10 Best Camping Spots Near Portage Lakes State Park, Ohio

portage lakes state park camping
Zyanya James
Zyanya James 
Published
| 6 min read

Portage Lakes is an industrial city in Northeastern Ohio. It’s home to Portage Lakes State Park, an expansive 411-acre (166-hectare) outdoor recreational area spanning 8 connected lakes. The park allows for a myriad of activities such as hunting, fishing, boating, hiking, and camping. In the winter, you can go ice skating, snowmobiling, ice-fishing, ice-boating, and cross-country skiing. The marshes and woodlands can also be explored with 5 miles (8 kilometers) of hiking trails snaking through them. For those who simply want to savor the laid-back atmosphere, there are five picnic areas in scenic spots around the park. Offering a unique family-friendly experience, The Astronomy Club of Akron presents seasonal programs in their small observatory, which stands on a leased parcel of land here. To reconnect with nature, check these best camping spots near Portage Lakes State Park, Ohio.

RV campgrounds & RV sites

1. Craftsmen Park, Akron

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Craftsmen Park on Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Craftsmen Park has a 52-site campground, where visitors can bring RVs or set up tents in primitive campsites. Campers will have access to showers and restrooms on site. For visitors driving RVs, note that there are no full hookup sites here, but you’ll find a helpful unit to pump black water from your vehicle once or twice a week. The park is open year-round and welcomes visitors of all ages.

Portage Lakes State Park is 10 minutes from the property. Those who want to stay close to it can also rent cabins here. There are units for couples and families, plus a dorm-style option for big groups. You’ll be having fun in the lake in no time.

Craftsmen Park

Address: 4450 Rex Lake Rd, Akron, OH 44319, United States (map)

Travelers Review: 4.7(from 188 reviews)

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2. Nimisila Reservoir Metro Park Campground, Akron

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Have you been to Nimisila Reservoir Metro Park in Green? Volunteer Sharon Stump shared this photo of "diamonds on the water."

Posted by Summit Metro Parks on Saturday, March 31, 2018

There are 29 campsites available at Nimisila Reservoir Metro Park Campground, with each site accommodating a maximum of 6 campers. Six of these sites have electricity and three are ADA-accessible. Two pets are welcome per site, but they have to be leashed and not left unattended. One campsite can fit tents or an RV, as long as they don’t exceed a floor space of 200 sq. ft. (18.6 sq. m.). You’ll find a fire ring and a picnic table at each one. You’ll also have access to restrooms, but there are no showers or drinking water.

Nimisila Reservoir has the largest body of water in Portage Lakes and is a great area for birdwatching, fishing, kayaking, and paddle boating. The campground’s peak season is from May 1 to October 31, so summer is the best time for camping here. If you would prefer a more serene ambiance, visit in the off-peak season between November and April. Please note that camp rules require vaccination records for visitors.

Nimisila Reservoir Metro Park Campground

Address: 5550 Christman Rd, Akron, OH 44319, United States (map)

Travelers Review: 4.3(from 81 reviews)

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3. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts - Akron, OH

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts is open year-round and boasts family-friendly accommodations and activities in their campgrounds all over the US and Canada. They offer cabins, yurts, RV rentals, and RV and tent camping. Appearances by Yogi Bear and friends will bring instant nostalgia to adults, while their young ones will get introduced to these classic, lovable characters. There’s live music and entertainment, water activities, and outdoor attractions, making this camp-resort a must-visit for the whole family.

Campers will have access to free WiFi, laundry facilities, comfort stations with toilets and hot showers, and a camp store so they can stock up on snacks, Yogi Bear merchandise, ice, firewood, and other camping supplies.

Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts - Akron, OH

Address: 12712 Hoover Ave NW, Uniontown, OH 44685, United States (map)

Travelers Review: 4.2(from 502 reviews)

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4. The Lake Campground, Norton

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Looking for a lake site? We have one open! Come take a look! Call for a tour at 330-825-4343.

Posted by The Lake Campground on Thursday, July 2, 2020

The Lake Campground offers camping exclusively for RV enthusiasts. It’s an exciting campground for families as the rates include access to a 6-acre (2.4-hectare) swim lake with inflatables, sports courts, playgrounds, a video arcade, a batting cage with a pitching machine, picnic tables, barbecue facilities, and more. Clean restrooms and showers are also part of the deal. Visit in the summer to avail of swim park memberships.

Portage Lakes State Park is 20 minutes from here, where you and the whole family can engage in more outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and boating.

The Lake Campground

Address: 2678 S Hametown Rd, Norton, OH 44203, United States (map)

Travelers Review: 4.1(from 144 reviews)

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5. Cherokee Park Family Campground, Mogadore

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Cherokee Park Family Campground on Saturday, February 22, 2014

Cherokee Park Family Campground is set on a 50-acre (20.2-hectare) property with large open spaces and shady wooded areas. It offers RV campers 120 campsites with water hookups and 30-amp receptacles. Pull-through sites are available for extra-large RVs. Families and their furry friends will enjoy this scenic area with its tree-lined lakes. Have fun playing sand volleyball, horseshoes, and basketball. You can also swim, pedal boat, and fish in the lake.

Campers will have access to modern hot showers, a laundry room, and a central dump station. For your convenience, firewood and propane are available for purchase. If you want an authentic tent-pitching camping experience, visit in the summer as there will be family tent sites by then. Nearby attractions include Portage Lakes State Park and Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens.

Cherokee Park Family Campground

Address: 3064 OH-43, Mogadore, OH 44260, United States (map)

Travelers Review: 4.5(from 84 reviews)

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6. Silver Springs Campground, Stow

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

SILVER SPRINGS CAMPGROUND CLOSES FOR SEASON ON OCT. 31 Only a couple more weeks of gorgeous camping until the Stow...

Posted by Fun in Stow on Tuesday, October 16, 2018

A municipally operated campground in Stow’s Silver Springs Park, Silver Springs Campground features 27 campsites for both RVs and tents. Each campsite occupies a space of 200 square feet (18.6 square meter) and can fit 2 tents or a tent, plus an RV with a maximum length of 10.6 meters (35 feet). A site is also limited to six people unless they belong to the same family.

Campers will have access to the campground’s facilities, including portable restrooms, a trailer dump station, electrical hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings. The whole family is welcome to enjoy activities within Silver Springs Park, such as fishing at Heritage Lake, hiking, tennis, basketball, and playing at SOAR playground. You can also frolic with your pets at Bow Wow Beach. For more family-friendly activities, visit Portage Lakes State Park, which is only about 30 minutes away. The camping season here ends on October 31.

Silver Springs Campground

Address: 5238 Young Rd, Stow, OH 44224, United States (map)

Travelers Review: 4.5(from 356 reviews)

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7. Hillside Park of Clinton

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

It’s going to be beautiful weekend for camping! Come out and make some great memories that will last a lifetime! #camplife

Posted by Hillside Park of Clinton on Saturday, May 25, 2019

Hillside Park of Clinton is a family-owned campground with facilities for RV travelers. Within the 65-acre (26.3-hectare) private property, RV campers will find 182 campsites, with 142 of those having full hookups. Camping here won’t be rough with access to water, flush toilets, hot showers, and electric service. Campers of all ages will have fun swimming in the large, spring-fed lake and playing tennis, baseball, and basketball. Little ones will have a playground to occupy them.

The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail is nearby, a National Heritage Area that is worth exploring. For water activities such a kayaking, fishing, and boating, a 10-minute drive will take you to Portage Lakes State Park.

Hillside Park of Clinton

Address: 2534 W Comet Rd, Clinton, OH 44216, United States (map)

Travelers Review: 4.4(from 63 reviews)

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8. Countryside Campground, Mogadore

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Dreaming of summer nights like these! #rvlifestyle #gorving #rvliving #homeiswhereyouparkit #campcountryside #campspot #campingvibes #ocoa #goodsamclub #ARVC #nofilter #sunset #dusk #nature

Posted by Countryside campground on Thursday, January 14, 2021

The picturesque and family-oriented Countryside Campground is set in Mogadore, 30 minutes from Portage Lakes State Park. They offer back-in and pull-through RV campsites, as well as primitive tent camping facilities. For first-time campers who don’t have the equipment, cottages, cabins, and rental RVs are offered here. Access to WiFi, modern bathrooms, hot showers, laundry facilities, and dump stations will be granted to visitors. In addition, everyone will enjoy a heated swimming pool, a game room, mini-golf, and hayrides.

This is an ideal campground for groups seeking a quiet place, but also want a host of activities to keep them occupied. Visit in the spring or summer to meet many new friends.

Countryside Campground

Address: 2687 OH-43, Mogadore, OH 44260, United States (map)

Travelers Review: 4.2(from 92 reviews)

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9. Caskeys Campground, Orrville

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Caskeys Campground on Saturday, July 5, 2014

Caskeys Campground welcomes camping enthusiasts from May to September. It’s a great option for those seeking a budget-friendly campsite with water and electricity for both tents and RVs. They also have three pavilions and a large recreation hall for rent if you have group events.

A minimal fee affords access to their recreation park, which includes a swimming lake with slides, two fishing lakes, picnic areas with barbecue facilities, and a sand volleyball court, among others. You can also buy ice, snacks, and camping and picnic supplies at their on-site store. Nearby attractions include Portage Lakes State Park, Acres of Fun Family Fun Park, Ohio Station Outlets, and The J.M. Smucker Co. Store and Café.

Caskeys Campground

Address: Fosnight Rd, Orrville, OH 44667, United States (map)

Travelers Review: 4.4(from 237 reviews)

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10. Chippewa Valley Campgrounds, Seville

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Chippewa Valley Campgrounds offers campsites for both tent and RV campers. This is a budget-friendly option for adults with pets, with no amenities for kids. Campers will find restrooms, showers, electrical receptacles, water hookups, and dumpsites. The campground is close to the highway but remains private and peaceful. There is no WiFi here, but you’ll have decent mobile service.

While this is not a commercial campground, previous campers have expressed their appreciation for the serenity of the area and the friendly service. The campground is always open, so come check it out for yourself on your way to Portage Lakes State Park.

Chippewa Valley Campgrounds

Address: 8809 Lake Rd, Seville, OH 44273, United States (map)

Travelers Review: 4.2(from 39 reviews)

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Camp in style near Portage Lakes State Park

North Reservoir, Portage Lakes
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Roseohioresident used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Portage Lakes State Park is a family-friendly destination offering loads of fun to visitors from all over the US. Stay close and enjoy all the outdoor adventures and water activities available by driving your RV to one of our handpicked campgrounds listed above.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Zyanya is a lit major and has written articles in various fields, including beauty, food, and travel. She started her Trip101 journey as an editor but has returned to her first love - writing. She...Read more

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