Wayne National Forest Iron Ridge Campground
Well maintained
Not too busy. Weather was outstanding. Clean. Dogs and I enjoyed.
23 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Tent camping near Friendship, Ohio provides access to several natural areas within Wayne National Forest and surrounding regions, with options ranging from hike-in tent campsites to drive-in tent sites. Lizzy's Acres offers a secluded tent-only site with walk-in access and drive-in options, while Pine Knob Loop Campground in Pedro provides hike-in tent campsites within the Wayne National Forest. GrayWolf PayLake accommodates tent campers with basic amenities, and for those willing to travel slightly farther, Paragon Dispersed Camping Area in Kentucky offers primitive tent camping opportunities along Cave Run Lake.
Most tent campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, with Pine Knob Loop available from April to October. Tent sites typically feature basic amenities, with vault toilets available at most locations. Fire rings are provided at Lizzy's Acres and Pine Knob Loop, while firewood is available for purchase at select sites. Water access varies significantly between campgrounds, with no drinking water available at Pine Knob Loop and primitive sites. Campers should prepare for variable weather conditions, particularly during spring and fall when temperatures can fluctuate. Pack-in, pack-out policies are enforced at dispersed camping areas.
The backcountry tent camping experience near Friendship offers opportunities for solitude and nature immersion. One visitor to Pine Knob Loop Campground reported, "We hiked in at this point near Lake Vesuvius in the Wayne National Forest. Found a secluded spot up the trail." Walk-in tent sites at Lizzy's Acres provide wooded camping near state parks and small towns. At Paragon Dispersed Camping Area, campers noted wildlife viewing opportunities, with one visitor observing herons fishing and woodpeckers in the trees near their lakeside tent site. The primitive tent camping areas require proper preparation, including water treatment equipment and leave-no-trace practices. Tent campers should be aware that sites can fill quickly on weekends, particularly during summer months.
"We took a group of Boy Scouts on a five day backpacking trek of the entire Shawnee Loop. It was a very challenging five days with a lot of up and down hills. The entire loop is around 36 miles."
"Right on the border of Kentucky, in Ohio, you are in the small town almost South. Beautiful countryside, fortunately I was on Rt 125 when I lost all clue where the park entrance was."
from $10 - $20 / night
Check Availability"We hiked in at this point near Lake Vesuvius in the Wayne National Forest. Found a secluded spot up the trail. Lots of fun and a good hike- easy enough for an 8 year old!"
"Lizzy's Acres is a new listing on the Dyrt, but they offer a great location for those looking to explore the area. Check them out and show them some love!"
from $25 - $35 / night
Check Availability"**The National Forest has hiking, multi-use trails, and boating (there is a ramp nearby). This is dispersed camping, meaning there are no amenities besides a pit toilet and a few fire rings."
"We rolled up on a Tuesday night in mid-July and found the campground about ¾ full but still plenty of space for our little trailer."
Not too busy. Weather was outstanding. Clean. Dogs and I enjoyed.
Always great time here. The upper part has more wooden areas then the lower part. But those spot are close to the lake. They a great playground. They have a big camp store with a putt putt, big lake we’re boating, fishing and kayaking. Multiple shower houses very clean kept up. Nice campground to ride bikes around.
Very clean and well maintained facilities. Grounds were kept groomed and trash free. Has dump station, electric, water, shower house, and plenty of trails to explore.
You would like the perfect location - reserve site 231 - at the end of- right by lake - cool breeze comes right into your camp
Clean, well thought out and maintained. Level, full hook ups nearly new. This is s family campground that treats you like family and is doing everything possible to make you want to come back again. Forty sites, plus few cabins, first row ten cabins ohio riverfront. All sites level, gravel and easy for big rig/fifth wheel/Travel trailer. Even Adirondack chairs each site sitting high on the riverfront sites—thoughtful. Topped off with a bald eagle perched 25 yards in front or our site this morning. How much more peaceful can this get….
The team at this campground was incredible. From check in to check out they were considerate and caring. It was our first trip in our camper and the team made it feel like we were there so many times. Would 10/10 recommend
Greenbo is a small state park tucked away in beautiful greenup co a very quit peaceful park. With a little known secret outside of the area world class bass fishing. Yelp that’s right you wouldn’t ever guess that by the size of the lake but it’s fact and the restaurant at the lodge. Is outstanding
Always a family favorite. Smaller sites on upper area. Nice big area for big rv on lower level and by the lake. Nice shower rooms. Camp store. Nice playground and putt putt.
Nice park, when we were there only half park was open( early in season). Great camp store. Nice shower rooms. Hilly. Some stop around us was sloped. But we did love the one with a deck, but your fire ring was down a hill.
Tent campsites in the area surrounding Friendship, Ohio include both established campgrounds and dispersed options within Wayne National Forest. Pine Knob Loop Campground offers tent-only sites accessible by boat, hiking, or walking in, with toilets available and operation from April to October. Lizzy's Acres provides a single reservable tent site with firewood and pet-friendly policies.
Most tent camping locations near Friendship feature minimal amenities, requiring visitors to bring their own drinking water and supplies. Pine Knob Loop Campground provides toilets but lacks drinking water, electric hookups, or showers. Many campsites permit fires, though some require visitors to bring their own firewood or follow specific fire safety regulations. Sites typically offer natural terrain with limited site preparation. According to one visitor, "We hiked in at this point near Lake Vesuvius in the Wayne National Forest. Found a secluded spot up the trail. Lots of fun and a good hike- easy enough for an 8 year old!"
For more primitive tent camping experiences, campers can look toward Paragon Dispersed Camping Area in the nearby Daniel Boone National Forest in Kentucky. This free dispersed camping area offers walk-in tent sites with basic vault toilets but requires campers to bring water treatment supplies and pack out all trash. The area provides access to Cave Run Lake with boat launching opportunities directly from some campsites. A review mentioned that "With about a dozen or so sites, some along the lakeshore, others closeby, lots of options exist to be alone or with a group." Fishing appears popular among tent campers at Paragon, though visitors should be prepared for variable site conditions and potentially busy weekends during peak season. Walk-in tent locations throughout the region often require moderate hiking, making them suitable for those seeking more secluded camping experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Friendship, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Friendship, OH is Shawnee State Forest Backpack Trail Campsites with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Friendship, OH?
TheDyrt.com has all 23 tent camping locations near Friendship, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring