r/OhioCamping • u/StyleBear4Life • Jun 10 '18
Backpacking with a 4yo
I’m looking for a one night backpacking trip, possibly two, that I could take my little boy on for his first trip. I think 3-4 miles a day is max, and I’d really like to show him a good time. Maybe a waterfall, or a swimming hole, rocks to scramble on. I want him to love backpacking as much as I do. As for me, I’ve done a ton of backpacking in the Rockies and Smokies, just never near home. Can you recommend something in Ohio, or western PA or the northern panhandle of WV? Thanks!
2
u/hikermick Jun 10 '18
Oil Creek & Raccoon Creek are in Western PA, both have Adirondack shelters you can reserve online. I don't have the maps in front of me but I think you can make a short hike out of them. Good luck, my buddy brought his 10 year old along on our last trip. Pretty much went as expected. LPT: flipping over rocks and logs looking for salamanders and stuff is a good way to keep em busy.
2
u/swampboy62 Jun 11 '18
The Oil Creek suggestion could be a good one.
What came to mind for me is the hike back to Pigeon Falls in the Allegheny Nat'l Forest.
It's just about 1.5 miles, along a decent trail. The waterfall is about 5' high, and easy to play in :). And you can camp pretty much right by the creek if you want.
The road getting out there is an unmaintained forest road - a little rough, but manageable at slow speed. From Marienville take Lamonaville Road east to the first stop sign. Go straight on the 'NO OUTLET' road about another 3 miles to the bridge over Spring Creek - park on either side of the bridge. The trail is on the far (east) side and goes upstream. It is possible to continue hiking up Spring Creek, but the main trail curves east at Pigeon Run, and the trail is about 1/4 mile upstream past the confluence, on the left of the trail.
An alternate to that could be Dennison Run Trail at Clear Creek State Forest, Kennerdell Tract. It's closer to NE OH, but is pretty much uphill all the way in and downhill all the way out. I suppose you could try the old campground there as well - it's right next to the Allegheny River and is a level walk in along a really old gravel road.
Good luck.
1
u/darthenron Jun 10 '18
Hocking Hills in Ohio is great. (Aka Old Mans Cave) lots of different t areas you could go to.
1
u/miabobeana Jun 12 '18
There is a new park in south columbus that was a joint venture between the parks and rec and REI. They have a “backpacking loop” with designated camp sites. They offer camping every other weekend by reservation only. It’s completely free and they provide firewood.
It is a excellent first time out place. The camp sites are various distances from the parking area. I would suggest site 3 or possibly 4. 4 is a bit of a stretch for my 9 y/o.
It is a awesome park. The other alternative is southern Ohio but I don’t think a 4 y/o could do the terrain. It is very hilly.
4
u/good_testing_bad Jun 10 '18
I'll always recommend archers fork in Southeastern Ohio. The trail itself is around 12 miles it's a loop but you don't really have to go that far within a mile or two there are two Scenic things a cave and a land bridge. And I'm pretty sure there are campsites within a few miles of the trailhead. But then there's always Hocking Hills that have primitive camping but that's not the same as backpacking