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Best Dispersed Camping near Albany, OH

14 Reviews

Wayne National Forest offers several dispersed camping options near Albany, Ohio, primarily concentrated around hiking and OHV trail access points. Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail provides primitive camping with established sites along both a 5-mile and 15-mile loop trail. These locations feature simple stone fire rings with no amenities beyond pit toilets at the trailhead. Monday Creek OHV Dispersed area provides free camping with vault toilets and trash receptacles, making it suitable for overnight stays. Several trailheads including Dorr Run-Red Oak and New Straitsville provide additional camping opportunities.

Most dispersed camping areas in this region permit fires when contained in established rings, though seasonal restrictions may apply. Access varies from drive-in sites to hike-in only locations that require backpacking equipment. One camper shared, "There are a couple of campsites at the trailhead and quite a few all along the trail," regarding Wildcat Hollow. Visitors should note that many trails become exceptionally muddy after rainfall, particularly in spring. Water sources are limited and sometimes not recommended for filtration due to local mining activity. All sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations available.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Albany, Ohio (9)

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Albany, OH

4 Photos of 9 Albany Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Albany, OH

14 Reviews of 9 Albany Campgrounds

  • Marisa A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2020

    Sand Hill Trailhead

    Dispersed Camping best off Horseback Trails

    We arrived late at night wishing we had better cell reception and a paper map of the National Forest. We were grateful to have the Dyrt's info downloaded on my chromebook. Even still, Wayne National Forest is a maze of public and private land. The Ironton Campground has been closed during 2020 as part of a water main line break. We initially tried the Hanging Rock OHV trailhead, but locals used that area for partying when we were there and it wasn't ideal to camp at the trailhead with about a dozen cars speeding along the gravel roads around midnight. We found the Sand Hill Trail head and pitched camp not too far from where we parked. The NF website says fires are allowed if you make a stone ring. We just skipped it. It is a very pretty area along Vesuvius Lake with trees and bluffs. We saw a ranger in the morning and he suggested next time we just camp at the horsecamp. The pins on the Dyrt's map were inaccurately located when we were using it with multiple entries. Next time I will purchase a paper map before I go because Wayne National Forest has alot of private lands interspersed and it is not all that clear without an official map. Hopefully the Dyrt will get better at hyper locating those lines.

  • Ruby W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 24, 2019

    Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail Dispersed

    Great Secluded Location

    Wildcat Hollow is a fantastic free camping and backpacking location. It’s quite secluded, has well established trails, and has a variety of remote campsites to choose from. There is a small shelter with bathrooms and other amenities, but not much else.

  • Steve C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 23, 2020

    Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail Dispersed

    Awesome packbacking spot

    Great spot for walk in or hike in camping! There are a couple of campsites at the trailhead and quite a few all along the trail. There is a 5 mile loop or a longer ~15 mile loop that you can hike and there are campsites every couple of miles. The sites themselves are just semi-cleared areas with stone fire rings so it is totally primitive camping. The trails can be a bit muddy after it rains and probably take a long time to dry out down in the valleys. While there is water in the valleys I wouldn’t use it even with a filter. There are signs posted at the trailhead that advise against it plus there is still active oil drilling in one of the hollows (the only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars) There is cell service when you’re up in the ridges but there are a lot of dead zones in the valleys and even at the trailhead. Overall, it was a beautiful, quiet place and I only saw 2 other people in the trail while I was hiking out the second day.

  • E
    Jul. 1, 2019

    Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail Dispersed

    The trail horribly muddy

    The campsites looked OK. Dry. No water available to filter.  Cautioned against using the water. But the trail was a cesspool of mud in too many places esp on the stetch between the trailhead and the loop.  I turned around. The trail needs to be planked, elevated or rerouted. This is on July 1. The seasonal creek beds all dry, but the muddy trail is awful especially in comparison to the hype that I read

  • J
    Nov. 1, 2020

    Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail Dispersed

    Very wet in the spring, but a challenging backpacking loop

    This campground is nice.  They are all designated campsites but they are first-come-first serve. They are hike-to only.  

    It is great for hiking and backpacking camping but if you are looking for car style camping, this is not it.

    The trail is challenging terrain, especially when backpacking.  It can be very wet and muddy in the spring (or after any rains), so be prepared for that.  

    The road to it is difficult also (as are most with dispersed camping).

    There are no amenities except for an outhouse in the parking lot.

    This is pack in/pack out.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 7, 2018

    Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail Dispersed

    Backpacking haven

    This is part of the Wayne National Forest and a section of the Buckeye Trail. It is a great area for backpacking as camping is free and allowed anywhere along the trail, see the web site for limitations. "Small, open fires are permitted except during extremely high fire danger. Fire rings should be used when available. Make sure all campfires are extinguished before vacating the campsite."~Wayne National web site. Water can be difficult, there are streams but you should pack in any that you need. I took my daughters on a backpacking trip here in August 2016. It is a great area, but there were lots of dead trees/widowmakers, so be careful where you pitch your tent. Pets are allowed but must be on a 6 foot leash. Many other hiking, camping and other outdoor activities are close by.

    https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/wayne/recarea/?recid=6228

  • Chris B.
    Jun. 16, 2019

    Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail Dispersed

    Wonderful overnight spot.

    Just wanted an overnight spot to clear our heads and enjoy the outdoors.  Parked our RRT in the parking lot on a Monday evening and had the place pretty much all to ourselves all night.  Clean pit toilet. Nice trails to walk. nice area to visit i'll be back againg sometime this year.

  • Lucille W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 8, 2020

    Witch’s Peak

    Sweet spot

    The trail in is super steep. The climb is totally worth it though. Some amazing rock out croppings and views up there! There are several boulder routes as well. At the end of the short trail is a cool rock shelter! A very neat local treasure.

  • S
    Aug. 14, 2022

    Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail Dispersed

    Beware the mud!

    If you're just looking for a quick campsite then pull up to the trailhead and you can find several within the first mile of the trail. Otherwise, the good sites are miles in and will necessitate doing the entire loop. If it has rained recently then expect numerous mudpits.

Guide to Albany

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Albany, Ohio, where nature enthusiasts can enjoy a more rustic and secluded outdoor experience. With a variety of locations offering unique features, you can find the perfect spot to unwind and connect with nature.

Top Activities While Free Camping Near Albany

  • Hiking is a popular activity at Dorr-Run Red Oak Trailhead, where you can explore scenic trails year-round, even when OHV trails are closed in winter.
  • For those who enjoy off-road adventures, Monday Creek OHV Dispersed provides access to various trails, making it a great spot for ATV enthusiasts.
  • If you're into bouldering, Witch’s Peak offers steep trails leading to stunning rock formations and breathtaking views, perfect for climbing and exploring.

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Albany, Ohio

  • Arrive early to secure a spot, especially on weekends, as places like Dorr Run-Elm Trailhead can get busy during peak times.
  • Be prepared for primitive conditions; amenities are limited at locations such as Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail Dispersed, where you'll find only basic facilities like pit toilets.
  • Always pack out what you pack in, as many areas, including Sand Hill Trailhead, operate on a leave-no-trace policy to preserve the natural beauty.

Dispersed Campers Should Check Out Dorr Run Locations

  • The Dorr-Run Red Oak Trailhead is a great choice for those looking for a mix of hiking and camping, with fire rings available for evening gatherings.
  • For a quieter experience, consider Dorr Run-Elm Trailhead, which offers a more secluded environment for those who want to escape the crowds.
  • If you're looking for a unique camping experience, New Straitsville Trailhead provides a peaceful setting with easy access to hiking trails, perfect for nature lovers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Albany, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Albany, OH is Witch’s Peak with a 3-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Albany, OH?

TheDyrt.com has all 9 dispersed camping locations near Albany, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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