Best Dispersed Camping near Chauncey, OH
Dispersed camping options near Chauncey, Ohio include several primitive sites within Wayne National Forest. Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail offers free backpacking opportunities with established campsites along a 5-mile and 15-mile loop trail. Monday Creek OHV area provides drive-in tent camping with basic amenities. Dorr-Run Red Oak Trailhead features multiple camping spots with fire rings suitable for small groups. These areas typically allow pets on leash and permit campfires in designated rings when no fire restrictions are in place.
Visitors to Wildcat Hollow should prepare for potentially muddy trail conditions, especially after rainfall. According to reviews, "the trail can be a cesspool of mud in too many places, especially on the stretch between the trailhead and the loop." The sites themselves are primitive with stone fire rings and cleared areas for tents. No potable water is available at most locations; campers are advised against filtering from streams due to local oil drilling activities. Cell service varies significantly, with better reception on ridges and limited connectivity in valleys.
The Wayne National Forest camping areas operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Several campers noted that Wildcat Hollow can become crowded on weekends, with the parking lot filling up and easily accessible sites taken quickly. Spring visitors may encounter beautiful wildflower displays throughout the forest floor. Kinderhook Horse Trail area offers a hand pump water spigot and vault toilet, though the camping area is limited to small campers or tents. Most locations provide vault toilets at trailheads but require pack-in, pack-out practices for all trash and supplies. Weekday visits typically offer more solitude and site availability than weekends.
