Cedar Ridge Backcountry Campsite

Hello, Ohio's dedicated backpackers and wilderness enthusiasts! If your idea of a perfect escape involves disconnecting from the everyday and truly immersing yourself in nature, then Cedar Ridge Backcountry Campsite in Germantown, OH, is a destination you absolutely need to know about. This isn't your typical drive-up campground with endless amenities; it's a genuine primitive backpacking experience, designed for those who appreciate self-reliance and the raw beauty of the outdoors.

Cedar Ridge Backcountry Campsite offers a rare opportunity within the Five Rivers Metroparks system to engage in true wilderness-style camping. It's a "primitive backpacking campsite," meaning you'll need to be prepared to pack in all your necessities and embrace a minimalist approach. This makes it an ideal spot for experienced campers, Scout troops practicing their wilderness skills, or individuals seeking solitude and a deeper connection with nature without venturing too far from Ohio's convenient access points. The allure of this site lies in its simplicity and the challenge it presents, rewarding campers with a quiet and authentic outdoor experience.

Accessing this unique campsite requires a permit from Five Rivers Metroparks, a small step that helps manage the site's usage and preserve its pristine condition. The permit fee is quite reasonable, becoming even more affordable on weekdays and during the off-season, making it an accessible option for those looking for a budget-friendly adventure. Upon arrival, you'll find a well-maintained space that thoughtfully balances primitive conditions with essential conveniences for backpackers. The campsite features three individual sites, each providing enough room for one to two small tents, ensuring a sense of privacy even if other groups are present. A common area is designated for cooking and eating, fostering a sense of shared community among fellow adventurers.

One of the practical amenities that truly enhances the primitive camping experience here is the inclusion of a pole with hooks at each campsite. This allows campers to safely hang their food bags, backpacks, or lanterns, keeping them secure from critters and off the ground. It's a small but significant detail that seasoned backpackers will undoubtedly appreciate. While fires are not permitted here, aligning with backcountry preservation practices, bringing a reliable camp stove is a must for preparing meals. This emphasis on Leave No Trace principles ensures the campsite remains clean and well-preserved for future visitors, a commitment that dedicated outdoor enthusiasts will respect and uphold.

Despite its primitive nature, the campsite is consistently described as "very clean and well maintained." This speaks volumes about the dedication of Five Rivers Metroparks in providing a quality experience even in a backcountry setting. Campers have noted the ample space between sites, ensuring privacy, and the surprisingly manageable bug situation. While some external noise from nearby roads and occasional gunshots from across the river have been noted as a minor downside by a few, the overall experience of having the place to oneself or with minimal company often outweighs these factors, allowing for a truly peaceful and undisturbed night under the Ohio stars.

Cedar Ridge Backcountry Campsite is located at 7511 Creek Rd, Germantown, OH 45327, USA. This address places it within the beautiful and expansive Germantown MetroPark, which is part of the larger Five Rivers Metroparks system in the greater Dayton area. For Ohio residents, Germantown is a recognizable location in Montgomery County, offering a balance of natural landscapes and reasonable proximity to urban centers.

Germantown MetroPark itself is situated to the southwest of Dayton, providing a serene escape while remaining accessible via Ohio's network of state and local roads. While the campsite is a "backcountry" location, meaning you won't drive your vehicle directly to your tent, the access point off Creek Road makes it a manageable journey to the trailhead. Creek Road connects to broader routes like State Route 725 and State Route 4, which in turn lead to major interstates such as I-75 and I-70. This ensures that backpackers and outdoor enthusiasts from Cincinnati, Columbus, or other parts of Ohio can reach the park with relative ease, making it a convenient destination for a wilderness immersion experience.

The "primitive" nature of the campsite extends to water availability. As noted by a reviewer, there is no potable water on-site. Campers must either pack in all their water or be prepared to source and purify water from the nearby river. The river, while accessible, may require a walk of about half a mile or some careful navigation down an embankment to reach a suitable collection point, as one camper experienced. This emphasizes the need for proper planning and equipment (like a water filter or purification tablets) for those intending to stay overnight.

Despite the primitive aspects, the location within Germantown MetroPark offers an extensive network of trails for hiking and exploring, providing plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure right from your campsite. While some external noise from SR 725 and Creek Road has been noted, the overall setting within a large metro park system aims to provide a sense of natural tranquility. The accessibility to the park, combined with its backcountry feel, makes Cedar Ridge Backcountry Campsite an appealing choice for those seeking a genuine primitive camping challenge within a manageable distance for most Ohioans.

• Primitive Backpacking Campsites: Provides 3 dedicated campsites for primitive backpacking, each accommodating 1-2 small tents.
• Permit Required: Access is granted only with a valid permit from Five Rivers Metroparks, which can be obtained for a fee (lower on weekdays and off-season).
• Common Area: A designated shared space for cooking and eating, fostering community among campers.
• Food Bag/Gear Poles: Each campsite is equipped with a pole with hooks for hanging food bags, backpacks, and lanterns, essential for critter management.
• Latrine: A basic, well-maintained latrine is available for sanitation needs.
• "Leave No Trace" Environment: Emphasizes environmental responsibility, with no fires allowed (camp stoves required) and expectations for packing out all trash.
• Well-Maintained Site: Despite its primitive nature, the site is noted for being very clean and well-cared for by the park management.
• Ample Space Between Sites: Provides a good distance between campsites for privacy, even when other groups are present.
• Access to Germantown MetroPark Trails: Offers direct access to a vast network of hiking trails within Germantown MetroPark.
• Wilderness Experience: Designed to provide a genuine backcountry camping experience, requiring self-sufficiency.

• True Primitive Backpacking: Offers an authentic wilderness camping experience within a developed park system, ideal for seasoned backpackers and those seeking a challenge.
• Permit System for Controlled Access: Ensures a less crowded and well-managed environment, preserving the natural feel.
• Thoughtful Basic Amenities: Inclusion of food hanging poles and a latrine enhances the primitive camping experience without compromising its core nature.
• Exceptional Cleanliness: Consistently praised for being "very clean and well maintained," a key highlight for a backcountry site.
• Privacy Between Sites: Ample space between the 3 campsites ensures a sense of solitude even if other groups are present.
• Focus on "Leave No Trace": Encourages responsible outdoor ethics, promoting environmental preservation.
• Beautiful Park Setting: Located within the expansive and well-regarded Germantown MetroPark, offering scenic views and abundant nature.
• Accessibility from Major Ohio Cities: While primitive, its location near Dayton makes it a convenient option for a wilderness escape for many Ohioans.
• Opportunity for Self-Sufficiency: Requires campers to pack in water and use camp stoves, promoting essential backpacking skills.
• Wildlife Observation Potential: Located in a natural setting, offering opportunities to observe local fauna (though critters tend to leave campers alone if food is secured).

Address: 7511 Creek Rd, Germantown, OH 45327, USA

Phone: (937) 277-4374

Mobile Phone: +1 937-277-4374

It is important to note that permits for Cedar Ridge Backcountry Campsite are obtained through Five Rivers Metroparks. While the provided phone number is likely for general inquiries or the main park office, specific permit information and booking procedures should be sought directly from the Five Rivers Metroparks website or their administrative offices.

For Ohio locals who crave a genuine wilderness experience without having to travel hundreds of miles, Cedar Ridge Backcountry Campsite in Germantown is an exceptionally suitable and highly rewarding destination. This site is tailored for those who embrace the challenge and tranquility of primitive backpacking, offering a stark contrast to more developed campgrounds. It provides an accessible entry point into true backcountry camping right here in our own state, making it ideal for seasoned adventurers, scout leaders training their troops, or anyone looking to truly disconnect and test their self-sufficiency skills.

The permit system, managed by Five Rivers Metroparks, ensures that the campsite remains pristine and less crowded, allowing for a more authentic and solitary experience. This is a significant advantage for Ohioans seeking quiet contemplation and an escape from the hustle and bustle. While you'll need to pack in your own water and use a camp stove, these requirements reinforce the primitive nature of the site, appealing to those who prefer a "Leave No Trace" approach to outdoor recreation. The thoughtful inclusion of features like food hanging poles and a well-maintained latrine demonstrates that even in a primitive setting, comfort and responsible practices are considered.

Despite the minor considerations of external noise from nearby roads, the overall sentiment from campers highlights the site's cleanliness, the ample space between sites ensuring privacy, and the general peace it offers. The location within the beautiful Germantown MetroPark provides access to extensive trails, allowing for immediate exploration and immersion in nature directly from your campsite. For Ohioans passionate about backpacking and seeking a challenging yet rewarding overnight in a well-managed natural area, Cedar Ridge Backcountry Campsite stands as a unique and invaluable resource right in our own backyard, promising a memorable and authentic wilderness adventure.

Cedar Ridge Backcountry Campsite

7511 Creek Rd, Germantown, OH 45327, USA