Best Dispersed Camping near Guysville, OH
Dispersed camping opportunities near Guysville, 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 dispersed 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.
Wildcat Hollow is primarily designed for backpackers, with primitive campsites consisting of cleared areas and stone fire rings. Several campers noted the trails can become extremely muddy after rainfall, particularly in spring. According to reviews, "The trail was a cesspool of mud in too many places especially on the stretch between the trailhead and the loop." The sites themselves remain relatively dry, but proper footwear is essential. Cell service exists on ridges but becomes unreliable in valleys.
Water sources throughout the area are unreliable and potentially contaminated. Signs at Wildcat Hollow specifically advise against filtering stream water due to active oil drilling operations nearby. All sites operate on a pack-in, pack-out basis for trash. Most locations permit small campfires in established rings when no fire bans are in effect. Vault toilets are available at trailheads but may close seasonally. Weekends typically see higher usage, particularly at OHV areas where "lots of trucks and toy haulers" arrive throughout the evening hours.
Spring visits showcase abundant wildflowers across the forest floor. The terrain consists primarily of regrowth forest with varying degrees of seclusion. Pets are permitted but must remain on 6-foot leashes. Campers should be alert for widow-makers (dead trees) when selecting tent sites, especially in older forest sections.
