Spend the night in the parks!
Cabin Rental Lake Metroparks provides two opportunities to experience cabin camping in Madison, Ohio: the Strong Cabin is located in Hogback Ridge Park and the Resource Center is located on Palisades Road near Hidden Valley Park. Both cabins are available for reservation on a nightly or weekly basis year-round, with a two-night minimum up to one-week maximum stay.
Tent Campsites Each site has a designated area to pitch a tent, a place to build a fire, a grill and a picnic table. The sites do not have restrooms, running water or trash cans. Campers are expected to practice a “leave no trace” camping ethic including carrying in and carrying out all supplies and trash, with the goal of leaving the area better than it was found. Most campsites are available from May 2 until November 30 each year and subject to temporary closure due to high water or extremely wet conditions. Campsite at River Road is open through Labor Day. Campsite at Girdled Road Reservation is available year-round.
These campsites provide a “rustic” experience for small groups of up to eight people staying in tents. Campers must hike or paddle to the campsites. The sites are set back from the developed areas of the parks from about 0.25 mile to more than a mile. Each location is different, and campsites provide a quiet, intimate natural experience—much different than crowded campgrounds. The paddle-in sites may require a three- to eight-mile paddle by canoe or kayak to reach the campsite. The idea is to paddle a stretch of the Grand River, spend the night under the stars and then paddle another stretch the next day. Imagine paddling 27 miles and spending two nights on the wild and scenic Grand River! That is all possible in your Lake Metroparks.