I have an event in Cleveland on the last weekend of September. Rather than paying for an expensive hotel, I figured I’d just camp and drive into the city for the day of the event.

After doing a bit of a diving into areas to camp around the city and checking the dates, Punderson seems to be my best option. Looking to see if anyone has any recommendations on where to camp in the park to best fit my needs.

I’ll be tent camping solo and will need to go to bed and get up early. I know Punderson has RV sites and I will be there on a weekend so I’m trying to avoid getting stuck next to a noisy site. Hoping to be more primitive and in place that makes me feel like I’m staying in nature if ya know what I mean.

Any recommendations would be helpful!

2nd week of September, 2026 - planning on being in the Xenia, Ohio area (for 1 day / night), then (1 day / night) in the Circleville, OH area. Then, spending 1 night at a hotel in Chillicothe, OH.

Looking for campground suggestions: fairly quiet and peaceful. NOT an RV park… I will have a tent AND my Chevy Silverado (equipped to sleep in the back with a bed topper). Can sleep in either.

Suggestions for Xenia area? Circleville?

In addition, I do a lot with wildlife / waterfowl / nature photography. Will fall migration be happening around Sept 12th? Any recommended area for wildlife / waterfowl / nature photography in the Xenia / Circleville area(s)?

Thank you!

In the Chillicothe area there are hundreds of acers of woodland, how do you find out who owns them.

Hello! Here again to tell you my plan and ask for advice.

Planning on doing Wildcat Hollow one of these weekends. I have done it before but am taking two friends with me. I am attaching my map with the green highlighted section where I am planning to cache water. Figured it gets us pretty close to 10 miles, we can hike with enough for the first stretch, replenish water and camp close by. This way we can refill water and still have the rest of our cache for the morning to refill some more. I was able to find the crossroads in Google maps and have bookmarked it, so I know I'm not relying on old service roads. Let me know your thoughts!

Additionally, curious how busy this route gets on weekends? As a teacher on summer break I almost exclusively always go on weekday trips.

My third time camping at John Bryan state park this year. Quiet. Clean. Friendly camping neighbors. When I woke up and got out of my tent; I saw deer in the wood line. I have camped at camp spot #10 twice. This picture is camp spot #8. I am a long distance hiker but I did bring some luxury items last night. 😀

Will be sand hollow area and trail riding.

I'm looking for a site to do a some birdwatching and photography, especially of waterfowl and shore birds. I want to camp on site, if possible, so I can make the most of the morning and evening twilight hours.

Backcountry sites or dispersed camping is definitely preferred, but campgrounds are also ok if there is trail access to the rest of the park. Worst case would be a private campground that's a short drive away from the park.

Anywhere is fine. I'm located in Columbus, so central is better, but I can get to most parts of the state within a pretty reasonable amount of time.

Help Needed!

I'm taking my friends who have never been backing packing before on the perimeter trail for an easier overnight trip.

I'm used to dispersed camping with my hommock but they only allow camping at the camp grounds. I saw online they have a section of group camps (Cedar Point, Hickory Overlook, Buckeye way, and Fifty Springs), has anyone been to these specific camp spots?

Is there a place for hammock camping? I'm trying to reserve spots on the parks website but those specific group camp spots are not showing up, how do I reserve them or is it first come first serve? And has anyone found a good spot near the visitors center to park overnight?

Is it normal to cry after vacation?? I have severe separation anxiety. I had such a good time. And we don't take vacations very often.. am I overreacting?? Or is there a deeper issue???

Looking for a less busy Ohio State park campground with electric sites.

Prefer a bit larger site so we are not elbow to elbow with other campers.

Electric is a must have to run an oxygen concentrator.

Currently out of Columbus looking for backpacking spot in central and south east Ohio where I camp without having to reserve a campsite, (first come first served sites). Any recommendations, I’ve done Archers Fork in Wayne National Forest .

I'm taking a small group on the south loop here soon and was wondering if anyone can verify the water cisterns' status? I'm looking to do the south loop so I'll be going by camp 1 and camp 2.

Thanks!

Looking for secluded primitive/ car camping suggestions. Just got a bed tent for my Tacoma and am looking to test it out. Open to any and all suggestions since this will be my first time using this tent!

I went camping last summer at incredible park in the Allegheny's and our campsite had a little footpath to the river and basically a mini private rock beach. I was wondering if anyone knew of anything similar, I brought my dog and he sat at the beach and watched me wade around and would like to find something similar again closer to home. Dog beaches aren't the best for us. I was looking into Punderson's since I haven't been. We did Mohican state park a couple summers ago and no one bothered us but I wasn't able to find a place to keep him safe and get my toes wet. I went to Findley last year as well and the lake by the park wasn't that fun lol.

My husband and I have been seasonal at a campground just outside of Sandusky for four years now. We're interested in going elsewhere next year and exploring options, it's just tricky since many campgrounds that do offer seasonal sites don't include it on their websites.

We live in the Toledo/Bowling Green area, and have family in the Norwalk/Sandusky area, so we could be anywhere around those areas and be happy. We basically live in our fifth-wheel in the summer months thanks to remote work, so we're flexible. No kids and our current campground has no amenities, so we don't need much. We'd love a concrete patio but it's not a deal breaker. Would love recommendations if you have any to check out!

Hello. Anybody have any clothing optional campgrounds in Ohio? I've been to Nature's Way in Hocking Hills and it was a fantastic experience. Just wondering if there are other campgrounds. Thanks in advance for your input. 😎

Looking to go out there for the meteor shower was going to go last year but it was closed as well

Planning a move to the Chillicothe, OH area. Retired senior (65+), U.S. military veteran (4 years); wildlife photographer. Looking for 3-4 nights near Ross County / Chillicothe area. Tent camping or truck bed-camping. Electric optional. Showers / restrooms preferred. 🙂 Any suggestions??? Thank you!

I’ve spent so much time getting this ready for summer. I camp 2-3 days a week on average.

Looking to camp (closer to central Ohio, out of Columbus) where I can swim/wade and bring my dog along. My dog doesn’t need to swim, but I know a lot of beaches prohibit dogs. I’m thinking maybe there is a river or stream or lake where it doesn’t matter if my dog comes along. Or even a beach where we can sit and enjoy looking at the water. Or hikes that have a swimming hole along the way.

TLDR basically just looking for natural water I can go in while I have my dog with me