I’m working on plans to take my family camping for the first time since my own childhood this summer. My childhood camping experiences usually involved driving to a site with a fire ring/picnic table that had communal bathrooms/access to water a short walk away and pitching a tent. That’s what I’m looking for, not fancy RV camping but also not complete “roughing it.” I am looking at places with playgrounds/beaches/boat rental/lots of fun stuff to do with my kids- but the biggest thing I’d like to find is a place where you can see as many stars as possible. I have a very vivid memory of camping as a child and looking up one night to see an incredible number of stars and being awestruck, and I’d like to give my own kids that experience- but I don’t know where in Ohio that was, and my dad who planned all our camping trips is no longer with us. So, where have you camped that has had beautiful star views?

Three of my friends (black women) want me (white m) to take them tent camping for a weekend. All the places I camp are predominantly white but i want to take them someplace that's black owned, POC-centric, or at the very least have a genuinely welcoming and inclusive vibe that will make my friends comfortable. Any suggestions? Bonus points if there's such a place for naturists; they're into the idea of dancing naked in the forest.

What is the best place in to camp in Ohio and do some difficult/longer hikes? My girlfriend and I wanted to hike all day then camp in a tent. We’re both very active, so we’d like to do something more difficult/longer trails. Open to anything. TIA!

Anyone have a campground within 1.5 hours of Columbus they would recommend that is fairly secluded where you wouldn't see other sites for tent camping?

Looking to go to Zaleski here soon, but I can't figure out the status of the seasonal water reservoirs at the camp sites, specifically camp 2. According to their website the water tank at camp 2 is closed for maintenance. I've tried calling a few different numbers to confirm this, but haven't got a call back yet.

Any who has any insight I really appreciate it.

I want to go dispersed camping in Wayne National Forest but I want to know exactly what land you are allowed to do this on. Are you allowed to go dispersed camping anywhere inside the proclamation boundary or do you need to be within the Forest boundary? Also, what would be the best way to know if I am inside the forest boundary when I am camping?

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We have ideas to use headlamps in stationary modes such as on a tree or in the tent. We have some questions about your preferences and would greatly appreciate your input.

Answers will be anonymous

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Hello! We are students at KTH, a leading university in Sweden, with a project to design a portable/headlamp for outdoor activities. We are currently seeking information from individuals with experience in camping where lighting may be needed.

We have ideas to use headlamps in stationary modes such as on a tree or in the tent. We have some questions about your preferences and would greatly appreciate your input.

Answers will be anonymous

Link to the form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScCINOQXLKGkoj82djGtzEmAOZfFIfrUlwrxieF4IO0xs7n3w/viewform?usp=sf_link

I don't know if I'm looking for too much here, or if I need to lower my expectations. I am a tent Camper, and last year I tried to camp at as many state parks as possible. It was great, except for the fact that the majority of the parks I stayed in seemed to have the goal of squishing as many people in as possible.

I'm just wondering if anyone might have a recommendation for a campsite that's a little more secluded, or maybe one that isn't visited as much. Bonus points if the site has a good view or is attached to hiking trails.

I really don't mind primitive sites as well.

Most of my experience with camping in Ohio has just been using the state parks, so private owned campsites or even backpacking sites would be awesome.

Thanks everyone!

I am trying to get away this August, it will be a year since I lost my pup and I just want to be in nature during that anniversary. We have a 23 foot travel trailer (which we had brought for the dog to be able to still adventure with us), so would like full hookup. I live in NE Ohio and I would like to find campgrounds that are maybe more wooded, or have some more private spots? We've stayed Geneva, Pymatuning, Punderson, Mohican so far. Good hiking and fishing are a plus, just looking for some new ideas/suggestions.

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Looking to do a few winter camping trips (hopefully in the snow if we ever get more than an inch or two...). Any recommendations for places to go in Ohio? Normally when I go I take a few days off and go to the Allegheny NF or to one of the National Forests in WV, but I want to find some more "local" spots for a quick weekender.

Ideally I'd like to avoid state parks (since most are closed anyways in the winter, and I don't feel like paying $20+ to camp). Just from quick searches, it looks like Wayne NF and Zaleski SF are two that might fit the bill, but I'm not sure if they're "park at site" or hike in. Would prefer to be next to my car since my gear isn't ultralight/backpacking weight.

Was hoping to check out Jesse Owens SP since they have 3 or 4 free campgrounds, but it looks like they close the gates on them in early December. I prefer the spread out/secluded "dispersed" style campsites light in the ANF, Monongahela NF, or New River Gorge, but at this time of year I doubt any "formal" loop sites will be full.

PFA.

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I am planning a trip this summer to Lake Erie to camp and want to bring my paddleboards too. I am considering East Harbor State Park but wanted to get some feedback from anyone who has been there about which tent camp sites would be best for water access to drop in with our boards. Any other tidbits would be most welcome.

Thanks in advance

I got a $125 gift certificate for camping in Ohio. I want to spread it over a couple weekends. We are tent camping, okay with primitive as long as there is at least an outhouse. Would like hiking, swimming not necessary.

Looking for places that aren’t going to be overcrowded.

Been to Mohican, Hueston Woods, St Mary’s. Interested in Hocking Hills, but not all the people.

Must be very dog friendly.

I’m in need of some suggestions of a new camping spot for this summer. Last summer we camped at Virginia Beach and a couple of parks in Ohio. Husband suggested more “mountain” camping trips this year. I think we should stick to Ohio as our kids hated the 9+ hour drive to VA, but am open to other suggestions. There are so many options to choose from, I’m just at a loss of where we want to go next.

I’m looking for an area that is kid friendly with things to do outside of the park as well (we have a 10 and a 7 year old).

Thank you so much in advance!

I had my eye on Tar Hollow State Forest, but I couldn’t find any straight answers on whether free camping was possible/advisable to camp along the backroads in this area.

Another possibility was Wayne NF, although it’s a bit further out. I’d be coming from Arkansas en route to NYS, so I’d probably be rolling up late at night. Would it be considered “safe” to boondock in my truck in such an isolated area in mid-November?

Decades ago there were shacks for rent all over the state, and now I can't find anything close to them. They were bare-bones for the most part. Often the only thing included was a wood burning stove for heat and cooking, and only had room for one or two people. You had to bring your own cot, and/sleeping bag. They were perfect for winter if you didn't want to deal with camping in a tent in the snow.

The closest thing I have found are "camping cabins" in some state parks, but they don't have stoves, nor are they available in the winter. They are also not private in anyway with other cabins and camping spots crammed together.

Where have they gone? Has anyone seen something like this for rent recently? Thanks!

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I'm trying to schedule a group camping spot at Kiser Lake for Mid-October. I have selected the spot I want and logged in to book a reservation. Every time I click the "Book Now" button it just sends me back to the main page. Am I missing something?

I was looking at lakeside sites at the South Bass Island campsite for a potential trip in mid-October. We’re pretty new to camping and I have so far been weather-stupid (for example: we just tried to tent camp in Sarasota. IYKYK). Save me some regret? My husband I and sleep in the van but kids are in an attached tent. I think it would be fine, and we can bundle up it it’s a little chilly, but I’m an idiot, so help me out :)

Eastfork has several backwoods sites that are hike/horse in only, no cost and first come first serve. Get a map and register at main campground entrance. I stayed at the most north westerly site once and it was nice, though you could hear noise from human habitation somewhere in the distance. There are other sites all around the lake. Be warned trails are poorly marked and confusing.

See also Hartig near Glencoe KY for a 100% primitive experience. An old farm turned preserve on a hill overlooking the Ohio, also free. I think ten sites, again first come first served. You can car camp here, but I doubt campers/RVs could handle the terrain. These are the only true primitive/no RV sites I know of within an hour drive. Sharing because I know it sucks feeling like we have no options under 3 hours around here.

My husband and I are road tripping with our 2.5 year old from STL to NY and back. We’ll be tent camping/car camping along the way.

For Ohio, given our route options, we’ve narrowed it down to either Tar Hollow or Lake Hope. We prefer secluded/private spots. We love camping and our son loves splashing around in water/attempting to skip rocks, lol.

Pre-child life we preferred National Forest/BLM land, so we love the feeling of being in the middle of the woods. But since this is our first long trek with our toddler, we’re eyeballing more set up parks/campgrounds vs super rustic.

Can y’all help us narrow down which park/campground to check out? And extra points if you can publicly (or privately) recommend specific sites that you think we’d like. Thanks so much in advance!

Are there any recommended areas in Ohio where one can canoe to campsites and make a multi-day trip out of it? Portages are fine, lakes would be preferred, but rivers could work, too.