State parks and forests surrounding Coshocton, Ohio provide several options for tent camping, with Mohican Memorial State Forest offering some of the most secluded tent-only sites in the region. Located about 30 miles northeast of Coshocton, the forest's Park and Pack campsites provide primitive tent camping experiences with numbered sites accessible via short hikes from designated parking areas. Closer to Coshocton, Walhonding Hills Campground in Walhonding and Mohawk Dam Campground near Warsaw offer established tent campsites with varying levels of amenities. These locations provide tent campers with access to the rolling hills and waterways characteristic of east-central Ohio.
Most tent-only sites in the Mohican Memorial State Forest require registration at the ranger station kiosk located on County Road 939 in Perrysville before hiking to the campsite. The Park and Pack sites feature dirt and forest duff surfaces with minimal grading, and campers must bring all necessary water as no potable sources exist at the sites. Fire rings are provided at most locations, though fire restrictions may apply seasonally. Cell service is limited or non-existent at many backcountry tent sites, particularly in valleys. Old Stone Church Campground, south of Coshocton, offers walk-in tent sites with basic amenities including pit toilets and trash receptacles for $15 per night on an honor system.
The walk-in tent sites at Mohican Memorial State Forest provide exceptional seclusion. According to reviews, "Site 10 is about 3/4 of a mile down the trail from the upper parking area, well marked and easy to find with plenty of areas to set up shelter." Another camper noted that Campsite 3 "had plenty of space for tents and hammocks" and was "close enough to hang out by the creek." Some sites require creek crossings that are typically ankle-deep during summer months. Tent campers frequently use these areas as bases for exploring the extensive trail system throughout the forest. For those seeking more developed facilities, Pops Place Camping offers rustic tent camping for $20 with access to clean portable toilets, showers, and drinking water from an outside spigot.
"They have a pool and atv trails on campground property. Great for doom buggies, side by sides, and 4 wheelers, dirt bikes as well."
"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."
"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."
"We almost walked past it and didn't even know it. Toledo another hiker on the trail was still looking for it and never found it. This is one of the smallest camp sites. "
"Was at main Camp ground with RV's all around. Seemed pretty popular yet was quiet enough. People were very respectful and careful driving around as kids and families tend to walk/ride bikes around."
"Great access close to parking lot with privacy between you and the trail. Right alongside the river with a picnic table and firepit. Portable toilet in parking lot."
"Located near the Bridgeport Quarry Trailhead about 2.5 miles north of Massillon, OH in the Stark County Parks District. These sites are specifically designed for hikers/cyclists."
"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
"Each pull-thru is set-up for horses, but RVs are allowed (according to NFS website)."
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.
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.
ScoutWe just bought our first RV and couldn’t ask for a better first time experience!!! Lori and Fred were absolutely awesome. Great clean facilities and pool. Lots of new upgrades and updates. Gorgeous creek and pond and an absolutely amazing set of neighbors! I loved it there and will absolutely be going back!
GuideWe found site F26 at the far end of the loop. Short paved pad with electric very near a simple clean bathroom with flush toilets. Sites are treeless and fairly close together but the sites in our mini loop all backed up to the woods. Surprised to encounter mosquitoes in October. Overall the campground is huge with 5 separate loops that are spread far apart. The check in station is a significant distance from the first loop A and more than a mile from loop F so if you don’t have reservations, go to the website to find out which sites are available then drive around to make your selection -then call or go online to register. $45.50 for electric only site includes booking fee.
Rangerwe come back to MW a few times each year as the access to the river and quiet nature of the campground is great. The playground is nice, the store is clean and well stocked.
Tent camping near Coshocton, Ohio provides access to east-central Ohio's mixed hardwood forests and tributary streams of the Muskingum River watershed. The region features rolling hills with elevations ranging from 800 to 1,200 feet above sea level and typical summer highs of 85°F with moderate humidity. Seasonal creek water levels in this area fluctuate dramatically, with many crossings becoming impassable during spring rains but easily manageable during summer months.
Creek exploration: Mohican-Memorial State Forest offers several designated Park and Pack sites along creeks with water levels that typically remain manageable during summer months. According to one camper, "It had plenty of space for tents and hammocks. It was close enough to hang out by the creek if you wanted." Creek crossing conditions vary seasonally with most being "ankle high" in summer, providing natural water play areas.
Trail system connections: The bridle trail networks throughout Mohican offer connections between camping areas and longer hiking routes. At Rivers Edge Camping Area, campers have "great access close to parking lot with privacy between you and the trail. Right alongside the river with a picnic table and firepit." This location sits adjacent to the Towpath Trail, providing miles of flat hiking or biking opportunities.
Basketball and yard games: For families seeking built-in activities, Pops Place Camping provides on-site recreational options. A recent visitor noted, "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."
Free primitive options: Budget-conscious campers appreciate that tent camping opportunities near Coshocton include no-cost sites. At Rivers Edge Camping Area, these "campsites seem to be the best kept secret" and are "specifically designed for hikers/cyclists. Camping is dispersed in a small grassy field and is FREE! There is room for maybe 6-8 small backcountry tents."
Varied terrain difficulty: Park and Pack Campsite 10 in Mohican-Memorial State Forest provides accessible backcountry options. One camper reported, "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." This moderate distance makes the site accessible while still providing seclusion.
Clean portable facilities: Even at rustic tent camping locations, facilities receive regular maintenance. At Pops Place Camping, which costs $20 for tent sites, a camper noted "The porta john and shower were very clean. The shower uses an on demand water heater." Similarly, at Rivers Edge, visitors found "the porta potty was very big, clean and had hand sanitizer!"
Registration requirements: Most free tent sites in Mohican-Memorial Forest require proper registration despite being first-come, first-served. A regular camper advises, "Make sure you register for your site and do not camp illegally. It is an issue here and they are looking to make sure folks did register at the kiosk at the ranger station." The registration kiosk is located at 950 ODNR Mohican Road 60 (County Road 939), Perrysville, Ohio.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly throughout the region. At Old Stone Church Campground, one camper reported "good 4G ATT service. Worked well, with no drops. Data was a bit slower than usual but still good." However, at Mohican sites, "Cell phone coverage with Verizon was very limited out here. Download your maps before you go."
Potential site occupancy issues: During peak seasons, unauthorized camping can occur. One camper at Park and Pack Site 10 reported, "I went to the kiosk, and happily discovered no one was at this site, which was my preferred site. I triple-checked. But when I got there, there were about 10 men, in 4-5 tents already set up. I went back and checked the kiosk, and they were not registered."
Choose accessible sites: Families with children should consider accessibility when selecting primitive tent sites. At Walhonding Hills Campground, families can find amenities that appeal to children: "They have a pool and atv trails on campground property. Great for doom buggies, side by sides, and 4 wheelers, dirt bikes as well. The 4th of July celebration is better than any other town fireworks I've ever seen."
Look for nearby facilities: When tent camping with children, proximity to restrooms matters. At Mohican State Park Campground, "You're never far from a restroom no matter where you are. They have a very nice campground store and a pool that wasn't open for the season yet when we were there. It's the kind of campground that you never need to leave if you don't want to."
Consider beginner-friendly options: For families new to tent camping, certain sites offer easier introductions to primitive camping. In Mohican-Memorial Forest, "Park and pack site #4... is 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."
Paved pull-through options: RV campers looking for convenient tent camping near Coshocton can find accommodating sites at Mohican State Park Campground. One camper noted, "We did like the paved pull-through site and were close to the river. Electric was good and people were friendly. Bathrooms close to all campsites." This provides a good option for RVers who want family members to experience tent camping.
Gravel access considerations: Road conditions to some campgrounds may challenge larger vehicles. At Pops Place Camping, a visitor observed, "Of note for motorcyclists is that the road the campground is on is paved (good riding to the north of it) and the campground drive is decent gravel for street bikes." The site also offers "a gravel pad for RV type camping with electric."
Honor system payment: Some campgrounds operate on self-registration systems. At Old Stone Church Campground, "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." This system allows for after-hours arrival but requires having correct payment ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Coshocton, OH is Walhonding Hills Campground with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
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