Robert Loewendick - Best Tent Camping: Ohio: Your Car-Camping Guide to Scenic Beauty, the Sounds of Nature, and an Escape from Civilization

Best Tent Camping: Ohio

Copyright 2012 and 2020 by Robert Loewendick

All rights reserved

Printed in China

Published by Menasha Ridge Press

Distributed by Publishers Group West

Second edition, first printing

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Loewendick, Robert, author.

Title: Best tent camping : Ohio : your car-camping guide to scenic beauty, the sounds of nature, and an escape from civilization / Robert Loewendick.

Description: Second edition. | Birmingham, AL : Menasha Ridge Press, [2020] | Series: Best tent camping

Identifiers: LCCN 2019051431 (print) | LCCN 2019051432 (ebook) ISBN 9781634042895 (paperback) | ISBN 9781634042901 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: CampingOhioGuidebooks. | Camp sites, facilities, etc.OhioGuidebooks. | OhioGuidebooks.

Classification: LCC GV191.42.O3 L64 2020 (print) | LCC GV191.42.O3 (ebook) | DDC 796.5109771dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019051431

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019051432

Editor: Holly Cross

Cover and book design: Jonathan Norberg

Maps: Steve Jones and Robert Loewendick

Photos: Robert Loewendick, except as noted on page

Proofreader: Emily Beaumont

Indexer: Rich Carlson

MENASHA RIDGE PRESS An imprint of AdventureKEEN 2204 First Ave. S., Ste. 102 Birmingham, AL 35233 800-443-7227, fax 205-326-1012

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Cover: main photo: ; both photos by Robert Loewendick

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Researching and writing this second edition of Best Tent Camping: Ohio was nearly as fun and challenging as creating the first edition. I must thank the following people for their willingness to share their time and talents by answering my calls and providing updated information. I tip my hat to the following.

My AdventureKEEN acquisitions editor, Tim Jackson, and his staff for the opportunity to research and write Ohios tent-camping story and for presenting it to you in an entertaining and informative book.

Heidi Hetzel-Evans, communications manager of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and her intern, Libby Hosler, for answering my questions and providing elusive details of information when I requested them. Thanks to the dedicated state park employees who keep Ohios parks in order, and to the friends of the parks organizations for their countless hours of donated time and talents.

Big thanks to the information officers of the metroparks, conservation districts, and national forests: Christina Boyer, Sandy Ward, Nathan Gerhart, Kimberly Whitton, Adria Bergeron, and Gary Chancey.

To my parents, for providing nearly endless access to the outdoors, with love and guidance, and to my four siblings who have all been my adventuring partners at one time or another.

To my wife, Linda, who is a fantastic traveling companion, whether it is a visit to an Ohio campground or across the country and beyond. And for sharing lifes adventures hand in hand with me for 32 years.

To my daughter, Danielle, and son, Rob, great explorers in their own rights and my best, lifelong camping buddies.

Robert Loewendick

PREFACE

Avid tent campers exploring the states east of the Mississippi River have dozens of ideal options. Ohio is definitely one of them. No, Ohio doesnt hold the mountains of Maine or Tennessee, or secluded forest camping like West Virginia or Vermont, but it does offer some of the best tent camping in the country, and in places that boast an abundance of natural resources. I traveled around and through the state in search of those places that may have an edge over othersand I found them.

For this second edition of Best Tent Camping Ohio, I reviewed and/or revisited the campgrounds that I included in the first edition, and Ive added a few new ones. During the six months I worked on updating and adding to this second edition, I was reminded of just how enjoyable tent camping in my home state is. Ohios diverse landscape is a treat to experience, from rivers and lakes to quiet woodlots with natural bounties and heavily forested gorges. It was a pleasure to pitch my tent in these places and absorb the serenity they presented. My experiences are revealed in the pages of this book, as are suggestions that will assist you in exploring Ohio by tent camping.

While visiting many of these campgrounds, I met the dedicated staff and volunteers who massage the parks with loving hands and hearts. Those folks also shared with me their opinions of what made their park unique and how to experience it for myselfand for you. Most of my stays were just one-nighters, but with the scoop from the locals, I knew what I must see and do. Some of the attractions were in the campground, or near it, while others were a short hike or paddle from camp, and some required a 5-mile drive or so. Wherever the adventure was, it was worth the trip.

Of the 50 campgrounds detailed in this book, 38 are owned and managed by the Ohio Department of Parks and Watercraft (ODPW). The ODPW is performing multiple campground improvements at various parks, now and during the next few years. Most upgrades are for RV enthusiasts, but tent campers will appreciate the new pit toilets and other amenities. As you visit campgrounds managed by the ODPW, expect a few pleasant surprises, as the improvements continue to be completed and may not be included in the descriptions in this book.

During my Ohio campground explorations, I made it a point to talk not only with management staff, but also with fellow tent campers. Those campers happily provided their opinions regarding what they enjoyed or disliked. I added their observations to my research cooking pot as an ingredient to create a profile of each campground with an accurate viewpoint. I have revealed the highlights of each destination, but there are also details that you will enjoy discovering on your own. And Ohio has much to discover, so pack the tent and camp box and get started!

BEST CAMPGROUNDS

BEST FOR BIRD-WATCHING

BEST FOR CANOEING AND KAYAKING

BEST FOR CYCLING AND MOUNTAIN BIKING

BEST FOR EQUESTRIANS

BEST FOR FAMILIES WITH KIDS

BEST FOR FISHING AND BOATING

BEST FOR HIKING

BEST FOR PRIVACY AND SOLITUDE

BEST FOR SCENIC VISTAS AND PHOTOGRAPHY

BEST FOR SWIMMING

The sight and sounds of Lake Erie are a welcome way to start the morning at .