Best Dispersed Camping near Kingston, OH
Dispersed camping opportunities surround Kingston, Ohio, primarily in the Wayne National Forest, with several free sites requiring no reservations. The Monday Creek OHV Dispersed area, Dorr-Run Red Oak Trailhead, and Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail provide primitive camping options. These public lands offer varying levels of accessibility, from drive-in sites at Monday Creek and Dorr-Run to hike-in only locations along Wildcat Hollow. Most sites feature basic stone fire rings in cleared areas with minimal development. Several sites permit fires and allow pets, though regulations vary by specific location.
Access roads within Wayne National Forest range from maintained gravel to rough dirt trails requiring careful navigation. Many sites at Wildcat Hollow necessitate hiking in with all supplies, as they're positioned along a trail system featuring both 5-mile and 15-mile loop options. During rainy periods, trails become notoriously muddy and difficult to traverse. Most locations lack drinking water, requiring campers to pack in all necessary supplies. Vault toilets are available at some trailheads, including Monday Creek OHV and Dorr-Run, but most remote sites have no facilities. "Pack in, pack out" principles apply throughout the forest.
These primitive camping areas provide genuine backcountry experiences with varying levels of seclusion. Wildcat Hollow offers particularly remote camping with established sites every few miles along trails. A recent visitor noted, "There are several campsites at the trailhead and quite a few all along the trail," though muddy conditions frequently challenge hikers after rainfall. Monday Creek tends to experience higher traffic, especially during OHV season (April-December), with one camper reporting, "Lots of trucks and toy haulers heading up the various roads into the late evening." Spring visitors to Wildcat Hollow may encounter impressive wildflower displays carpeting the forest floor. Cell service remains spotty throughout the region, particularly in valleys and remote areas.
