Best Tent Camping near Ashville, OH

Tent camping opportunities near Ashville, Ohio include several established campgrounds with primitive sites suitable for wilderness enthusiasts. Scioto Grove Metro Park offers backpacking tent sites along a trail system that follows the Scioto River, while Zaleski State Forest provides free tent-only camping with hiking access in a more remote woodland setting.

Most tent campgrounds in the region provide basic amenities but maintain a rustic camping experience. Scioto Grove's backpacking sites include tent pads and fire rings with provided firewood, though campers should note these sites are only available on weekends during certain seasons. Access to these areas requires hiking in with gear, as no vehicle access is permitted beyond designated parking areas. Zaleski State Forest offers primitive tent camping with vault toilets but limited other facilities. As one camper noted, "Zaleski has a few backpacking camp sites in the forest. Be mindful that the first one is rather close and we kept going. The other camp sites are a haul."

Tent campers frequently use these areas as bases for hiking adventures or to test backpacking setups before longer expeditions. Scioto Grove provides an accessible option for newer backpackers, with five reservable sites spaced along the river trail offering varying degrees of privacy. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "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." Sites at Zaleski generally offer more seclusion but require better navigation skills and preparation for muddy conditions after rainfall. For those seeking first-time backpacking experiences, these locations provide well-maintained trails with established camping areas that balance wilderness immersion with relative proximity to services.

Best Tent Sites Near Ashville, Ohio (18)

    1. Scioto-Grove Metro Park

    8 Reviews
    Grove City, OH
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (614) 949-1078

    "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."

    2. Geneva Hills - Camp and Event Center

    2 Reviews
    Rockbridge, OH
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 746-8439

    $35 - $600 / night

    "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."

    3. Zaleski State Forest

    17 Reviews
    Zaleski, OH
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 596-5781

    "There's a great loop hike in Zaleski State Forest. High quality trees, nice little hills, cool rock formations. Fine campground for tent-camping (my preferred camping method)."

    "Campsites fill up quickly & areas will be shared. Not all have fire rings. Camp 2 is very popular since it is the halfway point(ish) on the trail. Camp 1 is only a couple miles into the loop."

    4. Waters Edge Canoe Livery

    1 Review
    Chillicothe, OH
    30 miles
    Website

    $12 / night

    5. SaltCreek Retreats

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    Adelphi, OH
    24 miles
    +1 (740) 415-5441

    $50 - $225 / night

    6. Old Stone Church Campground

    2 Reviews
    New Lexington, OH
    39 miles
    Website

    "Each pull-thru is set-up for horses, but RVs are allowed (according to NFS website)."

    8. Rockwood

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    South Bloomingville, OH
    28 miles
    +1 (937) 776-3261

    $30 - $100 / night

    9. Benton's on the Baileys

    4 Reviews
    Chauncey, OH
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (773) 837-0847

    $40 - $125 / night

    "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."

    10. Pops Place Camping

    3 Reviews
    Corning, OH
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 683-3361

    $15 - $125 / night

    "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."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Ashville, OH

764 Reviews of 18 Ashville Campgrounds


  • Eira T.
    Jul. 5, 2015

    Burr Oak Cove Campground

    Quiet campground in Wayne National Forest!

    We enjoyed walk-in site #3 during a holiday weekend. The walk-in sites afford more privacy and tree cover than the drive-up sites, where you can see your neighbors on all sides. No showers or sinks, just several vault toilets. Potable water available throughout the camp. Camp sites are $10 a night.

    Neighbors were fairly quiet, and there is one trail that leads down to Burr Oak lake. The trail is 1 mile, but it seems to link up with some longer yellow and green-blazed trails that go around the lake. The campground is also a short drive from the Wildcat Hollow trail head in the Athens Unit of Wayne National Forest

  • Anna S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2024

    Scioto Trail State Park Campground

    Tent only sites - quiet, wooded

    I stayed in the non-electric, tent-only campground NOT the RV campground. Out of curiosity, I drove through the RV campground and it was so loud and cramped! But the tent-only area is separate. Walk-in sites with pit toilets and potable water. The map of how the sites are laid out online is extremely inaccurate, I would not have picked my site if it had been accurate. But there was only one other camper and we all had plenty of space - I could barely see them through the trees. All sites appeared to have a picnic table and fire ring. Many miles of trails / dirt roads for hiking and biking. Clear skies at night. Very relaxing.

  • Nancy R.
    Jun. 9, 2018

    Alum Creek State Park Campground

    Puzzled Campers

    We had reservations, but didn’t figure out how to check in. The site numbers were very hard to see and figure out. The numbers didn’t appear to be sequential. The worst part for us was that there were no tent pads for pitching the tent. We were there during a very rainy time and had to pitch the tent in a ditch. Water flowed under the tent so we had quite a bit of mud on the bottom of the tent when we packed up. Luckily our tent kept us dry inspite of its location. Space was extremely limited. The picnic table was on the driveway. There was poison ivy less than a foot from our tent. Restrooms and showers were adequate, but toilet paper rolls would fall in the floor if you weren’t careful. All three showers drained into the middle stall making it difficult to keep thing dry.

  • Dave V.
    Oct. 31, 2019

    Hocking Hills State Park Campground

    Close proximity to natural attractions

    Hocking Hills State Park, Oh-Site 89. https://thehockinghills.org/

    Hocking Hills State Park offers close proximity to most of the popular natural attractions...Old Man’s Cave, Ash Cave, Cantwell Cliffs, etc....but for a tent camper that prefers solitude and space, I found it unappealing.

    I did arrive late on a Monday evening, mid-October and got one of the last available sites. Packed on a Monday night!

    I found the camping sites a bit cramped both in depth and width. Site 89 and 90 shared the same parking pad. Limited flat locations existed for a tent and my tent footprint is fairly small. You do have a firepit and picnic table with all three in fairly close proximity, so you must be extremely cautious with wind direction when deciding for a fire, else you’ll have embers dotting your tent and picnic table. Even though the neighbors were trying to be respectfully quiet...you heard every conversation and saw their every move.

    No electric, which is fine in my book...the water spigot is centrally located on the loop and happened to be next to my site.

    The restroom/shower facilities were not well cared for upon my visit. The floors were very muddy and trash was piled up in the corner of one stall and out of necessities.

    Construction and dump truck noise started early with a project behind the restrooms.

    The visitor’s center was well-stocked and the employee was pleasant. Cell service is unavailable and even sketchy at the visitor’s center. Wood can be purchased at the visitor’s center.

    Close proximity to local attractions and a swimming pool are likely the big draw.

    Knowing that I prefer solitude and distance when camping, I’ll likely not return but choose nearby Lake Hope State Park for my local visits.

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 3, 2020

    A.W. Marion State Park Campground

    A Good Place to Meet is in the Middle

    A new site for us at this campground, site 59 which is an inside site. We also had friends who booked 2 inside sites very nearby so we were able to all set up in the middle and share a large space for 10 people and 7 dogs. We were able to be socially distant, have space for cornhole and lots of room for the dogs. Our site pad was pretty level. My husband went over the pad just a little onto the grass, as the other side sloped. So when we stepped out of the camp, we wouldn't be stepping down on a slope. This is one of the quietest campgrounds we go to even though there is plenty for kids to do (playground). Had the weather been better, we would have brought our kayaks for the lake. You have three different types of restrooms. The ones closest to use are the drop toilets, a little further is a porta potty and the furthest was the flush toilets (no showers). It's our little slice of heaven so we like to try a new site each time if we are able. We take our dogs with us so we have to be a little more picky so we don't bother anyone.

  • Ruby W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 12, 2019

    Zaleski State Forest

    Ranger Review: Banner & Oak Firebiner at Zaleski South Loop

    Campground Review: With a close friend coming to visit from Spain, I wanted to show her a cool backpacking location in Southeastern Ohio. Zaleski State Forest seemed like a good choice for a new backpacker. There are multiple loops to trek, averaging about 10 miles per loop. Overall the trails are well maintained (minus a few dense areas). There was almost an excessive amount of blazes. Campsites are plentiful along the trails. We stayed at Campsite C. Each site has access to communal well-water and a restroom. Each site usually has a small fire ring and logs to sit on. Overall, the campsites were pretty decent and secluded, but nothing special view wise aside from the typical Ohio forest. I would say pretty overall, but nothing quite outstanding.

    Product Review: The Banner & Oak Firebiner is a neat little tool that has some really fun features! Most notable being the fire starter. The Firebiner uses a small spark wheel and replaceable ferro rod to create sparks. The sparks are pretty large for the little tool. I now use my Firebiner to start my MSR stove quickly and with zero plastic waste! I haven’t used it to try to start a straight up fire, but friends have successfully before. Most importantly, the spark wheel is just darn right fun to play with. The device has other little uses like a bottle opener, utility blade, and screwdriver. I absolutely love this device! Only complaint would be that I wish it came in different colors, but who really cares.

    Here is a link to check out the Firebiner yourself: https://bannerandoak.com/products/banner-and-oak-firebiner?variant=9696793034788&currency=USD&gclid=CjwKCAjwnMTqBRAzEiwAEF3ndu9CmerLos5Y1yvjGHJ2L4FG732wg9bMpyPAJRa3m8dxlxffZ6Nt-RoC6LQQAvD_BwE

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 4, 2022

    Hocking Hills State Park Campground

    Beautiful scenery!

    General: 172-site state park with a mix of full hook-up, electric, and no hook-ups in separate areas plus a 33-site family hike-in camp, two group camps, and three cabins. All sites need to be reserved – no walk-ins are allowed. There is a beautiful visitor center, and the camp office has a small store as well. There is a very nice coin-operated laundry room. Don’t count on cell service– with a fleeting one bar of Verizon, it was just enough to tease us, but the break was also a welcome respite. 

    Site Quality: Standard issue for state parks with paved driveways, picnic table, and fire ring, however, there are a few things to note: Some sites are decidedly not level (#105 is very sloped). 103 and 101 meet at a V at the back end and this impedes the separation between the sites. Our site (103) had a drop-off between the driveway and the rest of the site that could pose a tripping hazard if you are not careful. All of the restrooms emit a hum, but the wastewater treatment facility is very loud and is located directly behind the first 9-10 full hook-up sites. 

    Bathhouse: The restrooms were clean, but the showers were just adequate (not the worst camp shower but definitely not the best I have experienced) but at least there was hot water. 

    Activities: We came for the hiking, and we were not disappointed. This park is gorgeous! We hiked the Blue trail (Grandma Gatewood Trail) to Cedar Falls, taking in Upper and Lower Falls, and Old Man’s Cave along the way, and returned via the Rim Trail, which was much easier (fewer roots and up and down). We received a color-coded map of the trails upon check-in but had difficulty deciphering it, especially the mileage. We went to the Camp Office before starting our hike to get clarity. Once on the trails, they were well-marked with either signs or blazes. While you could do a long hike (12 miles one-way) from one end of the park to the other), don’t miss Ash Cave – we drove there the next morning before leaving. There are also mountain biking trails, two playgrounds (the one more centrally located is a bit dated and does not look very safe but there is a newer, larger one at the very end of the road (near the lake trail) and there are also horseshoe pits and a volleyball net there. In season, there is a large swimming pool. 

    The campground itself gets 3 stars for some of its flaws but the scenery is so beautiful, 4 stars are merited, in my opinion. I would recommend reserving in one of the “spurs” as there would be less traffic.

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 7, 2020

    A.W. Marion State Park Campground

    Inside Campsite and Pleasantly Surprised on the Fourth of July!

    After staying one night in non-electric we were able to transfer to an electric site thanks to our great camp hosts. They let us know that one had opened and recommended us to call in the next morning. We were able to get an electric site that was on the inside, a site we would have never chosen otherwise as we have dogs and try to find a space with no one behind us. The site was actually really nice. There was grass and some partial shade. We had room for our ez-up tent, our pop-up bathroom and still room to set up our chairs and walk the dogs without bothering our neighbors. Our friends had the site next to us and they were able to use the trees to hang their hammocks. There was a nice fire ring and the pad was easy to level our a-frame camper. We had another set of neighbors who were in a class A motorhome (it was huge!). Everyone we talked to were very friendly. We were closer to the vault toilets (they were kept clean) and the playground. It was Fourth of July weekend and the campground was really quiet. If you have kayaks, you can drive them down the hill next to the campground to get into the lake. If you like to hike or mountain bike there are trails to use as well.

  • S
    Jun. 17, 2016

    Hocking Hills State Park Campground

    Walk-In Primitive Family Campground

    Walk-in campground provides a nice amount of quiet for the price of carting your gear in (up to a .6 mile, depending on site chosen). Several sites are somewhat hidden from the path while others have little-to-no privacy from your fellow campers . Pit toilets are adequate. Water pump located in the parking lot along with access to biking trails. All sites include picnic table and fire ring.


Guide to Ashville

Tent camping near Ashville, Ohio ranges from free wilderness backpacking sites to established campgrounds with amenities. Located in central Ohio where glacial plains begin transitioning to Appalachian foothills, the region offers diverse terrain with elevation changes between 700-1100 feet. Late summer brings temperatures averaging 80-85°F during day and 60-65°F at night, creating ideal conditions for overnight outdoor adventures.

What to do

Explore nearby trail systems: At Zaleski State Forest, backpackers can take advantage of well-marked trails with multiple loop options. "The trail is diverse and great for beginners and experienced hikers. The campsites have privies, spigots for water, and a lot of different sites for different sized groups. Its a popular trail for a reason!" Zaleski offers excellent day hiking with "beautiful rock outcroppings" along the routes.

Visit historic sites: The Old Stone Church Trailhead provides access to interesting landmarks. "Well marked. Parking can be on side of road or down below where campsites are," notes one camper. The area connects to the Moonville Rail Trail where hikers can explore the historic Moonville Tunnel, a remnant of the region's mining past.

Test backpacking gear: Scioto Grove Metro Park offers accessible backpacking sites perfect for equipment testing. "Free reserve ahead weekend backpacking campsites. All sites have 2 tent pads, a fire ring and firewood provided. Some have log seating and some do not." The relatively short trail system makes it ideal for beginners or those wanting to test gear before longer expeditions.

Try mountain biking: Some campgrounds provide direct access to mountain biking trails. Benton's on the Baileys is "near the Baileys Bike System" and offers "extremely private primitive camping surrounded by Wayne National Forest and steps from the Baileys Trail System."

What campers like

Short but challenging terrain: The region offers good practice for backpackers without requiring extensive time commitments. "I only came here for a 2 day backpacking trip and it was kind of hard. I'm a backpacker and this was tough. There is clear trails and a lot of rocks to climb on top of. The trial was about 19 miles and was definitely worth it because of the views."

Wildlife encounters: Many campers report diverse wildlife sightings throughout the area. At Zaleski State Forest, one reviewer noted, "You will see lots of wildlife, we have seen salamanders, deer, snakes, a wild turkey even wandered into our camp in May 2018."

Private camping spots: Tent campers appreciate the secluded nature of many sites. "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." Many locations offer good spacing between tent sites for added privacy.

Clean facilities: Despite their rustic nature, many campgrounds maintain clean facilities. At Pop's Place Camping, "The porta john and shower were very clean. The shower uses an on demand water heater." This attention to cleanliness is frequently mentioned in reviews across multiple campgrounds.

What you should know

Water availability varies: While some campgrounds provide potable water, others have limited or seasonal water access. "Backpacked there for 3 days/2 nights. Good trail and campsites had water, but it can get a little humid and buggy there." Campers should research water conditions before arrival.

Limited weekend availability: Some camping areas restrict overnight stays to weekends only. "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!" Weekend spots at popular locations like Scioto Grove fill quickly during peak season.

Reservation systems differ: Each camping area has distinct reservation policies. "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." Some sites operate on first-come, first-served basis while others require advance booking.

Cell service is spotty: Connectivity varies significantly across the region. At Geneva Hills Camp, cell coverage can be limited, while at Pop's Place, one camper reported "good verizon cell service there, I did not expect it because of the location and hills in the area."

Tips for camping with families

Choose beginner-friendly loops: When backpacking with children, select appropriate trails. "Wonderful overnight backpack trip for our family. We did the South Loop at Zaleski - 10.9 miles. The hike was great. Lots of ups & downs, a pond & beautiful rock outcroppings...Our 8 year old did great & we saw lots of families camping."

Pack extra supplies: The region can experience rapid weather changes requiring additional gear. "The bridge was a lot of fun but I did slip on it in the rain as it was hard to get traction on the wood." Always bring rain gear and extra layers, even in summer months.

Look for kid-friendly features: Some campgrounds offer recreational amenities. "The common grass area has wood lounge chairs, common fire ring, playground, and cornhole boards...There is a basketball backboard near the current cabin if you happen to bring a basketball for your kids to use."

Consider hiking distances: When tent camping with children, evaluate trail lengths carefully. "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," notes one visitor at Geneva Hills Camp.

Tips from RVers

Limited RV options: The best tent camping near Ashville, Ohio includes few developed RV sites with hookups. At Old Stone Church Campground, RVers note there are "grassy places to back in smaller campers/RVs" but limited services. "The only facilities here were a single pit toilet (surprisingly clean) and a trash can at each site."

Consider size restrictions: Larger RVs face challenges at most area campgrounds. "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-focused areas cannot accommodate big rigs.

Look for discounts: Some public campgrounds honor federal passes. "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."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Ashville, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Ashville, OH is Scioto-Grove Metro Park with a 4.3-star rating from 8 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Ashville, OH?

TheDyrt.com has all 18 tent camping locations near Ashville, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.