Best Tent Camping near New Albany, OH
Several walk-in tent sites and backpacking campgrounds surround the New Albany area in central Ohio, with many options located within a 30-60 minute drive. Scioto Grove Metro Park offers free backpacking campsites along a dedicated REI Water Trail, providing tent campers with a convenient escape just south of Columbus. The Mohican-Memorial State Forest contains multiple primitive tent camping areas with designated "Park and Pack" sites that allow campers to test gear on relatively short hikes from parking areas.
Most tent camping areas near New Albany require some walking from parking lots, with distances varying from a few hundred feet to over a mile. At Scioto Grove, campsites feature tent pads, fire rings, and complimentary firewood, though amenities remain minimal. The sites are reservation-only and typically open weekends during warmer months. Mohican's Park and Pack sites offer varied creek-side camping with some sites requiring stream crossings to access tent pads. Registration must be completed at ranger stations via a self-service clipboard system rather than online, with early arrival recommended as these free sites fill quickly during peak season.
Tent campers at Scioto Grove benefit from five distinct riverside camping areas that provide relative seclusion despite proximity to Columbus. The sites serve as perfect testing grounds for backpacking gear without committing to longer wilderness trips. Each location features two designated tent pads and established fire rings with wood provided. Old Stone Church Trailhead in the Wayne National Forest offers primitive tent camping with more rustic conditions and fewer amenities, but greater solitude. "Scioto Grove is great if you're looking to test out some new backpacking gear. There are 5 reservable sites along the river trail and they all have tent pads and a fire pit, besides that they're totally primitive," noted one visitor about these walk-in tent sites.