Sawmill Road Campground

This is reclaimed land from the mining days for central OH. There are several campgrounds nearby, including Hook Lake, Maple Grove, Sand Hollow, Bicentennial, Wood Grove and Loop C. Camping is free but permits are required and may be printed from the web or picked up at local businesses.

I spent 2 nights over the weekend in early August

Pros:

-Tons of sites spread out over numerous campgrounds.
-Free!!
-Quiet. I was told campground "C" was the rowdiest campground and that it is often much busier at most of the campgrounds.
-You could stay for up to 3 months.
-Year-round camping at some campgrounds.
-Friendly campers
-Big sites
-Not many rules, pet friendly
-Water available
-Bathrooms available but I did not use.
-Fairly remote for Ohio
-Gravel roads were in great shape
-Trash cans, picnic tables, fire rings at sites

Cons:

-Bugs: lots of them
-No stores or services close by
-No cell service at Sawmill. Decent 3g close by at the overlook, not far from the campground. I had a pretty decent 3g connection on Verizon with a booster at the overlook.

Link to short hyperlapse video of the campground: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CblfJWXWzqc

I've stayed at most of the AEP campgrounds over the years, and in all seasons. This one is pretty nice, and I stayed here 2 nights this week. For free, I can't really complain about anything. Most people tend to turn off generators at decent hours, but not always. I would go here, or any of the AEP campgrounds in the area.

Gravel road in, is in decent condition. I've been here on sport bikes, and adventure bikes without issue. I come here, as AT&T doesn't have service, so I can really get away. At some of the other AEP areas, I do have reception

This is a primitive camping, boondocking, and dry camping area with numbered sites that are available on a first come, first-served basis. There are multiple vault toilets and trash dumpsters at the campground. Registration is required at the on-site kiosk. Free camping at the Sawmill Road Campground is limited to 14 days. There is no Verizon or AT&T cellular service at this location. This campground is former AEP Recreation Land. Check out our video tour on this newest addition to Ohio’s State Park system; the video tour is uploaded here on Campendium for your immediate reference.

First trip in my little guy teardrop camper.. mid September.2022.. stayed 2 nights,very quiet,and almost felt totally alone,although there were a few other campers.. the ranger did issue my dog a warning about not being on her leash,but no other contact …
I have always liked camping in this area,but in the old days we used to take a chainsaw,and cut our firewood,and always left a weeks worth of wood for the next campers,,but that is a no no these days..