The 5 Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds in Ohio

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There’s nothing like retreating to the great outdoors to spend quality time with your furry best friend.

When you feel like getting away from it all, Ohio is the perfect state for this. From the Columbus metro area to Cincinnati, there are many dog-friendly campgrounds throughout the state.

Here are five of the best ones in Ohio that welcome dogs!

Read More:

Where Can You Camp With Dogs in Ohio?

Ohio Campgrounds - Hocking Hills State Park
Caption: Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio

Alum Creek State Park Campground

Located in Delaware near Columbus, Ohio, Alum Creek State Park Campground is one of the best places to camp with your dog. One reason is that the park has a fenced-in beach where your pup can run off-leash and swim!

There are also plenty of trails in the park that you and your pup can explore together. Of which, there’s one multi-purpose 7-mile hiking trail that can be used for dog sledding, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. What’s more, you can also go fishing, boating, and kayaking in the park!

Both tent camping spots and RV sites are available at Alum Creek State Park Campground, with some overlooking the lake. The sites are mostly level, nicely shaded, and have picnic tables, 50-amp electric hookups, heated showers with flush toilets, and dump stations.

A.W. Marion State Park Campground

Another great place to camp with your dog is A.W. Marion State Park, located in Circleville.

A 310-acre park encircling a 145-acre Hargus Lake, A.W. Marion State Park is a beautiful place to escape with your dog and enjoy camping, hunting, fishing, boating, and hiking the popular 5-mile Hargus Lake Trail that goes around the lake.

There are 56 campsites, with 28 electrical and 28 non-electric, in A.W. Marion State Park available for tents and RVs.

Hocking Hills State Park

Ask most people who live in Columbus what one of their favorite places to camp with dogs is, and you’ll most likely hear the Hocking Hills State Park. In fact, it is referred to as one of Ohio’s crown jewels.

This park has over 25 miles of trails and places to explore, including the famous Old Man’s Cave, Ash Cave, Rock House, Conkle’s Hollow, Cedar Falls, and Cantwell Cliffs. You can also go rock climbing, rappelling, and zip-lining in the park, making it a perfect camping getaway for you and your canine companion.

When it comes to camping in Hocking Hills State Park, there are three different locations to choose from, The Riverside, Canoe Livery, and Fun Center Campgrounds. The Fun Center Campgrounds have electric hookups, whereas the other two areas are more suitable for campers who prefer to camp in a natural setting.

Miami Whitewater Forest Campground

If you’re looking to camp with your dog in the Cincinnati area, then Miami Whitewater Forest Campground is an excellent destination for you and your pup.

This campground is nestled in a more than 4,000 acres Miami Whitewater Forest, located 30 minutes northwest of downtown Cincinnati. It’s the largest park in Hamilton County and a hiker’s paradise, where there are more than 10 miles of hiking trails that meander through the serene natural landscape.

It also features opportunities for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, horseback riding, golfing, picnicking, geocaching, and winter outdoor activities like snowshoeing, sledding, and cross-country skiing.

A total of 46 campsites are available at Miami Whitewater Forest Campground. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring, and 30-amp electric hookup. There’s also a shower building, playground, dump station, as well as an 11-acre dog park where your canine can enjoy running off-leash and agility courses!

Winton Woods Campground

Last but not least, Winton Woods Campground is another great campground to consider if you want to camp with your dog near Cincinnati.

This campground has lots of amenities and is within walking distance to Winton Woods Harbor. It is great for those who are seeking a more comfortable camping experience than at a primitive site.

There are 25 RV back-in sites and 12 RV pull-through sites with full hookups, and 68 tent sites with 30-amp electricity, and all sites have picnic tables and fire rings. Rustic camping cabins with beds, kitchen tables, electricity, and heat and air conditioning are also available.