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Several dispersed camping options exist within the Wayne National Forest about 40-50 miles southeast of Heath, Ohio. The most established dispersed site is Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail, which provides primitive camping areas along its hiking loops. Additional options include Monday Creek OHV Dispersed and several trailheads such as Dorr-Run Red Oak, Dorr Run-Elm, New Straitsville, and Stone Church that permit limited camping. These areas are managed by the U.S. Forest Service and primarily serve as access points to trail systems rather than developed campgrounds.
Access to these sites varies significantly, with some areas requiring hiking in while others allow drive-in camping. Wildcat Hollow is primarily a hike-in or walk-in site with campsites distributed along the trail system. Most locations have minimal or no facilities—primitive fire rings mark established sites at Wildcat Hollow, while some trailhead areas have vault toilets and trash receptacles. Water is not available at any of these locations, and visitors are cautioned against filtering from available streams. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "The campsites looked OK. Dry. No water available to filter. Cautioned against using the water." Fires are permitted at most sites except New Straitsville and Stone Church Trailheads, though restrictions may apply during dry periods.
The camping experience varies by location, with Wildcat Hollow providing more secluded, traditional backcountry camping along a 5-mile and 15-mile loop trail system. One camper noted, "There are a couple of campsites at the trailhead and quite a few all along the trail," making it suitable for backpacking trips. Trails can be extremely muddy after rainfall, potentially hampering access. The trailhead camping areas tend to be busier and more functional as overnight stopping points, particularly at sites like Monday Creek OHV and Dorr-Run Red Oak. The OHV areas become especially active during riding season (April-December). While many of these sites are free, some trailhead locations may require fees. Cell service is spotty across the region, particularly in valley areas, and most sites are completely primitive with no amenities beyond the occasional vault toilet.
"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."
"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."
"Great stop over location. Vaulted toilet and garbage cans were a welcome bonus."
"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.
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.
GuideIf 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. Otherwise, the good sites are miles in and will necessitate doing the entire loop. If it has rained recently then expect numerous mudpits.
RangerI camp here allllll the time. Secluded spot and an easy yet pretty trail. Perfect place for a first time backpacking trek. I will note I have seen this site crowded before. The parking lot can be full of cars and a lot of the obvious / easy campsites along the trail can be taken. BUT I have also camped here and no one else was around. There is a restroom and garage can at the trail head. The trail has a smaller loop and a larger loop. Both are fairly easy hikes. I recommend visiting Wildcat hollow in the springtime as the forest floor will be carpeted with beautiful wildflowers.
GuideIts free so worth it but i would not stay here again. Its not too “dispersed” its more of a parking lot + atvs driving all day if your sensitive to noise. Oh its also raining ticks here. Stayed for one night.
Wayne National Forest provides the primary dispersed camping options near Heath, Ohio, with multiple locations situated 40-50 miles southeast. These primitive camping areas offer varied terrain across reclaimed forest land, with sites ranging from trailhead locations to remote backcountry spots. Seasonal conditions significantly impact accessibility, particularly during spring thaws and after rainfall.
Spring wildflower viewing: Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail Dispersed shines during spring months when the forest floor transforms with native Ohio wildflowers. "I recommend visiting Wildcat hollow in the springtime as the forest floor will be carpeted with beautiful wildflowers," notes Lucille W., a regular visitor.
Backpacking loops: Navigate either the 5-mile or 15-mile loop trail systems for overnight or multi-day adventures. Shane notes, "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. Otherwise, the good sites are miles in and will necessitate doing the entire loop."
OHV trail riding: From April through December, the Monday Creek OHV Dispersed area becomes a hub for off-highway vehicle enthusiasts. The area features multiple riding trails with varying difficulty levels. Campers note significant traffic during peak season, with Kevin C. observing, "Lots of trucks and toy haulers heading up the various roads into the late evening."
Secluded campsites: The backcountry camping locations provide genuine solitude, particularly along the extended trails. "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," explains Ruby W.
Regrowth forest exploration: The area features second-growth forest that has reclaimed former industrial lands. Jason M. appreciates this unique aspect: "The land is all regrowth forest and the further you go, the less you see of people - a novelty in this part of the world."
Convenient overnight stops: Dorr-Run Red Oak Trailhead serves as an accessible stopover point for travelers. Doug H. notes, "Stayed one night. OHV trails closed for winter. Hiking allowed year-round. Most campsites inaccessible during off-season. Pit toilet closed for winter."
Water availability challenges: Surface water throughout Wayne National Forest is generally not recommended for filtration or consumption. Jason M. advises, "Water can be difficult, there are streams but you should pack in any that you need."
Mud conditions: Trail conditions deteriorate significantly after rainfall, creating challenging hiking conditions. Jade G. warns about Wildcat Hollow: "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."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies dramatically across the region, particularly in valley areas. Steve C. reports, "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."
Fire restrictions: While fires are permitted at most dispersed sites, New Straitsville Trailhead prohibits fires. Additionally, seasonal fire bans may apply during dry periods across all sites.
First backpacking experience: The shorter trail loops offer manageable terrain for introducing children to backpacking. "Perfect place for a first time backpacking trek," says Lucille W. about Wildcat Hollow, noting its accessibility while still providing authentic wilderness experience.
Hazard awareness: Dead trees and "widow-makers" require careful site selection. Leon H. cautions, "There were lots of dead trees/widowmakers, so be careful where you pitch your tent."
Weekday visits: School-year weekdays provide significantly less crowded experiences. "Camped at the west side of the vaulted toilet lot. Arrived about 5 PM and all 3 camping spots were empty," reports Kevin C. about a Monday Creek stay.
Small RV accommodation: Limited trailhead parking areas can accommodate compact RVs at select locations. Chris B. shares, "Just 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."
Off-season accessibility: Winter camping offers solitude but comes with facility closures. At Dorr Run Red Oak, Taylor P. observed, "Saturday was super busy, and we snagged the last available spot with a fire ring. The second night we only had one tent near us."
Roadside alternatives: During peak periods when designated spots fill, roadside pull-offs provide emergency options. "There are plenty of pull-off areas on the road leading up to this trailhead that were being used night one as well," notes Taylor P.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Heath, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Heath, 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 Heath, OH?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 dispersed camping locations near Heath, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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