If you like to camp in Ohio, you might be surprised to find that there are some places in the Buckeye State where you can camp right along the lake.

While we don’t have traditional beaches here in our state, Lake Erie serves as Ohio’s own special sort of ocean, with gorgeous views, crashing waves and stunning sunsets. There’s nothing like waking up to your favorite lake—and building a campfire each evening along the shore. The following are 9 spectacular spots in Ohio where you can camp right on (or right next to) the lake. These spots offer some of the best lake camping in Ohio.

  1. Geneva State Park (Geneva)

Flying Horse Farms/Flickr With a nearby lodge and deluxe cedar cabins, this family favorite state park has several overnight accommodations. But with such stunning views of Lake Erie, why not pitch a tent? Geneva State Park Address: 4499 Padanarum Road, Geneva, OH, 44041

  1. Blue Water Campground (Grover Hill)

Blue Water Campground/Facebook While the famous Blue Hole in Castila is long gone, not many people are aware that Ohio is home to a family owned and operated campground in Grover Hill that features a stunningly beautiful quarry. You can camp pretty close to the quarry. Each site includes a fire ring and picnic table. (There are also shower houses, a laundry facility and a camp store for supplies and snacks.) Blue Water Campground Address: 2791 Road 173, Grover Hill, OH, 45849

  1. Kelleys Island State Park (Kelley’s Island)

Kelleys Island State Park/Facebook Perhaps one of the most beautiful and underrated campgrounds in Ohio is Kelleys Island State Park. With stunning views of Lake Erie and ancient ruins to explore, this beautiful campground almost makes you forget you’re in Ohio. Both primitive and RV camping is permitted here, with 42 non-electric sites and 82 electric sites. (There are two Rent-A-Camp units and tow yurts available as well.) Kelleys Island State Park Address: 920 Division Street, Kelleys Island, OH, 43438

  1. Clay’s Park Resort (Lawrence)

clayspark.com The canvas cabins along the lake at Clay’s Park Resort in Lawrence is “where comfort meets a starry night.” With custom, Amish built log furniture and wood platforms, these canvas tents feature one queen bed, one set of bunk beds and a trundle bed. Clay’s Park Resort Address: 13190 Patterson Street Northwest, North Lawrence, OH, 44666

  1. Indian Lake State Park (Lakeview)

Mwietro/Trip Advisor At Indian Lake State Park, the campground is nestled right along the water. In addition to easy lake access for boating, swimming and fishing, several picnic spots, hiking trails, and playgrounds abound at this 800-acre state park. Indian Lake State Park Address: 12774 Ohio 235, Lakeview, OH, 43331

  1. Mosquito Lake State Park (Cortland)

parks.ohiodnr.gov Mosquito Lake State Park offers two yurts available for rent from April 1 to October 31. Each features a large wooden deck with a view of the lake, two futon bunk beds, a small refrigerator, microwave, small table and an outdoor grill and picnic table. Mosquito Lake State Park Address: 1439 State Route 305, Cortland, OH, 44410

  1. The Riverside Campground (Hocking Hills)

Hocking Hills Adventures/Facebook Managed by Hocking Hills Adventures, this little-known campground sits right along the banks of the Hocking River. With easy access to electric hook-ups at the Fun Center and easy access to canoeing, kayaking and other fun river activities, this makes for a great site. The Riverside Campground Fun Center Address: 22663 Main Street, Rockbridge, OH, 43149

  1. Lake Loramie State Park (Minster)

Ryan S./Yelp This state park in northwest Ohio is somewhat of a hidden gem. With 115 electric sites , 45 electric premium sites, 15 non-electric sites and cedar cabins centered around the lake, you can have the perfect lakeside getaway here. Lake Loramie State Park Address: 4401 Fort Loramie-Swanders Road, Minster, OH, 45865

  1. Kiser Lake State Park (Saint Paris)

parks.ohiodnr.gov The atmosphere is relaxing and the water is refreshing at Kiser Lake State Park. You’ll find 10 electric sites and 69 non-electric sites at this peaceful oasis. Kiser Lake State Park Address: 4370 Kiser Lake Road, Saint Paris, OH, 43072

Have you ever camped at any of these campgrounds in Ohio before? If so, we want to know what your experience was like!

Flying Horse Farms/Flickr

With a nearby lodge and deluxe cedar cabins, this family favorite state park has several overnight accommodations. But with such stunning views of Lake Erie, why not pitch a tent? Geneva State Park Address: 4499 Padanarum Road, Geneva, OH, 44041

Blue Water Campground/Facebook

While the famous Blue Hole in Castila is long gone, not many people are aware that Ohio is home to a family owned and operated campground in Grover Hill that features a stunningly beautiful quarry. You can camp pretty close to the quarry. Each site includes a fire ring and picnic table. (There are also shower houses, a laundry facility and a camp store for supplies and snacks.) Blue Water Campground Address: 2791 Road 173, Grover Hill, OH, 45849

Kelleys Island State Park/Facebook

Perhaps one of the most beautiful and underrated campgrounds in Ohio is Kelleys Island State Park. With stunning views of Lake Erie and ancient ruins to explore, this beautiful campground almost makes you forget you’re in Ohio. Both primitive and RV camping is permitted here, with 42 non-electric sites and 82 electric sites. (There are two Rent-A-Camp units and tow yurts available as well.) Kelleys Island State Park Address: 920 Division Street, Kelleys Island, OH, 43438

clayspark.com

The canvas cabins along the lake at Clay’s Park Resort in Lawrence is “where comfort meets a starry night.” With custom, Amish built log furniture and wood platforms, these canvas tents feature one queen bed, one set of bunk beds and a trundle bed. Clay’s Park Resort Address: 13190 Patterson Street Northwest, North Lawrence, OH, 44666

Mwietro/Trip Advisor

At Indian Lake State Park, the campground is nestled right along the water. In addition to easy lake access for boating, swimming and fishing, several picnic spots, hiking trails, and playgrounds abound at this 800-acre state park. Indian Lake State Park Address: 12774 Ohio 235, Lakeview, OH, 43331

parks.ohiodnr.gov

Mosquito Lake State Park offers two yurts available for rent from April 1 to October 31. Each features a large wooden deck with a view of the lake, two futon bunk beds, a small refrigerator, microwave, small table and an outdoor grill and picnic table. Mosquito Lake State Park Address: 1439 State Route 305, Cortland, OH, 44410

Hocking Hills Adventures/Facebook

Managed by Hocking Hills Adventures, this little-known campground sits right along the banks of the Hocking River. With easy access to electric hook-ups at the Fun Center and easy access to canoeing, kayaking and other fun river activities, this makes for a great site. The Riverside Campground Fun Center Address: 22663 Main Street, Rockbridge, OH, 43149

Ryan S./Yelp

This state park in northwest Ohio is somewhat of a hidden gem. With 115 electric sites , 45 electric premium sites, 15 non-electric sites and cedar cabins centered around the lake, you can have the perfect lakeside getaway here. Lake Loramie State Park Address: 4401 Fort Loramie-Swanders Road, Minster, OH, 45865

The atmosphere is relaxing and the water is refreshing at Kiser Lake State Park. You’ll find 10 electric sites and 69 non-electric sites at this peaceful oasis. Kiser Lake State Park Address: 4370 Kiser Lake Road, Saint Paris, OH, 43072

For more camping spots in Ohio, check out our previous article: These 10 Camping Spots You’ll Only Find In Ohio Are Simply Perfect.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Lake Camping in Ohio June 15, 2019 April Dray Is it legal to camp on the beach in Ohio? Camping on a swimming beach is prohibited in many state parks and campgrounds, however some campgrounds in Ohio do feature campsites right next to a lake or river. Many designated lakeside and riverside campsites are located a safe distance away from the water or away from public swimming beaches. These designated campsites are legal. What do I need to bring to camp on the beach in Ohio? Camping essentials for both waterside camping and state park camping in Ohio primarily depend on what type of campsite you’ll be using. For example, some cabins and cottages may come equipped with mattresses, cooking utensils and other items, while pitching your own tent will mean bringing your own air mattress, cookware, sleeping bag, etc. Whether you’ll be pitching a tent, bringing your RV or staying in a cabin, the following are some must-bring items for camping in Ohio: First-Aid kit, flashlight, matches, water, food, pocket knife, a navigation tool and rain gear. What are the best family campgrounds in Ohio? The Buckeye State is home to several resorts and natural water parks that feature some of the best family camping in Ohio, such as Longs Retreat Family Resort in Latham, Natural Springs Resort in New Paris and Wood’s Tall Timber Resort in New Philadelphia. These camping resorts are family friendly and often feature other activities beyond hiking, such as arcades and zip lines. Families who enjoy hiking in Ohio will enjoy visiting some of the most scenic and popular places to camp in Ohio, such as Hocking Hills State Park, Kelleys Island State Park, Grand Lake St. Marys, Alum Creek State Park and Mohican State Park. The hiking trails in these parks are especially beautiful and some of these state parks even feature aerial adventure courses and canopy tours, which can be especially fun for families.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Lake Camping in Ohio

June 15, 2019

April Dray

Is it legal to camp on the beach in Ohio? Camping on a swimming beach is prohibited in many state parks and campgrounds, however some campgrounds in Ohio do feature campsites right next to a lake or river. Many designated lakeside and riverside campsites are located a safe distance away from the water or away from public swimming beaches. These designated campsites are legal. What do I need to bring to camp on the beach in Ohio? Camping essentials for both waterside camping and state park camping in Ohio primarily depend on what type of campsite you’ll be using. For example, some cabins and cottages may come equipped with mattresses, cooking utensils and other items, while pitching your own tent will mean bringing your own air mattress, cookware, sleeping bag, etc. Whether you’ll be pitching a tent, bringing your RV or staying in a cabin, the following are some must-bring items for camping in Ohio: First-Aid kit, flashlight, matches, water, food, pocket knife, a navigation tool and rain gear. What are the best family campgrounds in Ohio? The Buckeye State is home to several resorts and natural water parks that feature some of the best family camping in Ohio, such as Longs Retreat Family Resort in Latham, Natural Springs Resort in New Paris and Wood’s Tall Timber Resort in New Philadelphia. These camping resorts are family friendly and often feature other activities beyond hiking, such as arcades and zip lines. Families who enjoy hiking in Ohio will enjoy visiting some of the most scenic and popular places to camp in Ohio, such as Hocking Hills State Park, Kelleys Island State Park, Grand Lake St. Marys, Alum Creek State Park and Mohican State Park. The hiking trails in these parks are especially beautiful and some of these state parks even feature aerial adventure courses and canopy tours, which can be especially fun for families.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Camping on a swimming beach is prohibited in many state parks and campgrounds, however some campgrounds in Ohio do feature campsites right next to a lake or river. Many designated lakeside and riverside campsites are located a safe distance away from the water or away from public swimming beaches. These designated campsites are legal.

What do I need to bring to camp on the beach in Ohio?

Camping essentials for both waterside camping and state park camping in Ohio primarily depend on what type of campsite you’ll be using. For example, some cabins and cottages may come equipped with mattresses, cooking utensils and other items, while pitching your own tent will mean bringing your own air mattress, cookware, sleeping bag, etc. Whether you’ll be pitching a tent, bringing your RV or staying in a cabin, the following are some must-bring items for camping in Ohio: First-Aid kit, flashlight, matches, water, food, pocket knife, a navigation tool and rain gear.

What are the best family campgrounds in Ohio?

The Buckeye State is home to several resorts and natural water parks that feature some of the best family camping in Ohio, such as Longs Retreat Family Resort in Latham, Natural Springs Resort in New Paris and Wood’s Tall Timber Resort in New Philadelphia. These camping resorts are family friendly and often feature other activities beyond hiking, such as arcades and zip lines. Families who enjoy hiking in Ohio will enjoy visiting some of the most scenic and popular places to camp in Ohio, such as Hocking Hills State Park, Kelleys Island State Park, Grand Lake St. Marys, Alum Creek State Park and Mohican State Park. The hiking trails in these parks are especially beautiful and some of these state parks even feature aerial adventure courses and canopy tours, which can be especially fun for families.