Best Tent Camping near New Matamoras, OH
Tent camping options in the Wayne National Forest near New Matamoras, Ohio include several small, primitive campgrounds suitable for overnight stays. Hune Bridge Campground offers four tent campsites with picnic tables, fire rings, and lantern poles, located alongside a historic covered bridge. Lamping Homestead Recreation Area provides six walk-in tent sites near a small pond, while Kinderhook Trailhead offers designated tent camping areas with fire pits at an equestrian trailhead. Lane Farm Campground, located just 5 miles from Marietta, features four primitive tent sites.
Campers should pack all drinking water, as none of the tent sites in the New Matamoras area provide potable water. Most campgrounds include basic amenities such as vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings, but lack electricity, running water, or shower facilities. The free tent sites typically allow stays up to 14 days. Road access varies by location, with most campgrounds accessible by standard vehicles via gravel roads. Kinderhook Trailhead features both designated tent sites with provided fire pits and allows dispersed camping with proper clearance. Cell service is spotty throughout the region, with most campgrounds having limited or no coverage.
Tent campers frequently use these primitive sites as bases for exploring the surrounding Wayne National Forest. The North Country Trail passes near Lamping Homestead Recreation Area, providing hiking opportunities directly from camp. Most sites offer shade from the surrounding forest, though Lane Farm Campground has limited tree cover. The Little Muskingum River and nearby creeks provide opportunities for fishing and float trips. According to one visitor on The Dyrt, Hune Bridge Campground is "a great drive-in campsite perfect for family and friends to get into the woods for a bit." During weekdays, tent campers often have these primitive sites to themselves, though equestrian traffic may be present at Kinderhook Trailhead during daylight hours before clearing out by evening.