96% (715) • 9 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Port Clinton
Rusty's Retreat with pond and river
1. Rusty's Retreat with pond and river
99%
(333)
36mi from Port Clinton · 13 sites · Tents, RVs
We bought this 125+ year old farm in 2010 with the hope of bringing it back to life. Overgrown and neglected, we have worked hard to make it a nice place for hiking, kayaking, fishing or any number of other activities. Peaceful and remote, the property has a beautiful brook that leads you to the South branch of the Portage river. Deer, turkey, geese, herons, mink and fox are just a few of our natural animal friends. Rusty the steer and his pony friends Lexi and Little Bits can be visited while they graze in the pasture. There are chickens and Brindle the barn kitty. We have the perfect place for dogs as well. We have four dogs that get along great with others and our fenced pond keeps them safe.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
$30
/ night
Maumee Bay State Park
2. Maumee Bay State Park
100%
(6)
25 sites · Harbor View, Ohio
With fishing, golf, swimming, boating, and biking, there's fun for the whole family
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
96% (715) • 9 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Port Clinton
Rusty's Retreat with pond and river
1. Rusty's Retreat with pond and river
99%
(333)
36mi from Port Clinton · 13 sites · Tents, RVs
We bought this 125+ year old farm in 2010 with the hope of bringing it back to life. Overgrown and neglected, we have worked hard to make it a nice place for hiking, kayaking, fishing or any number of other activities. Peaceful and remote, the property has a beautiful brook that leads you to the South branch of the Portage river. Deer, turkey, geese, herons, mink and fox are just a few of our natural animal friends. Rusty the steer and his pony friends Lexi and Little Bits can be visited while they graze in the pasture. There are chickens and Brindle the barn kitty. We have the perfect place for dogs as well. We have four dogs that get along great with others and our fenced pond keeps them safe.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
$30
/ night
Maumee Bay State Park
2. Maumee Bay State Park
100%
(6)
25 sites · Harbor View, Ohio
With fishing, golf, swimming, boating, and biking, there's fun for the whole family
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
N
Nina
October 2025
Tent
With pets
We tent camped for four nights at Site 3 which was perfect for our needs. The river was bone dry but fishing in the pond was good! We also enjoyed exploring the trails Jay has cut out. Thanks for a nice stay : )
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J
Jacob
October 2025
Tent
Jay is a very good host and was very flexible with us. The drive into the sites is interesting since you have to drive through his grass. If it is rainy I would recommend 4/all wheel drive.
The area was great! Sites were secluded in a tree dense area and around 25 minuets away is the large town of Findlay. Plenty of hikes and parks around as well!
Ultimately it was a great stay, and I would definitely come back!
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Natalie
October 2025
30 ft travel trailer
With pets
Lovely quiet and serene camping place. Rustic for sure but pleasurable and friendly, helpful owner and helpers.
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Mark
September 2025
Tent
Is a great place to go, and Jay is a very friendly person. Great paths to walk and very peaceful at night.
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Daniel
September 2025
Tent
With kids
Another great adventure at Rusty’s! This is our second time camping there this year and it certainly won’t be our last.
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Eden
September 2025
Tent
Jay was incredibly friendly and took the time to show us the land and introduce us to his lovely animals.
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Jack
September 2025
Tent
Wonderful property, beautiful sunrise. Very peaceful and quiet. Jay was a remarkably gracious host.
See moreL
Lizz
September 2025
17 ft Class C
With pets
We loved staying at Rusty's Retreat. There were a lot of camp site options that all felt private. The hosts were very friendly and helpful. We loved learning a bit about the farm and Jay's plans for it.
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A
Aubriana
September 2025
Tent
With kids
site number 1 was beautiful. it was a good spot to relax and the girls loved hanging out in the creek.
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Christy
August 2025
Tent
The property is BEAUTIFUL! And our host was very kind!
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Natalie
August 2025
28 ft travel trailer
With pets
We had a wonderful time at Rusty’s! 🐾 Our group of four adults, 2 silly (and sometimes loud) little girls, plus a couple of pups felt so welcomed from the moment we arrived.
We loved meeting Rusty and the rest of the animals, the golf cart tours of the property, kayaking, and hearing the story behind this special place. The accommodations were comfortable, the hospitality was above and beyond, and we really enjoyed our stay... even in the 95° weather. Thankful for the electric hookup for our camper's A/C!
We’re so grateful to Jay & Heather for opening their property to us and making our stay so memorable. Highly recommend!
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Damon
August 2025
23 ft campervan
Jay and Heather were super friendly and helpful. Their 2 miniature horses were very cute and Rusty, the bull was huge. Great walking trails through the woods.
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David
August 2025
Tent
With kids
One of the best 2 tent sites with the best access to the water. This has the best chance at being the most private. Assuming Noone is in site 2. Can pitch a couple of good sized tents. No picnic table on this site. Can drive vehicle basically up to the site directly. Can't really do that with the others.
Will be back another time. Great place to get some time outside for a night or two
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K
Kyra
August 2025
Tent
Jay was so helpful and kind to us even though we arrived 9 hours late! He brought us pizza and let us sleep next to the ponies, very needed after driving 500 miles that day.
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M
Mary Kate
July 2025
Tent
With pets
We loved our night at Rusty's Retreat! We were greeted upon arrival and given a tour of the land and sanctuary. Our site felt private and had very few bugs, despite being right next to the stream! We would absolutely come back.
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Robert
July 2025
18 ft Class B
Very accommodating and friendly host. Enjoyed the RV campsite, veggies from the garden, swim in the pond, and conversations with the host. Rusty and friends were great too!
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J
Jen
July 2025
18 ft Class B
Great spot. Really enjoyed swimming ( and could have fished & kayaked ) in the pond. Perfect for our campervan but tent sites were exceptionally nice.
See moreA
Alexia
July 2025
Tent
With kids
I stayed here with my husband and 2 kids and we had an incredible time! We booked a tent site, and were even able to upgrade to another site when we got there! Jay greeted us when we arrived and gave us a tour. He was so kind and accommodating our whole trip! We got to meet Rusty, Lexi, and Little Bits, they were all so sweet! The property is absolutely beautiful! The sites were a great size and well maintained. It felt so private and peaceful! The kids had a blast walking the trails and playing in the pond. They even had available kayaks to use! We spent HOURS playing in the river right off of our site and listening to the wildlife. Jay even brought us fresh vegetables from his garden! We had a fantastic stay and would love to come again, we will definitely be recommending to friends! Thank you for your hospitality and sharing your beautiful property with us!
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Lyn
July 2025
12 ft campervan
Went to sleep with the fireflies and woke up to bird singing and a deer at my doorstep. Jay was an amazing host. Gabe is a tour upon arrival. He put a lot of effort into his place and it shows. We really enjoyed our stay.
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Polly
July 2025
4 nights at Rusty's Retreat with pond and river
We spent a few days relaxing in Jay’s RV spot #1. We enjoyed the quiet spot, the walking paths, meeting Rusty and his friends. The bonuses were enjoying the pond, meeting Jay’s fun dogs (who played nicely with our pup) and fresh eggs and veggies from Jay and Heather! We highly recommend a detour from I-90!
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