Dispersed camping near West Portsmouth, Ohio primarily centers around Wayne National Forest's three units (Athens, Marietta, and Ironton) which together cover over 244,000 acres across southeastern Ohio. The forest terrain consists of moderately rugged hills with elevations ranging from 650 to 1,250 feet. Primitive camping opportunities in this region typically require visitors to pack in all supplies and be self-sufficient, with limited or no facilities available at most sites.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Multiple small lakes near Hanging Rock Recreation Site provide fishing spots throughout Wayne National Forest. "There are tons of little lakes that are ideal for fishing," noted one visitor who explored the area while hiking.
ATV trail riding: The trail system accommodates off-highway vehicles up to 50 inches wide on designated routes. Trails are particularly well-maintained near Hanging Rock. One reviewer mentioned, "The Hanging Rock Recreation area features tons of well kept ATV trails for motor bikes or quads."
Wildlife photography: Spring months bring diverse wildflowers along forest trails. "Along and just off the trails were tons of gorgeous wildflowers like trilliums, violets, showy orchids, and more," reported a visitor documenting wildlife at Hanging Rock Recreation Area.
What campers like
Secluded pond access: Some dispersed sites offer private water features. One camper at Hanging Rock Recreation Site shared, "The good was I found a spot quickly and had 2 entire ponds to myself."
Sunrise viewing: Morning light through the trees creates notable views. "Awesome morning sunrise!" mentioned a camper who stayed overnight despite some noise issues earlier in the evening.
Firefly displays: Summer evenings can feature natural light shows. A visitor who stayed at the parking area reported, "Very quiet night and were visited by fireflies which was awesome."
What you should know
Navigation challenges: The forest's mixed public-private ownership creates confusing boundaries. A camper at Sand Hill Trailhead advised, "Wayne National Forest is a maze of public and private land... Next time I will purchase a paper map before I go because Wayne National Forest has alot of private lands interspersed."
Local activity: Some areas experience heavy local use, especially at night or weekends. "The bad was locals firing guns for the hell of it for an hour straight," noted one camper, though they added that "once night fall hit everything was quiet."
Site conditions vary: Previous visitor impact affects some areas more than others. According to campers, trash has been an issue at certain sites, with one review cautioning to "be sure to wear shoes" when exploring around campsites.
Tips for camping with families
Safety considerations: Not all primitive sites are suitable for children. One family who visited Timbre Ridge Lake area found the remote location challenging with young children due to limited facilities and rough terrain.
Alternative locations: Families seeking more structure might prefer designated campgrounds. A reviewer with children noted, "We initially tried the Hanging Rock OHV trailhead, but locals used that area for partying when we were there and it wasn't ideal."
Timing matters: Weekday visits typically offer quieter experiences. "Me and my family were here for 2 days and everything about it especially at night it's really scary would not recommend," shared one family who visited during a busy period.
Tips from RVers
Limited turnaround space: Large vehicles face navigation challenges on forest roads. One RV owner at Hanging Rock explained, "We stayed in the parking lot as it was getting dark and didn't know if there were any place to turn our rv around."
Overnight parking options: Some trailheads permit overnight parking that can accommodate smaller RVs when dispersed camping isn't feasible. However, these aren't designated camping areas and offer no services.
Road conditions: Forest Service roads accessing primitive camping near West Portsmouth vary seasonally. Rain can create challenging mud conditions on unpaved access routes, particularly in spring months.
