Tent campsites near Marietta, Ohio are primarily located within Wayne National Forest, which spans over 244,000 acres across southeastern Ohio. The forest features mixed hardwoods with rolling terrain at elevations between 650-1,000 feet, creating diverse camping environments. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons offer more moderate conditions with nighttime temperatures often dropping below 50°F.
What to do
Fishing spots: 1-2 miles from camps. The creeks and rivers near Hune Bridge Campground provide good fishing opportunities. "The creeks are also great for fishing and float trips," mentions a camper who appreciated the water access near this free campground.
Hiking on North Country Trail: connects multiple sites. This national scenic trail passes directly through several camping areas in Wayne National Forest. One visitor to Lamping Homestead Recreation Area noted, "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."
Historic sites: 5-15 miles radius. The region surrounding tent campsites contains numerous historical points of interest including covered bridges and historic structures. A camper observed, "Within the national forest, you will find some historic covered bridges, churches, homes, general stores and quite a few hiking and horse trails and some nicely graded gravel back roads for cycling."
What campers like
Wide spaces between sites: At Baileys Trail Tent Camping, campers enjoy the generous spacing. "We drove for about 3 hours to get from where we are. Nice wide open space surrounded by woods. There were other campers but very friendly and had plenty of space to ourselves," one reviewer commented about their experience.
Natural setting with minimal development: The simplicity and natural surroundings are frequently mentioned in reviews. One visitor stated, "I'm happy I had this place to call home for the past couple months. I felt safe, secure, and couldn't have asked for a better host. My favorite part: the trees!"
Quiet weekday camping: Most tent campgrounds are significantly less crowded during weekdays. A camper at Kinderhook Trailhead noted, "With it being an equestrian trail, there were a lot of horses and trailers throughout the day. Before sunset, everyone cleared out and only campers remained."
What you should know
Limited or no cell service: Many camping areas in Wayne National Forest have poor connectivity. Visitors should download maps beforehand and bring paper backups. At Lane Farm Campground, a reviewer warned, "There is no phone service within 4-5 miles of the campground."
Water sources are limited: Most tent sites do not have drinking water available. "No drinking water is available and the creeks are quite muddy, so come prepared with water!" advised one camper. Plan to bring all water needed or bring filtration systems if camping multiple days.
Some sites require advance planning: While many campsites operate on first-come, first-served basis, certain locations may fill quickly, especially on weekends. At Zaleski State Forest, a visitor recommended, "Get there early and get to the campsites first, there are decidedly better sites in each camp."
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly backpacking options: Families with children can find suitable backpacking routes. "I have backpacked the trails here since the 1980s. More recently, I have taken my kids for several treks on the lower loop," shared an experienced visitor to Zaleski State Forest who found the trails manageable for different ages.
Check for ticks and poison ivy: Parents should be vigilant about these common forest hazards. A family who visited mentioned, "Trails had lots of poison ivy & ticks present. We look forward to coming back & doing the remainder of the trail."
Look for wildlife viewing opportunities: The forests around Marietta provide excellent wildlife spotting chances for children. "You will see lots of wildlife, we have seen salamanders, deer, snakes, a wild turkey even wandered into our camp," noted one family's experience camping in the area.
Tips from RVers
Limited space for larger vehicles: Most tent campsites near Marietta are not designed for larger RVs or trailers. At Lane Farm Campground, a visitor with a small camper noted, "It's designed for tent camping, but Hamlet (our small camper) fit fine with some strategic parking."
Check road conditions: Many campgrounds are accessed via forest roads that may be challenging for RVs. Strategic planning helps avoid difficult situations on narrow or rough roads leading to tent camping areas.
Consider alternatives for larger rigs: Campers needing more space should look at commercial campgrounds closer to Marietta rather than the primitive forest sites. The Wayne National Forest sites primarily accommodate tent camping with very limited options for larger vehicles.
