Best Tent Camping near Mansfield, OH
Tent campers near Mansfield, Ohio can find several primitive camping options in Mohican-Memorial State Forest, with its network of Park and Pack sites offering secluded tent-only experiences. The forest maintains ten designated walk-in tent sites that require registration at the ranger station kiosk located at County Road 939 in Perrysville. Mohican State Park Campground also provides established tent camping with more amenities for those seeking a less primitive experience.
Most Park and Pack sites in Mohican-Memorial State Forest require a short hike from designated parking areas, with distances ranging from 0.3 to 0.75 miles to reach the campsites. Sites are situated on natural forest terrain with minimal improvements beyond a fire ring. No drinking water is available at these primitive tent locations, so campers must pack in all water needs. Registration operates on a first-come, first-served basis using a clipboard system at the forest kiosk, with no advance reservations possible. According to one visitor, "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."
The tent camping experience at Mohican varies significantly between sites. Campsite 10 offers one of the larger areas with space for multiple tents and good hammock options, while Site 1 is described as smaller and better suited for hammock camping than large tents. Several sites feature creek access, providing both scenic value and a potential water source for filtering. Cell phone coverage is limited throughout the forest, particularly at the more remote tent sites. A camper noted that "Site 10 was great for both hammocks and tents. You could have a small group here and not feel crowded." For those with mobility concerns, Sites 4 and 10 offer the easiest access along wider, flatter trails while still providing the walk-in tent camping experience.