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Sycamore Retreat
Hosted by Michael · Buchtel, Ohio
3 units · RV, Tent, Lodging · 4 acres
MICHAEL is a Star Host
Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.
Select a unit
Motorhome/tent pitches
2 units
Sycamore Retreat
100%
(22)Campfires allowed
Pets allowed
Sycamore Retreat tent site #2
100%
(1)4WD recommended
Campfires allowed
Toilet
Glamping
1 unit
Sycamore Retreat cabin
100%
(2)Campfires allowed
Toilet
Picnic table
Reviews
100% Recommend25 Ratings · 20 reviews
This off-grid campsite near Nelsonville offers a convenient and private retreat with its lush, tree-covered surroundings. Guests appreciate the proximity to events like the Nelsonville Music Festival, and the host, Michael, receives high praise for his helpfulness and communication. However, reviewers caution about the muddy conditions after rain and suggest being prepared for mosquitoes. Despite minor inconveniences, the site's natural charms, like the bubbling creek and ample space, create a relaxing and enjoyable camping experience.
Summary AI-generated from real reviews
Exactly as advertised! Staying in the cabin was much better than tent camping, especially with the storms we had. It gets very muddy and the mosquitoes were unbearable I’m guessing due to the very wet weather. Michael communicated well and I would recommend.
Recommends
· August 2026
With kids ·
Sycamore Retreat cabin
This is a great off grid option. Michael is a very helpful host
A fine campsite near Nelsonville. Not much in the way of improvements, but easy to get to and well sheltered. The cabins looked quite nice. Michael was a great host.
We were attending the Nelsonville Music Festival and the location was so close, we could hear the Creekside stage! Very nice place to both tent camp and camper van camp. Host was fantastic!
Recommends
· June 2026
Tent ·
Sycamore Retreat
Great spot for a short weekend. Was a little hard to find at first since the address on both Google Maps and Apple Maps showed it much further out than it was, but Michael helped direct me to the right spot and was super helpful. Lots of space to spread out. It had rained pretty much for a week straight before we got there, so there was some mud, but we were able to find a spot that was dry for our setup. There was a little bubbling creek nearby that we could hear at night and plenty of birds and butterflies. Great little stay!
Recommends
· May 2026
6 m campervan · With pets ·
Sycamore Retreat
What a beautiful spot. Grassy area in woods next to a sweet muddy stream. It was raining when we arrived and had been raining we understand for days. Just after we arrived and parked next to the stream Michael texted us that there were flash flood warnings. So we set about moving back from the stream. Oops. I drove off the gravelled drive and got stuck. Totally. The days of rain had made the ground soft as pudding. Sweet neighbors came to try and help but ultimately needed AAA to haul us out. So in the end did not stay. But looked like a great place. If only not so much rain
Mikes property was a great basecamp for our weekend adventures in the area. Easy to find and felt private with all the tree coverage. Nice oven area for our doggo to use up all of her longest camp lead. Mike was quick to respond to messages and even stopped by to say hi while working on some projects. Some road noise during the day but that is the tradeoff to being conviently located. Great spot with even more potential, we will be back if in the area again.
Had a wonderful time tent camping. There are a few house with dogs barking nearby but that didn’t bother us. Be sure to pack bug spray there are quite a few mosquitoes lol. Overall we would love to come again :)
Recommends
· March 2026
Tent · With pets ·
Sycamore Retreat
Loved the place ! Would recommend to eveyone . Place is not remote but its private enough nobody disturbs you.
Recommends
· October 2025
Tent ·
Sycamore Retreat
We tent camped at Michaels property and had a great time. It is a rustic site so we took our own bathroom/shower tent. The coyotes were really carrying on for the full moon around midnight. The warm weather brought out the mosquitoes but it was nothing that a few bug incense sticks couldn't manage. Also make sure to take water jugs to fill up at the Buchtel spring.
Recommends
· September 2025
7 m travel trailer · With pets ·
Sycamore Retreat
Michael was a great host. He was very helpful helping me to navigate getting to the area and it was very easy to find. He had amazing communication and gave us some super cool things to check out during our stay. Would recommend his place and plan to be back! Perfect middle spot between hocking hills and Athens!
Recommends
· September 2025
3 m pop-up camper · With pets ·
Sycamore Retreat
We enjoyed Michael's campsite private, clean and lots room for are pop-up camper.
Recommends
· August 2025
Tent ·
Sycamore Retreat
We had a very nice time being secluded and loved the site very much! Being near a creek throughout the night brought back many childhood memories.
I made my reservation at 5:00pm the day of my stay.. Michael contacted me right away to make sure I could get ahold of him if I needed help finding the campsite.. I appreciate his communication. After reading the other reviews I had no problem finding it. I have AT&T and cell phone service was poor.. I was able to get some text messages, but I couldn’t call, which was fine with me. There are a lot of trees and the forrest is very thick so it is completely private! The mosquitoes were bad so I’m glad I brought OFF, because I definitely needed it. At about 9pm a couple in an old hatchback vehicle drove down in.. they said they were looking for their mom in a blue Malibu and that her location said she was here.. but I never saw any vehicles since I got there and I told them that. They left and I never had an issue with them coming back again, but it just kind of freaked me out because they came in kind of fast and I wasn’t expecting it. I hope they found their mom ok. Thank you so much for letting me stay at your place last minute.. It is so beautiful there.. I will definitely be back!
Mike was very kind and welcoming! The property was fantastic and very private. He made sure we found the place ok, and gave us directions to local hiking trails, recommendations on things to do and explore in the area. With the property being creekside, paired with the rainy weather, I would caution campers to bring plenty of Deep Woods OFF and citronella, as the mosquitoes were out in force! All in all, a nice relaxing week! Mike, thank you for your hospitality and the use of your property! It definitely made our camping vacation a great time! 10/10, would highly recommend! Looking forward to staying with you again!
My wife and I were looking last minute to find a spot for the night with our camper van to rest our weary bones. We came across this listing and instant booked it. It had rained cats and dogs the night before so it was a slight bit muddy but that wasn’t a problem for us. It’s a circular type gravel drive with a creek/small river at the very back. There a big clump of trees in the center of the drive circle.. I’m guessing they’re Sycamores.. lol.. and they actually block the entrance part of the driveway which makes it very private down by the water.. I spent most of my time there au naturel 😎… you can hear traffic from the road leading to the driveway and an occasional barking dog in the distance but very tolerable …it was pretty well kept .. an old white plastic lounger in the grass but otherwise pretty nice… if we lived closer you can bet we would book it tons !!!.. I should mention that the coordinates we got put us a 1/4 mile further up the road and on the opposite side of the road so take note of that.. there is a small sign when you finally find it .
This was a beautiful creekside clearing with a giant sycamore right in the middle. The area was pretty wet but we had a nice campfire right by the creek and enjoyed the privacy. Some garbage around, looks like it was all raked up and we picked up what we could. We thought it would be a perfect place for a gathering as there's plenty of room. Easy drive from the Hocking Hills area and peaceful.
The pros-Nice spot just out of Buchtel, lots of space, easy to access with two wheel drive, near the creek with a fire ring. Last minute booking and very affordable.
The cons- a little hard to find (glad I saw the previous review about the blue reflector). As a queer, single , woman I was a little nervous as I pulled up as the across the street neighbors have lots of Trump flags in confederate flags. I thought that was the spot because that’s where Google maps stops (just a note to those in similar situation). It’s southern Ohio. It comes with the territory, so certainly not an issue to be nearby. You are well tucked in, but the sound still carries from the road and the across the street properties. You can hear dogs and chickens at night. A little trash left on the property,. I tried to grab some to leave it better than I found it.
Recommends
· September 2024
Tent · With kids ·
Sycamore Retreat
We needed a last minute place to put up our tent for the night and Michael's property, being an nearby 'instant book' was the perfect fit. There was a nice little firepit for a small fire and plenty of flat, grassy areas to pitch your tent.... a small stream running alongside this property and a gorgeous view of the night sky overhead.
Would like to add: We did have a hard time finding it at first... Look for a small blue reflector alongside the road that marks the correct driveway to pull into.
Recommends
· July 2024
Tent ·
Sycamore Retreat
Easy to get to location. Good communication with the host. Lots of space, and easy to find a place to set up in the shade. There’s a space for a fire right over the little creek. Some noise from the road and neighbors across the street (left their radio on all night), but overall a great stay.
Location
Buchtel, Athens County, Ohio, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by Michael L.
Joined in March 2024Things to do nearby
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