Best Dispersed Camping near Athens, OH
Dispersed camping in the Wayne National Forest surrounding Athens, Ohio features several free primitive sites requiring minimal to no facilities. Most popular locations include Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail near Corning, which offers backpacking-accessible campsites along a trail system with both 5-mile and 15-mile loop options. Monday Creek OHV Dispersed area provides drive-in tent camping with basic amenities like vault toilets and trash service. Several trailhead areas including Dorr Run-Red Oak, New Straitsville, and Dorr Run-Elm also permit camping with varying levels of facilities.
Access to most dispersed camping areas requires travel on unpaved forest roads that may become extremely muddy after rainfall. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for several locations, particularly the OHV trailheads. Many sites consist only of cleared areas with stone fire rings and no amenities. Several locations explicitly prohibit alcohol, though a few permit it. Water sources are generally unreliable, with some sites specifically cautioning against filtering stream water. One camper noted that "water can be difficult, there are streams but you should pack in any that you need." Fire regulations vary by site and seasonal conditions.
The dispersed campsites in this region provide opportunities for solitude, particularly on weekdays. Wildcat Hollow is especially noted for spring wildflowers, with one visitor commenting that "the forest floor will be carpeted with beautiful wildflowers" during spring. Many sites feature existing fire rings but no other amenities. Trail conditions at Wildcat Hollow can become problematic, with a visitor reporting "the trail was a cesspool of mud in too many places." Several locations allow pets on leash. Cell service is spotty throughout the region, generally available on ridgetops but limited in valleys. Campers using Kinderhook Horse Trail report frequent local traffic at night, making it potentially less suitable for solo travelers.
