Best Tent Camping near Mount Vernon, OH
Tent campgrounds near Mount Vernon, Ohio offer a mix of free and basic established sites, primarily in the nearby Mohican State Forest and surrounding public lands. The forest's Park and Pack campsites provide primitive tent camping with numbered sites accessible via hiking trails, while Mohican State Park Campground offers more developed tent sites with amenities in the same general area.
Most tent sites in the Mohican Memorial State Forest require registration at the ranger station kiosk before hiking in to camp. The Park and Pack system features ten walk-in tent sites situated along bridle trails and creek areas, with sites requiring various hiking distances to reach. Fire rings are provided at official sites, but amenities are minimal with no potable water, showers or toilets. Campers should bring all necessary water and supplies, as most sites are primitive. Registration is required but no reservations are accepted, operating on a first-come basis through a clipboard system at the ranger office.
The tent camping experience varies significantly between sites, with some offering creek access and others providing more seclusion in the forest. Park and Pack Sites 1-3 require creek crossings to access, while Site 10 sits about three-quarters of a mile from the parking area on a well-marked trail. For newer backpackers, Scioto Grove Metro Park provides an easier backpacking experience with five reservable sites along a river trail, each featuring tent pads and fire pits. "The backpacking site was a great site for new backpackers. It isn't too long but doing the full loop does let you know if your gear is working or going to be an issue," noted one camper. Cell service is limited or non-existent at most Mohican sites, particularly at the more remote Park and Pack locations.
