Best Tent Camping near St. Marys, WV
Tent campers visiting the St. Marys area of West Virginia have several options within an hour's drive, primarily in the nearby Wayne National Forest across the Ohio border. Hune Bridge Campground offers free tent camping with four designated sites adjacent to a historic covered bridge and creek. Lamping Homestead Recreation Area provides six walk-in tent-only sites near a small pond, with access to the North Country Trail. Kinderhook Trailhead offers a unique dispersed camping experience with two designated sites plus room for additional tent setups in an open area surrounded by tall trees.
Most tent campgrounds in the region are primitive with basic amenities. Sites typically include picnic tables, fire rings, and lantern poles, but lack drinking water—campers should bring their own supply or prepare to filter from nearby creeks. Vault toilets are available at most locations, though maintenance varies by site. The free campgrounds in Wayne National Forest allow stays up to 14 days. Cell service is limited or nonexistent at many locations, particularly at Lane Farm Campground where service is unavailable within 4-5 miles. Summer heat can be challenging as some sites offer minimal shade between camping spots.
Backcountry tent camping in this region provides good access to hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and scenic waterways. The Little Muskingum River near Lamping Homestead is suitable for canoeing, while creeks around Hune Bridge Campground are popular for fishing and float trips. The area features historic covered bridges, churches, and well-maintained gravel roads for cycling. Tent campers should note that equestrian activity is common at Kinderhook Trailhead, with horses and trailers present during daylight hours before clearing out at sunset. One camper observed that "with it being an equestrian trail, there were a lot of horses and trailers throughout the day. Before sunset, everyone cleared out and only campers remained."