Tent campsites near Norwalk, Ohio range from primitive backcountry sites to family-friendly campgrounds within an hour's drive. The area sits in Ohio's north-central region with rolling terrain and mixed hardwood forests typical of the Appalachian foothills. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping often means overnight temperatures dropping into the 40-50°F range.
What to do
Creek exploration: At Park and Pack Campsite 3 — Mohican-Memorial State Forest, campers can access a wide stream directly from their site. One visitor noted, "I stayed at Campsite 3, which was beautiful, tucked off of the trail beside a wide stream. Fair warning, you do have to cross a stream to get to it."
Trail connections: Several hiking options connect directly to camping areas. The bridle trails through Mohican require some navigation skills, especially for first-time visitors. A camper at Park and Pack Campsite 3 shared, "The Park & Pack sites were a bit confusing online, so I decided on a solo exploratory trip before bringing my 9yr out."
River floating: During hot summer days, the cool river provides relief. A visitor at Mohican Memorial State Forest Park and Pack Site 1 explained, "Probably the least done and most worth it item to do is the river. If you are in the park there are areas to walk up river and jump in with a tube and float back down to the camp areas and get out. River was COLD, but very nice in 90 degree heat."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many Norwalk area campers appreciate the separation between tent sites. At Park and Pack Campsite 10 — Mohican-Memorial State Forest, a camper observed, "This site was great for both hammocks and tents. You could have a small group here and not feel crowded."
Group camping facilities: Some locations offer excellent options for groups. A visitor to Hidden Hollow Camp commented, "We have camped here multiple times with out scout troop. Facilities are excellent with a large clubhouse with kitchen. Vault toilets are fine."
Seasonal camping flexibility: The structured campgrounds typically operate April through November, with varying conditions through the seasons. A camper at Park and Pack Campsite 10 mentioned, "I'd like to head back in the fall and or winter to enjoy the view of the gorge in different seasons."
What you should know
Registration requirements: All Park and Pack sites require check-in at the ranger kiosk. A camper at Park and Pack Campsite 10 clarified, "Make sure to sign in at the kiosk, you can find it here: 950 ODNR Mohican Road 60 (County Road 939), Perrysville, Ohio 44864. There's no reservations, you show up, see what sites are available, sign in and drive to the appropriate parking area."
Confusing directions: Trail access points may not be clearly marked. One visitor to Mohican Memorial State Forest Park and Pack Site 4 shared, "First off this campsite was the hardest for us to find but it is the easiest to get to in terms of walking. We took the main trail head at the bridle parking lot but this isn't where you should go."
Water supply planning: Most primitive sites require carrying in all water. A camper at Park and Pack Campsite 10 noted, "The only con I would give the site is there's no water source, so you have to pack in all your water needs. Being the middle of summer that was quite a bit for my daughter and me."
Tips for camping with families
Accessibility considerations: Some sites offer easier access for families with young children. A visitor to Park and Pack Site 4 advised, "This is the easiest and safest to get to if you have any issues with mobility. It is almost a rails and trails walk into this campsite. I have a friend with mobility challenges and can walk on wide open trails."
Campground amenities: For families wanting more facilities, Mohican State Park Campground offers additional comfort. A camper noted, "They have a very nice campground store and a pool that wasn't open for the season yet when we were there. It's the kind of campground that you never need to leave if you don't want to."
Stream crossing safety: Several tent sites require crossing water, which may challenge families with small children. A visitor to Park and Pack Campsite 1 reported, "This one does have a creek crossing after you leave the camp site. It was the deepest part of the creek and muddy leading up to it. This is because the trail is also the horse trail in the forest."
Tips from RVers
Cell service limitations: Signal strength varies significantly throughout the camping areas. A camper at Park and Pack Campsite 10 shared, "I had limited cell phone signal while here but this had the best signal out of the 10 sites."
Parking constraints: Some sites have challenging parking situations for larger vehicles. A visitor at Park and Pack Campsite 10 mentioned, "After signing in at the kiosk we drove and parked at the upper parking area for sites 8-10. The last 1/4 mile of the road is pretty rutted, so if you have a low profile vehicle you may need to park at the lower area."
Campsite spacing: Even in developed campgrounds, tent campsites near Norwalk offer decent privacy. A visitor to Mohican State Park observed, "The campground itself is very well laid out. It's long and just a few rows deep with trees throughout, so you don't feel over crowded. You're never far from a restroom no matter where you are."
