Best Dispersed Camping near Patriot, OH

Dispersed camping near Patriot, Ohio occurs primarily in Wayne National Forest, with several primitive sites available at designated trailheads and recreation areas. The forest contains a patchwork of public and private lands, making accurate navigation important for campers seeking free sites. Sand Hill Trailhead and Hanging Rock Recreation Area provide access points for primitive camping, while Witch's Peak offers more remote backcountry opportunities for hikers willing to trek in. Most dispersed sites lack formal boundaries and are found at vehicle pull-offs near trailheads or along forest roads.

Access to many campsites requires traveling on unpaved forest roads that may become difficult during wet weather. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for reaching some areas, particularly after rain. Most sites feature no amenities beyond occasional pit toilets at trailheads like Dorr-Run Red Oak, which has restrooms and fire rings but closes facilities during winter months. Water is not available at any of the dispersed sites, requiring campers to pack in all necessary supplies. Fire regulations vary by location and season, with some areas permitting fires in stone rings while others prohibit them entirely.

The camping experience varies significantly across Wayne National Forest sites. Dorr-Run Red Oak Trailhead provides more established primitive camping with fire rings and basic facilities. A visitor noted, "There are plenty of pull-off areas on the road leading up to this trailhead that were being used as well." The Hanging Rock area attracts ATV enthusiasts during the season but receives mixed reviews due to occasional noise and trash issues. For solitude seekers, Witch's Peak offers challenging access but rewarding views, as one camper explained, "The trail in is super steep. The climb is totally worth it though. Some amazing rock outcroppings and views up there!" Local knowledge suggests camping at designated recreation sites rather than undeveloped trailheads for a better experience.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Patriot, Ohio (7)

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Patriot, OH

1 Photos of 7 Patriot Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Patriot, OH

7 Reviews of 7 Patriot Campgrounds


  • Marisa A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2020

    Sand Hill Trailhead

    Dispersed Camping best off Horseback Trails

    We arrived late at night wishing we had better cell reception and a paper map of the National Forest. We were grateful to have the Dyrt's info downloaded on my chromebook. Even still, Wayne National Forest is a maze of public and private land. The Ironton Campground has been closed during 2020 as part of a water main line break. We initially tried the Hanging Rock OHV trailhead, but locals used that area for partying when we were there and it wasn't ideal to camp at the trailhead with about a dozen cars speeding along the gravel roads around midnight. We found the Sand Hill Trail head and pitched camp not too far from where we parked. The NF website says fires are allowed if you make a stone ring. We just skipped it. It is a very pretty area along Vesuvius Lake with trees and bluffs. We saw a ranger in the morning and he suggested next time we just camp at the horsecamp. The pins on the Dyrt's map were inaccurately located when we were using it with multiple entries. Next time I will purchase a paper map before I go because Wayne National Forest has alot of private lands interspersed and it is not all that clear without an official map. Hopefully the Dyrt will get better at hyper locating those lines.

  • Lucille W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 29, 2020

    Hanging Rock Recreation Site

    Motor Vehicle Area

    The Hanging Rock Recreation area features tons of well kept ATV trails for motor bikes or quads (max width allowed is 50 inches). Besides the ATV trails, there are tons of little lakes that are ideal for fishing! There is a large parking area in the middle of the park with a restroom, and at least one other restroom further down the road. I noticed several “fire pits” in gravel pull offs in the park. Not sure if fires are allowed though.

    We hiked here today to retrieve some trail cameras from the surrounding Wayne National Forest for a spotted skunk study at Ohio University. Along and just off the trails were tons of gorgeous wildflowers like trilliums, violets, showy orchids, and more!

  • Lucille W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 8, 2020

    Witch’s Peak

    Sweet spot

    The trail in is super steep. The climb is totally worth it though. Some amazing rock out croppings and views up there! There are several boulder routes as well. At the end of the short trail is a cool rock shelter! A very neat local treasure.

  • Rob G.
    Apr. 18, 2021

    Hanging Rock Recreation Site

    Great spot and easy to find!

    With that being said, there was good and bad. The good was I found a spot quickly and had 2 entire ponds to myself. The bad was locals firing guns for the hell of it for an hour straight and the trash left behind from the previous campers. Once night fall hit everything was quiet so I couldn't complain too much. Awesome morning sunrise!

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 12, 2024

    Hanging Rock Recreation Site

    Better Than Walmart

    We stayed in the parking lot as it was getting dark and didn’t know if there were any place to turn our rv around. Very quiet night and were visited by fireflies which was awesome.

  • David B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 30, 2024

    Hanging Rock Recreation Area

    Not great..

    Not the greatest place to camp. Trash in most places, people partying all the time. Watch for needles if you go! Be sure to wear shoes.

  • H
    May. 12, 2025

    Hanging Rock Recreation Area

    Didn’t like it at all

    Me and my family were here for 2 days and everything about it especially at night it’s really scary would not recommend


Guide to Patriot

Dispersed camping near Patriot, Ohio typically requires travel to nearby Wayne National Forest, located about 20 miles southwest. This federally managed forest spans over 240,000 acres across southeastern Ohio with multiple ranger districts offering primitive camping opportunities. The terrain features mixed hardwood forests with elevations ranging from 600 to 1,000 feet and numerous small lakes and streams.

What to do

Trail exploration: Sand Hill Trailhead provides access to hiking paths through Wayne National Forest. According to a camper, "We found the Sand Hill Trail head and pitched camp not too far from where we parked. The NF website says fires are allowed if you make a stone ring. We just skipped it. It is a very pretty area along Vesuvius Lake with trees and bluffs."

Wildlife viewing: Early mornings near Dorr-Run Red Oak Trailhead offer opportunities to spot local wildlife. One visitor noted, "Stayed here for two nights. Saturday was super busy, and we snagged the last available spot with a fire ring. The second night we only had one tent near us."

Fishing: Multiple small lakes throughout the region provide fishing opportunities. At Hanging Rock Recreation Site, a camper reported, "The Hanging Rock Recreation area features tons of well kept ATV trails for motor bikes or quads (max width allowed is 50 inches). Besides the ATV trails, there are tons of little lakes that are ideal for fishing!"

What campers like

Secluded camping spots: Finding private spots away from crowds is possible at less-developed sites. One camper at Witch's Peak shared, "The trail in is super steep. The climb is totally worth it though. Some amazing rock out croppings and views up there! There are several boulder routes as well."

Off-season quiet: Winter camping offers more solitude. A visitor to Dorr-Run Red Oak Trailhead observed, "Stayed one night. OHV trails closed for winter. Hiking allowed year-round. Most campsites inaccessible during off-season. Pit toilet closed for winter. Probably busy on weekends during the season."

Natural features: Rock formations and overlooks provide scenic interest. At Witch's Peak, a reviewer mentioned, "At the end of the short trail is a cool rock shelter! A very neat local treasure."

What you should know

Limited facilities: Primitive camping near Patriot means minimal amenities. Most dispersed sites lack running water, electricity, and permanent restroom facilities. One visitor to Hanging Rock Recreation Area warned, "Not the greatest place to camp. Trash in most places, people partying all the time. Watch for needles if you go! Be sure to wear shoes."

Navigation challenges: Forest roads can be confusing without proper maps. A camper at Sand Hill Trailhead advised, "We arrived late at night wishing we had better cell reception and a paper map of the National Forest. Wayne National Forest is a maze of public and private land."

Weekend crowds: Popular areas fill quickly during peak seasons. At Dorr-Run Red Oak Trailhead, a camper shared, "There are plenty of pull-off areas on the road leading up to this trailhead that were being used night one as well. There were restrooms and several fire rings. Cell service was available, but not great."

Tips for camping with families

Safety considerations: Some areas require extra caution with children. One camper at Hanging Rock Recreation Area stated, "Me and my family were here for 2 days and everything about it especially at night it's really scary would not recommend."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Patriot, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Patriot, OH is Sand Hill Trailhead with a 3-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Patriot, OH?

TheDyrt.com has all 7 dispersed camping locations near Patriot, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.