8 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Wayne National Forest offers several free dispersed camping areas near Cumberland, Ohio. Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail provides primitive campsites along a trail system with both 5-mile and 15-mile loop options. Sites feature stone fire rings but no amenities beyond vault toilets at the trailhead. The trail can become extremely muddy after rainfall, with many campers noting difficult hiking conditions even during summer months.
Monday Creek OHV area provides free dispersed camping with vault toilets and garbage receptacles. The area primarily serves off-highway vehicle users, with camping spots located at trailheads. Kinderhook Horse Trail offers limited dispersed camping primarily designed for equestrian users, featuring vault toilets, picnic tables, and a manual water pump, though reviews indicate the site receives frequent short-term visitors that may impact privacy. Additional options include Dorr-Run Red Oak Trailhead and smaller areas like Witch's Peak, which requires a steep hike to access camping areas near rock outcroppings. The 14-day boondocking limit applies throughout the national forest. One camper shared, "The trail is challenging terrain, especially when backpacking. It can be very wet and muddy in the spring, so be prepared for that."
"Wildcat Hollow is a fantastic free camping and backpacking location. It’s quite secluded, has well established trails, and has a variety of remote campsites to choose from."
"Great spot for walk in or hike in camping! There are a couple of campsites at the trailhead and quite a few all along the trail."
"Area is dedicated to horse trail riding. Nice clean area just off main road.Can camp here in certain spots. Not much area to camp. No fire rings, one picnic table."
"Close to the restroom there’s a picnic table, tentspots and a manual water pump. A lot of insects, humid and dense deciduous forest surrounding the trailhead. The Kinderhook trail was overgrown."
"Great stop over location. Vaulted toilet and garbage cans were a welcome bonus."
"OHV trails closed for winter. Hiking allowed year-round. Most campsites inaccessible during off-season. Pit toilet closed for winter. Probably busy on weekends during the season. Nice place."
"The second night we only had one tent near us. There are plenty of pull-off areas on the road leading up to this trailhead that were being used night one as well."
"Relatively flat; during OHV off season, one of the roads is closed, I believe to Dorr Run. This trailhead is mainly for OHV riders so there is space for a vehicle and trailer."
from $15 / night
RangerWildcat Hollow is a fantastic free camping and backpacking location. It’s quite secluded, has well established trails, and has a variety of remote campsites to choose from. There is a small shelter with bathrooms and other amenities, but not much else.
ScoutArea is dedicated to horse trail riding. Nice clean area just off main road.Can camp here in certain spots. Not much area to camp. No fire rings, one picnic table. Definitely only for very small camper, car camp, or tent, small group. Nice trails. Seem to be well maintained. Does have a small hand pump water spigot. Has no flush vault toilet. No hook-ups of any kind. I did not camp here due to severe weather warnings. With att had 2 to 3 bars cell service.
TravelerGreat spot for walk in or hike in camping! There are a couple of campsites at the trailhead and quite a few all along the trail. There is a 5 mile loop or a longer ~15 mile loop that you can hike and there are campsites every couple of miles. The sites themselves are just semi-cleared areas with stone fire rings so it is totally primitive camping. The trails can be a bit muddy after it rains and probably take a long time to dry out down in the valleys. While there is water in the valleys I wouldn’t use it even with a filter. There are signs posted at the trailhead that advise against it plus there is still active oil drilling in one of the hollows (the only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars) There is cell service when you’re up in the ridges but there are a lot of dead zones in the valleys and even at the trailhead. Overall, it was a beautiful, quiet place and I only saw 2 other people in the trail while I was hiking out the second day.
ScoutThe campsites looked OK. Dry. No water available to filter. Cautioned against using the water. But the trail was a cesspool of mud in too many places esp on the stetch between the trailhead and the loop. I turned around. The trail needs to be planked, elevated or rerouted. This is on July 1. The seasonal creek beds all dry, but the muddy trail is awful especially in comparison to the hype that I read
RangerThis campground is nice. They are all designated campsites but they are first-come-first serve. They are hike-to only.
It is great for hiking and backpacking camping but if you are looking for car style camping, this is not it.
The trail is challenging terrain, especially when backpacking. It can be very wet and muddy in the spring (or after any rains), so be prepared for that.
The road to it is difficult also (as are most with dispersed camping).
There are no amenities except for an outhouse in the parking lot.
This is pack in/pack out.
GuideThis is part of the Wayne National Forest and a section of the Buckeye Trail. It is a great area for backpacking as camping is free and allowed anywhere along the trail, see the web site for limitations. "Small, open fires are permitted except during extremely high fire danger. Fire rings should be used when available. Make sure all campfires are extinguished before vacating the campsite."~Wayne National web site. Water can be difficult, there are streams but you should pack in any that you need. I took my daughters on a backpacking trip here in August 2016. It is a great area, but there were lots of dead trees/widowmakers, so be careful where you pitch your tent. Pets are allowed but must be on a 6 foot leash. Many other hiking, camping and other outdoor activities are close by.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/wayne/recarea/?recid=6228
ScoutJust wanted an overnight spot to clear our heads and enjoy the outdoors. Parked our RRT in the parking lot on a Monday evening and had the place pretty much all to ourselves all night. Clean pit toilet. Nice trails to walk. nice area to visit i'll be back againg sometime this year.
RangerThe trail in is super steep. The climb is totally worth it though. Some amazing rock out croppings and views up there! There are several boulder routes as well. At the end of the short trail is a cool rock shelter! A very neat local treasure.
TravelerParking for regular cars is 100 yards before restroom (the others are for horse trailers only). Close to the restroom there’s a picnic table, tentspots and a manual water pump. A lot of insects, humid and dense deciduous forest surrounding the trailhead. The Kinderhook trail was overgrown. The Paw Paw trail on the other hand was very smooth, dry and wide. The trail leads to the top of the hill.
Wayne National Forest provides several dispersed camping options within a 30-mile radius of Cumberland, Ohio. The forest encompasses over 244,000 acres of public land with varying terrain features including steep ridges, narrow valleys, and dense hardwood forests. Elevations range from 650 to 1,250 feet throughout the area. Most dispersed sites remain open year-round, though seasonal closures affect certain trails and facilities.
Hiking diverse trail systems: Beyond the muddy conditions often reported at Wildcat Hollow, Wayne National Forest offers additional trail options with varying difficulty levels. "The Paw Paw trail was very smooth, dry and wide. The trail leads to the top of the hill," notes Annika E. about the Kinderhook Horse Trail area.
Bouldering and rock climbing: The steep hike to Witch's Peak rewards climbers with natural features. According to Lucille W., "Some amazing rock out croppings and views up there! There are several boulder routes as well. At the end of the short trail is a cool rock shelter!"
Seasonal wildflower viewing: Spring brings spectacular displays throughout the forest. "I recommend visiting Wildcat hollow in the springtime as the forest floor will be carpeted with beautiful wildflowers," reports Lucille W. about Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail Dispersed.
Solitude on weekdays: Timing your visit can significantly affect your experience. Chris B. notes about Wildcat Hollow: "Parked our RRT in the parking lot on a Monday evening and had the place pretty much all to ourselves all night."
Established camping areas: The Monday Creek OHV area provides defined spaces for overnight stays. Kevin C. reports about Monday Creek OHV Dispersed: "Camped at the west side of the vaulted toilet lot. Arrived about 5 PM and all 3 camping spots were empty."
Loop trail options: Different trail configurations allow for varied backpacking experiences. Steve C. describes Wildcat Hollow: "There is a 5 mile loop or a longer ~15 mile loop that you can hike and there are campsites every couple of miles. The sites themselves are just semi-cleared areas with stone fire rings."
Water accessibility concerns: Water sources in Wayne National Forest require planning. At Wildcat Hollow, Steve C. cautions: "While there is water in the valleys I wouldn't use it even with a filter. There are signs posted at the trailhead that advise against it plus there is still active oil drilling in one of the hollows."
Variable cell reception: Signal strength fluctuates dramatically throughout the forest. Tyler O. reports at Kinderhook Horse Trail: "Verizon signal - 1/2 bars, ATT signal - 2/3 bars." At Wildcat Hollow, Steve C. notes: "There is cell service when you're up in the ridges but there are a lot of dead zones in the valleys and even at the trailhead."
Site privacy varies: Some locations experience frequent short-term visitors. At Kinderhook, Jack H. warns: "I've had two cars drive in after sunset who have just sat around for a bit then left. I would not recommend this site if you are traveling solo."
Beginner-friendly backpacking: Dorr-Run Red Oak Trailhead offers accessible entry points for family overnight trips. Taylor P. shares: "There are plenty of pull-off areas on the road leading up to this trailhead. There were restrooms and several fire rings."
Prepare for insects: Dense forest areas host significant bug populations. Harley G. warns about Kinderhook Horse Trail: "There was a lot of bees, yellow jackets."
Emergency supplies planning: Limited access to stores requires advance preparation. Tyler O. notes about Kinderhook: "Gas stations, fast food, and Dollar General are all within 10 mins," which can be crucial information for families needing last-minute supplies.
Seasonal access limitations: Winter conditions affect site availability for larger vehicles. Doug H. reports about Dorr-Run: "Most campsites inaccessible during off-season. Pit toilet closed for winter."
Trailhead parking for small RVs: Several locations accommodate compact campers. Mic B. notes about New Straitsville Trailhead: "Overall not a bad spot for a one night travel spot but I could see it being more congested between April-December (OHV permitted season)."
Limited space for larger vehicles: Joe B. cautions about Kinderhook: "Definitely only for very small camper, car camp, or tent, small group. Does have a small hand pump water spigot. Has no flush vault toilet. No hook-ups of any kind."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Cumberland, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Cumberland, OH is Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail Dispersed with a 3.9-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Cumberland, OH?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 dispersed camping locations near Cumberland, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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