Tenderfoot Learning Lab
Hosted by Tenderfoot · New Marshfield, Ohio
2 sites · Tent · 16 acres
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Deciduous Downtime
99%
(75)Campfires allowed
Toilet
Potable water
Pets allowed
Picnic table
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A Forest Hug
100%
(19)Campfires allowed
Toilet
Potable water
Pets allowed
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Reviews
99% Recommend95 ratings · 74 reviews
This place is absolutely beautiful. They have made it a hikers paradise. Once settled, we were rewarded by a sunset through the Tulip Poplar and Oaks. The owners are incredibly welcoming and accommodating.
This was our first time “primitive” camping, so it offered some challenges, but the memories made with our kids were more than we could ever ask for. The owners have made the land an oasis worth exploring. We will absolutely be back!
C
Colin B.
5 months on Hipcamp
It was a very well kept off grid site.
The fire pit was very charming. The host was very nice.
Consider when booking the availability of bathroom and shower facilities. My family doesn’t mind but it is very rustic approach.
J
Julia T.
2 reviews
Being fairly new to camping this was a great spot! Little over an hour away from Columbus and minutes from Athens. I’m familiar with the area due to being an OU alumni but wish I knew about this hidden gem sooner.
To get to the site there is a bit of a downhill that can be tough after heavy rainfall, so be careful!! We experienced slick conditions but managed. Site was private, serene and a great getaway from the city for a bit. Our pup Indy (Indiana Jones full name lol) had a blast exploring and being a dog.
Got to learn a bit of what happens at Tenderfoot Learning Labs as well and it’s awesome all the programming they have! Definitely on my return Hipcamp List! (Will have to try to other site out next).
Marissa S.
9 reviews
Recommends
· June 2025
Tent · With kids ·
A Forest Hug
Camping at Tenderfoot was great! Owners were very kind and willing to answer questions and share their land with us. We had a great time using the pond, exploring the property and it's in a good location near Athens and Lake Hope.
A
Andrew W.
7 reviews
We really enjoyed our stay at Tenderfoot, as soon as we hit camp everything was quiet and peaceful. One of the highlights was feeling like you’re in the woods without a long hike! The picnic table and fire pit were well constructed. We enjoyed the natural pit to a metal ring. Overall we really enjoyed this camp!
Things to consider:
It rained each day we were here which made it extremely difficult to carry our gear to and from the car because of the steep incline. There aren’t any steps so you really need to be careful in wet/muddy conditions. There are trails but we weren’t sure where they were so some type of marker/map would be helpful. I didn’t get service which made it challenging to message the host so I would suggest printing info before and scheduling when to drop off wood ahead of time. Also I would suggest bringing a way to keep wood dry like a leakproof tub, the tarp supplied let in a lot of moisture.
Jacob L.
4 reviews
Recommends
· May 2025
Amazing camp site! This was our second time here and won’t be the last. It was our first time exploring the trails. The land is absolutely beautiful and magical and an explorer’s paradise. I highly recommend!
H
Hunter G.
1 year on Hipcamp
Recommends
· April 2025
Tent · Group trip ·
Deciduous Downtime
Excellent campsite near Athens and Lake Hope State Park. It was great chatting with Travis and learning about what they did at Tenderfoot. There are two sites on the property and we stayed at the larger one, called Deciduous Downtime. It was a short downhill walk from the parking area to the site. The site itself is surrounded by the woods and very peaceful. You don’t really see the house at all from there. One thing to point out though is the ground is not completely level across the site. We didn’t find it to be a deal breaker though. We had enough room for two tents and a big shelter that we could put over the picnic table. Note there is just one tent pad. The outhouse is clean and well kept and there’s lots of trails on the property to explore. We'd highly recommend staying here!
E
Enrique G.
3 reviews
Recommends
· October 2024
Tent ·
A Forest Hug
A great resting spot in Athens, Ohio for those hiking in Southeast Ohio. The design of the fire pit in particular was a wonderful addition to the site.
Bailey L.
5 reviews
Recommends
· October 2024
Tent · With kids ·
Deciduous Downtime
My wife and I had a gorgeous autumn weekend together, made possible by this great camping site. It is perfectly situated away from the Hocking Hills crowds, but with easy access to that area. It is also a great place to access Athens and some great beer at Little Fish. The site was private, which made us feel we were deep in the woods away from the world for a couple of days. The hosts are wonderful people and the site is well maintained.
J
Joshua S.
2 reviews
Recommends
· July 2024
Tent ·
A Forest Hug
very beautiful and relaxing scenery! It was also so refreshing to swim in the pond there.
M
Miranda K.
1 year on Hipcamp
What a fantastic experience. Travis was a lovely host who gave us fresh eggs! The land is beautiful, and forest hug was about a 45 sec walk from parking. Very easy to get to. You could hear some cars on the main road from time to time, but overall the campsite was quiet and private. There are 5 hens in a coop, who I think should be named after the Golden Girls! If you stay on a rain weekend, beware the water runs from the hill on the right if you’re facing the campsite. Definitely set your tent on the mulched bed and you’ll be fine. If you use Apple Maps for your directions, it will tell you that you arrived to the campsite before you actually get to it. Keep driving down the road a little bit and you’ll see it on the left hand side.
The area itself was very clean and well maintained. There’s a nice big pond, and a nice little trail. I have no complaints at all from our two night stay. This is an excellent spot, and what you pay to camp goes directly back into the Learning Lab to help develop it, like some of the spots on the property they’re developing like a classroom and outdoor shower.
We will definitely stay here again!
M
Maddie M.
2 years on Hipcamp
My family stayed in Deciduous Downtime for two nights in Late October. The leaf color was beautiful but we did catch a spell of wet weather. Travis, part of the couple that own Tenderfoot Learning Lab, met us shortly after we arrived to drop off firewood. He was attentive, available if needed and hands-off otherwise to let us enjoy our time together at camp. We also appreciated the pet friendly stance at Tenderfoot.
A few things to note on the campsite. The constructed tent pad is level, but the rest of the campsite is on a decent pitch downhill. The short path from parking to the campsite is also a downhill walk with a few steps on steeper sections. The “sleeps 6” recommendation is a push in my opinion. We had 5 people 16 years old and above and needed 2 tents. It was a bit of a struggle to find level ground for both. Finally, the weather left the campsite soggy, but no standing puddles or mudpits. Just be prepared for some surface slickness if you get some rain and watch your step heading downhill to the campsite.
We had a good stay and recommend the campsite. It’s also nice to know that the site fee is rolled back into the environmental education of students.
M
Matthew C.
2 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· October 2023
Tent ·
A Forest Hug
Such a wonderful and beautiful place that facilitates connection to the land of southeast Ohio. And incredibly kind hosts. Have found my new camping spot in Athens! Highly recommend.
N
Natalie Z.
2 reviews
Recommends
· August 2023
Tent ·
A Forest Hug
A Forest Hug was great! Travis was incredibly kind & even gave me extra firewood during my stay. Great camping spot near downtown Athens and Hocking Hills. It felt good to know the money I spent camping here is going towards a good cause too. Do be aware that the campsite is close to the road, although cars don’t pass by often.
Clare C.
5 reviews
Recommends
· August 2023
Tent ·
Deciduous Downtime
A nice summer spot. The host was friendly. There is some car noise from the road, but during sleeping hours, I didn't hear any cars go by. The small hill between the camp spot and parking is not bad. The outhouse is just for pooping (it's in the information once you reserve the spot, but I don't think I saw it on the posting).
K
Kimberly S.
3 reviews
Recommends
· June 2023
Tent · With kids ·
Deciduous Downtime
Beautiful site and hospitable host! Nearby everything great in Athens.
A
Alexandra A.
7 reviews
Recommends
· June 2023
Tent ·
Deciduous Downtime
The property is beautiful and secluded. There is a water supply and privy and our campsite had a picnic table and a really great fire pit. The hosts were friendly and helpful. We had a great time despite the rain and I would definitely go back!
T
Thomas F.
2 reviews
I stayed on Travis’s property and tent-camped with my husband and two small boys. He gave great directions on how to get there. It was a great time. We had some friends staying at the other camp site on his property, and we couldn’t even hear them at night. The boys went to bed way earlier than everyone else, and slept great. Would recommend!
A
Alexa B.
2 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· June 2023
Tent · With pets ·
Deciduous Downtime
We had an incredible experience at Tenderfoot, the camp site was beautiful and very well kept. Our dogs had a lot of fun checking out all of the woods surrounding us. Travis was fantastic!
M
Marina E.
2 years on Hipcamp
Peaceful stay at “Forest Hug” - 1 of the 2 camping site in the property. Everything was as advertised and site were clean & a wonderful private location in the woods. Being a holiday weekend, there was slight traffic noise from the road, but no noise at night. We enjoyed hearing about the learning center and met the director & some of the summer interns. It’s a great space to camp if exploring the area & also help support sustainability in the area with nightly fee.
Karen A.
4 reviews
Recommends
· May 2023
Tent · With pets ·
Deciduous Downtime
We were so impressed with this property! I know the area well and, just as described, it’s perfectly situated between Athens and HH if you want to hike around both. The campsite was beautifully done and so spacious and private. We were able to do lots of birdwatching and enjoyed tons of stars sleeping in our tent without the rain fly. We were only there for a night but are already looking forward to many more when we find ourselves back in Athens County!
M
Morgan C.
3 reviews
Recommends
· May 2023
Tent · With kids ·
A Forest Hug
Perfect size for a family of 4 and a dog. Loved the proximity to parking.
Matt D.
7 reviews
Recommends
· May 2023
Tent · With kids ·
Deciduous Downtime
Well maintained, private spot. Enjoyed my stay here while visiting hocking hills area.
S
Sam D.
3 years on Hipcamp
Proximity to outdoor activities while still giving a sense of being remote.
Z
Zeb M.
2 reviews
Perfect place to unplug! The host are absolutely amazing!
Z
Zeb M.
2 reviews
Recommends
· March 2023
Tent ·
Deciduous Downtime
Beautiful campsite situated in the hilly woods. Private, but not far from parking. Absolutely gorgeous views
E
Edee M.
2 reviews
Recommends
· November 2022
Tent ·
A Forest Hug
Directions and signs were easy to find, campsite was clean and private. Even though we had neighbors, I didn't really see or hear them. A great place for a quick getaway! Definitely would recommend.
David G.
3 reviews
Recommends
· October 2022
Tent · With pets ·
A Forest Hug
Lovely space in the woods, quiet and beautiful star gazing. Host was very kind and friendly. Forest hug is closer to the privy and parking than the other site. It’s near the road but not too close and the road isn’t busy.
Would definitely recommend and stay again.
A
Amelia B.
4 reviews
Recommends
· October 2022
Tent ·
Deciduous Downtime
For anyone looking to spend time in the greater Hocking Hills area and would like a quiet, private yet spacious, in close proximity to sights rustic camping experience - Tenderfoot Learning Lab's land and campsite will not disappoint. Easy to find, about 500 feet from parking space down through a scenic wooded path to a great campsite overlooking the valley forest that has a great firepit, large picnic table and space for a good sized tent. While getting to hiking places is not far in any direction the land at the campsite is super friendly for getting out and exploring on foot. Very friendly hosts. Hope to come back in the future!
J
Jesse S.
3 years on Hipcamp
Our family so enjoyed our experience on the property, and the owners were incredibly helpful in supplying us with additional firewood to keep us warm on the prematurely chilly nights. The site is extremely convenient both for accessing hiking trails and the city of Athens. We would absolutely book this site again!
N
Nate G.
3 years on Hipcamp
Location
New Marshfield, Athens, Ohio, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by Tenderfoot Learning Lab T.
Joined in October 2020Things to do nearby
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