Best Tent Camping near Zanesville, OH
Tent campers near Zanesville, Ohio can find several established campgrounds spread throughout the surrounding forests and parklands, with multiple walk-in tent options within an hour's drive. Monday Creek OHV Dispersed camping in Wayne National Forest offers free primitive tent sites with basic amenities, while Pops Place Camping provides a more developed experience with designated tent areas and clean facilities approximately 30 miles south of Zanesville.
Most tent campgrounds in the region feature level dirt or grassy pads with minimal improvements. The walk-in sites at Old Stone Church Trailhead require packing gear a short distance from parking areas, but reward campers with more secluded spots. Basic amenities like vault toilets are common at established sites, though drinking water is limited primarily to developed campgrounds. Several locations including Monday Creek operate on a first-come, first-served basis without reservations. One camper noted of Monday Creek: "Camped at the west side of the vaulted toilet lot. Arrived about 5 PM and all 3 camping spots were empty. Vaulted toilet and garbage cans were a welcome bonus."
Walk-in tent sites throughout the region provide a more secluded camping experience than drive-up locations. Several tent-only areas in Wayne National Forest, particularly near Shawnee, offer hikers direct trail access with fire rings and primitive campsites set away from vehicle traffic. The surrounding forest provides natural shade and wind protection for tent campers. Most tent-only areas maintain some distance between sites, creating privacy even when multiple campers are present. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, tent campers particularly appreciate the region's clean facilities and relatively uncrowded camping areas, even during peak season. Campers seeking walk-in tent sites should arrive early on summer weekends, as the limited number of designated tent spots can fill quickly.