The best camping in Wayne National Forest, OH

·
94% (9)

Drive, hike, fish, and camp in The Wayne for a wilderness adventure.  

Camper favorites near Wayne National Forest

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Calendar icon
Snag sold-out campsites.
Get notified the instant a national park campsite becomes available, for free.
Van icon
See the best spots in one place.
Explore 500K+ public lands, RV resorts, and private sites you won't find anywhere else.
Star icon
Book with confidence.
Read millions of real reviews from campers like you—so you know what to expect.

Stories from the community

Top public campgrounds in the park

Stay at a public campground in Wayne National Forest

Top-rated campgrounds

Blue Dog Bike Camp

100%
(17)
6.8mi from Wayne National Forest · 3 sites · Tents · Nelsonville, OH
BOOKING CALENDAR BLOCKED FOR THE REMAINDER OF 2025 INTO 2026. PLEASE SEND A MESSAGE IF YOU WANT TO CAMP AND THERE IS A VERY GOOD CHANCE, WE WILL ACCOMMODATE YOU. Our little campground began as Bailey Wayne Bike Camp. In 2023 we learned that Wayne National Forest wanted to drop "Wayne" from its name, so we decided to rename our campground and campsites in memory of Raleigh and Blue, two wonderful dogs who we wish were still with us. This area was once a booming coal mining town in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The hollow was made up of hundreds of company homes, several mines, and other company buildings. As the mines died, the forest slowly took over. In the 1980s the National Forest began acquiring ownership. Today, we are just a stone's throw from the new Baileys Trail System. My wife and I have been biking for years; we've spent a lot of time camping and biking in OH, KY, WV, and NC. We primarily ride gravel routes on our tandem mountain bike around Athens and Washington Counties in Ohio. Our property is 3 acres, which offers enough room to open up a couple primitive campsites so we can share the peacefulness of the forest.
Toilets
Campfires
Trash
from 
$24
 / night

Salt Creek Camp at Sunnyvale Farm

94%
(35)
9.7mi from Wayne National Forest · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · Chauncey, OH
Established in 1949, Sunnyvale Farm spans 160 acres of scenic trees and grain fields in the foothills of Southeast Ohio, nestled along the tranquil Hocking River. With nearly 120 acres of forested land featuring diverse elevation changes, our campground offers a serene retreat to unwind or a perfect base for exploring nature. Enjoy proximity to adventure: just 3 minutes from Bailey mountain bike trails and the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway, 30 minutes from the stunning Hocking Hills, or 15 minutes from Strouds Run State Park. For those eager to explore the farm itself, hike through varied terrain with rewarding uphill climbs or take a leisurely stroll to discover our charming little grotto. If you prefer a touch of city life, the vibrant town of Athens is just minutes away, and you can reach Ohio University’s campus in under 10 minutes, all on paved roads. Please note that our campsites are located close to the road, so you may experience some road noise during your stay.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$18
 / night

Tenderfoot Learning Lab

99%
(95)
12mi from Wayne National Forest · 2 sites · Tents · New Marshfield, OH
Enjoy a private hike through old growth and pine forests. We have close to 3 miles of private trails with diverse ecosystems to explore and discover. (Leave No Trace, please) Our pond is also an attraction that can be swam in or fished. It is a 10 foot deep natural body of water that is managed carefully for optimum relaxation. (catch and release only, please) Tenderfoot Learning Lab is for students of all ages to learn how to live a sustainable life. Your stay here will help support our goal of teaching students to be critical thinkers who understand the effects of their choices in their communities. There are attractions all around us. -Ash Cave is within a 30 minute drive. -Zaleski state park is a 22 minute drive. Attractions UNDER 10 minutes away: - Fox Lake  - bass fishing and birdwatching  - Waterloo Wilderness Area - hiking and wild turkey hunting  -Athens Ohio - many great attractions including our world famous breweries (yes, plural) -Hockhocking Adena  Bikeway - A 21 mile rail to trail paved footpath between Nelsonville and Athens -Wayne National Forest Headquarters -  A patchwork of public land that covers over a quarter million acres of Appalachian foothills  We are located 22 miles from Hocking Hills State Park We can accommodate trailer parking with a pull around driveway for all the Hocking Hills ATV trails nearby. No riding on site.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$34
 / night

Butterfly Valley at Zaleski

100%
(25)
15mi from Wayne National Forest · 2 sites · RVs · New Marshfield, OH
UNPLUG & GET BACK TO NATURE at our secluded 3-acre PRIVATE RV RETREAT. Be immersed in nature and cocooned from the sights and sounds of city life. No cellular or wifi service will keep you communing with nature. String up your hammock on the banks of Hewitt Creek and bask in the peaceful serenity of nature. Stroll down our creekside path to the Paw-Paw patch and observe the kaleidoscope of wildlife including butterflies, birds, & bees. Come night, relax by our firepit and enjoy our unpolluted night sky. Park your camper at the end of our 120ft long private gravel driveway with 50-amp electric hook-up. Enjoy a large mowed clearing by the creek with firepit and picnic table. In late summer and fall, a field full of 8ft tall annual flowers keep you hidden from the few passing travelers. This is the perfect time to meander our Butterfly Walking Trail through the meadow. Split seasoned firewood is usually available for purchase. Plenty of recreational opportunities are near for outdoor enthusiasts. We border the nearly 28K-acre Zaleski State Forest, which boasts of Hunting, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Backpacking, Mountain Biking, and more. LAKE HOPE STATE PARK is just 4 miles away down an old dirt road, with a 120-acre lake for boating, paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing and swimming. They also have a free public Shooting Range. HISTORICAL REMNANTS are sprinkled throughout the area, most notably the haunted Moonville Tunnel, Kings Hollow Tunnel and the Hope Iron Furnace. While we don't allow hunting on our property, PUBLIC HUNTING is permitted in Zaleski State Forest (bordering our property) as well as the neighboring Waterloo Wildlife Area and the 5000 acre Wild Turkey management area. NEARBY ATTRACTIONS: ~ 1/4 mi to Kings Hollow Tunnel ~ 3 mi to Moonville Tunnel ~ 4 mi to Lake Hope ~ 4 mi to Zaleski Shooting Range ~ 4 mi to Uncle Bucks Riding Stable ~ 4 mi to Hope Iron Furnace ~ 8 miles to Albany, OH ~ 12 mi to Athens, OH ~ 17 mi to Dorr Run ATV Trails Wayne National Forest (145 miles of trails) ~ 30m to Burr Oak State Park ~ 20 minutes from Old Man’s Cave, Hocking State Park ~ 1hr drive from Columbus *This property has the potential to flood with prolonged heavy rains.
Pets
Campfires
from 
$48
 / night

The best camping in Wayne National Forest, OH guide

Overview

About

Explore The Wayne, located in southeastern Ohio and the only national forest in the state. A huge trail system in the forest offers hikers, horseback riders, and ATV enthusiasts room to roam. ATV trails make this a unique wilderness experience. Ride your ATV or horse exclusively from mid-December to mid-April without needing to worry about hikers on foot.

Head to Shawnee lookout tower for dynamic views of the surrounding countryside. This is the only original tower left in the forest from the 1930s. You can't go up in the tower, but its location is a fantastic place to see rolling hills and forests.

Walk across or under Irish Run Natural Bridge. This stone edifice measures 51 feet long, 19 feet wide, 16 feet thick, and 39 feet high. Stand with you and a group of people, because the bridge can support an entire group at once.

Stay at developed campgrounds near Iron Ridge or Oak Hill. Camp with your horse at Stone Church Horse Camp. Pack for the backcountry at Burr Oak Cove.

94%
9 ratings · 3 reviews