Ive been looking online at nearby areas to go camping (northeast ohio) Ive found a couple private family campgrounds...They seem like they have alot to offer. But l have also found state park camping...Whats the difference? Would one be better than the other? We wanna go tent camping with our two little kids.

Probably from my experience State Park Camping u will more likely get what is offered with out the hype. And it can be a learning experience for the whole family. l am from Missouri & we have well cared for state parks & if u go to some of the less popular ones even on the 4th weekend u can have privacy or go to the popular ones if u like to people watch. I've stayed at private & they ususally r lacking or just not the same as the state parks. Either way the little ones will love the experience.

In my area a lot of private campgrounds r more expensive but have areas like playgrounds for kids maybe a pool in addition to lake or river, water & power to all sites & possibly more ''group'' events for all campers. State campgrounds here mostly offer power & water but if u tent camp u will just have a spot of ground as a campsite unless u want to camp in with motor homes travel trailer & such with AC units & generators running all time. If u have a National Forest in ur area check it out they may have campground just for tenters. Private camps sometimes have better security & cleaner facilities & often have ''year round'' campers at them.

Better would be completely subjective. And it would depend on the individual campground. Most have similar features & functions. There r generally small, semi-private (meaning partially surrounded by trees & bushes) cleared areas for each campsite with a picnic table, & possibly a fire pit or grill. Most offer restrooms with showers (centrally used & located by all campers).

Both will usually have both RV sites, & tent sites that r generally separate. RV sites will usually have electricity available for an extra fee.

If all u r going to do is camp & eat, it should not matter one way or the other, particularly if ur kids r small & u just want them to have the camping experience. In this case, I'd recommend whichever was closer (particualrly if there is a chance ur kids wo not enjoy it & cry until u take them home).

If u want to do something recreational though, in most cases you're better off at the state park, because there r usually more services (better/longer trails, possible canoing or lakes that r better maintained than u may find on the private parks, etc), & in many cases, it might also be a little cheaper.

State park campgrounds usually offer just the basics: in the midwest that usually includes showers, water, & sometimes electricity (none of these r available if the campground is marked ''primitive'' or ''rustic'' though). They tend to be inexpensive, & they r usually pretty scenic.

Private campgrounds can vary a lot. Many r more geared for RV camping than tent camping & lots r spaced more closely (with fewer trees & other natural features). They may not be in a particularly scenic location, but some offer more activities: pools, game rooms, basketball courts, etc. They tend to cost a little bit more.

Just as a slight basis of comparison, we're going camping at Yellowstone next week. The national park (pretty similar to state parks) charges $18.50 per day for our tent site. Here out west, electricity & showers r not included in a tent site. Showers r available for $3-4 each, & water can be carried from nearby. We checked out a KOA nearby, which charged $47 a night, including showers, water, & electricity. It also had a pool & other available activities.