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Best Dispersed Camping near Long Bottom, OH

18 Reviews

Dispersed camping options near Long Bottom, Ohio include several primitive sites within Wayne National Forest. Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail offers free camping with established trails and remote campsites along a 5-mile and 15-mile loop. Monday Creek OHV provides drive-in access with basic amenities including vault toilets and trash receptacles. Kinderhook Horse Trail features tent spots near a picnic table and manual water pump, primarily serving equestrian users. Witch's Peak requires a steep hike to reach camping areas near distinctive rock formations and a natural shelter.

Most sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations required. Campers report varying conditions throughout the seasons. According to reviews, Wildcat Hollow trails become extremely muddy after rainfall, particularly in spring, making hiking difficult. Fire rings are available at most established sites, and small open fires are permitted except during high fire danger periods. Pack out all trash and thoroughly extinguish campfires before departure. Cell service is inconsistent across the region, with better reception on ridges and limited connectivity in valleys.

Water availability is limited throughout the area. Several campers noted that while streams exist at Wildcat Hollow, signs at the trailhead advise against filtering this water due to active oil drilling operations. The Monday Creek OHV area provides vault toilets and garbage cans but no potable water. Kinderhook Horse Trail offers a hand pump water spigot near the restroom area. Visitors should pack in adequate water supplies, especially for backcountry camping. Spring visits showcase abundant wildflowers, while summer brings humid conditions and increased insect activity. Weekend use is considerably higher than weekdays, particularly at trailhead camping areas.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Long Bottom, Ohio (9)

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Long Bottom, OH

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Long Bottom, OH

18 Reviews of 9 Long Bottom Campgrounds

  • Ruby W.The Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • Steve C.The Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • E
    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

  • J
    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.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    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

  • Chris B.
    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.

  • Lucille W.The Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • Annika E.
    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.

Guide to Long Bottom

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Long Bottom, Ohio, where nature enthusiasts can enjoy serene landscapes and outdoor adventures without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. Here are some top spots to consider for your next camping trip.

Dispersed campers should check out Witch’s Peak

  • The hike to Witch’s Peak is steep but rewarding, offering stunning rock outcroppings and breathtaking views at the summit.
  • This area is perfect for those who enjoy bouldering, as there are several routes available for climbers of varying skill levels.
  • With no permits required and the option to have fires, it’s an ideal spot for a laid-back camping experience.

Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail for dispersed campers

  • Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail features a challenging terrain that is great for both hiking and backpacking, making it a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts.
  • The trail offers several designated campsites along a scenic loop, allowing campers to immerse themselves in nature while enjoying the tranquility of the forest.
  • Be prepared for muddy conditions in the spring, but the beautiful wildflowers that bloom during this season make it worth the trek.

Top activities while free camping near Long Bottom

  • At Monday Creek OHV Dispersed, campers can enjoy off-road vehicle trails, making it a popular spot for those looking to explore the rugged terrain.
  • This area is also pet-friendly, allowing you to bring your furry friends along for the adventure, ensuring everyone can enjoy the great outdoors together.
  • With amenities like vaulted toilets and trash disposal, it strikes a balance between primitive camping and essential comforts.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Long Bottom, OH is Witch’s Peak with a 3-star rating from 1 review.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 9 dispersed camping locations near Long Bottom, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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