Tent campers in the Heath, Ohio area have several options ranging from free backpacking campsites to more primitive tent campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. Scioto Grove Metro Park offers free, reservable backpacking campsites along the REI Water Trail, providing tent-specific sites with tent pads and fire rings. Mohican-Memorial State Forest features ten "Park and Pack" tent campsites accessible via hiking trails, offering more secluded experiences for tent campers seeking primitive settings.
Sites at Mohican-Memorial State Forest require registration at the ranger station kiosk before hiking to the campsite. Most tent areas provide fire rings, and some supply firewood, though amenities vary significantly between locations. The Park and Pack sites have no bathroom facilities, requiring campers to practice leave-no-trace principles. At Scioto Grove, tent sites are available only on weekends during specific seasons, with reservations filling quickly. Monday Creek OHV area offers dispersed tent camping with vault toilets but no drinking water, making it necessary for campers to pack in their own supplies.
The walk-in tent sites at Mohican-Memorial State Forest offer varying levels of accessibility, with some sites requiring stream crossings while others follow relatively flat terrain. Sites 4 and 10 provide easier access for those with mobility considerations, following wide, relatively flat trails. According to one visitor, "Site 10 is about 3/4 of a mile down the trail from the upper parking area, well marked and easy to find. There are plenty of areas to set up shelter and hang hammocks." Tent campers at Scioto Grove appreciate the backpacking-style experience close to Columbus, with one camper noting that "Site 5 was right on the river and away from the busier parts of the park - didn't see a single person." Most tent campsites throughout the region provide good tree cover for shade and hammock camping opportunities, making the area a strong choice for tent camping near Heath.
"Free reserve ahead weekend backpacking campsites. All sites have 2 tent pads, a fire ring and firewood provided."
"Scioto Grove is great if you're looking to test out some new backpacking gear."
"Tent site was nice. We could make dinner and there weren’t any mosquitoes even though it was right above a swamp. It was a nice driving distance from Hocking Hills and a neat place to camp."
from $35 - $600 / night
"Each pull-thru is set-up for horses, but RVs are allowed (according to NFS website)."
"They have a pool and atv trails on campground property. Great for doom buggies, side by sides, and 4 wheelers, dirt bikes as well."
"I stayed there Aug 2024 and as of that date the rustic tent camping was $20. "
"We'd like to welcome Ed and Michelle to our platform. This prime location is 15 minutes from the National Park. On site drinking water and firewood available."
from $15 - $125 / night
"The sunset photo is by the entrance of the parking lot to the campsite. This is the 2nd easiest campsite to walk into out of the 10. "
"Site 10 is about 3/4 of a mile down the trail from the upper parking area. Well marked and easy to find. There are plenty of areas to set up shelter and hang hammocks."
"Camped at the west side of the vaulted toilet lot. Arrived about 5 PM and all 3 camping spots were empty. Lots of trucks and toy haulers heading up the various roads into the late evening."
"Extremely private primitive camping surrounded by Wayne National Forest and steps from the Baileys Trail System. Fire pit, picnic table and handmade hammock supplied for comfort and convenience."
"Excellent campground that is tucked out of the way. You have to walk to the site, up a steep hill, but it is very private and quiet. The bathrooms are down the hill too, but very clean and private."
from $40 - $125 / night
"It had plenty of space for tents and hammocks. It was close enough to hang out by the creek if you wanted. No cell phone service for Verizon."
"We took the main trail head at the bridle parking lot but this isn't where you should go. The main trail head gets you to sites 1- 3."
ScoutActually talked to the Grandson of one of the miners at the park around the corner ( down the hill, and up the hill to the right) he was sitting in the bucket and came out and talked to me about it very cool. My lucky day
RangerDidn't have the best experience. Stayed a week and never even met a host. Had a late check in and the office was never open until Friday afternoon. Laundry machines were broken--not a huge deal but obviously not well maintained. Had a couple days with gunshots for about 6 hours straight. Lot 44 also a little unpleasant since you are at the entrance and will hear every single car/truck coming in and out of the campground because they get bounced by the speed bump. Loud enough to wake you up around 430AM. Location was pretty convenient to several small towns.
TravelerGreat view of the sky for stargazing and telescopes at the sites in 40s. Trails are a little neglected though; lots of downed trees and faded blazes. Maybe it’s late in the season, and they will improve in the spring.
ScoutWe camped here for the first time this year and ended up booking 2 more trips here. We just finished our last trip. We love this campsite. No other place has sites this big and give you this much space. Awesome place to camp
GuideThis is the cleanest park we've ever used! The bathroom is tidy; the showers are roomy and convenient to use. There is a nice playground for younger kids as well as a pickleball court and basketball court for teens and adults. There also is a pleasant hiking trail. We stayed in Site 42, a concrete site, which was fantastic for my spouse's mobility issues. The sites are not super spaced apart, but, with the graduated elevation, we didn't feel smashed together. We visited Amish Country to absorb the beautiful fall scenery, to shop at local stores, and to relax by a campfire in the evening . The campground was perfect for us. If you're seeking a wilderness adventure , this park is not for you .
ScoutCould not ask for a better site. Absolutely beautiful setting. A nice small lake for fishing, and a perfect shallow stream for kids to play in, running right by the sites. The pool house and facilities are spotlessly clean. On top of that, the staff are extremely friendly and helpful. We even needed a jumpstart for our truck when we were towing the camper out on a rainy Monday morning and someone came around to help. 100% will come back and 100% would recommend to anyone.
GuideWell maintained campground with friendly staff. Super spacious and clean bathhouse. Close to Berlin and Millersburg for exploring Amish country. Some road noise due to location on main highway.
ScoutRight close to Columbus this campground is a staple for locals trying to just get away for the weekend. There is an amphitheater, a camper’s beach, nature center, and more all within the campground. Alum creek state park is a larger facility surrounding the campground with a public beach, walking paths, mountain bike trails, archery range, hunting areas, boat marina and more. The public beach is rather gravelly but has nice shower houses and grills available. We are attending during fall fest where they put on many activities for the campers and it is a lot of fun. You have to reserve 6 months in advance to be able to get in on fall fest unless there is a last minute cancellation. Our site is relatively flat parking, we didn’t need to level the rig. It did rain the morning we got here and the area around the fire pit was a bit muddy. The view out the back of this camp site is nice and wooded, you’re not looking at your neighbors out the back window. The sides you can definitely see each other but it’s still wooded and secluded enough between the sites here.
RangerWe managed to get several sites near each other for 6-7 families and we had a blast. Near bathrooms, quiet, and within walking distance of the kayak launch.
Tent campsites near Heath, Ohio range from primitive backcountry sites to walk-in camping areas with modest amenities. The region sits within the Appalachian foothills, where elevation changes create diverse camping environments between 800-1,200 feet. Seasonal temperature variations impact camping conditions, with summer highs reaching 85°F and spring bringing frequent rainfall that affects trail conditions.
Mountain biking on dedicated trails: Benton's on the Baileys offers access to the Baileys Trail System in Wayne National Forest. "This campsite is near the Baileys Bike System," notes Keith B., making it a convenient base for cyclists exploring the network of trails.
Motorcycle touring on scenic roads: Pop's Place Camping serves as a strategic location for motorcyclists. "This is an ideal base camp for riding your motorcycle on the scenic roads in that area of Ohio such as the triple nickel. The owners are very nice people and helpful," shares David M.
Creek exploration and wading: Mohican State Park Campground provides sites with creek access. "This site was one of my favorites as it was right by the creek. The creek was clear and cool," writes Kenpocentaur K., who appreciated having water access without being too close for safety concerns.
Private, secluded sites: Benton's on the Baileys offers privacy that many campers value. "Excellent campground that is tucked out of the way. You have to walk to the site, up a steep hill, but it is very private and quiet," says Emily M., highlighting the trade-off between accessibility and solitude.
Unique amenities: Pop's Place Camping provides campers with thoughtful touches. "The common grass area has wood lounge chairs, common fire ring, playground, and cornhole boards," notes David M., who also mentioned the availability of basketball facilities and hammock-friendly trees.
Easy access trails: At Park and Pack Campsite 10, campers appreciate the well-marked paths. "Site 10 is about 3/4 of a mile down the trail from the upper parking area. Well marked and easy to find," says Ryan R., who noted the campsite's spaciousness for various shelter setups.
Registration requirements: Mohican-Memorial State Forest camping requires specific check-in procedures. "Make sure you get a reservation at the kiosk by the ranger station in the forest. Do not go to the state park as that is completely different," advises Kenpocentaur K., emphasizing that illegal camping is monitored and reported.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly between camping areas. "I had limited cell phone signal while here but this had the best signal out of the 10 sites," notes Kenpocentaur K. about Park and Pack Site 10, while other sites have no service at all.
Water planning: Monday Creek OHV Dispersed offers primitive camping with basic facilities. "Vaulted toilet and garbage cans were a welcome bonus," reports Kevin C., but campers need to bring all their drinking water as none is available on site.
Easy-access sites for beginners: Some Park and Pack sites are more family-friendly than others. "It's a great spot if your legs are tired after a long day of hiking or if you did too many hills that day. Or if you're a beginner camper, or family that want to try something new, it's easy to walk into and out of," Karen K. shares about Site #4.
Recreational features: Geneva Hills - Camp and Event Center offers tent sites with family-friendly amenities. "Tent site was nice. We could make dinner and there weren't any mosquitoes even though it was right above a swamp. It was a nice driving distance from Hocking Hills and a neat place to camp," reports A B.
Multiple accommodation options: Some campgrounds offer alternatives when weather turns problematic. "I packed up in the morning and spent the next night in my Outback in the parking lot, which worked out because it rained and so I didn't have to deal with packing up wet gear," notes Anna S., demonstrating the flexibility sometimes needed with family camping.
Small trailer considerations: Old Stone Church Campground accommodates smaller recreational vehicles. "Easy pull-thru site for our small travel trailer. Each pull-thru is set-up for horses, but RVs are allowed," explains Tammy F., who also noted the $15 fee operates on an honor system with 50% discounts for National Park pass holders.
Connectivity planning: Cell service varies significantly at RV sites. "I had good 4G ATT cell service. Worked well, with no drops. Data was a bit slower than usual but still good," reports Tammy F., information particularly valuable for RVers who need to stay connected.
Facility limitations: RV campers should note available amenities. "The only facilities here were a single pit toilet (surprisingly clean) and a trash can at each site. There may be more services during the height of the season, at least water for horses, but nothing else I could tell," Tammy F. shares about camping in late October.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Heath, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Heath, OH is Scioto-Grove Metro Park with a 4.3-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Heath, OH?
TheDyrt.com has all 19 tent camping locations near Heath, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
