Tent Camping In Northwest Ohio

at Gilboa Quarry

Reserve Your Tent Camping Site Today

When you’re searching for tent camping in northwest Ohio that offers more than just a place to pitch your tent, Gilboa Quarry delivers a different kind of camping experience. Located at 3763 Old State Route 224 in Ottawa, Ohio—just 25 minutes from Lima and 30 minutes from Findlay—our former limestone quarry has been welcoming outdoor enthusiasts since the early 1990s.

For over 30 years, families, divers, paddlers, and nature lovers have discovered what sets Gilboa Quarry apart from typical campgrounds in the region. While we’re known as the Midwest’s premier scuba diving quarry with depths reaching 140 feet, our tent camping experience welcomes everyone—whether you’re here to swim, paddle, snorkel, or simply enjoy a peaceful weekend surrounded by water and woods.

Our tent sites sit alongside spring-fed quarry waters that typically maintain 30-40 feet of visibility, sometimes exceeding 60 feet depending on conditions. You’ll wake up to quarry views and the sounds of nature rather thanhighway traffic—a genuine escape that typical campgrounds can’t match.

Historical photo of Gilboa Quarry as Ottawa Stone Company limestone operation showing exposed quarry walls and processing building

What Makes Tent Camping

at Gilboa Quarry Unique?

A Former Limestone Quarry Turned Recreation & Adventure Destination

Gilboa Quarry began as a limestone operation in the 1890s under the Ottawa Stone Company, operating through the early 1980s. When quarrying ceased, spring-fed groundwater filled the excavation, creating a fresh water environment with exceptional depth and clarity. We’ve operated as a recreation and adventure destination since the early 1990s, welcoming campers, divers, and adventurers from across Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, West Virginia, Kentucky and beyond.

What started as a dive training site has evolved into a full outdoor adventure center where tent camping integrates naturally with water-based activities and beautiful scenery. Our quarry setting offers tranquility with adventure opportunities you won’t find at any other Ohio campground.

Tent Camping Amenities & Site Features

We do our best to accommodate all campers by offering first-come, first-served tent camping sites as well as reservations available via Campspot. Peak summer weekends (Memorial Day through Labor Day) typically fill by mid-Friday, so early reservations help if you’re seeking a specific site.When you arrive, check in at the front office where our staff will help you select from available sites.

Modern Bathhouse Facilities (24/7 Access)

  • Hot showers available any time of day or night

  • Flushable toilets (no pit toilets)

  • Changing rooms with privacy

  • Sinks with running water

  • Regular cleaning throughout the day

The bathhouse remains accessible around the clock, serving early-morning divers and late-night campers equally.

Modern bathhouse facilities with hot showers at Gilboa Quarry campground

Tent Site Options, Benefits, & Features

    • Wooded sites providing natural shade and privacy
    • Beach Swim Bands For 2 Adults and 2 children (10 & under)
    • Open sites with direct quarry views
    • Fire rings at each site
    • Picnic tables at each site
    • 24/7 bathhouse access
    • Pet-friendly (dogs must check in at office and remain leashed when not in water)
Group of campers relaxing in folding chairs around a wooded Gilboa Quarry campsite, with tents and pop‑up canopies set up, pumpkins and camping gear nearby, and sunlight filtering through the trees.

Local Dining and On-Site Snack & Beverage Options

We recommend bringing your own meals and beverages for maximum flexibility and value. On-site offerings:

    • Limited concessions – Snacks, cold beverages, and essentials available for purchase in the office
    • Cooler-friendly environment – Bring your camp stove and cooler and enjoy meals at your site

Local restaurants:

Modern bathhouse facilities with hot showers at Gilboa Quarry campground
Group of campers relaxing in folding chairs around a wooded Gilboa Quarry campsite, with tents and pop‑up canopies set up, pumpkins and camping gear nearby, and sunlight filtering through the trees.

What To Bring

Tent Camping Includes:

  • Campsite with fire ring & picnic table
  • Beach swim bands (2 adults + 2 children 10 & under)
  • 24/7 bathhouse access
  • Pet-friendly sites (with office check-in)

What to Bring:

  • Tent and camping gear
  • Sleeping bags and pads
  • Camp chairs, table if desired
  • Cooler with meals and beverages (on-site food options are limited)
  • Swimming, aquatic gear, and towels
  • Clothing appropriate for variable Ohio weather
  • Flashlights or lanterns
  • Sunscreen and bug spray
  • Toiletries for bathhouse

Additional Costs:

  • Extra day passes for additional guests or overnight visitors
  • Rental equipment (kayaks, paddleboards, snorkeling gear, dive gear)
  • Food and beverages from on-site concessions
  • Firewood

Also Available:

  • RV camping sites with water hookups and electrical service
  • Bunkhouse accommodations for groups
  • Day passes for those wanting to experience Gilboa before overnight camping

Crystal-Clear Water Unlike Typical Midwest Lakes

The most striking difference between Gilboa and other waterfront, primitive campsites is water clarity. Our spring-fed quarry typically maintains 30-40 feet of visibility, with ideal conditions sometimes exceeding 80 feet. For tent campers, this clarity means:

  • Swimming without murky water

  • Snorkeling that reveals underwater features and aquatic residents
  • Paddleboarding and kayaking on clean, spring-fed water

  • Scuba Diving in ideal conditions
Clear quarry waters at Gilboa Quarry tent camping site in northwest Ohio

Activities & Adventures at Your Campsite

What distinguishes tent camping at Gilboa Quarry is the range of water-based activities available right fromyour campsite. You’re not camping near adventure—you’re camping within it.

Swimming & Beach Access

Our designated swimming beach provides safe access to quarry waters. Unlike murky lake beaches or crowded pool areas common at other northwest Ohio campgrounds, our swim area offers:

  • Sandy entry points with no muddy bottom

  • Graduated depth suitable for various swimming abilities

  • Water clarity where you can see your feet and visibility is typically 30-40ft.

Tent camping sites include swim bands for 2 Adults and 2 Kids (10 & under), so you can enjoy the beach throughout your stay. Please follow posted signage and quarry rules regarding swim area boundaries and depth markers.

 

"Crystal-clear quarry waters and sandy beach entrance at Gilboa Quarry campgrounds northwest Ohio"
Family friendly paddle boarding, kayaking, and water activities at Gilboa Quarry campground

Kayaking & Paddleboarding

Explore the quarry from the surface with kayak and paddleboard rentals available on-site (first-come, first-served; arrive early on peak summer weekends). The calm, flat water provides excellent conditions for beginners while offering experienced paddlers space to roam.

From your kayak or paddleboard, you might:

  • Watch scuba divers exploring underwater attractions 30+ feet below
  • Spot our paddlefish – including several specimens over 4 feet long
  • Explore the shoreline from a unique perspective
  • Enjoy peaceful evening paddles with unobstructed quarry views

 

Snorkeling the Quarry

You don’t need scuba certification to explore underwater. Snorkeling allows you to:

  • View underwater platforms and structures positioned at various depths
  • Observe divers practicing skills or exploring attractions
  • Experience visibility rarely found in Midwest freshwater environments
  • Discover quarry ecology including fish, rock formations, and depth transitions

Snorkeling gear is be available for rent on-site (check availability at the office), or bring your own mask, snorkel, fins, and floatation device.

"Underwater wildlife viewing at Gilboa Quarry campground with crystal-clear quarry waters"
Scuba diver using an Avelo System exploring a submerged airplane in the clear quarry water at Gilboa Quarry.

World-Class Scuba Diving (Watch or Participate)

While tent camping isn’t exclusive to divers, being camped at one of the Midwest’s premier dive facilities creates unique opportunities. Non-divers enjoy watching divers explore sunken attractions including:

  • 36-foot Grumman Gulfstream I airplane resting at depth
  • 35-foot Sikorsky S-56 Mojave helicopter
  • School buses positioned at multiple depths for training
  • Various boats and underwater platforms
  • 10 dedicated training platforms for skill development
  • 6 SCUBA docks providing diver entry and exit

Certified divers in your group can access our fill station for air fills, Nitrox blends, and custom O2 mixes.

Our quarry attracts recreational divers, advanced tech divers, and Avelo divers.

Wildlife Observation

Watch for the diverse wildlife attracted to the quarry’s unique ecosystem:

  • Paddlefish – Our notable residents, some exceeding 4 feet in length (visible from kayaks, paddleboards, or while snorkeling)
  • Trout — Palomino, rainbow, and brown trout form the famous “Troutnado” above the submerged school buses.
  • Sturgeon — Two strugeon call the quarry home.
  • Koi — Hiding among the submergd trees the koi continue to grow.
  • Various waterfowl including ducks and geese
  • Diverse bird species attracted to the water and wooded areas
  • Bass, bluegill, and other fish species native to Ohio visible in the clear water
Scuba diver using an Avelo System exploring a submerged airplane in the clear quarry water at Gilboa Quarry.

Location & Accessibility

Convenient Access from

Major Northwest Ohio Cities

Gilboa Quarry’s location at 3763 Old State Route 224, Ottawa, OH 45875 provides straightforward access

from regional communities:

  • Ottawa, OH: 10 minutes

  • Lima, OH: 25 minutes

  • Findlay, OH: 30 minutes

  • Bowling Green, OH: 40 minutes

  • Toledo, OH: 1 hour

  • Fort Wayne, IN: 1 hour

  • Columbus, OH: 2 hours

  • Detroit, MI: 2.5 hours

  • Indianapolis, IN: 3 hours

Just off I-75, we’re accessible whether you’re coming for a weekend or passing through en route to Lake Eriedestinations.

Strategic Stop for Lake Erie Travelers

Planning a trip to Sandusky, Cedar Point, the Lake Erie Islands, or other northern Ohio destinations? GilboaQuarry offers a midpoint stop with advantages over Lake Erie shoreline campgrounds:

Why travelers choose Gilboa:

Typically less crowded – Especially compared to peak-season Lake Erie campgrounds

Quieter setting – Natural quarry environment vs. busy tourist corridors

Different water experience – Crystal-clear quarry vs. Lake Erie’s variable conditions

Convenient break point – Ideal for splitting long drives from central Ohio or Indiana

Competitive value – Comparable pricing with distinctive amenities

Many families use Gilboa as a base camp for exploring northwest Ohio, visiting Lake Erie one day and localattractions the next, while returning each evening to peaceful quarry camping.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Gilboa Quarry different from other northwest Ohio campgrounds?

Gilboa Quarry offers camping within a former limestone quarry featuring spring-fed water with 30-40 feet oftypical visibility (sometimes exceeding 60 feet in ideal conditions). This contrasts with most Midwest lakeswhere visibility often measures 3-10 feet. You’ll camp alongside underwater attractions including sunkenaircraft and helicopters, watch scuba divers training at depth, and enjoy swimming, kayaking, and snorkeling inexceptionally clear water. Our setting combines natural tranquility with activities unavailable at traditional areacampgrounds.

Are dogs allowed at tent camping sites?

Yes. Well-behaved dogs are welcome at our pet-friendly sites. All dogs must check in at the front office uponarrival and remain leashed when on land. Dogs can swim off-leash in designated areas, making Gilboa one offew area campgrounds where canine companions can enjoy water activities alongside families.

Is tent camping suitable for families with young children?

Yes. Gilboa Quarry works well for family camping. We offer a designated swimming beach with a clear depthmarking and graduated entry, calm water without boat traffic, clean modern bathhouse facilities, and multiple activities including swimming, paddling, and wildlife watching. The quarry setting provides natural learning opportunities—children often enjoy watching scuba divers and spotting our resident fish. Our environment accommodates families seeking both adventure and comfort.

Do I need to be a scuba diver to camp here?

No. While Gilboa Quarry is known as a premier dive training facility, tent camping welcomes everyone. Non-divers enjoy swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, wildlife watching, and relaxing by clear quarry waters. Many campers never dive but appreciate watching divers explore underwater attractions from shore or their kayaks. The quarry setting provides memorable experiences whether you’re certified to dive or prefer surface activities.

What amenities are available for tent campers?

Tent campers have 24/7 access to our modern bathhouse with hot showers, flushable toilets, changing rooms, and sinks. Each tent site includes a fire ring & picnic table. On-site you’ll find limited concessions for snacks and beverages and rental equipment for kayaking, paddleboarding, and diving (first-come, first-served). Both wooded and open sites are available. All sites welcome pets when checked in at the office.

How do I reserve a tent site?

Reserve online through Campspot by clicking this link. Select your dates, choose a tent camping site, review options, and complete your reservation. Some sites operate first-come, first-served—during peak summer weekends, these typically fill by Friday afternoon, so early arrival helps. All campers must check in at the front office regardless of reservation status.

Is Gilboa Quarry a good overnight stop when traveling to Lake Erie?

Yes. Many travelers choose Gilboa as a strategic stop between central Ohio or Indiana and Lake Erie destinations like Sandusky, Cedar Point, or the Lake Erie Islands. We typically offer a quieter, less crowded alternative to busy Lake Erie shoreline campgrounds while providing water activities in consistently clear conditions. Our location just off I-75 makes us convenient for breaking up long drives, and our setting offers a different experience than typical highway-adjacent campgrounds.

Can I rent kayaks and paddleboards here?

Yes. Kayak and paddleboard rentals are available on-site, first-come, first-served. We recommend arriving early during peak summer weekends to ensure equipment availability. Our calm, flat quarry waters provide good paddling conditions for beginners while offering experienced paddlers room to explore. From your kayak, you can watch scuba divers below, spot our large paddlefish, and enjoy peaceful water uncommon at most area lakes.

What should I pack for tent camping at Gilboa Quarry?

Bring your tent and camping gear, sleeping bags and pads, camp chairs, cooler with meals and beverages (on-site food is limited), swimming and water activity equipment, towels, clothing for variable Ohio weather, flashlights or lanterns, sunscreen and bug spray, and toiletries. The bathhouse provides hot showers, flushable toilets, and sinks. Pack equipment for your planned water activities.

What time of year is best for tent camping here?

Each season offers different advantages. Summer (June–August) provides warmest water and peak swimming conditions but busier crowds. Spring and early summer (May–June) offer excellent water clarity, moderate temperatures, and fewer campers. Fall (September–October) delivers autumn foliage, comfortable daytime weather, cool campfire evenings, and peaceful atmosphere. Late fall suits experienced cold-weather campers seeking solitude, though some services may be limited. Check our visitor passes page for seasonal schedules or contact us to plan your visit.