Best Tent Camping near Danville, OH
State forests and public lands surrounding Danville, Ohio offer several backcountry tent camping options, with Mohican-Memorial State Forest providing the most extensive network of primitive tent sites. The Park and Pack system in Mohican features ten designated walk-in tent sites scattered throughout the forest, each offering varying levels of seclusion and terrain. These tent-only campsites require registration at the forest office kiosk located at Co Rd 939 in Perrysville, approximately 15 miles from Danville. Additional tent camping can be found at Walhonding Hills Campground in Walhonding, which operates seasonally from April through October.
Most tent campsites in the Mohican area feature natural, ungraded surfaces with minimal amenities. The Park and Pack sites require hikers to walk between 0.3 and 0.75 miles from designated parking areas to reach their campsite. Campers must bring all necessary water, as no potable sources exist at the sites. Fire rings are provided at most locations, though some sites prohibit fires entirely. Cell phone coverage is limited or non-existent at most backcountry tent sites, particularly in valley areas. Registration operates on a first-come, first-served basis using a clipboard system at the ranger station, with no advance reservations accepted.
Tent campers frequently note the solitude and natural setting as highlights of the Mohican Park and Pack sites. One visitor described Site 10 as "large and spacious" with "plenty of areas to set up shelter" and room for several tents without feeling crowded. Another camper reported that Site 3 was "beautiful, tucked off the trail beside a wide stream" with ample space for tents and hammocks. Trail access varies by site, with some locations requiring creek crossings that can be challenging after heavy rainfall. Campers should download trail maps before arrival, as paper maps at kiosks may lack complete information about site locations. Recent reports indicate some Park and Pack sites may have closed, so checking current status before planning a trip is advisable.
