Columbus

Find & reserve the best desert campsites near Columbus, Ohio. Tent, cabin & RV camp on private & State Parks, on local farms, vineyards & nature preserves.

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Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Wayne National Forest

Portage Lakes State Park

Hocking Hills State Park

Shenandoah National Park

Pisgah National Forest

Grandfather Mountain State Park

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Kickapoo Kamping

This location in Ohio is about a 10-minute walk to Dillon Dam, Reservoir and Lake! The road that was there was called Yelp Town Hollow Road. The road that this camp was on had to be raised when they put the dam in, they even had to move the one room school house! Black Hand Gorge preserve isn't far from the camp, lots of hiking and bicycle trails. Dillon State Park is 10-15 miles away with trails for horses, walking and biking. About 3,000 acres of State and Federal Land is right in our backyard!  Learn more about this land:Set your tent up in a wooded area or near a stream. Great star gazing and forest bathing. The area is in the Yelptown Hollow Valley, the road and one room school house Yelptown School are reminiscent of a bygone era. The old road bed is near camping and old school house has relocated to a site nearby. Come enjoy the laid back ambience of the area! Peaceful, solitude, nearby stream.

Potable water

Toilets

Showers

Cooking equipment

Grins & Pickin's CampFarm

Grins & Pickin's CampFarm was created to share the outdoors with others.  Growing food & flowers, camping & hiking is what we like to do. And we like sharing these activities with others. Our family oriented outdoor recreation facility is open on weekends only and offers primitive camping, PYO produce during the growing season, homesteading activities & nature-based programs. 

The peaceful 20-acre country farm has food gardens, a frog habitat pool, a barnyard for the chickens & ducks, a bluegill fishin' pond, a pollinator maze, a prairie garden, and an outdoor stage. After crossing a winding creek into 10 acres of woods, you may see deer, turkey, fox, coyote, mink, eagles & barred owls. 

In early spring, the peepers are peeping, wildflowers are abundant & the vernal pools welcome the wood frogs, salamanders and fairy shrimp. Summer brings on the bullfrogs, butterflies, dragonflies and fireflys. Fall is a great time to pull grapevine to make wreaths & to build stick forts in the woods. 

We cater to the tent camper so that we can hear frogs & owls instead of generators. But, there is an RV section up front for those with quiet generators with several feet of gravel under the grass to hold the weight of your camper.

We charge by the carload & there are different rates for driving back toward the woods for camping depending on the number of wheels & the weight of your vehicle (a factor on the wear & tear on the land). We believe in going outside to play, growing & eating fresh food, strengthening family bonds and promoting the awareness of our natural resources.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING: 1) The speed limit is 5 mph as soon as you enter the property (kids & dogs are quick to dart in front of you).  2) As a state registered campground, it is mandatory that you check in at the house to fill out a Registration Form before heading to your campsite. 3) No glass allowed anywhere on the property (we don't want our feet or paws cut open and can do without flat tires). 4) Children under 18 must be attended to at all times for their safety (the frog pool is 10' deep, the pond is 8-10' deep depending on rains, and the creek can turn into a churning river).

Thank you!

The pond made for a relaxing location to sit and paint. 

Hiking trails skirt the campground and are well maintained. 

A creek runs through the property with carefully placed stepping stones to cross. 

Our host explained how she repurposed this half of a cattle feeder as an arbor for her berry patch. 

The campground is well marked with this lovely sign. 

Grapes and coffee made for a nice snack. 

The pond is quite large and had a canoe, two kayaks and a paddleboard for us to use

The Lake at the Flying J Farm

Good news! Open fire ban lifted, camp fires are ok now!

The Flying J Farm is 250 beautiful rolling acres including 100 acres of forest, 6-acre lake small pond, three streams, and numerous fields for crops and pastures with cows. The owner bought the farm in 1998 for his retirement from a faculty position at the Ohio State university. Two buildings, the farm house and old barn, are original dating back to 1831. These have been restored for current use. The mission of the farm is to restore health both in people though the products produced and in the land by farming in a sustainable way with no conventional chemicals, antibiotics, and use of GMO. We host many visitors including tours and events. An on farm market is available to visitors for purchase of our products including grass-fed beef, maple syrup, and fruits and vegetables.

The cabin was built using wood from the farm. It has off-grid electricity meaning it is powered by batteries charged by solar panels. There is not sufficient power for devices with a heating element such as coffee makers and hair dryers. You may charge cell phones. For any other use, please check with the owner.

Wild Life. There is an abundance of wildlife to be observed on the farm. Deer can be seen at dusk, raccoons can be seen going through your camp food at night (if you put it in your car), turkeys, hawks, vultures, rabbits, coyotes (heard screaming at night), frogs (especially heard at night), fish (jumping), and many song birds (my favorite, the bobolink, May and June only, nesting in the pastures).

Our cozy site was nestled right beside the lake. 

Ruby was thinking about taking a canoe ride. 

The campground is marked by this welcoming sign. 

This tranquil lake looked amazing in autumn foliage. 

Fern Hollow Farm

Erik and Olivia were introduced to the little piece of family land that would become Fern Hollow Farm in June of 2014. What was an Alfalfa (medicago sativa) field lain fallow for seven years, would soon have bigger ambitions. After walking the meadow and feeling the magic of place, Olivia and Erik began the work of designing. Shortly thereafter, they set off across the US, staying at various permaculture oriented farms; with herbalists, seed savers and more, looking for inspiration and learning everything they could along the way. One seed saver, the awe-inspiring Sylvia Davatz of Solstice Seeds in Vermont, gifted them the two wild Kazak apple trees that are on either side of the entrance, and are featured in the logo as well.Begun officially in 2015, Fern Hollow Farm is an ever-evolving, community-based entity inspired by three simple ethics:                                Earth Care     *    People Care     *      Fair Share

An old railroad line runs through the property and makes for one of our favorite walks on the farm. 

Nature's Way

Visiting the Hocking Hills ? No interest in crowded campgrounds ? you have found 75 acres mostly wooded with trails right at the start of the Hocking Hills. (easy access from 33 and to Logan) There are various places around the property to pitch a tent. There are also options for RV parking with no hookups. I can transport you and your gear to the remote sites. ATV's are also welcome on the property. Firewood will be provided for free and in abundant amount. The site on top of the hill is a very secluded and mowed crest of hill surrounded by dogwood trees and the invasive Autumn Olive bushes. The site above the rxrwinery.com is a secluded, mowed clearing in the mature woods. There are also 2 sites in the valley that allow you to be near your vehicle. While on my property, clothing is optional. If you are traveling with an RV, the Sunny Rest location is the best with campfire.

path leading to the winery, view from the north property line looking at the hillside behind the back porch of the winery.

Roadside Rest, Pull in for door to be away from road if you prefer.

One of 2 selections for setting up camp on the hilltop.

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