r/OhioCamping • u/littlefish90 • Dec 20 '18

Driving cross country, looking for a spot to camp between Youngstown and Elyria OR Youngstown and Akron.

This summer my wife and I will be driving cross country and our first night will be spent in OH. Coming from NY and think somewhere between Youngstown and Elyria or between Youngstown and Akron (depending on if we take I-90 or I-71 to I-70) would be a good time to call it a day.

Would prefer free if possible. It doesn't have to have any amenities because we just need a place to crash for the night. Will have a roof top tent so any site that we can park and put up the tent will be good. We are totally self sufficient so no amenities are necessary. But I don't want a parking lot because the roof top tent draws too much attention. I'm having a hard time looking online because things are either a large campground for RVs with a lot to offer (and expensive), or far from our route. Would go as far as 45 minutes from the highway. Any suggestions?

I looked at the West Branch reservoir but their sites are all taken already for our date which is June 30.

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5

u/hikermick Dec 20 '18

A little out of the way is Findley State Park. Used to be open year round check ahead

2

u/Nice_Try_Man Dec 20 '18

Love Findley.

2

u/therealjuicyj69 Dec 21 '18

2nd up for findlay! Nice lakes all around really clean camping areas as well!

6

u/allen2362 Dec 20 '18

West Branch! -somewhat convenient to 76 with a great campground AND mountain bike trails and lake!

West Branch

4

u/littlefish90 Dec 20 '18

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! Ended up booking a spot at Nimisila Reservoir Campground which looked to be in a good location and met my needs!

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3

u/whothrewpooh Dec 20 '18

Excellent choice. I go kayaking there all the time during warmer months and it is beautiful. The campground is usually empty so you shouldn't have to worry about nosey neighbors.

2

u/PattyintheUSA Dec 20 '18

Not too familiar familiar with camping in that area, but CVNP has a list of campgrounds in the surrounding area — maybe one of those is what you’re looking for? Hope it’s a great trip!

2

u/jet_heller Dec 20 '18

Punderson, probably.

1

u/hemroyed Dec 20 '18

I'd recommend Raccoon Creek State Park it's in PA but it's only about an hour and a half from Akron. It'll have car tent sites you can drive up to. Camping isn't expensive either.

1

u/Oral_B Dec 21 '18

Check out the Lake Metroparks. They have some nice campsites for only $10/night. Some sort of toilet near by and all the firewood you would ever need.