Best Tent Camping near Long Bottom, OH

The tent campgrounds surrounding Long Bottom, Ohio provide a mix of established and primitive camping opportunities within the hills and forests of southeastern Ohio. Zaleski State Forest offers backpackers a network of trails with designated tent camping areas featuring water spigots and vault toilets. Monday Creek OHV Dispersed camping area provides free tent sites within Wayne National Forest, while Baileys Trail Tent Camping supplies tent-specific sites near popular hiking trails.

Tent campsites throughout the region typically feature basic amenities. Most established grounds provide fire rings and picnic tables, with varying toilet facilities ranging from vault toilets to more developed shower buildings. Water availability differs significantly between locations - Zaleski campsites offer potable water at designated points, while Monday Creek requires campers to bring their own. Access varies from drive-up tent pads to walk-in sites requiring short hikes. The terrain consists primarily of forested settings with moderate hills. Sites generally permit fires when seasonal restrictions aren't in effect. Campers should verify current conditions before arrival, particularly during wet spring months when trails may become muddy.

The tent camping experience near Long Bottom emphasizes natural surroundings and trail access. The Baileys Trail System connects multiple camping areas, providing hikers and mountain bikers with extensive recreation opportunities directly from their tent sites. Zaleski's backpacking trails feature multiple camping zones spaced for day-hike segments, making them suitable for beginners and experienced backpackers alike. Sites within Wayne National Forest offer a more secluded experience. A recent visitor to Zaleski noted, "The loop is easy to navigate but the mileage is misleading so prepare to do some extra miles." The region's diverse topography provides campers with ridge-top views, stream access, and dense forest settings throughout the camping network.

Best Tent Sites Near Long Bottom, Ohio (24)

    1. Zaleski State Forest

    17 Reviews
    Zaleski, OH
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 596-5781

    "There's a great loop hike in Zaleski State Forest. High quality trees, nice little hills, cool rock formations. Fine campground for tent-camping (my preferred camping method)."

    "Campsites fill up quickly & areas will be shared. Not all have fire rings. Camp 2 is very popular since it is the halfway point(ish) on the trail. Camp 1 is only a couple miles into the loop."

    2. Lavender Ranch

    Be the first to review!
    Guysville, OH
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 300-0493

    $20 - $110 / night

    3. Camp Rotan

    2 Reviews
    Athens, OH
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 592-3325

    4. Baileys Trail Tent Camping

    3 Reviews
    Millfield, OH
    28 miles

    "Wonderful little location. We drove for about 3 hours to get from where we are. Nice wide open space surrounded by woods."

    "Spent consecutive months at this location and couldn't have been happier with the host and accomodations. Great for that "far out" feel just outside of town."

    5. Benton's on the Baileys

    4 Reviews
    Chauncey, OH
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (773) 837-0847

    $40 - $125 / night

    "Extremely private primitive camping surrounded by Wayne National Forest and steps from the Baileys Trail System. Fire pit, picnic table and handmade hammock supplied for comfort and convenience."

    "Excellent campground that is tucked out of the way. You have to walk to the site, up a steep hill, but it is very private and quiet. The bathrooms are down the hill too, but very clean and private."

    6. Trailer Center Campground

    Be the first to review!
    Parkersburg, WV
    17 miles
    +1 (304) 428-8203

    8. Chief Cornstalk Wildlife Management Area

    1 Review
    Point Pleasant, WV
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 675-4380

    9. Lane Farm Campground

    2 Reviews
    Marietta, OH
    34 miles
    Website

    "A cute little place, just 4 campsites and a vault toilet that is relatively clean and well-stocked."

    "It is getting difficult for travelling motorcyclists to find a campground to sleep for the night as most that call themselves campgrounds are RV parks and don't allow tent camping. "

    10. Monday Creek OHV Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    Nelsonville, OH
    36 miles
    Website

    "Camped at the west side of the vaulted toilet lot. Arrived about 5 PM and all 3 camping spots were empty. Lots of trucks and toy haulers heading up the various roads into the late evening."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Long Bottom, OH

477 Reviews of 24 Long Bottom Campgrounds


  • Eira T.
    Jul. 5, 2015

    Burr Oak Cove Campground

    Quiet campground in Wayne National Forest!

    We enjoyed walk-in site #3 during a holiday weekend. The walk-in sites afford more privacy and tree cover than the drive-up sites, where you can see your neighbors on all sides. No showers or sinks, just several vault toilets. Potable water available throughout the camp. Camp sites are $10 a night.

    Neighbors were fairly quiet, and there is one trail that leads down to Burr Oak lake. The trail is 1 mile, but it seems to link up with some longer yellow and green-blazed trails that go around the lake. The campground is also a short drive from the Wildcat Hollow trail head in the Athens Unit of Wayne National Forest

  • B
    Oct. 23, 2021

    Forked Run State Park Campground

    Bad for tents

    Went there in October. No attendance around and not many campers. Sites are very bad for tent camping and not the bet for RV’s. Back ins are sort and most sites have no level ground even for the picnic table or fire ring. Showers were clean but cold. Vault toilets only and stuck to high Heaven. Not serviced well at all. Hiked the lake view trail, poorly maintained. The upper loop from the beach end is very hard to find and not marked at all. Even more disappointing than Hope Lake which has its own site problems for tents.

  • Shari  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 28, 2018

    Lamping Homestead Recreation Area

    Simple, Quiet, Beautiful!

    Just a few miles from the Ohio Covered Bridge Scenic Highway, this lovely tent-only campground offers a pleasant get away. There are 6 spacious “walk-in” campsites, a small pond, and vault toilets. Each site had a picnic table and campfire ring, but there is no privacy between sites. There is no water available, other than the pond, so plan accordingly. The group picnic area is great for bigger families or groups, with a campfire ring, grills and a covered picnic area.    

    The area is great for hiking, with the North Country Trail going right by the campground, cycling through the rolling hills of the backroads, and canoeing on the Little Muskingum River.

    The closest town is Woodsfield, OH, about 13 miles from this campground and has most of the supplies you may need.

    More Information: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/wayne/recarea/?recid=6214

  • Alex M.
    Jul. 20, 2022

    Krodel Park Campground

    Nice park, awful bathrooms

    This is a strange campground, but not a bad one. It is minutes away from downtown Point Pleasant. I had spent the afternoon exploring the town and didn't feel like driving further. There aren't many campgrounds nearby, so this place came to the rescue.

    The park's main feature is a lake that looks to be artificial. Maybe an old gravel quarry? The terrain around the lake is nicely landscaped. There is a paved path along the shore, along with picnic tables and shelters. Kayak rentals are available and the lake is stocked with fish.

    Most of the campground is RV focused, but I stayed at a primitive tent site. These are located closer to the entrance. There are no site numbers. Just pull your car up onto the grass and set up wherever. A few picnic tables and electrical outlets are spaced out along the road. There were a few other campers here when I visited, but there was enough room for us to maintain good separation. No shade trees or shrubs for privacy, though.

    This is not a particularly quiet or restful campground. The day use area around the lake was hopping, with people coming and going well into the night. No closing time, or just not enforced? Not sure. Having so much traffic was a little uncomfortable from a safety standpoint, but nothing untoward happened while I was there. There was also quite a bit of noise from the nearby road and railroad.

    The biggest problem with this campground was the bathroom. It was one of the worst I've seen. It may very well have been cleaned recently, but it was so dark and dingy that I couldn't tell. No windows and just a single bare incandescent bulb for illumination. Reminded me of a gas station toilet. The sink barely drained, the toilet barely flushed, and the urinal looked like it was about to fall off the wall. I have used vault toilets that were much, much nicer than this. I found myself wishing for one of those. Gross.

    There is only one other bathroom located closer to the RV area, and this looked to be just as bad. To be clear, there are only two single occupancy men's rooms for the ENTIRE campground. Yes, there are a few porta potties scattered around as well, but this is ridiculous. This place needs to invest in better facilities.

  • Shari  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 9, 2018

    Lane Farm Campground

    Free, clean, and close to town!

    A cute little place, just 4 campsites and a vault toilet that is relatively clean and well-stocked. This roadside campground is near homes and a small town, so not much traffic during the day, but quite a bit during the morning and evening commuting time. Within the national forest, you will find some historic covered bridges and quite a few hiking and horse trails. The town of Marietta is just 5 miles away, and has all the things you need.

    Each site has a picnic table, fire ring, and lantern pole. It’s designed for tent camping, but Hamlet (our small camper) fit fine with some strategic parking. No drinking water is available and the creeks are quite muddy, so come prepared with water! No privacy between sites and not much shade, which worked fine in May but probably wouldn’t be much fun in the heat of the summer. It is completely FREE, though, and you can stay for up to 14 days. There are quite a few small campgrounds in the area just like this one. There is no phone service within 4-5 miles of the campground.

    Note: We have noticed that people stop by or drive through in the evening. Sometimes they stay for a couple of minutes and other times for just a couple of hours. Due to its location, this campground could be a meeting spot of sorts, but didn’t witness any shenanigans.

  • Dave V.
    Oct. 31, 2019

    Hocking Hills State Park Campground

    Close proximity to natural attractions

    Hocking Hills State Park, Oh-Site 89. https://thehockinghills.org/

    Hocking Hills State Park offers close proximity to most of the popular natural attractions...Old Man’s Cave, Ash Cave, Cantwell Cliffs, etc....but for a tent camper that prefers solitude and space, I found it unappealing.

    I did arrive late on a Monday evening, mid-October and got one of the last available sites. Packed on a Monday night!

    I found the camping sites a bit cramped both in depth and width. Site 89 and 90 shared the same parking pad. Limited flat locations existed for a tent and my tent footprint is fairly small. You do have a firepit and picnic table with all three in fairly close proximity, so you must be extremely cautious with wind direction when deciding for a fire, else you’ll have embers dotting your tent and picnic table. Even though the neighbors were trying to be respectfully quiet...you heard every conversation and saw their every move.

    No electric, which is fine in my book...the water spigot is centrally located on the loop and happened to be next to my site.

    The restroom/shower facilities were not well cared for upon my visit. The floors were very muddy and trash was piled up in the corner of one stall and out of necessities.

    Construction and dump truck noise started early with a project behind the restrooms.

    The visitor’s center was well-stocked and the employee was pleasant. Cell service is unavailable and even sketchy at the visitor’s center. Wood can be purchased at the visitor’s center.

    Close proximity to local attractions and a swimming pool are likely the big draw.

    Knowing that I prefer solitude and distance when camping, I’ll likely not return but choose nearby Lake Hope State Park for my local visits.

  • David M.
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Lane Farm Campground

    Quiet little campground for only $10.

    It is getting difficult for travelling motorcyclists to find a campground to sleep for the night as most that call themselves campgrounds are RV parks and don't allow tent camping.  Lane Farm is a gem for travelling motorcyclists.  We stayed there a week after labor day.  The rate as of 2025 is $10 and it is first come, first served for the 4 sites.  We were the only ones there.  The  amenities there are a vault toilet (it was clean and stocked with toilet paper), trash bin by the toilet building, picnic tables, camp fire ring with cooking grate, and lantern post.    It is right on Ohio state route 26, but there was very little traffic noise.  The entire campground is paved and the parking spots and sites were very spacious. There are parking spots in front of the toilet building.  As with many rustic national/state forest campgrounds there is no potable water there.  That didn't bother us as we came prepared with our own water and toilet paper.  The Little Muskingum river on the east side of the campground was very shallow and slow moving in September.  I don't know what it would be like earlier in the camping season.  All four sites are close to the river.  I was surprised to find that a week after labor day weekend there was still plenty of laying dead wood in the woods available for camp fire wood.  The forest service changed their web site structure and you'll find most of the links posted online won't take you directly to the campground page.  The current working link for the campground is  https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/wayne/recreation/lane-farm-campground

  • Dave V.
    Aug. 27, 2017

    River Run Campground — North Bend State Park

    Deer Heaven

    North Bend State Park is about 10 miles south on Rt 16 off of Rt 50...east of Parkersburg, WV.

    When you slowly wind your way along twisty backcountry roads, through a small town, you'll ultimately find yourself entering North Bend State Park.

    Immediately to the right is Cokely Campground. Initially, you don't see it...you must drive up and over a roller. At the top of the hill, you observe a handful of picnic tables and fire rings, a porta-potty and a small woodshed with a water spigot alongside. Very little delineation from site to site and more of a mown field. Only the top two locations are the only quasi-level sites along a narrow tree line. No electric. These sites are $16 nightly.

    Traveling over the hill and turning to the right you see the main Cokely Campground with newer showerhouse/restroom building and playground. Campsites are blacktop with water and electric, apparently for large RV/Campers. These sites are $28 nightly.

    If you were to bypass the RV/Camper location, you would continue down the side road to the boat ramp and lake.

    The grounds and restrooms were clean, maincured and well maintained. Midweek the RV sites were already filled.

    We decided against Cokely Campground and returned to the main park road deeper into the State Park to River Run Campground.

    You pass the Lodge/Restaurant and the huge "L" shaped outdoor pool on your right as you descend (Note: the pool is seasonal and with college aga lifeguards that exit for school early, it was closed mid-August).

    Winding down to River Run, deer in abundance were lining the the roadway, so use care. River Run Campground runs along a river...imagine that!

    Tent sites are situated between the roadway and the river on the left...then additional tent sites are around a small half acre pond on the right. Most the roadside tent sites are level, but sit at a lower level, so when it rains (and it does in WV)...it gets soggy. No visible distinction or foliage between tent sites. One porta-potty sits at the crossroads across from the office.

    Saturday it was quiet with only one other tent camper, but rain was forecasted...although a pumphouse, located at the entrance to River Run, kicks on periodically with a low, annoying droning. Being at site 45, it was quite noticeable, as I imagine with all sites in the 40's. The tent specific sites are non-electric with central water spigots ($22 nightly). As you pass the tent sites and the office, you enter a loop of paved RV/Camper sites with blacktop drives, water and electric ($28 nightly). The Showerhouse/restrooms are located in the center of this area...and are very clean and maintained. The coveted RV/Camper sites are along the bank of the river and offer more distance between neighbors. On the inner ring, a split rail fence separates neighbors.

    While the sun didn't shine during our visit, it appears the thick forest canopy keeps all river sites shaded. The grounds and facilities are neat at clean.

    All the trails bisect this campground, some foot only, others multipurpose. River Run also has a nice playground for the kids. Trails have difficulty drying out, so rocks and roots were muddy and slick, but still enjoyable.

    Note: Mountainbike races are often held here, so campgrounds can get crazy and packed. Additionally, because of the pool, this is a very busy campground. Be forewarned that the pool is 58 steps up from the parking lot to the pool area.

    There were a lot of trails I did not get to travel, and I'll bring my bike next time for the Rails-to-Trail. Nice but popular campground,

  • A
    Oct. 18, 2020

    Burr Oak State Park Campground

    Nice trails, not so nice campsites

    Most of the sites at this state park campground are very small and don’t have much level ground. Even the sites meant for RVs and trailers are right on top of each other. It’s almost like they took what should have been one site and made it two. There’s a handful of sites that offer a little space and level ground for tent campers. You may or may not have a picnic table and fire ring with a grill at your campsite when you arrive. According to staff, people take the fire rings and I guess there’s nothing they can do. Bathrooms were clean. The lake view trail was nice and accessible from the campground.


Guide to Long Bottom

Tent camping opportunities near Long Bottom, Ohio extend throughout Wayne National Forest's eastern section, with elevation ranges between 600-900 feet. The region receives approximately 42 inches of annual rainfall, creating lush vegetation and occasional muddy trail conditions during spring months. Campsites offer varying levels of seclusion within the mixed hardwood forests that characterize southeastern Ohio's Appalachian foothills.

What to do

Trail hiking opportunities: Access over 75 miles of marked trails from Zaleski State Forest campsites. "I plan to return to Zaleski many more times in the years to come! The trails are well marked and easy to follow. And there are several loop sections so you can easily plan various trips accordingly," notes James W.

Fishing spots: Head to the Little Muskingum River near camping areas for shore fishing. "You can dock a boat off lake hope and enjoy a day on the water, or rent a kayak or canoe at the local beach area right down the road," shares Kasey K. from Zaleski State Forest.

Mountain biking: Ride the extensive Baileys Trail System from Benton's on the Baileys campground. "Extremely private primitive camping surrounded by Wayne National Forest and steps from the Baileys Trail System," explains Keith B. This 31-mile mountain bike trail network offers routes for all skill levels.

Historic exploration: Visit nearby Moonville Tunnel from your campsite. "We spent one afternoon hiking over to the Moonville Tunnel and it was one of the coolest parts of our four day trek," reports James W. This restored railroad tunnel dates to the 1850s and can be reached via connector trails from several camping areas.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Baileys Trail Tent Camping offers secluded camping spots. "Great for that 'far out' feel just outside of town," says Steven S. Many tent sites have natural vegetation buffers creating separation between campers.

Water availability: Zaleski campsites provide reliable water sources throughout hiking routes. "There is pretty tasty water at camp. Latrine available (bring toilet paper). Campsites fill up quickly & areas will be shared," explains Renée C., noting the convenience for backpackers.

Affordability: Monday Creek OHV Dispersed campground offers free camping with basic amenities. "Camped at the west side of the vaulted toilet lot. Arrived about 5 PM and all 3 camping spots were empty," reports Kevin C. Most dispersed camping areas in Wayne National Forest remain free of charge.

Wildlife viewing: The forests around Long Bottom support diverse animal species. "We have seen salamanders, deer, snakes, a wild turkey even wandered into our camp in May 2018," shares Leon H. from Zaleski State Forest. Spring and fall typically offer the best wildlife spotting opportunities.

What you should know

Limited facilities: Many tent camping areas near Long Bottom have minimal amenities. At Lane Farm Campground, "The amenities there are a vault toilet, trash bin by the toilet building, picnic tables, camp fire ring with cooking grate, and lantern post... no potable water," explains David M.

Site availability: Popular camping areas fill quickly during peak season. "Get there early and get to the campsites first, there are decidedly better sites in each camp," advises Leon H. Weekends from May through October typically see the highest visitation rates.

Cell service gaps: Expect limited connectivity throughout the region. "There is no phone service within 4-5 miles of the campground," notes Shari G. about Lane Farm Campground. Download offline maps before arrival.

Water quality considerations: Stream water requires filtration. "Water is definitely well water tastes meh better off bringing a filter just in case," warns Lani R. about Zaleski's water sources. Campgrounds with pumps or spigots typically provide potable water, but taste varies.

Tips for camping with families

Choose backpacking loops with children: Zaleski State Forest offers family-friendly hiking options. "I have backpacked the trails here since the 1980s. More recently, I have taken my kids for several treks on the lower loop," says Leon H. The south loop (approximately 10 miles) works well for families with older children.

Plan for bathroom facilities: Look for campgrounds with maintained toilet facilities when camping with children. "Bathroom/shower compared to what we expected. Will visit again," notes Alex A. about Baileys Trail Tent Camping. Most established campgrounds maintain vault toilets, but paper products aren't guaranteed.

Watch for poison ivy: Take precautions on trails with children. "Trails had lots of poison ivy & ticks present," warns Renée C. about Zaleski trails. Long pants and regular tick checks recommended, especially May through September.

Consider walk-in distance: Some tent sites require short hikes from parking areas. "You have to walk to the site, up a steep hill, but it is very private and quiet. The bathrooms are down the hill too," explains Emily M. about Benton's on the Baileys. Sites closest to parking areas typically fill first.

Tips from RVers

Tent-only areas predominate: Most campsites near Long Bottom cater primarily to tent campers rather than RVs. At Lane Farm Campground, one camper noted: "It's designed for tent camping, but Hamlet (our small camper) fit fine with some strategic parking."

Limited hookups available: RV campers should prepare for dry camping. "No electric, there is a sistern hand water pump (I didn't test it)," reports Andrew S. about nearby facilities. RVers should arrive with full water tanks and charged batteries.

Narrow access roads: The region's forest roads can challenge larger vehicles. "Beautiful winding Ohio roads and landscapes out of this world," describes Kasey K. from Zaleski State Forest. RVs over 25 feet may find access difficult on some forest service roads.

Seasonal road conditions: Unpaved access roads may become difficult after rain. "Plan according, especially during wet spring months when trails may become muddy," advises a camper. Forest service roads typically receive less maintenance than state highways.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Long Bottom, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Long Bottom, OH is Zaleski State Forest with a 4.4-star rating from 17 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Long Bottom, OH?

TheDyrt.com has all 24 tent camping locations near Long Bottom, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.