98% (496) • 6 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Sandusky
Rusty's Retreat with pond and river
1. Rusty's Retreat with pond and river
99%
(333)
44mi from Sandusky · 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
Riverside Camping
2. Riverside Camping
95%
(488)
15mi from Sandusky · 5 sites · Tents, RVs
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!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
$40
/ night
Maumee Bay State Park
3. 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
98% (496) • 6 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Sandusky
Rusty's Retreat with pond and river
1. Rusty's Retreat with pond and river
99%
(333)
44mi from Sandusky · 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
Riverside Camping
2. Riverside Camping
95%
(488)
15mi from Sandusky · 5 sites · Tents, RVs
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!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
$40
/ night
Maumee Bay State Park
3. 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
Marianne
October 2025
16 ft car
With pets
I was on site 1… site 2 is in the same area. Right near the water… nice grassy spot. Bryan brought wood to my site within 15 minutes.
See more
April
October 2025
16 ft car
Nice area right by the water. I booked very last minute and Bryan was great about it. Beautiful area. Very close to the small downtown area. I will definitely be back next summer!!
See moreC
Carl
October 2025
Tent
With pets
Trains , but they dont bother me . There does seem to be more trains during the week than on our weekend stay . I was raised in the inner city so again they dont bother me. Great views , good people run it and I love the sound of the water.
Nomadic Camping with Endless Weekends
See more
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.
See more
B
Brandi
October 2025
Tent
Loved tent camping at Bryan's business, great little spot right next to the river.
See more
Britt
September 2025
Tent
A sweet little spot by the river. Everyone was friendly and welcoming, and we enjoyed saying hi to the turtles and goats and cats near the office and kayak rental area when we checked in.
The train is definitely right there and runs all night with horns, so be mindful of whether you’re someone who will be bothered or unable to sleep because of that.
We stayed at site 1, which is right on the river’s edge and nice to wake up to herons and misty sunrises. Site 1 and 2 share an area without a barrier between them (though ample space for both). Site 3 is next to these sites, not immediately next to the water, but slightly more private. Site 4 is farther away from all three of the others and more secluded (and I think also right on its own little inlet of water, but I didn’t walk into the site to say for sure).
We stayed here as a jumping off place for visiting Cedar Point, and would do so again.
See more
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.
See moreA
Alicia
September 2025
Tent
With pets
Forgot to see the tortoise before we left! Loved it!! and will be back but with ear plugs!! There's a train that runs quite often. So if your a light sleeper bring ear plugs. I'll bring a box you can have for the office. Loved our site right next to the water and the remote location. Plus that I can bring my dog with no hassle. Also the fact that there aren't tons of sites where people are on top of each other. This is what I look for and another reason I chose here. Didn't hear anyone else except nature!! They've got everything else you'd possible want! Next time I'm paddling!!
See more
Kristen
September 2025
21 ft campervan
Great spot! Fantastic bird watching. Will def be back if I’m passing through!
See moreV
Vincent
September 2025
19 ft campervan
Nice spot. Stayed one night when we were passing through. Animals and artwork was very cool.
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.
See moreJ
Jayne
September 2025
16 ft car
With pets
Really great camping spot near the water. Site is really well kept. Brian was fantastic. I’d recommend and would love to come back.
See more
Steven
September 2025
Tent
Bryan & Amanda are great hosts. Love their energy and all the other activities they offer at their location
See more
Jade
September 2025
Tent
The owners are so friendly and the area is beautiful. Nice flat camping area as well as a provided fire pit. They even deliver the fire wood directly to your campsite. If you are a light sleeper you may want to bring hearing protection for at night as there are a lot of trains that go by.
See moreC
Chris
September 2025
Tent
Beautiful camp right by the water & it was all to our selves. No other campers so it was very nice to get away close to home & just be on the water. I have a jetski & the owner let me use the dock in the back to launch it. Would definitely recommend this place & will for sure be back.
See moreV
Viki
September 2025
16 ft car
The description and directions are spot on. I found the place very easily, and it took me a minute to figure out where the office was, but it was a straight shot and very noticeable while driving in. Bryan was great at check-in - friendly and very chill. I purchased firewood which he brought over to my site. I had site #1 which is right by the river. I did hear the train at times at night, and other than the horns, it felt like white noise. But definitely something to be aware of going in. I had nobody else next to me, so it was super private. Wonderful experience!
See more
Kyra
September 2025
Tent
With pets
I couldn't have asked for a better host for my chaotic first night of mine and my dogs trip, Bryan and his family were super kind and attentive, I would absolutely come back! The train wasnt as bad as expected and me and my dog both slept through the night :)
See more
robin
September 2025
Tent
Bryan and Amanda are excellent hosts! Friendly, helpful, welcoming, fun!!
The whole place was fun! Feeding goats! Paddling kayaks! Panning fir gems!!!
And the location is beautiful. Right on the river!
See moreD
Dennis
September 2025
Tent
With kids
Great spot, beautiful, however there was quite a bit of train traffic during the night. The hosts were friendly and helpful, thanks for having us.
See more
robin
August 2025
Tent
Bryan and the crew felt immediately like friends...helpful, friendly, welcoming. I honestly did not want to leave, so I didn't:) i took a nice paddle in the morning, fed the goats, got introduced to all the critters and was encouraged to explore the area which was awesome! The site was private, spacious, clean and beautifully situated near the river. Yes, the train rattled by during the night, but you can plan for that. This is the kind of place I want to return to again and again and introduce friends to it.
See more
