Mohican-Memorial State Forest offers primitive tent camping opportunities across nearly 4,500 acres of rugged terrain near Loudonville, Ohio. The forest sits at elevations ranging from 900-1200 feet and features a mix of hemlock ravines and hardwood ridges. During summer months, temperatures typically range from 60-85°F with higher humidity levels making water access an important consideration for campers.
What to do
Creek exploration: Park and Pack Site 3 in Mohican-Memorial State Forest offers creek access that campers enjoy during hot weather. As one camper noted, "Winter Overnight...Campsite 3, which was beautiful, tucked off of the trail beside a wide stream. Fair warning, you do have to cross a stream to get to it."
Mountain biking: The network of trails surrounding the Park and Pack sites connects to popular mountain biking routes. A camper at Campsite 10 mentioned, "We only saw a hiker while hiking in and heard mountain bikers riding down the trail NW of Site 10."
Hiking loops: Multiple bridle trail loops provide day hiking options from camp. One camper advised, "I would recommend downloading the various bridle trails (Mohican) on the AllTrails app. The paper map provided at the trail head was missing some information."
Sunset viewing: Certain campsites offer sunset views from elevated positions. A camper at Campsite 4 mentioned it "has creative man made benches from logs/branches, a great view for sunset."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: The separation between tent sites provides solitude uncommon in more developed campgrounds. A camper at Site 10 noted, "You could have a small group here and not feel crowded. The camp fire set up is awesome."
Accessibility options: Mohican State Park Campground offers more developed alternatives to primitive camping. A reviewer mentioned, "The campground itself is very well laid out. It's long and just a few rows deep with trees throughout, so you don't feel over crowded. You're never far from a restroom no matter where you are."
Creek features: Water access ranks highly among camper preferences. A visitor to Campsite 3 described it as "beautiful, tucked off of the trail beside a wide stream."
Ridge views: Higher elevation sites provide scenic views. According to a camper, "I'd like to head back in the fall and or winter to enjoy the view of the gorge in different seasons."
What you should know
Registration requirements: All campers must register at the forest kiosk. A camper clarified, "Make sure you register for your site and do not camp illegally. It is an issue here and they are looking to make sure folks did register at the kiosk at the ranger station."
Navigation challenges: Trail intersections can be confusing without proper maps. One camper at Mohican Memorial State Forest Park and Pack Site 1 shared, "I had to use my app, paper map, and an earlier photo of a map to identify what a certain point was on the loop."
Cell service limitations: Most tent sites have minimal connectivity. A camper reported, "Your cell phone signal (Verizon) will be limited back here. It will work at some of the high points."
Seasonal considerations: Water crossings vary significantly with rainfall. A camper noted, "This one does have a creek crossing after you leave the camp site. It was the deepest part of the creek and muddy leading up to it."
Tips for camping with families
Choose more accessible sites: Park and Pack Campsite 4 offers easier access for families with children. A reviewer noted it's "a great spot if your legs are tired after a long day of hiking or if you did too many hills that day. Or if you're a beginner camper, or family that want to try something new, it's easy to walk into and out of."
Consider site size limitations: Not all sites accommodate family-sized setups. A camper at Site 1 advised, "This is one of the smallest camp sites. It would be hard to put a big tent here so make sure you use your smaller tents."
Pack extra water: With no drinking sources at primitive sites, families need to carry all water. A camper at Site 10 shared, "The only con I would give the site is there's no water source, so you have to pack in all your water needs. Being the middle of summer that was quite a bit for my daughter and me."
Scout sites in advance: For family camping success, a solo reconnaissance trip helps. One camper wrote, "The Park & Pack sites were a bit confusing online, so I decided on a solo exploratory trip before bringing my 9yr out."
Tips from RVers
Alternative sites for RVs: Rivers Edge Camping Area provides free camping relatively close to Loudonville with more vehicle access. A camper explained, "Great access close to parking lot with privacy between you and the trail. Right alongside the river with a picnic table and firepit."
Water supply planning: RVers staying at developed sites need to monitor usage. A camper at Mohican State Park noted, "Bathrooms close to all campsites. Showers not clean and broken; hot water questionable."
Advance planning: Seasonal sites fill quickly during peak times. One reviewer cautioned, "THE FREE CAMPING IS CLOSED!!!!!! We went to the location of the office to fill out a slip for the free camping sites and they are all closed now."
