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Established Camping

Hidden Hollow Campground — Fernwood State Forest

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Hidden Hollow Campground, near Bloomingdale, Ohio, is a free camping location that offers a peaceful escape into nature. With designated sites featuring picnic tables and fire rings, it’s an ideal place to unwind and enjoy a campfire under the stars.

The campground is well-maintained, providing pit toilets and a hand pump for water, though visitors should bring their own drinking water. Many campers have praised the tranquility of the area, with one noting, “Great, quiet, close to nature experience.” However, be prepared for some noise from a nearby gun range, which can be heard throughout the day.

For those looking to stretch their legs, there are hiking trails nearby, and fishing opportunities are just a short drive away. While the campground is free, registration is required upon arrival, and the ranger checks in regularly. If you're seeking a budget-friendly camping experience with a laid-back vibe, Hidden Hollow Campground is worth considering.

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Location

Hidden Hollow Campground — Fernwood State Forest is located in Ohio

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

40.33415146 N
80.76418135 W

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Connectivity

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    Excellent Coverage
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    Verizon5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
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    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

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Drive Time

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Connectivity

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  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Equestrian

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Big Rig Friendly

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Reviews

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4.0

out of 5

11 Reviews

Reviewed Sep. 11, 2024

Free for 14 days and great!!

Paved, free, self register, FF, pit toilet, cell service 3 bars. Only negative to some maybe gunfire at nearby range during day. Fernwood state forest.

Site19
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Hidden Hollow Campground — Fernwood State Forest by Betsy W., September 11, 2024
  • Review photo of Hidden Hollow Campground — Fernwood State Forest by Betsy W., September 11, 2024
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  • (4) View All
Reviewed Sep. 21, 2023

Great last minute stay

Thunderstorm had filled all hotels so I looked fora free campground. Set up my site and stayed in my wagon due to storms. It was very peaceful.

Site14?
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed May. 23, 2023

Close to nature

Very well kept, completely free 1st come campground just outside the very small town of Bloomingdale, OH. Pit toilets and no source of safe, clean water anymore. Very quiet everytime I've camped there, many times btw. Great, quiet, close to nature experience.

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Hidden Hollow Campground — Fernwood State Forest by Joe W., May 23, 2023
  • Review photo of Hidden Hollow Campground — Fernwood State Forest by Joe W., May 23, 2023
Reviewed May. 3, 2023

Great 🆓 camping!

Self-register with cards located at pit latrine building. 14 days every 30. No problem getting 40' skoolie in and parked in mostly level spots. Camp fire rings and picnic tables at most sites. 🚱 hand pump available, grey water pits and trash cans available. Here late April through early May. 22 total sites, never more than 4 people camping here, including us.

Site17
Month of VisitApril
Reviewed May. 28, 2022

Free / quite / clean / not very private

Wasn't very primitive and the gun range is so close all,you hear all day aware guns but beautiful site 22 is at the end and away from others more than the other sites

Site22
Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Aug. 6, 2021

Relaxing BUT you can hear gunshots all day until 11pm

Gun range 5 mins away or so. Bees are ridiculous.(they love sugar) oh yeah, Harvest Spiders all over the place so be cautious. Bathrooms are disgusting but they have toilet paper 🤷🏻‍♀️.

Normal Camping Bugs also. So bring big spray. Picnic Tables ,Fire pits,paved.

Clean after yourself! Trash near the campsite.

Site2
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Hidden Hollow Campground — Fernwood State Forest by jaysha L., August 6, 2021
  • Review photo of Hidden Hollow Campground — Fernwood State Forest by jaysha L., August 6, 2021
  • Review photo of Hidden Hollow Campground — Fernwood State Forest by jaysha L., August 6, 2021
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Jul. 13, 2021

Free for a reason?

We needed a place to crash after traveling all day and knew it was going to be a quick turnaround so we stumbled upon this campsite. It served its purpose as it allowed us to rest for the night. However, I didn’t feel very safe! All through the night there were sketchy cars and trucks in and out of the campground. The noise level was high all throughout the night. We got lucky and landed a level site, but most of the sites are extremely unlevel. Luckily, it wasn’t too crowded (other than the people coming and going), but the sites are very close together. Didn’t use the restroom facilities as we had our own, but they looked very unkept from the outside.

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Apr. 16, 2021

Can't beat free, but caveats abound.

This tiny gem of a campground is actually quite decent. Each site is furnished with a small fire ring and picnic table. The fire rings do not have a grill grate. The pit toilets in the restroom are "fragrant" when you enter the women's side of the building but not so terribly that they can't be used. My friend did gag upon entering the men's room. There are designated wastewater areas to dump grey water, but you'll have to bring your own water for drinking, washing, etc. There are no electric hookups.

As others have mentioned, there is a gun range nearby and you can hear occasional firing. Helicopter traffic at night was a slight distraction from the otherwise quiet night I spent here.

There is an easy orange-blazed trail behind site 10 but as of this writing, a there are several downed trees blocking the trail a good distance in.

I'd definitely stay again.

5/3/2021 Edited to add:. Well, our second stay here is decidedly less positive. We are at site 9 this time. No fire ring here. The women's bathroom is filthy and it made me gag (there is feces all over one toilet seat and the other smells so bad that I just peed in the woods). It's turkey season so lots of noise in the woods.

Site9
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Hidden Hollow Campground — Fernwood State Forest by Danielle S., April 16, 2021
  • Review photo of Hidden Hollow Campground — Fernwood State Forest by Danielle S., April 16, 2021
  • Review photo of Hidden Hollow Campground — Fernwood State Forest by Danielle S., April 16, 2021
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Jul. 30, 2020

Relaxing camping

It is a very well maintenance campsite most have fire pits a lot of level ground for tent camping pull in parking spots for RVs and campers a bathroom on site and two different trails to hike fishing minutes away the gun rage is also near (the gunshots don’t bother me) must register when you arrive at the box attached to the bathroom building can’t beat it for FREE

  • Review photo of Hidden Hollow Campground — Fernwood State Forest by Justin T., July 30, 2020
  • Review photo of Hidden Hollow Campground — Fernwood State Forest by Justin T., July 30, 2020
  • Review photo of Hidden Hollow Campground — Fernwood State Forest by Justin T., July 30, 2020
Reviewed Jun. 19, 2020

Looking for a free camp this one is it

All paved sites with picnic tables. Most have fire rings. All free but you must fill out a registration card. There are pit toilets and a water pump. The ranger comes by everyday to collect registration cards.

Site19
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Hidden Hollow Campground — Fernwood State Forest by Karen W., June 19, 2020
  • Review photo of Hidden Hollow Campground — Fernwood State Forest by Karen W., June 19, 2020
Reviewed Jun. 1, 2017

Free!

Spent the first camping trip of the summer here on Memorial Day weekend and it was a beautiful spot. There are a number of sites set up in a circle, the initial sites are better suited for RVs while the sites along the back of the loop are flatter and can accommodate a tent. This was our first car camping in an actual campground experience in a while - our last few trips were all backcountry sites - and it felt very luxurious. The campground is situated near shooting ranges so the gunfire lasts late into the evening and begins early in the morning disrupting the serenity a bit.

The best part - it's free! Just register at the box. There are vault toilets and each site has a fire ring, picnic table, garbage cans, and there are spots to dump waste water. It's very well-organized and well maintained.

Site14
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Hidden Hollow Campground — Fernwood State Forest by Emily S., June 1, 2017
  • Review photo of Hidden Hollow Campground — Fernwood State Forest by Emily S., June 1, 2017
  • Review photo of Hidden Hollow Campground — Fernwood State Forest by Emily S., June 1, 2017
  • (7) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Hidden Hollow Campground in Ohio?

Hidden Hollow Campground offers basic amenities for a rustic camping experience. Each site features a picnic table and most have fire rings (without grill grates). The campground has pit toilets with toilet paper provided, though they can be somewhat primitive. A hand pump for water is available on-site, along with grey water disposal pits and trash cans. The paved sites accommodate both tents and RVs, with spots toward the back of the loop being flatter and better suited for tent camping. Cell service is generally good with around 3 bars reported. The campground is self-registration only, and no potable water source is currently available, so campers should bring their own drinking water.

What do photos reveal about the camping experience at Hidden Hollow Campground?

Photos of Hidden Hollow Campground show a simple, rustic camping area set in a wooded environment. The campground features paved sites arranged in a circular pattern, with picnic tables and fire rings visible at most sites. Images reveal a mix of open and more secluded spots, with sites along the back of the loop appearing more suitable for tent camping while front sites better accommodate RVs and campers. The surrounding forest creates a natural backdrop with plenty of shade trees. The pit toilet facility is basic but functional. Nearby hiking trails and natural areas are also evident in photos. One notable aspect is the campground's small size, creating an intimate camping experience. Be aware that harvest spiders and bees are commonly spotted in photos during warmer months.

Are there free camping options at or near Hidden Hollow Campground in Ohio?

Hidden Hollow Campground itself is completely free to camp at, making it an excellent option for budget-conscious campers. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with self-registration required via cards available at the pit latrine building. There's a 14-day stay limit within any 30-day period. Located just outside the small town of Bloomingdale, Ohio, this free campground provides paved sites with picnic tables and fire rings in a natural setting. For those seeking free camping in this region, Hidden Hollow within Fernwood State Forest represents one of the better options available.

How does Hidden Hollow Campground compare to Fernwood State Forest for camping?

Hidden Hollow Campground is actually located within Fernwood State Forest, serving as the forest's designated camping area. The campground offers a small, quiet setting with paved sites arranged in a circular loop. While the campground provides basic amenities like pit toilets and fire rings, the surrounding Fernwood State Forest offers additional recreational opportunities including hiking trails and fishing spots just minutes away. Campers at Hidden Hollow benefit from the natural forest setting while having access to designated camping facilities. The forest and campground create a complementary experience, with the campground serving as a convenient base for exploring the broader natural area.