Discover the best forest campgrounds near Dayton, Ohio

United States
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Ohio
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Dayton

99% (705 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Dayton

Under $50

Star Hosts in Dayton

100%

(44)

Green Plains Bison Ranch

1 site · RV66 acres · South Charleston, OH

Located on 66 acres of rolling farmland and wooded country side. Near Yellow Springs, Cedarville College, John Bryan State Park, Clifton Gorge, and centrally located near Dayton, Springfield, and Columbus. Enjoy your morning coffee along with a beautiful view of Ohio farmland and the sounds of nature. This is a working farm. We grow forage crops (alfalfa, clover, grass hay), raise American Bison, and manage and selectively harvest timber. Guests may explore the farm, bird watch, enjoy catch-and-release fishing in a private one-acre pond, or sit by the fire. The Ohio to Erie Trail is 1/4” mile from the farm entrance. You can preorder bison meat to grill on your campfire. www.greenplainsbison.com Sarah and I look forward to hosting you. P.S. We have a two night minimum on Weekends (Friday and Saturday nights)

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Rustic Retreat

4 sites · Lodging3 acres · Xenia, OH

Enjoy three vintage airstreams on an 1870s farm property. Lots of wildlife including a variety of birds, birds of prey like owls and hawks and deer. The local Little Miami Scenic bike path is the largest in the nation and is within 2/10 of a mile away. Other activities include hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, sailing, paddleboarding, trail running, bike rental and rock climbing. Guide services available.

One Earth Collaborative Sanctuary

4 sites · Tents60 acres · Oregonia, OH

Learn more about this land:Our campsite is part of a land restoration project of One Earth Collaborative, LLC. This organization consists of artists, naturalists, musicians, and land stewards who are passionate about restoring our Earth to it's full healing. The property is 12 acres that stretches from the remains of an old bridge to the Oregonia Road bridge. There is a field with an organic garden, sunflowers growing and towards the river there are giant sycamores, cottonwoods and more. You may choose to pull your car into one of the field spots or park and walk into the garden forest and camp riverside.

Quiet Creek Valley

4 sites · RVs, Tents100 acres · Camden, OH

Welcome to our serene oasis in Preble County! Our property features wide-open farmland leading back to a tranquil forested creek, nestled in a valley teeming with wildlife. Enjoy playing in the creek, exploring the woods, and immersing yourself in nature's beauty. This property is in a flood plain and you could be moved to higher ground. Feel free to message us if you have questions. We offer several primitive campsites, allowing you to choose whether to camp solo or with a group. If you're interested in exploring the farm and trails on the upper half of the property, we would love to show you around.

The Shack

3 sites · Tents4 acres · Wilmington, OH

This elevated shack overlooks a pond and is conveniently located within walking distance of Cowan Lake. The road is a nice place to go for a walk taking in the wildlife, cattle farm, and ending at the lake. This State Park provides a wonderful opportunity to hike, bird watch, and enjoy water recreation. The lake has a 10 hp limit, so it is perfect for kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, fishing, and sailing.

12 top forest campgrounds near Dayton

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Rustic Retreat

4 sites · Lodging3 acres · Xenia, OH

Enjoy three vintage airstreams on an 1870s farm property. Lots of wildlife including a variety of birds, birds of prey like owls and hawks and deer. The local Little Miami Scenic bike path is the largest in the nation and is within 2/10 of a mile away. Other activities include hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, sailing, paddleboarding, trail running, bike rental and rock climbing. Guide services available.

Secluded Mt. Airy Camp

3 sites · RVs, Tents4 acres · Cincinnati, OH

Campsite in the Heart of Mt. Airy Forest Escape to nature at our serene campsite nestled in the hills of Cincinnati’s Mt. Airy Forest. Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, our site provides a peaceful retreat while being just steps away from adventure. **What We Offer:** **Campsite Amenities:** Enjoy a cozy campsite equipped with a fire pit, and available firewood. Need breakfast? We’ve got fresh eggs available! **Nature Access:** Step right from our property onto miles of scenic hiking trails that weave through Mt. Airy Forest’s 1,459 acres. **Local Attractions:** Explore the area with several picnic spots, a disc golf course, and a multi-use mountain biking trail. Don’t miss Ohio's only wheelchair-accessible public treehouse, a stunning arboretum, and an enclosed dog park for your furry friends. Need a night out on the town? We are located approximately 15 minutes from the heart of downtown Cincinnati where you can enjoy dinner, brewery’s, events and so much more! **Capacity:** Our site comfortably accommodates up to 10 people. Whether you’re tent camping or bringing an RV, we’ve got you covered with an electrical hookup. (The electric hookup and parking of a Camper Van is on our gravel driveway, not at the campsite) **Privacy:** While our home is located on the property, your campsite is tucked away in a secluded meadow, ensuring peace and quiet during your stay. We look forward to your visit and are here if you need anything! Welcome to the Queen City!

Quiet Creek Valley

4 sites · RVs, Tents100 acres · Camden, OH

Welcome to our serene oasis in Preble County! Our property features wide-open farmland leading back to a tranquil forested creek, nestled in a valley teeming with wildlife. Enjoy playing in the creek, exploring the woods, and immersing yourself in nature's beauty. This property is in a flood plain and you could be moved to higher ground. Feel free to message us if you have questions. We offer several primitive campsites, allowing you to choose whether to camp solo or with a group. If you're interested in exploring the farm and trails on the upper half of the property, we would love to show you around.

The Shack

3 sites · Tents4 acres · Wilmington, OH

This elevated shack overlooks a pond and is conveniently located within walking distance of Cowan Lake. The road is a nice place to go for a walk taking in the wildlife, cattle farm, and ending at the lake. This State Park provides a wonderful opportunity to hike, bird watch, and enjoy water recreation. The lake has a 10 hp limit, so it is perfect for kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, fishing, and sailing.

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Cabin and Company (RV/Campers only)

1 site · Lodging3 acres · West Alexandria, OH

Our beautiful 1800’s cabin was moved to the property in the 1970’s by a former neighbor who owned the property at the time. The same neighbor also had a historic train depot moved to the property where she sold antiques out of for several years. It is not sure what the cabin was used for at that time but it certainly added charm to the antique store property. When we acquired the property years later, the cabin was in need of work. It sat for a few years until we decided to restore this lovely cabin back to it’s beautiful charm and character. Jim spent a couple years on the project working in his free time and added the porch using old wood in keeping with the natural look and feel of the cabin as well as some interior areas. Upon completion, we opened the cabin as a gift shop selling unique items including antiques, primitives and decor for a few years. We decided to transition the cabin into a place of retreat for traveling guests and still keep some of the goods we sold in the shop available for purchase. We hope that you find the cabin and property a place of peace and tranquility and will want to return. Whether passing through for a night or a few days stay, you’re always welcome in our neck of the woods. Learn more about this land: Make a stop back in time to our quiet woodland retreat with an updated 1800’s log cabin nestled on the property. At Cabin and Company, you will be parked beside this beautiful cabin and will be allowed access at your leisure for a place to sit and relax. (No overnight sleeping allowed inside) Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea (provided) while watching tv or on our covered porch outside. You may also select a movie or two from our large selection of DVDs or find a book to read among our stash of books. Play cards, engage in one of the other games provided, or just sit in the quiet of it all and rest your mind. There is a golf chipping area as well as basketball. We have WIFI at our residence on the adjacent property and some areas of the camp will pick it up better than others. There is a fire ring on site with an adjustable grate for cooking and plenty of seasoned firewood available.. We will have a few items available for purchase inside the cabin including local honey (when available) apple butter, coffee, hand crafted walking sticks and you won’t want to leave without some of these goodies. This semi secluded property is a gem and we hope you will enjoy this piece of history as much as we do. You may see wildlife such as whitetail deer and of course, there are plenty of birds and squirrels around. You won’t be disappointed in this cozy Midwest retreat and will want to make this one of your places while passing through our beautiful Ohio. Most of all, relax and enjoy.

Sweet Spot by Yellow Springs

1 site · RV, Tent1 acre · Yellow Springs, OH

The campsite is in an open meadow on our 5 acre property, next to the ruins of what was one of the oldest barns in the county (there are still some beautiful stone walls left). You will be surrounded by trees and the spot is completely private. Directly across the road from our property (a 5 minute walk) is the Little Miami Scenic Trail, the third longest paved trail in the US (amazing for biking). The unique village of Yellow Springs is only a 5 minute drive away with a great local grocery store and several cafes. PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING BEFORE BOOKING. Notes: 1) For camper vans: we do allow camper vans (not RVs or trailers) but you will need to park at the entrance of the meadow where there is gravel. Recently a camper got stuck in the meadow due to rain/mud (which is why we do not allow RVs or trailers). 2) We are still building a compost toilet so the option on the property now is to dig a cat hole at least 6" deep. There is an open public toilet in Yellow Springs and several businesses with open bathrooms. 3) The campsite is right off of Route 68. You cannot see cars from the site but you can hear them. The amount of noise from cars is lower at night. 4) The meadow is ideal for tent camping, though it is NOT a built campsite so it is not perfectly level throughout.

One Earth Collaborative Sanctuary

4 sites · Tents60 acres · Oregonia, OH

Learn more about this land:Our campsite is part of a land restoration project of One Earth Collaborative, LLC. This organization consists of artists, naturalists, musicians, and land stewards who are passionate about restoring our Earth to it's full healing. The property is 12 acres that stretches from the remains of an old bridge to the Oregonia Road bridge. There is a field with an organic garden, sunflowers growing and towards the river there are giant sycamores, cottonwoods and more. You may choose to pull your car into one of the field spots or park and walk into the garden forest and camp riverside.

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The Cedar Lodge Parking

15 sites · RVs5 acres · New Paris, OH

Our property is tucked away in the small village of New Paris in Southwestern Ohio, with wooded grounds and a picturesque pond - and plenty of birding opportunities, we've been told! The entrance to this area is on the Maverick Tiny Homes property, there is signage posted to help you navigate to the appropriate areas.

Green Plains Bison Ranch

1 site · RV66 acres · South Charleston, OH

Located on 66 acres of rolling farmland and wooded country side. Near Yellow Springs, Cedarville College, John Bryan State Park, Clifton Gorge, and centrally located near Dayton, Springfield, and Columbus. Enjoy your morning coffee along with a beautiful view of Ohio farmland and the sounds of nature. This is a working farm. We grow forage crops (alfalfa, clover, grass hay), raise American Bison, and manage and selectively harvest timber. Guests may explore the farm, bird watch, enjoy catch-and-release fishing in a private one-acre pond, or sit by the fire. The Ohio to Erie Trail is 1/4” mile from the farm entrance. You can preorder bison meat to grill on your campfire. www.greenplainsbison.com Sarah and I look forward to hosting you. P.S. We have a two night minimum on Weekends (Friday and Saturday nights)

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Sugar Maple Grove Campground

8 sites · RVs, Tents25 acres · Brownsville, IN

Nice secluded campsites with lots of space and privacy. Fire wood available for $5 for a bucket or you can bring your own, also have excellent cell phone service unlike most state parks in the area. Picnic tables, fire pits and water available and also have a portable idc tote so we can fill your tank at any site. 30 amp and 20 amp outlets at rv sites 1 and 3. 20 amp outlet on site 2. Brookville Lake is about 5 minutes away. We have 25 acres with about 3 wooded acres with over 100 sugar maple trees and about 20 acres of flat grass fields plenty of room to hike, just keep in mind we have one horse that is fenced in so please close gates back when you open them. We mow trails for biking feel free to explore, if you run into a cornfield it's not our property. Att has excellent service at 94mbps download and 11mbps upload, Verizon is good at 36mbps Download and 5mbps upload. We have an outhouse for tent campers And water is available by campsite 1 and we have portable idc tote with city water. We also have 3 indoor/outdoor cats, they like to visit the campground. Direction: Please use SR 44 to country road 450 and go north and take a right at 4 way stop on to Springersville Road and we are about a quarter mile down the road on the left. Little yellow house with 3 eastern white pine tree before the driveway.

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Rusty Fig Tiny House

1 site · Lodging3 acres · Zanesfield, OH

Experience this cozy and unique tiny house perched atop of Mad River Mountain Ski Resort. The tiny house is located in the beautiful Mountain Top RV Campground, and can be enjoyed year round. It provides a fun and peaceful getaway while still being 15 minutes away from downtown Bellefontaine. The tiny house is hooked up in an RV campsite with electric, septic and water. It does have distance from other campers, with woods behind the tiny house. You can enjoy AC in the summer and heat in the winter. Owner of Rusty Fig Redesign, interior designer Janet and her two sons purchased the Tiny House and rehabbed it in a Swedish modern style, with lots of natural elements, and cozy features. Come stay at our family labor of love! The Rusty Fig Tiny House is your tiny getaway, with everything you need to be at home. There is a queen size bed in the loft only accessible by ladder. The sofa does fold out as an additional bed (which can fit one adult or 2 small children). The tiny house has a flushable toilet and working shower (hot water lasts about 5 continuous minutes and regenerates about every 30 minutes.) Connect to nature and sit outside by the fire pit, though you must supply your own firewood. All the fixings for smores are provided for 2 guests on the first night, plus complimentary hot beverages throughout your stay. Enjoy your dinner outside or play a game on the picnic table provided. There is no WIFI anywhere on top of the mountain, so you will have to talk to each other! Hotspots work and coffee shops are 15 minutes away. In winter, skiing is a short walk (~250 feet). Ski in, ski out for great convenience! Our Tiny House is: 1 min from Mad River Mountain Ski Resort 15 minutes away from Bellefontaine, OH (lots of shops, restaurant and things to do!) 18 minutes away from the Ohio Caverns 30 minutes away from Indian Lake State Park - Dog Park, Boating, Fishing, Hiking

Woodland Trails And Cabin

1 site · Lodging10 acres · Lewisburg, OH

10 acres with well-maintained trails, a large outdoor gathering area with firepit, with a beautiful 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath cabin. Get a taste of the outdoors without leaving all the best parts behind. There is a full kitchen, living room, bunkbeds with trundle, with a queen primary. The primary has its own entrance and an attached half-bath. Plenty of room for tents!

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

Hueston Woods State Park

College Corner, Ohio

93%

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Caesar Creek State Park

Harveysburg, Ohio

90%

(5)

Buck Creek State Park

Northridge, Ohio

Kiser Lake State Park

Rosewood, Ohio

79%

(9)

John Bryan State Park

Yellow Springs, Ohio

Stonelick State Park

Newtonsville, Ohio

Lake Loramie State Park

Fort Loramie, Ohio

75%

(4)

Cowan Lake State Park

Wilmington, Ohio

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Forest camping near Dayton guide

Overview

Stop between Cincinnati and Columbus, where you’ll find miles of state parks that define Dayton, OH camping. Start your next Dayton camping trip with a visit to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, located in Riverside. Closer to central Dayton, you’ll find art museums, mini-golf courses, and Carillon Historical Park, which the whole family can enjoy. If you’d rather skip ahead to all things nature, both parks and creeks surround the city. Yes, Dayton may be the birthplace of aviation, but you won’t want to take flight once you’ve checked into your Ohio campsite.

Where to go

Caesar Creek State Park

You may be far from the Great Lakes, but just east of Dayton, Caesar Creek State Park comes with public beach access and boat ramps. If that’s still not enough water for you, book a campsite with a swimming pool and perhaps a view of the creek. For the best vantage point, however, head to the state nature preserve, where you can glimpse gorgeous gorges while hiking.

John Bryan State Park

If you're looking for something more grounding—or perhaps something rockier—John Bryan State Park has you covered. Adventurers will love tent camping near the park’s hiking and biking trails. But the real charm of the area is in its rocks. Let your adrenaline soar as you summit the rocks at the park’s designated climbing area. Top off the day’s events with a s’more around the fire pit.

Twin Creek Metropark

Dayton’s not finished with its parks quite yet. Enroute to Twin Creek Metropark, you’ll encounter no shortage of Dayton campsites. Extend the day by hiking, fishing, and riding horses. Then, unwind for the night at another kind of park: an RV park. Book a site that comes with full hookups and a fire ring. What better way to relax in the Dayton area?

When to go

Midwest winters have their reputation for a reason. For the most pleasant camping experience, head to Dayton when the weather is warm. From mid-spring to mid-fall, campers will get the most out of Dayton’s great outdoors. June, however, is known as the city’s rainiest month, so plan accordingly. You’re certain to stay dry—not to mention entertained—on an RV site with communal activities, or while in an A-frame with board games and cable TV.