Top Free Dispersed Camping near McConnelsville, OH

Planning a dispersed camping trip near McConnelsville? The Dyrt provides you with a diverse selection of places to camp, from dispersed backcountry camping to boondocking, and everything in-between. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campgrounds for your Ohio camping adventure.

Best Dispersed Sites Near McConnelsville, OH (7)


Recent Dispersed Reviews In McConnelsville

14 Reviews of 7 McConnelsville Campgrounds


  • Harley G.
    Camper-submitted photo from Kinderhook Horse Trail
    Sep. 16, 2024

    Kinderhook Horse Trail

    Okay small area

    Was a “okay” small area to stay at for free. There was a lot of bees, yellow jackets. The bathroom was clean, but the "non-flush" toilet was just gross.

  • Annika E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Kinderhook Horse Trail
    May. 28, 2024

    Kinderhook Horse Trail

    Flat tentspots

    Parking for regular cars is 100 yards before restroom (the others are for horse trailers only). Close to the restroom there’s a picnic table, tentspots and a manual water pump. A lot of insects, humid and dense deciduous forest surrounding the trailhead. The Kinderhook trail was overgrown. The Paw Paw trail on the other hand was very smooth, dry and wide. The trail leads to the top of the hill.

  • J
    Camper-submitted photo from Kinderhook Horse Trail
    May. 27, 2024

    Kinderhook Horse Trail

    Nice small trailhead area

    Area is dedicated to horse trail riding. Nice clean area just off main road.Can camp here in certain spots. Not much area to camp. No fire rings, one picnic table. Definitely only for very small camper, car camp, or tent, small group. Nice trails. Seem to be well maintained. Does have a small hand pump water spigot. Has no flush vault toilet. No hook-ups of any kind. I did not camp here due to severe weather warnings. With att had 2 to 3 bars cell service.

  • S
    Camper-submitted photo from Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail Dispersed
    Aug. 14, 2022

    Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail Dispersed

    Beware the mud!

    If you're just looking for a quick campsite then pull up to the trailhead and you can find several within the first mile of the trail. Otherwise, the good sites are miles in and will necessitate doing the entire loop. If it has rained recently then expect numerous mudpits.

  • J
    Camper-submitted photo from Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail Dispersed
    Nov. 1, 2020

    Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail Dispersed

    Very wet in the spring, but a challenging backpacking loop

    This campground is nice.  They are all designated campsites but they are first-come-first serve. They are hike-to only.  

    It is great for hiking and backpacking camping but if you are looking for car style camping, this is not it.

    The trail is challenging terrain, especially when backpacking.  It can be very wet and muddy in the spring (or after any rains), so be prepared for that.  

    The road to it is difficult also (as are most with dispersed camping).

    There are no amenities except for an outhouse in the parking lot.

    This is pack in/pack out.

  • Steve C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail Dispersed
    Oct. 23, 2020

    Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail Dispersed

    Awesome packbacking spot

    Great spot for walk in or hike in camping! There are a couple of campsites at the trailhead and quite a few all along the trail. There is a 5 mile loop or a longer ~15 mile loop that you can hike and there are campsites every couple of miles. The sites themselves are just semi-cleared areas with stone fire rings so it is totally primitive camping. The trails can be a bit muddy after it rains and probably take a long time to dry out down in the valleys. While there is water in the valleys I wouldn’t use it even with a filter. There are signs posted at the trailhead that advise against it plus there is still active oil drilling in one of the hollows (the only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars) There is cell service when you’re up in the ridges but there are a lot of dead zones in the valleys and even at the trailhead. Overall, it was a beautiful, quiet place and I only saw 2 other people in the trail while I was hiking out the second day.

  • Lucille W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Witch’s Peak
    Apr. 8, 2020

    Witch’s Peak

    Sweet spot

    The trail in is super steep. The climb is totally worth it though. Some amazing rock out croppings and views up there! There are several boulder routes as well. At the end of the short trail is a cool rock shelter! A very neat local treasure.

  • Lucille W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail Dispersed
    Apr. 7, 2020

    Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail Dispersed

    Amazing spring wildflowers

    I camp here allllll the time. Secluded spot and an easy yet pretty trail. Perfect place for a first time backpacking trek. I will note I have seen this site crowded before. The parking lot can be full of cars and a lot of the obvious / easy campsites along the trail can be taken. BUT I have also camped here and no one else was around. There is a restroom and garage can at the trail head. The trail has a smaller loop and a larger loop. Both are fairly easy hikes. I recommend visiting Wildcat hollow in the springtime as the forest floor will be carpeted with beautiful wildflowers.

  • E
    Camper-submitted photo from Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail Dispersed
    Jul. 1, 2019

    Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail Dispersed

    The trail horribly muddy

    The campsites looked OK. Dry. No water available to filter.  Cautioned against using the water. But the trail was a cesspool of mud in too many places esp on the stetch between the trailhead and the loop.  I turned around. The trail needs to be planked, elevated or rerouted. This is on July 1. The seasonal creek beds all dry, but the muddy trail is awful especially in comparison to the hype that I read

  • Ruby W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail Dispersed
    Jun. 24, 2019

    Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail Dispersed

    Great Secluded Location

    Wildcat Hollow is a fantastic free camping and backpacking location. It’s quite secluded, has well established trails, and has a variety of remote campsites to choose from. There is a small shelter with bathrooms and other amenities, but not much else.

  • Chris B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail Dispersed
    Jun. 16, 2019

    Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail Dispersed

    Wonderful overnight spot.

    Just wanted an overnight spot to clear our heads and enjoy the outdoors.  Parked our RRT in the parking lot on a Monday evening and had the place pretty much all to ourselves all night.  Clean pit toilet. Nice trails to walk. nice area to visit i'll be back againg sometime this year.

  • Jason M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail Dispersed
    Sep. 21, 2018

    Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail Dispersed

    Away...away....AWAY!!!! Great spot ot avoid the crowds. Shhhhhhh!

    Went backpack camping with a friend on this loop - we took the shorter of the two. The land is all regrowth forest and the further you go, the less you see of people - a novelty in this part of the world.

    There are several primitive campsites along the trail with nothing more than a stone fire ring and a clearing, so pack in everything you need including water.

    A great spot. We will return.

  • L
    Camper-submitted photo from Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail Dispersed
    Aug. 7, 2018

    Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail Dispersed

    Backpacking haven

    This is part of the Wayne National Forest and a section of the Buckeye Trail. It is a great area for backpacking as camping is free and allowed anywhere along the trail, see the web site for limitations. "Small, open fires are permitted except during extremely high fire danger. Fire rings should be used when available. Make sure all campfires are extinguished before vacating the campsite."~Wayne National web site. Water can be difficult, there are streams but you should pack in any that you need. I took my daughters on a backpacking trip here in August 2016. It is a great area, but there were lots of dead trees/widowmakers, so be careful where you pitch your tent. Pets are allowed but must be on a 6 foot leash. Many other hiking, camping and other outdoor activities are close by.

    https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/wayne/recarea/?recid=6228



Guide to McConnelsville

Camping near McConnelsville, Ohio, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're a family looking for a weekend getaway or an RV enthusiast seeking adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails at Hocking Hills State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "Beautiful area with great hikes and views close by," making it a perfect spot for nature lovers.
  • Swimming: Enjoy the beach area at Salt Fork State Park Campground. A visitor shared, "There are a lot of great full hook-up sites here. Great for families and couples alike."
  • Fishing: Cast a line at Wolf Run State Park Campground. One camper noted, "We had the whole back section to ourselves! Not a soul on site but a few boats out fishing."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A review for Dillon State Park Campground stated, "The bathrooms we had access to were heated and perfectly clean."
  • Spacious sites: Many campgrounds, like Burr Oak State Park Campground, offer large sites. One visitor mentioned, "The site was a good size, but not secluded."
  • Family-friendly atmosphere: Campgrounds like Lake Hope State Park Campground are noted for being great for families. A reviewer said, "Great area. Camped here with my friends and I’ve been here on a backpacking trip through OU."

What you should know:

  • Close quarters: Some campgrounds have sites that are pretty close together. A camper at Hocking Hills State Park Campground mentioned, "The spots were pretty darn close together for a state park."
  • Limited amenities: Not all campgrounds have modern facilities. A visitor at Lake Hope State Park Campground noted, "The sites were very sloped and the RV sites were pretty close together."
  • Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for wildlife, especially at Wolf Run State Park Campground. One camper shared, "There are running showers and none plumbed bathrooms. It does have a laundry room also."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Plan for activities: Make sure to have a list of activities to keep the kids entertained. One family at Salt Fork State Park Campground enjoyed the pool, saying, "They had a pool which people seemed to enjoy."
  • Pack extra gear: If you're camping at Hocking Hills State Park Campground, consider bringing a cart for your gear, as some sites require a bit of a hike.
  • Choose the right site: Look for sites that offer more space and privacy. A camper at Burr Oak State Park Campground mentioned, "It was great with silence and space."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site dimensions: Make sure your RV can fit into the selected site. A review for Forked Run State Park Campground warned, "Ensure your rig can fit into your selected site prior to booking as sites can be small and hilly."
  • Be prepared for noise: Some campgrounds can get noisy, especially on weekends. A camper at Wolf Run State Park Campground noted, "Our main issue was lack of oversight/patrolling after quiet hours."
  • Bring your own water: Some campgrounds, like Forked Run State Park Campground, do not have water hookups, so it's wise to bring your own.

Camping near McConnelsville, Ohio, has something for everyone, from families to RVers. Just be sure to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near McConnelsville, OH?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near McConnelsville, OH is Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail Dispersed with a 3.9-star rating from 9 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find dispersed camping near McConnelsville, OH?

    TheDyrt.com has all 7 dispersed camping locations near McConnelsville, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.