Dispersed camping near Waverly, Ohio centers around Wayne National Forest, which covers over 244,000 acres across three separate units in southeastern Ohio. The forest ranges in elevation from 550 to 1,200 feet and features mixed hardwood forests with oak, hickory, and maple trees that provide seasonal color changes. Winter camping access becomes significantly limited with temperatures frequently dropping below freezing from December through February, affecting both trail conditions and facility availability.
What to do
Trail exploration on foot: Wayne National Forest offers extensive hiking opportunities beyond the OHV trails. At Dorr-Run Red Oak Trailhead, visitors can access both motorized and non-motorized trails year-round, though as one camper notes, "OHV trails closed for winter. Hiking allowed year-round."
Fishing at forest lakes: The small lakes scattered throughout the forest provide quiet fishing opportunities. At Timbre Ridge Lake, anglers can fish for bass, bluegill, and catfish in a secluded setting away from the more crowded OHV areas.
Night sky observation: The limited light pollution in parts of Wayne National Forest creates opportunities for stargazing. One camper at the OHV trailhead area mentions being "visited by fireflies which was awesome" during their overnight stay.
What campers like
Weekday solitude: Visiting outside peak weekend times significantly improves the camping experience. At Monday Creek OHV Dispersed one camper reported, "Arrived about 5 PM and all 3 camping spots were empty. Lots of trucks and toy haulers heading up the various roads into the late evening."
Basic amenities: Despite being dispersed camping, some sites offer minimal facilities. A camper at Monday Creek OHV appreciated that "Vaulted toilet and garbage cans were a welcome bonus."
Seasonal wildflower viewing: Spring visitors can observe native wildflowers throughout the forest. One visitor to Sand Hill Trailhead described it as "a very pretty area along Vesuvius Lake with trees and bluffs."
What you should know
Seasonal facility closures: Winter camping comes with significant limitations. A visitor to Dorr-Run Red Oak Trailhead noted that "Most campsites inaccessible during off-season. Pit toilet closed for winter."
Navigation challenges: The fragmented nature of the national forest land creates orientation difficulties. A camper stated about Sand Hill Trailhead: "We arrived late at night wishing we had better cell reception and a paper map of the National Forest."
Variable site conditions: Campsite quality and cleanliness vary widely across locations. At Hanging Rock Recreation Area, a camper warned, "Not the greatest place to camp. Trash in most places, people partying all the time."
Tips for camping with families
Safety considerations: Some areas may not be ideal for family camping due to environmental hazards or behavior of other visitors. A visitor to Hanging Rock Recreation Area cautioned, "Watch for needles if you go! Be sure to wear shoes."
Weekend congestion: Plan for crowded conditions during peak season weekends. A camper at Dorr Run-Elm Trailhead observed, "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."
Alternative nearby options: Consider nearby state parks with more developed facilities as alternatives for family camping with younger children. Some families report feeling uncomfortable in the more remote dispersed areas, with one visitor stating, "Me and my family were here for 2 days and everything about it especially at night it's really scary would not recommend."
Tips from RVers
Limited turnaround space: Many forest roads lack adequate space for larger vehicles to turn around. One RV camper at Hanging Rock Recreation Site mentioned, "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."
Primitive parking: Most dispersed camping near Waverly lacks designated RV pads or hookups. RVers should be fully self-contained and prepared for uneven surfaces when camping in Wayne National Forest.
Pull-off availability: Some areas offer roadside pull-offs suitable for overnight stays. A visitor noted, "There are plenty of pull-off areas on the road leading up to this trailhead that were being used night one as well."
