Southeastern Ohio provides tent campers around New Plymouth with a diverse landscape of ridges, valleys, and dense forests at elevations ranging from 700-1000 feet. The region experiences humid summers with temperatures frequently exceeding 85°F, while spring and fall offer milder conditions with occasional rainfall that can create challenging trail conditions, especially in low-lying areas.
What to do
Trail exploration at Zaleski State Forest: The backpacking trails range from moderate to challenging with elevation changes throughout the system. "I only came here for a 2 day backpacking trip and it was kind of hard. I'm a backpacker and this was tough. There is clear trails and a lot of rocks to climb on top of. The trial was about 19 miles and was definitely worth it because of the views," notes kevin T.
Mountain biking at Baileys Trail System: Located near Chauncey, this growing trail network offers some of the best mountain biking in Ohio. "This campsite is near the Baileys Bike System," reports Keith B. who stayed at Benton's on the Baileys, which provides direct access to the trails.
Historical exploration: Visit the Moonville Tunnel, an abandoned railway tunnel accessible from the southern loop at Zaleski. "I highly recommend taking the short connector trail on the south loop to cut over to the Moonville Rail Trail. We spent one afternoon hiking over to the Moonville Tunnel and it was one of the coolest parts of our four day trek," shares James W.
What campers like
Clean, maintained facilities: The campground facilities at most sites receive positive reviews for their upkeep. "The bathrooms are down the hill too, but very clean and private. There are showers too," explains Emily M. about Benton's on the Baileys.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The forests around New Plymouth host diverse wildlife. "We have seen salamanders, deer, snakes, a wild turkey even wandered into our camp in May 2018. Back in 1988, I saw two rattlesnakes together beside the trail on the northern loop," reports Leon H. about Zaleski State Forest.
Water access: Many campsites provide reliable water sources. "Cannot camp off of marked areas. 3 camp areas total, camp 1 & 2 are available on the South Loop. Latrine available (bring toilet paper). Water is available at 3 backpack camping areas (Points D, I & P)," notes Renée C. about the facilities at Zaleski.
What you should know
Trail markings and navigation: Most trails in the area use color-coded blazes. "Blazes: The main trail is blazed orange and camp side trails/day hike cutoff is blazed white," explains Renée C. about Zaleski's trail system.