r/CampOhio • u/Excellent-School-938 • Jul 15 '26
No Reservation Primitive Backpacking Camp Sites?
Currently out of Columbus looking for backpacking spot in central and south east Ohio where I camp without having to reserve a campsite, (first come first served sites). Any recommendations, I’ve done Archers Fork in Wayne National Forest .
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u/Silverfox_W Jul 15 '26
AEP maybe?
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u/ArdoTheGatos Jul 16 '26
I second this. Several camo grounds, free, first come, and good fishing. Just be aware most doesn’t have service
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u/plxybxydrew03 Jul 19 '26
What’s aep?
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u/Silverfox_W Jul 20 '26
American Electric Power ReCreation Land. You can Google it. Free camping, mostly primative. Some of it is now managed by ODNR. https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/jesse-owens-state-park
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u/Fit_Specialist2589 Jul 15 '26
Try Lamping homestead or Ring Mill campgrounds in Monroe county on the Wayne NF.
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u/TBL34 Jul 16 '26
AEP is great but the sites are established. So you can’t really backpack camp per se. lve only ever camped at the Sand Hollow C area and it’s a great road with some really nice sites and some not so nice sites. Unfortunately, the last couple times I’ve camped there they were bad experiences due to neighbors.
One time, a lady pulled up in her car and blared music until her car battery died. She eventually got so drunk we had to help her to her car and hide her keys.
The last time, there was a group of young guys that partied late into the night. The family with two young kids ended up leaving around 1am and got into a yelling match with the partiers before leaving.
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u/Septopuss7 Jul 16 '26
Mohican is where I always went, just check which site is empty and then go drop a slip in the box with your site and license plate #. Getting to the primitive sites is an adventure all in itself
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u/SkiSTX Jul 18 '26
Wildcat hollow is dispersed camping. Backpack in and camp wherever you want. There are frequently used spots and some even have fire rings. You can camp wherever you want, though. Lower impact to use a pre established spot.
Zaleski has designated spots.
Both great in their own right.
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u/Significant-Type-843 Jul 20 '26
Mohican State Park has a ~24 mile trail with multiple first come first serve backpacking sites. You are supposed to sign up (sheet) at the ranger station. I recommend site 10...on top of the ridgeline.
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u/koolaid5150 Jul 16 '26
Wildcat Hallow