With summer finally here, it’s time to go explore the great Ohio outdoors by spending the night away from home. In this list you’ll find camping sites for everyone from the most experienced backpacker to the best glamper around. Easiest of all, these spots are all within a 2-hour drive from Cleveland.
South Bass Island State Park Campground
1523 Catawba Ave, Put-In-Bay, 419-285-2112. Drive time: 1 hr., 56 min.
Camp on top of the white cliffs of South Bass Island in Lake Erie at this wooded campground. Including 128 RV and tent site, along with four cabents and a rustic cabin, this campsite provides private access to Lake Erie for swimming, fishing and boating — bring your personal watercraft or rent a power boat, fishing boat or kayak and set off from the park’s public launch ramp.
Photo via lindseyannebunn/InstagramSpringbrook Campground
13833 Monclova Rd., Swanton, 419-407-9700. Drive time: 1 hr., 56 min.
Tucked within the 5,000 acres Oak Openings Preserve Metropark, this tent-camp only site is a must for nature enthusiasts and equestrians. Two sites include horse corrals, allowing campers to sleep next to their horses before setting off on the bridle trails. The more than 50 miles of trails feature alternating wetlands and vegetated dunes, hot sand dunes and wet swales.
Photo via rainstormphoto/InstagramThe Eco Camp
5751 Waterville Swanton Rd., Swanton, 419-482-8406. Drive time: 1 hr., 58 min.
Also situated in Oak Openings, this luxury campsite is perfect for glampers everywhere. The Eco Camps offers a wide variety of fully-furnished tents, each featuring a queen size mattress, charcoal grill, device chargers and much, much more. A special kids yurt is also available for children six and under.
Photo via theecocamp/InstagramHeritage Farms
6050 Riverview Rd., Peninsula, 330-657-2330. Drive time: 33 min.
While you might know Heritage Farms for their Christmas tree and fall pumpkin selections, this family-owned farm also doubles as a campground. Located in the heart of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Heritage Farms offers 12 unique tent sites and three hillside camping shelters overlooking the sunset.
Photo via devaneleigh/InstagramMaumee Bay State Park Campground
1400 State Park Rd., Oregon, 419-836-8828. Drive time: 1 hr., 47 min.
Situated in a convergence of the land and Lake Erie, this 1,336 acre park offers a unique natural environment. Cottages are set between wet woods, marches and meadows, allowing ___ for a balanced indoor-outdoor camping experience. For recreation, rent a boat or bike, sharpen your birdwatching skills, take a walk on the beach or a swing at 18 hole public golf course in the middle of the park.
Photo via bethanylynne237/InstagramStreetsboro / Cleveland SE KOA
187 State RT. 303, Streetsboro, 330-650-2552. Drive time: 41 min.
Whether you consider yourself an outdoorsy type or prefer your camping in small-doses, Streetsboro KOA has it all: one-room and deluxe cabins, sites for pop-up campers and tents and space for even the biggest rigs. The campground also features themed weekends throughout the camping season, plenty of small ponds for fishing, a dog park, pool, group campfire, game area and access to the General Store where you can find fudge and ice cream galore.
Photo via theycallmepoopie/Instagram Credit: Scene ArchivesWoodside Lake Park
2486 Frost Rd., Streetsboro, 330-626-4251. Drive time: 42 min.
The highlight of Woodside Lake Park is surely its four-acre lake, which offers campers ample opportunities for fishing, swimming or enjoying a lakeside picnic. Containing over 100 acres of campground, the park features 250 RV sites, along with several cabins tucked between the trees.
Photo via livingpasttomorrow/InstagramPunderson State Park Campground
11755 Kinsman Rd., Newbury, 440-564-1195. Drive time: 47 min.
Campers can enjoy access to the 741-acre Punderson State Park while staying at one of the many family cottages, RV sites or classic tent sites. The state park offers a wealth of recreational opportunities and amenities, including but not limited to an archery range, boat and bike rentals, golf, tennis, volleyball and basketball courts, a fishing pier, hiking trails, and a nature center and ranger station.
Photo via thismamaplans/InstagramRoundup Lake Campground
3392 State RT. 82, Mantua, 330-562-9100. Drive time: 49 min.
Located in the village of Mantua, Roundup Lake offers an array of camping options, including lodge, cottage and cabin rentals, plus 350 additional campsites for RVs, pop-up campers and tents. A sandy beach stretches alongside its beautiful 50-acre lake, where you have the option of canoeing, kayaking, rowing, swimming, fishing or even just taking in the scenery.
Photo via thismamaplans/InstagramTucaway Lake Campground
3365 Lake Rockwell Rd., Ravenna, 330-297-7908. Drive time: 49 min.
Spend a weekend at this lowkey campground in Ravenna, where you rent a cabin or set up shop in the many available tent and RV sites. Rent a bike and take off on the nature trails or take a kayak out on the water for the day.
Photo via colesh131/InstagramClay’s Park Resort
13190 Patterson St. NW., North Lawrence, 330-854-6691. Drive time: 55 min.
Whether you’re seeking an adventure-filled vacation or taking some much-needed time away from the kids, this combined camping resort, water park and events center is sure to offer something for you. Be sure to check out the water park, where you can get in deep with the
slides, ziplines, ring swings, kayaks, canoes and paddle boards, before heading to the beach house and grabbing a drink at the beachfront tiki bar.
Photo via shane_anne_igans/InstagramFindley State Park Campground
25381 OH-58, Wellington, 440-647-4490. Drive time: 56 min.
Channel your inner Thoreau at the densely wooded Findley State Park. With an 838-acre forest, along with a beach and lake, this campsite is perfect for those looking for a traditional camping experience complete with biking, boating, swimming, hiking and wildlife watching.
Photo via /nickhallandbeyond/InstagramCamp Sandusky
3518 Tiffin Ave., Sandusky, 419-626-1133. Drive time: 1 hr.
Only a ten-minute drive from Cedar Point, Camp Sandusky is a great choice to supplement your trip to Cedar Point with some natural scenery. Offering over 200 campsites, including amish built cabins, this campground features two pools, volleyball and basketball courts, pedal cart rentals and a famed bunny farm, where you can pet and feed the bunnies for free. Even if
Cedar Point is not your destination, you can explore the local area by taking a short ferry to Put-in-Bay or visiting the nearby African Safari Wildpark.
Photo via kaythrine87/InstagramWest Branch State Park Campground
5570 Esworthy Rd., Ravenna, 330-296-3239. Drive time: 1 hour
Park your RV or hitch your tent, then set off to the beach, forest or lake at the West Branch State Park. With recreational activities such as horseback riding, wildlife watching, fishing, hiking, swimming, biking or hunting, this state park offers the classic camping experience.
Photo via /richardulmes/InstagramMosquito Lake State Park Campground
1439 Wilson Sharpsville Rd., Cortland, 330-637-2856. Drive time: 1 hr., 10 min.
With 2,483 acres of forest, vast marshes, a wealth of wildlife and one of the largest lakes in Ohio, this campground is an ideal choice for nature enthusiasts everywhere. The park offers a variety of amenities, including a marina, naturalist programs, fishing and boating opportunities, a dog park and a disk golf setup.
Photo via eakw/InstagramMill Creek Campground
7400 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center, 330-547-8180. Drive time: 1 hr., 16 min.
Located on Berlin Lake, this family campground offers 314 sites for RV and tent setups. It is especially intriguing for hunters, anglers and wildlife lovers, who can catch an abundance of small game, fish from the lake’s rare walleye population or spot bald eagles and nesting ospreys.
Photo via /nathan_bitecofer/InstagramJamestown Campground
2660 Williamsfield Rd., Jamestown, PA., 724-932-3141. Drive time: 1 hr., 28 min.
Positioned in the heart of Pymatuning State Park, this campground allows access to all 16,892 acres of the park, including the largest lake in Pennsylvania. Visit the fish hatchery operated by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission or spot some wildlife at the viewing areas run by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Fishing and boating supplies are available, along with boat moorings, rentals and a launch.
Photo via mcola68/InstagramCricket Hill Cabins
5731 Township Rd. 351, Millersburg, 800-293-8301. Drive time: 1 hr., 31 min.
Experience Amish country at the Cricket Hill Cabins tucked in the woods between Berlin and Millersburg. A creek at the bottom of a steep ravine divides three unique cabins, each equipped with a full kitchen, jacuzzi tub, gas grill and a private deck and hot tub overlooking the ravine. Even more, this serene and secluded locale is only 3.5 miles from Berlin, where you can find wineries, cheese houses, antique shops and Amish farms.
Photo via jazzyjewelsjess/InstagramThe Mohicans
23164 Vess Rd., Glenmont, 740-599-9030. Drive time: 1 hr., 38 min
Glamp in the scenic Mohican valley at one of the Mohicans’ four Amish-built cabins or six authentic treehouses. Centrally located between Mohican State Park, Findley State Park and Malabar Farm Park, this campstay is surrounded by Ohio’s natural beauty. Be sure to take a Tree Frog Canopy tour and adventure through the tree tops on zip lines, sky bridges, and platforms suspended above the forest.
Photo via sun_seasalt/InstagramBeaver Creek State Park Campground
12021 Echo Dell Rd., East Liverpool, 330-385-3091. Drive time: 1 hr., 4 min.
Set in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, this campground offers 2,722 acres of forest wilderness to explore. Spend some time fishing or relaxing at the Little Beaver Creek,
a state and national wild river, before setting off on foot or horseback on one of the many hiking and bridle trails.
Photo via cessna_marie/Instagram
