8 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Dispersed camping options near Cutler, Ohio include several primitive sites within Wayne National Forest. Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail offers free backcountry camping with established sites along both a 5-mile and 15-mile loop trail. Monday Creek OHV area provides drive-in tent camping with basic amenities, while Witch's Peak features more remote hike-in sites. Kinderhook Horse Trail and Dorr Run trailheads also permit camping with limited facilities. These areas maintain a true wilderness experience with minimal development.
Campers must practice strict Leave No Trace principles at all sites. Small open fires are permitted in existing fire rings except during high fire danger periods. According to reviews, Wildcat Hollow features "primitive campsites along the trail with nothing more than a stone fire ring and a clearing." Water sources are unreliable and potentially contaminated; several campers noted signs at Wildcat Hollow specifically advising against filtering stream water due to active oil drilling in the area. Pack in all necessary water and supplies.
Trail and site conditions vary significantly with weather. Wildcat Hollow trails become particularly muddy after rainfall, with some visitors describing sections as "a cesspool of mud" that can persist for days. Spring visits showcase abundant wildflowers, but expect higher humidity and insect activity. Weekends often bring higher visitation, especially at trailhead camping areas. Cell service exists primarily on ridgelines with limited or no coverage in valleys. Most sites feature vault toilets at trailheads only, with no other facilities available. The primitive nature of these sites requires proper preparation and self-sufficiency.
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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.
Dispersed camping near Cutler, Ohio takes place in the Appalachian foothills of Wayne National Forest, where elevations range from 650 to 1,000 feet. The forest contains over 300 miles of trails through second-growth hardwood forests. Most free camping spots near Cutler lack potable water facilities and require campers to navigate unpaved forest roads that can deteriorate significantly during wet weather.
Horseback riding trails: Kinderhook Horse Trail provides multiple loop options ranging from 5 to 15 miles through varied terrain. "Area is dedicated to horse trail riding. Nice clean area just off main road. Nice trails. Seem to be well maintained," notes Joe B. about Kinderhook Horse Trail.
Hiking to elevated viewpoints: The steep climb to rock formations at Witch's Peak rewards with panoramic views. "The 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," reports Lucille W. about Witch's Peak.
Off-highway vehicle trails: The Monday Creek OHV area offers multiple trail systems for ATVs and dirt bikes. "Camped at the west side of the vaulted toilet lot. Lots of trucks and toy haulers heading up the various roads into the late evening," describes Kevin C. about his experience at Monday Creek OHV.
Seasonal wildflower displays: Spring brings extensive wildflower blooms throughout the forest. "I recommend visiting Wildcat hollow in the springtime as the forest floor will be carpeted with beautiful wildflowers," shares Lucille W. about Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail Dispersed.
Rock formations and shelters: Several camping areas feature interesting geological features. "At the end of the short trail is a cool rock shelter! A very neat local treasure," mentions Lucille W. about the formations at Witch's Peak.
Solitude on weekdays: Visiting during midweek significantly reduces encounters with other campers. "I camp here allllll the time. Secluded spot and an easy yet pretty trail. I have also camped here and no one else was around," reports a regular visitor to Wildcat Hollow.
Water availability concerns: Drought conditions affect water sources, and contamination is a documented issue. "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," warns Steve C. about Dorr-Run Red Oak Trailhead.
Challenging trail conditions: Trails remain muddy for extended periods after rainfall. "If it has rained recently then expect numerous mudpits," cautions Shane about the Wildcat Hollow trails.
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly by location and terrain. "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," notes Steve C. about the connectivity at Wildcat Hollow.
First-time backpacking location: Several short trails provide good introductory backpacking experiences. "Perfect place for a first time backpacking trek," recommends Lucille W. about Wildcat Hollow, adding that the smaller loop is "a fairly easy hike."
Trailhead camping for easier access: For families with young children, camping near trailheads reduces hiking distances. "If you're just looking for a quick campsite then pull up to the trailhead and you can find several within the first mile of the trail," advises Shane about Monday Creek OHV Dispersed.
Picnic facilities: Some trailheads offer basic amenities for day use. "Close to the restroom there's a picnic table, tentspots and a manual water pump," notes Annika E. about facilities at Kinderhook Horse Trail.
Limited suitable areas: Most free camping near Cutler accommodates tents and small trailers only. "Definitely only for very small camper, car camp, or tent, small group. No hook-ups of any kind," advises Joe B. about the camping areas at Kinderhook Horse Trail.
Seasonal road access: Winter conditions may restrict access to certain camping areas. "Most campsites inaccessible during off-season. Pit toilet closed for winter," reports Doug H. about his experience at New Straitsville Trailhead.
Parking considerations: Designated parking areas have specific regulations. "Parking for regular cars is 100 yards before restroom (the others are for horse trailers only)," explains Annika E. about the parking situation at Kinderhook Horse Trail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Cutler, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Cutler, 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 Cutler, OH?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 dispersed camping locations near Cutler, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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