Going to check out Wayne national forest this May and was hoping some of you guy's that have been there will chime in. I've found some decent info o the trails but not so much about the surrounding area. Good campgrounds close to the trails? I've found a couple with direct access to the trails but there's got to be more out there. I see that New Straitsville is ATV friendly, are any of the other towns in the area? Would love to find something in the middle of the three different trail systems so it would be easy access to all with out having to trailer from the camp grounds. The campgrounds around the northern section of the Monday creek system are close by but really cant find much to the southern areas where I could get to the others via a short run down the road. So far Williams campground in logan OH. and Begley campground in New straitsville are the only one with any info at all and are close to the trail heads. Happy to hear any and all info!

 

ReadyMixer...we ride multiple hundreds of miles every season at Wayne. We have only ridden the Monday Creek system (just b/c they have only recently connected any of the southern systems enough to actually amount to any reasonable mileage...and the are still working on that). Now what I can tell you about Monday Creek...two campgrounds williams which is right on the trail but definitely not your fine establishment of a campground (to the point that the showers supposedly have inch(es) of mud in them (never stayed there, but ridden through the place while meeting someone else). Begley's in New Straitsville...town is ATV friendly but really doesn't offer anything--unless you want to go to the library while you are riding...there is a small convenience store that is happy to take as much money as they can get and a pizza shop that is only open for dinner. I think there is actually a little bar too, but again you are only talking dinner and evening/night. There is no gas available! Begley's is a decent campground just from riding through it!

Something to keep in mind about both camping areas and town...you are on the very north end of the system and probably 15-18 miles from the biggest part of the trail...and it is one trail that leads down to that area. We always camp down at dorr run right in the thick of the trails...you can camp free at any of the trailheads. It is primitive camping with a latrine available, you can build a fire, and enjoy yourself (just no alcohol allowed). Our typical weekend consists of pulling in on a friday night and going out for a night ride (15-20 miles) and then get up and put in a decent day on saturday (75-85 miles) and then pull out on saturday late afternoon to allow everyone to get home and in their own bed! I don't know what you look for in camping, but I really would not recommend either of those campground simply b/c of location rather than quality. We camp at p2 if you look at the map...post back with any questions...we have been riding the area for the last 4 yrs and would love to show you around sometime if you would like to join for a ride-PM me if interested (we are riding there April 20th weekend if you would like to join-hopefully 5-8 of us with one sport quad, 1 side by side, and mainly utility quads).

 

How long are you planning to stay, guys weekend, camping needs, what part of the season are you aiming for, is alcohol a must, more focused on riding or just kicking back and using riding as an excuse to do so? As mentioned above, we ride a lot of miles there, know the trails very well and are glad to answer questions. You are always welcome to join us. Around the Monday Creek area you will be about a 10-15 minute drive to the town of Logan. They have pretty much everything you need...gas, food, Walmart, etc. and you can get your passes in town there or get them online. As mentioned we camp in p2 down by the dorr run area but there is also a trailhead at Monday creek that is free but only has a latrin. From there though you are looking at about a 1.5 hr ride up to New Straitsville for dinner, etc. Where we camp we have to haul *** to make it in 2 hours. Something nice about riding there is you can ride 24 hrs so you can so night trail rides. They also have some weekends that offer free riding so could save on buying passes if staying for just a day or two. Anyways, post up any questions and we will help you out.

 

i was working in Gallipolis ohio fixing hail damaged cars a few years ago. The guys in the shop were real nice and talked me into going home(st louis,mo) to get my atv to do some riding. we rode all over but I rode the wayne national forest by myself and I think it was a real nice trail. I think i parked at Straitsville campground? I may have just drove through there,anyway it was a very friendly place and I only rode about 20 miles one way to another atv campground then came back but it was a good ride, very nice place. Im taking my wife there soon. Were actually going to black mountain offroad in Kentucky this weekend.

 

Something else you might consider if staying in the WNF area for a couple days of riding is checking out Perry State Forest for a day of riding. The two riding parks are pretty close in proximity but offer completely different types of riding. Perry is more mud and more challenging to get through. If you go there you will want to make sure to have a winch or two. Perry is free with a state sticker (not sure if Ohio and Indiana have reciprocity). It only has around 20 miles of trails, but you probably won't manage covering the park more than twice in the day. You wnt find many flat and smooth trails there!

 

Thanks so much guys for the info. I may hit you guys up for the april 20 weekend. Would be 3-5 of us. It's difficult to say if it is do-able. Depends on everybody's schedule, particularly work, time off, etc. Everyone agreed on May 11 or 25 but April 20 might work? Would be great to get with you guys and have a guided tour for the weekend! As far as camping goes my brother and I don't mind ruffing it and have a lack of amenities but I cant speak for everyone. One in particular can't stand to go more than 2 days with out a hot shower or he'll start whining. We typically arrive at a place mid day Friday and leave Sunday afternoon. When we go ride we like to put on the miles! We'll ride 200+ up in Baldwin MI in 2 days, At haspin acres it's not mileage it's more seat time, sun up to sun down. Kicking back isn't in the itinerary when wheeling. As far as alcohol goes I can take it or leave it and like wise for everyone in my group. Nice to unwind around a fire with a few beers but not a have to. I'll PM one of you guys if everything works out for that weekend.

 

I understand the not kicking back while riding...we drove there to ride. If I wanted to kick back, I would have done that at home! We rode 130 mile day last summer. Let us know...if the April ride doesn't work and you are still interested in a "guided tour" we(at least one of us) could possibly do one ofthose weekends that you are referencing.

 

Well I've already been making some calls and I will probably make it there late late Friday night or early Saturday and ride Saturday with you guys and maybe my brother but that's probably it. Everyone else has obligations but I'm good with that. Their loss not mine! Hoping all works to the good.