Tent campsites near Amanda, Ohio range from primitive forest locations to more developed camping areas within a 30-mile radius. The region features rolling hills with elevations between 700-1,200 feet and seasonal temperature variations typical of the Midwest. Most sites remain open from April through October with limited winter availability at select locations.
What to do
Hiking the Baileys Trail System: At Benton's on the Baileys, campers can access the extensive trail network directly. One camper notes, "Extremely private primitive camping surrounded by Wayne National Forest and steps from the Baileys Trail System." Hikers should prepare for elevation changes and bring proper footwear.
Test backpacking gear: Geneva Hills Camp offers controlled conditions for gear testing. A camper mentioned, "Tent site was nice. We could make dinner and there weren't any mosquitoes even though it was right above a swamp." The campground serves as a convenient base camp at approximately 25 miles from Hocking Hills attractions.
Off-road vehicle trails: The Monday Creek OHV Dispersed area provides access to designated motorized trails. According to reviews, "Lots of trucks and toy haulers heading up the various roads into the late evening." This area gets particularly busy on weekends during summer and early fall.
What campers like
Secluded camping spots: Zaleski State Forest offers genuine forest solitude on its backpacking routes. A camper described, "All of the campsites have multiple areas for different hikers and each is relatively secluded from the others so you can be by yourself." The forest contains three designated camping areas spread across the trail system.
Clean facilities: Several campgrounds maintain better-than-expected restroom facilities. At Old Stone Church Trailhead, a visitor reported, "Beautiful. Nicely maintained. Well marked. Parking can be on side of road or down below where campsites are." Facilities vary significantly between locations.
Free camping options: Scioto-Grove Metro Park provides no-cost tent sites with basic amenities. A camper shared, "Need to reserve online, books up very fast. Got lucky and found an opening for site 5 which was right on river and away from the busier parts of park - didn't see a single person." Reservations often fill 2-3 months in advance for summer weekends.
What you should know
Limited seasonal availability: Some tent sites operate on restricted schedules. One Scioto Grove camper noted, "Only weekend stays and it ends in wintertime. I'm sure it's pretty and all, but it's hard to find legit, free dispersed camping in Ohio!" Most sites close by November 1st.
Water considerations: Potable water access varies significantly. At Old Stone Church Trailhead, no drinking water exists on-site. Zaleski provides reliable water sources at designated camps, with one backpacker commenting, "Water is available at 3 backpack camping areas (Points D, I & P)."
Reservation requirements: Many sites require advance booking. Geneva Hills Camp staff received praise from a visitor who reported, "Had a great experience here, will be back for sure." Most reservation windows open 3-6 months in advance depending on the campground.
Tips for camping with families
Start with shorter trails: For families testing backpacking with children, shorter options work best. A Zaleski camper shared, "I have taken my kids for several treks on the lower loop... We have seen salamanders, deer, snakes, a wild turkey even wandered into our camp in May 2018."
Look for sites with amenities: Stone Church Campground offers basic facilities helpful for families. A visitor noted the campground was "Very nice. Easy access. Very clean." Sites with toilets reduce stress for younger campers.
Consider weather timing: The region experiences significant seasonal changes. A Scioto Grove camper warned about one challenge: "I did slip on it in the rain as it was hard to get traction on the wood." Spring camping often means muddy conditions while summer brings higher humidity and insects.
Tips from RVers
Small trailer accessibility: Limited RV sites exist with size restrictions. At Stone Church, one RVer reported, "Easy pull-thru site for our small travel trailer. Each pull-thru is set-up for horses, but RVs are allowed (according to NFS website)." Most tent camping areas cannot accommodate trailers over 20 feet.
Cell service considerations: Connectivity varies widely across the region. A Stone Church camper detailed, "I had good 4G ATT cell service. Worked well, with no drops. Data was a bit slower than usual but still good." Most forest camping areas have limited or no service.
Payment systems: Different campgrounds use various payment methods. The Stone Church reviewer explained, "Campsite fee is $15 on the honor system. If you have a National Park's Golden Age or Access pass, they honor a 50 percent discount." Many sites require exact cash payment.
