An Established Campground Near Cleveland

Seasonal & Overnight Camping Near Cleveland

A welcoming place to camp, relax and enjoy the outdoors.

Located in Grafton, Ohio, American Wilderness Campground offers wooded RV sites, tent camping, waterfront locations and rustic cabins — approximately 25 minutes from downtown Cleveland and 15 minutes from Elyria.

Wooded RV campsite at American Wilderness Campground near Cleveland Ohio

2026 Season Update

Thank You for a Wonderful Camping Season!

American Wilderness Campground is now closed for the 2026 camping season.

Thank you to our seasonal campers, overnight guests, families and friends who made this another memorable year! We appreciate everyone who spent time with us and look forward to welcoming you back next spring.

We are continuing to accept reservations for the 2027 camping season!

Weddings & Receptions — Open Year-Round!

The American Wilderness Event Center remains available year-round for weddings, receptions and special celebrations, even while the campground is closed for the season.

By appointment only. Please call 440-926-3700 and leave a voicemail for a return call.

Explore Our Event Center

A Campground People Return to Year After Year

American Wilderness Campground combines the natural beauty of wooded campsites with the welcoming atmosphere of an established camping community. Seasonal campers, families and overnight travelers enjoy traditional camping, outdoor recreation and a convenient northeast Ohio location.

Spend your days relaxing by the lake, enjoying campground activities or exploring nearby Cleveland attractions. Whether you’re staying for a weekend or returning season after season, there’s a place for you at American Wilderness.

Explore Nearby Attractions →

Find Your Way to Stay

From seasonal RV camping to weekend getaways, tent camping and rustic cabins, find the camping experience that fits your plans.

Seasonal Camping

Make American Wilderness your home away from home. Enjoy wooded campsites, planned activities and a welcoming seasonal camping community.

Interested in seasonal camping? Contact us about future availability.

Seasonal Information →

RV & Tent Camping

Stay for a night, weekend or longer. Campsite options accommodate big rigs, motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheels, pop-ups and tents.

Full-hookup, water-and-electric and primitive camping options are available.

View Camping Rates →

Waterfront Camping

Enjoy camping near the water with convenient access to fishing, swimming and relaxing lake views.

Waterfront and lake-area locations are limited. Ask about availability when reserving.

Explore the Site Map →

Rustic Cabins

Experience the campground without bringing an RV or pitching a tent. Rustic cabin rentals offer another way to enjoy the outdoors.

Contact the campground for current cabin features, availability and reservation details.

View Cabin Rates →

Campground Amenities & Recreation

From lake recreation and family activities to the everyday comforts that make camping easier, American Wilderness offers plenty of ways to enjoy your stay.

Lake Recreation

  • Swimming lake
  • Sandy beach
  • Fishing
  • Boat rentals

Things to Do

  • Playgrounds
  • Planned activities
  • Hiking and biking
  • Game room

Camper Comfort

  • Restrooms and showers
  • Laundry facilities
  • Camp store
  • Full-hookup site options

Gather Together

  • Pavilions
  • Group camping
  • Pet-friendly sites
  • Event Center

What Campers Are Saying

See what guests have to say about their experiences at American Wilderness Campground.

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Fire Flake profile picture
Fire Flake
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So serene and peaceful! Great escape during the week! Our spot on the lake was so peaceful we will definitely be back again! Gale is the absolute best she took care of all of our needs ask for her for a great customer experience!!!!
Posted on Google Google
Chase Gilbert profile picture
Chase Gilbert
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Stayed here for Labor Day weekend. Was pleasantly surprised with how quiet it was for being booked up for the holiday weekend. Staff here is phenomenal! Picked this campground due to being very near home, and wasn't disappointed. There were some muddy areas, due to ongoing improvements and recent monsoon like rains. Our first time here, definitely won't be our last. Will be contacting Allison soon to look into pricing for a seasonal site next year. Can't speak to showers or bath house, as our camper is self contained. Pull through FHU site was almost level, making for easy set up. Excited to see the improvements continue and use more of the facilities in the future!
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Michael Cook profile picture
Michael Cook
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It was absolutely amazing. The other season campers were so helpful. The owner took time to introduce herself that was nice. Again perfect
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Gretchen Brown profile picture
Gretchen Brown
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The staff here were incredibly nice, and helpful. The check in was smooth, and the general store there had lots of options. The bathrooms connected to that building were pristine. Cons: The shower house/bathrooms (a separate building) were outdated and a bit dirty. I had to shower with flip flops (a must anywhere really) and my eyes closed. Poor ventilation and lighting. *There may have been primitive bathrooms somewhere else on the site, but I never found them. * It was a long walk to the bathrooms. The site: Pros- easy pull through with electric and water access. *Well graveled, grass trimmed Cons- zero shade. I dont think we were able to choose our site, and if I did choose it, I clearly wasnt thinking. It got so hot (camping/Aug), but there was no relief from the sun with natural shade. If booking and you can choose the site, make sure you dont book the middle spots. The ponds: Pros- The fishing pond looked awesome! *There is a smaller swimming pond- are was clean, chairs and umbrellas were a nice touch, clean and well sanded. Cons: The "water features" ie- the slide, the turtle, a umbrella that maybe used to spurt water- all of that was non functional and looks old and outdated. *My son stepped on a pipe of some sort in the pond. The grounds in general: Pros: well maintained, grass trimmed, sand volleyball courts, game room (will need quarters to play), a playground, and this really cool mining for gems mill type thing Cons: the mining for gems was turned off (to be fair, maybe the front desk could turn the water on if someone bought a bucket of sand to sift for gems. Overall opinion: They had weekend activities for the kids, aside from the gross shower house, and the dated pond water fixtures, everything was kept up nicely. It looks like there are a lot of newer buildings so maybe they are in the middle of an overhaul. About 40 min from Cleveland (we came for MGK DAY) Approx 15 min to the nearest Target/Meijer/Walmart/ restaurants and shops. We did end up leaving a day early, but to no fault of the staff.
Posted on Google Google
Chris Schafer profile picture
Chris Schafer
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Great place to do some weekend camping
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Tessa Soth profile picture
Tessa Soth
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What a beautiful atmosphere this place was it was just so beautiful there the scenery was amazing and there's a lot of trees and the lake was amazing right as soon as the sun sets and let's talk about the sites on how big they are I've been to other campgrounds and these sites are huge
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Katrina Williams profile picture
Katrina Williams
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Park is so pretty and sites are amazing. Very clean and beautiful.

Frequently Asked Questions

Helpful answers for planning your camping trip near Cleveland, Ohio.

How far is American Wilderness Campground from Cleveland?

American Wilderness is located in Grafton, Ohio, approximately 25 minutes from downtown Cleveland and 15 minutes from Elyria.

Does American Wilderness offer overnight RV and tent camping?

Yes. Overnight camping is available for motorhomes, fifth wheels, travel trailers, pop-ups and tents. Campsite types and hookups vary by availability.

Are seasonal campsites available?

Seasonal camping is a popular option at American Wilderness. Contact the campground for current availability and information about future seasonal opportunities.

Are cabins and waterfront campsites available?

American Wilderness offers rustic cabins and waterfront or lake-area camping options. Availability varies, so guests should request their preferred accommodation when reserving.

Plan Your Stay at American Wilderness

Ready to enjoy camping near Cleveland? Request a reservation, explore current rates or contact us about seasonal camping opportunities.