Best Tent Camping near Alexandria, OH
Tent campsites in central Ohio near Alexandria provide several primitive and established options within an hour's drive. Scioto Grove Metro Park offers five reservable backpacking tent sites along the Scioto River, each equipped with tent pads and fire rings where firewood is provided. Mohican-Memorial State Forest, approximately 40 miles northeast of Alexandria, maintains multiple Park and Pack tent sites along bridle trails with varying degrees of seclusion and creek access.
Most tent-only areas require advance registration through an honor system or online reservation. Sites at Scioto Grove operate on a limited weekend-only schedule and are closed during winter months. Drinking water is rarely available at primitive tent locations, requiring campers to either filter from nearby creeks or bring their own supply. Several tent sites in Mohican-Memorial State Forest require creek crossings to access, with water typically ankle-deep during summer months. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with established fire rings available at most designated tent sites, though many prohibit creating new fire rings from river rocks.
The walk-in tent experience offers significantly more solitude than developed campgrounds in the region. Scioto Grove sites provide spacious clearings with two tent pads per site, positioned away from day-use areas for greater privacy. Tent campers at Mohican's primitive sites enjoy creek-side locations with clear, cool water access—ideal during hot summer days. The backcountry sites vary in size, with some accommodating multiple tents or hammocks without crowding. "Scioto Grove is great if you're looking to test out some new backpacking gear. There are 5 reservable sites along the river trail and they all have tent pads and a fire pit, besides that they're totally primitive," noted one visitor. Sites often fill quickly on weekends, particularly during peak summer months, making early registration advisable for tent campers seeking these more secluded options.