabin ** Additional tent camping allowed at $10/person Included: - 8x10’ TINY a-frame cabin on a 12’x18’ deck with a 42"x6' loft and removable ladder. Lots of natural lighting! - Dutch style door with drop down screens, rear window is removable with a privacy curtain, and screen for air flow -Tiny stainless wood burner in cabin No water, bring your own after November 30th. -2 cots, 2 chairs, 1 table, auxiliary solar power for phone charging *(Bring an air mattress or air pads for more comfort, we understand that cots aren’t ideal for everyone) - fire pit with light duty grate for cooking, an additional state park style charcoal grill, lighter fluid provided (bring your own charcoal) - Primitive. Portable toilet removed for winter. Bathroom removed. (Composting sawdust bucket system outdoors only) - Lots of wildlife. Pines for hammocks(one hammock included) Lake view when leaves are off of trees. - plenty of space available to set up tents for your guests if you prefer. ***Firewood change: first bundle free. $5 additional bundle 10 pieces Feel free to reconfigure the cabin ****************************************************Please see our "extras" section for anything additional you may need, or something not on the list. We are avid campers ourselves! If you are a first-time camper venturing out and are a little nervous, we understand! Reach out and we can help you build your list.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$48
 / night
Northern Wines Campsite

4. Nature's Way

98%
(192)
28 sites · Tents, RVs · Rockbridge, OH
Visiting the Hocking Hills ? No interest in crowded campgrounds ? you have found 75 acres mostly wooded with trails right at the start of the Hocking Hills. (easy access from 33 and to Logan) There are various places around the property to pitch a tent. There are also options for RV parking with no hookups as well as a site with 30/50 amp. I can transport you and your gear to the remote sites. ATV's are also welcome on the property. Firewood will be provided for free and in abundant amount. The site on top of the hill is a very secluded and mowed crest of hill surrounded by dogwood trees and the invasive Autumn Olive bushes. The site above the rxrwinery.com is a secluded, mowed clearing in the mature woods. There are also 2 sites in the valley that allow you to be near your vehicle. While on my property, clothing is optional but respect for other campers is expected. If you are traveling with an RV, the Sunny Rest location is the best with campfire. This is a valley and may get soft after heavy rain. Please keep wheels near the lane if there's any question to the ground conditions and maneuvering your vehicle, please contact me. Apple product GPS will not get you to this location, use the pin on Google Maps.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$15
 / night
Girls ran into the tent once it started raining.

5. Altenbrauch Farm

98%
(499)
4 sites · Tents, RVs · Mc Arthur, OH
Located only 8 miles from Hocking Hills State Park, Altenbrauch Farm features 62 acres of open fields, small streams and wooded hills intersected by a lonely country road.  Aside from our house, there are no neighbors in sight.  Easily pitch your tent in an open field or trek through the hills and hollows to find your perfect campsite.As part of Ohio's famous Hocking Hills Region, Vinton County is home to the second largest state forest, in addition to multiple state parks and wildlife areas. You’ll encounter abandoned historical sites and relics dating back to the early 1800s, hidden away among the wooded hills of Ohio’s least populated county. If you're a lover of outdoor recreation, this is the place to be. Within about a half-hour drive, there are many opportunities for hiking, biking, horseback riding, kayaking, hunting and fishing, and birding.  Nearby parks and forests include Hocking Hills State Park, Hocking Hills State Forest, Lake Hope State Park, Zaleski State Forest, the Moonville Rail Trail, Lake Alma State Park, Tar Hollow State Forest, and more!Set up camp wherever you like!  There are 12 acres of open field space, surrounded by 50 acres of wooded hills and hollows with hiking trails and level spots to pitch tents. Vehicles can be driven to the field sites; we are still working on a road to access the hill sites by vehicle.  The fields have about a dozen "permanent" sites with stone or metal fire rings and log seating.  Portable fire rings are also available that can be moved anywhere.  Dead wood for campfires is free to gather, or split firewood is available to purchase for $5/bundle. A toilet and solar shower are located at the center of the property. An outdoor water spigot is also available. Guests are expected to follow the "Leave No Trace" principles. Any trash packed onto the property must be bagged and taken with you.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$30
 / night

With its vast agricultural plains hemmed in by mountains, lakes, and rivers, Ohio’s natural scenery covers all terrains. Beach breaks await along the sandy shores of Lake Erie to the north, while to the east, ancient caves and waterfalls are hidden away in the forested foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Outdoor activities take place through all four seasons, from hiking and canoeing to snowshoeing and ice fishing, and camping is possible year-round. Summer temperatures average 80°F, and this is prime time for campers, but the views are most spectacular in the fall, when the eastern hills are ablaze with colorful foliage.

99% (11.7K)

Top-rated campgrounds

Yourway Camp

1. Yourway Camp

98%
(148)
7 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · South Bloomingville, OH
Our camp sites are located in the Hocking Hills Region in the Appalachian Mountain foothills. The campsites are in densely wooded, hilly, terrain. Our 26 acre, residential property, is a great year round destination to get back to nature. Located in the Hocking Hills are several state parks. Hocking Hills State Park Old Man's Cave, Cedar Falls, Ash Cave, Whispering Pines, Conkles Hollow, and Rock House, and Tar Hollow are all within 10 miles. You can enjoy hiking our trails, sitting around the fire ring and relaxing after visiting the amazing Hocking Hills Region . So many options for fun on your trip to Hocking Hills. If you enjoy canoeing, horseback riding, shopping, or a trip to an observatory, Hocking County has something for everyone. Fishing at Rose Lake or Tar Hollow Mountain Biking at Hocking Hills Mountain Bike Trails Swimming at Tar Hollow to name a few.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$38
 / night
A-frame rustic cabin

2. A-frame rustic cabin

100%
(23)
1 site · Lodging · Salineville, OH
Bookings by request only. We want to make sure you’ll be equipped for limited amenities and primitive conditions. 3 miles from Dollar stores and fuel in Salineville, Ohio, **Primitive camping! Bare bones facility after November 30th. Book if you are an advanced winter camper only. (Bring your own bedding, cooking supplies, and as nightly temperatures drop, we will offer a Buddy heater at no additional charge, (bring your own 1lb or 20lb propane bottle) Secluded one acre lot on dead end road surrounded by hundreds of acres of woods. (The aerial map images are outdated. There are no other structures on this property) **2 campers recommended for Cabin ** Additional tent camping allowed at $10/person Included: - 8x10’ TINY a-frame cabin on a 12’x18’ deck with a 42"x6' loft and removable ladder. Lots of natural lighting! - Dutch style door with drop down screens, rear window is removable with a privacy curtain, and screen for air flow -Tiny stainless wood burner in cabin No water, bring your own after November 30th. -2 cots, 2 chairs, 1 table, auxiliary solar power for phone charging *(Bring an air mattress or air pads for more comfort, we understand that cots aren’t ideal for everyone) - fire pit with light duty grate for cooking, an additional state park style charcoal grill, lighter fluid provided (bring your own charcoal) - Primitive. Portable toilet removed for winter. Bathroom removed. (Composting sawdust bucket system outdoors only) - Lots of wildlife. Pines for hammocks(one hammock included) Lake view when leaves are off of trees. - plenty of space available to set up tents for your guests if you prefer. ***Firewood change: first bundle free. $5 additional bundle 10 pieces Feel free to reconfigure the cabin ****************************************************Please see our "extras" section for anything additional you may need, or something not on the list. We are avid campers ourselves! If you are a first-time camper venturing out and are a little nervous, we understand! Reach out and we can help you build your list.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$48
 / night
Northern Wines Campsite

4. Nature's Way

98%
(192)
28 sites · Tents, RVs · Rockbridge, OH
Visiting the Hocking Hills ? No interest in crowded campgrounds ? you have found 75 acres mostly wooded with trails right at the start of the Hocking Hills. (easy access from 33 and to Logan) There are various places around the property to pitch a tent. There are also options for RV parking with no hookups as well as a site with 30/50 amp. I can transport you and your gear to the remote sites. ATV's are also welcome on the property. Firewood will be provided for free and in abundant amount. The site on top of the hill is a very secluded and mowed crest of hill surrounded by dogwood trees and the invasive Autumn Olive bushes. The site above the rxrwinery.com is a secluded, mowed clearing in the mature woods. There are also 2 sites in the valley that allow you to be near your vehicle. While on my property, clothing is optional but respect for other campers is expected. If you are traveling with an RV, the Sunny Rest location is the best with campfire. This is a valley and may get soft after heavy rain. Please keep wheels near the lane if there's any question to the ground conditions and maneuvering your vehicle, please contact me. Apple product GPS will not get you to this location, use the pin on Google Maps.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$15
 / night
Girls ran into the tent once it started raining.

5. Altenbrauch Farm

98%
(499)
4 sites · Tents, RVs · Mc Arthur, OH
Located only 8 miles from Hocking Hills State Park, Altenbrauch Farm features 62 acres of open fields, small streams and wooded hills intersected by a lonely country road.  Aside from our house, there are no neighbors in sight.  Easily pitch your tent in an open field or trek through the hills and hollows to find your perfect campsite.As part of Ohio's famous Hocking Hills Region, Vinton County is home to the second largest state forest, in addition to multiple state parks and wildlife areas. You’ll encounter abandoned historical sites and relics dating back to the early 1800s, hidden away among the wooded hills of Ohio’s least populated county. If you're a lover of outdoor recreation, this is the place to be. Within about a half-hour drive, there are many opportunities for hiking, biking, horseback riding, kayaking, hunting and fishing, and birding.  Nearby parks and forests include Hocking Hills State Park, Hocking Hills State Forest, Lake Hope State Park, Zaleski State Forest, the Moonville Rail Trail, Lake Alma State Park, Tar Hollow State Forest, and more!Set up camp wherever you like!  There are 12 acres of open field space, surrounded by 50 acres of wooded hills and hollows with hiking trails and level spots to pitch tents. Vehicles can be driven to the field sites; we are still working on a road to access the hill sites by vehicle.  The fields have about a dozen "permanent" sites with stone or metal fire rings and log seating.  Portable fire rings are also available that can be moved anywhere.  Dead wood for campfires is free to gather, or split firewood is available to purchase for $5/bundle. A toilet and solar shower are located at the center of the property. An outdoor water spigot is also available. Guests are expected to follow the "Leave No Trace" principles. Any trash packed onto the property must be bagged and taken with you.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$30
 / night

Stories from the community

Value Prop
Value Prop
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best star host camping in Ohio guide

Where to go

Great Lakes Plains

Sandy beaches and island getaways dot the 312-mile shore of Lake Erie, stretching from Toledo through Cleveland to Conneaut. East Harbor State Park is a highlight of the Lake Erie Birding Trail, and birders flock to nearby Maumee Bay State Park during the spring warbler migration. The most scenic spots for summer camping are on the islands, and regular ferries set out for the Bass Islands and Kelleys Island state parks.

Till Plains

Cornfields and farmlands blanket Ohio’s central region, but there are also more than a dozen state parks within a short drive of Columbus. The limestone gorges of John Bryan State Park harbor some of the region’s best hiking trails, while to the north, the Mohican River is one of Ohio’s top spots for canoeing. For beaches, boating, and lakeside campgrounds, Indian Lake State Park and Alum Creek State Park are both popular choices.

Appalachian Plateau

East of the Till Plains, the patchwork farmlands of Amish Country lead the way to the state’s only national park, Cuyahoga Valley. This is where Ohio’s adventurous spirit comes into its own—take a ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Railroad, go ziplining or caving in the Hocking Hills State Park, or enjoy backcountry camping in the heart of the Wayne National Forest.

Bluegrass Region

Rambling woodlands and steep cliffs line the banks of the Ohio River in the state’s southernmost region. Just outside Cincinnati, East Fork State Park has one of the largest state campgrounds in Ohio, while the rugged landscapes of the Shawnee State Park are just a 2-hour drive from the city. For hikers, the ultimate challenge is the North Country National Scenic Trail, which cuts through southern Ohio.