Ohio: AEP ReCreation Lands

I've been there many times over the years, but not in the last 10 years, I was wondering if it still gets really crowded memorial weekends? And if it does, is there a good chance to find a camp spot big enough for a 28 ft rv on Thursday morning before the holiday? We just got a TH this week, and are excited to go camping in it, been tent camping for way too many years.
And, yes you should keep stuff locked up when away from camp. One time I went there, not many people there, I went to get firewood, came back and my cooler full of beer was gone. The fishing there is really good most times I've been there, the hardest part is deciding which ponds to try, there are about 350 ponds in the area.

Thanks T.Z.T. Glad to hear it.

The permit is free and is life time.

I have stayed there many times and it is a very nice place to stay. There are several areas to camp at, Look at the map online and you will see the different lacations.
You should be able to get your camper into most of the areas with no problem. I have never had any problems with anyone there or any thing stolen. Every time we have been there we see the Sheriffs and State Patrol in the area and in the camping areas. The DNR is in and out of the camping areas also.
There are a lot of ponds to fish and also hiking trails. Hope this helps.

LOL! Ooopsy!

I didn't realize I was breaking the "code" and giving away somebody's campground. Haha... I looked and looked and really didn't find much other info about it online. Just one blurb that somebody had heard a cousins friends sister say something about issues there - so thought I'd ask. Sounds like you've had good experiences.

I was looking at the website for the Wilds and that made me start looking for camping spots in the area. That's how I found ReCreation lands. Very sorry! No intention on my part to divulge any "sensitive" or "classified" information! ;-)

Maybe I should PM you and ask if I could get a 35 footer in there someplace and if its normally very crowded?

I'm also aware of the Wayne National Forrest lands - as a matter of fact one area "Lecta/Timbre Ridge lake" is listed as a boondocking site. It just so happens that this one is located just a few miles from where my farm is (The "Farm" in Farm Camp) and I've been there many times. I gotta tell you - that is some beautiful country but I'm not exactly sure where you'd put a camper! To be fair I think the website says that camping is allowed - but there are no designated camping sites.

On edit I learned that Timbre Ridge is tent only. That makes sense then...

Anyway. Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.

SSSHHHHH! Mike, don't tell anyone! It is a terrible place, roads are horrendous, you will destroy your RV trying to get into the area, all kinds of scary people hanging around.

Repeat after me, "There is no boondocking east of the Mississippi".

Just kidding, great place, kind of remote for some people. Expect graded gravel roads. The camping area is reclaimed coal mine land. There is also active coal mining nearby and those areas are off limits.

Hiking, biking, fishing. Most if not all of the camping areas have pit toilets. If you stay there be sure to visit The Wilds.

There is also free camping in the Wayne National Forest in Ohio. But don't tell anyone that either!