Best Tent Camping near Granville, OH
Tent campsites near Granville, Ohio range from primitive backcountry areas to established campgrounds within driving distance. Scioto Grove Metro Park offers free reservable backpacking sites located along a river trail, with five designated tent-only camping areas. Mohican Memorial State Forest provides several primitive Park and Pack tent sites scattered throughout the forest, accessible by hiking trails and offering more secluded camping experiences.
The terrain at most tent camping areas varies from flat grassy clearings to wooded sites with natural forest floor. Scioto Grove's backpacking sites include tent pads and fire rings with firewood provided, though facilities remain primitive. Many locations operate seasonally, with Scioto Grove specifically limiting tent camping to weekends during warmer months. A visitor commented, "Scioto Grove is great if you're looking to test out some new backpacking gear. There are 5 reservable sites along the river trail and they all have tent pads and a fire pit, besides that they're totally primitive." Most walk-in sites require advance registration, with Scioto Grove using an online reservation system that fills quickly.
Forest-based tent camping areas offer more seclusion but fewer amenities. In Mohican Memorial State Forest, tent sites are scattered along bridle trails and creek beds, providing natural water access and greater privacy. One camper shared that Site 2 "was right by the creek" with "clear and cool" water nearby, noting the site had "a good mix of space for tents and hammocks." Tent-specific sites at these locations often feature basic fire rings and cleared areas for pitching tents, though campers must pack in all supplies and water. Park and Pack sites in Mohican require registration at the ranger station kiosk via a clipboard system with no advance reservations, making early arrival advisable for securing a spot. Walking distances to primitive tent sites vary from short quarter-mile hikes to longer trail-based approaches.








