Ottawa Overlook Backcountry Campground (Brecksville Reservation)

Ottawa Overlook Backcountry Campground Overview

• Capacity: 3 camping sites, four individuals per site.
• Amenities: Kitchen, Hangable Food Storage, Bathroom, Running Water
• Best for: Backpackers in the Brecksville Reservation, on the Buckeye Trail, and through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park
• Reservable: Yes (All-Year). It must be reserved at least two days in advance.
• Length: 1 night maximum
• Check-In: 3pm
• Check-Out: Noon
• Fees: $5

Ottawa Overlook Backcountry Campground

The Ottawa Overlook Backcountry Campground is the only one in the Brecksville Reservation and Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

This is considered a backcountry campground, meaning the only way to reach it is by hiking in. According to the Cleveland Metroparks, “Guests should expect to at least hike 3 miles to backcountry sites from where they are parking in the Cleveland Metroparks.” This is also a popular campground for anyone hiking on the Buckeye Trail or detouring from the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

The campground contains three camping sites, one kitchen area, and a hangable food storage post. It is .25 miles from the Ottawa Point Picnic Area, where guests can access potable water (right next to the shelter) from May to September (carry your water from October to April) and use the restroom (right next to the parking lot).

The campground is also 1/2 mile from the Buckeye Trail, a backcountry waterfall, and 3/4 mile to the Brecksville Reservation Stables.

Ottawa Overlook Backcountry Site 1 is closest to the kitchen and food storage area. It is a 12′ x 17′ tent area with a natural surface area that can accommodate one 4-person tent or two 2-person tents. In addition, this tent site is right next to the overlook of the valley and within several feet of site 2. This makes it an excellent choice for anyone who has a larger group.

Ottawa Overlook Backcountry Site 2 rests on the park’s ridge and provides campers a glorious view of the valley below. At 16′ x 22′, it is a slightly larger natural area and can also accommodate one 4-person tent or two 2-person tents. It is several feet from site two and the common area, making it another excellent option for larger backpackers traveling together.

Ottawa Overlook Backcountry Site 3 is the most secluded campsite in the campground. It sits on a wooden platform, which makes it perfect for rainy and cold nights. It is 10′ x 12′ and can hold one 4-person or two 2-person tents. It is a short walk to the food storage and kitchen area. It is also right next to the ridge. Campers should be prepared to come with a free-standing tent if they wish to sleep on the wooden platform.

Rules and Regulations

• Follow Leave No Trace Principles
• Maximum one-night stay for all sites.
• Check-In: 3 pm
• Check-Out: Noon
• Sites are at least 3-mile, hike-in only. No vehicle access.
• No alcohol permitted
• Only use Bathrooms in the Ottawa Point Picnic Area
• Only cook in the designated kitchen area. Hang food and scented items on a hangable food storage pole
• Fires are prohibited
• Wash hands and dishes in a container. Dispose of dishwater 200 feet from any water resources, trails, or campsite. Washing dishes in any stream, creek, etc., is prohibited.
• Do not feed the wildlife.
• Dogs and pets are welcome but must be kept on a leash.
• Parking in the Brecksville Reservation is allowed for one night at the Brecksville Nature Center or the Plateau Picnic Area. If left for longer than one night, your vehicle may be towed. Parking is at your own risk. Please call the Cleveland Metroparks Dispatch at 440-331-5530 and provide them with where you are parked and the vehicle make, model, and license plate number.

Ottawa Overlook Backcountry Campground Map

Ottawa Overlook Backcountry Campground Virtual Tour

Expert Tip

Backpacking into the Ottawa Overlook Backcountry Campground can be a fun and rewarding experience for all experience levels. To have the most enjoyable experience, I recommend leveraging the below backpacking tips:

• Only cook in the kitchen area and dispose of scraps 200 feet from the campsite. In addition, all scented items should be hung on the hangable food storage pole. While the Brecksville Reservation does not have bears or human predators, scented items can attract raccoons, mice, coyotes, foxes, and other wildlife. This is dangerous for wildlife and can cause damage to your backpacking gear and the camp.
• Bring a sleeping pad. While there is one wooden platform, the other two sites are on the natural surface. This means you can get colder quickly, especially in the fall, winter, or spring. It should be noted that this is a heavily wooden area of the park, so expect temperatures to be, on average, at least 5 degrees Fahrenheit cooler.
• Carry in your water. While the Ottawa Point Picnic Area has potable water, it is .25 miles away. While this is a quick walk, it can become tiring and tedious if you have to make this trip numerous times. In addition, there is no guarantee that the water will be on at any given point in the year (although the park usually keeps it on May – September).

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Get There (Hiking Directions)

Find the best parking spot to get to Ottawa Overlook Campground. You can park at the Brecksville Nature Center or the Plateau Picnic Area. I recommend starting at the Plateau Picnic Area to make your first visit to the campground the most enjoyable.

• Once you park at the Plateau Picnic Area, follow the White Oak Trail markers for .75 miles until you reach the Oak Grove Picnic Area.
• At the Oak Grove Picnic Area, follow the all-purpose trail for approximately .25 miles until you see the Buckeye Trail (blue markers) on your left-hand side.
• Follow the Buckeye Trail for approximately 1.25 miles until you reach Ottawa Point Drive (on your left).
• Hike Ottawa Point Drive for .75 miles past the Ottawa Point Picnic Area, and you’ll soon reach the Ottawa Overlook Backcountry Campground on the left-hand side of the trail.

Learn More About the Brecksville Reservation

Backpacking to the Ottawa Overlook Backcountry Campground is a fun activity for backpackers, families, and solo hikers. But the Brecksville Reservation offers more than camping. Don’t forget to check out hiking options like Deer Lick Cave or My Mountain Trail, horseback riding, picnic areas, and the Brecksville Nature Center.