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Lazy Day Campground's gated dog park provides a dedicated space for pets to exercise off-leash while camping near Ashland, Missouri. The campground features clean, level sites with full hookups for RVs and tent camping areas with partial shade. Pets are welcome throughout the grounds with standard leash requirements when outside designated pet areas. Cottonwoods RV Park & Campground and Pine Ridge Recreation Area also accommodate pets with spacious sites and nearby walking trails. Campers note the dog park is particularly spacious, allowing dogs to run freely without disturbing other guests. Most campgrounds in the area maintain standard pet policies requiring proof of vaccinations, proper waste disposal, and restrictions against excessive barking during quiet hours. The bathrooms and shower facilities at these pet-friendly campgrounds are generally well-maintained and clean.
The Mark Twain National Forest offers several pet-friendly camping options with hiking trails where leashed dogs can join their owners. Pine Ridge Recreation Area provides free primitive camping with vault toilets and drinking water, though visitors should check pets thoroughly for ticks after hiking the trails. Cooper's Landing Campgrounds and Marina welcomes pets along the Missouri River with access to the Katy Trail for dog walking. The trail system provides miles of pet-friendly paths for exercise and exploration. During summer months, early morning or evening walks are recommended to avoid hot surfaces that can damage paw pads. Several campgrounds feature water access where dogs can cool off, though swimming policies vary by location. Campers with pets should be aware of wildlife in the area, including the possibility of encountering ticks in overgrown areas, particularly at Dry Fork Recreation Area.
"A beautiful campground located right next to the Missouri River. Live music, amazing Thai food, general store with snacks, beer, ice cream and merchandise."
"See beautiful scenery on the MO River & Katy Trail. You may get to see a paddleboat cruising the river."
from $10 - $60 / night
Check Availability"Close to Columbia but far enough away for a getaway. Easy to find from the road, even in the dark. Fire pits and picnic tables are there. Vault toilets and running water available."
"Only bummer was lots of ticks and there must be a gun range nearby, which set off our dog's anxiety."
"Visited in March 2021, some pot holes in drive way, but manageable. Trees seemed to be trimmed back compared to other reviews. Nice facilities and great staff!"
"The camp sites are very close to each other. But the campers around us were very nice. Only needed one night and it worked prayer for us."
from $45 - $52 / night
Check Availability"An easy and beautiful spot to camp for free near I-70. About 15 minutes of a stunning drive away from the interstate. Plenty of sites, lots, and places to rest for the night. All free and secluded!"
"When I arrived, I noticed that there were a ton of beautiful primitive trails besides the well-constructed boardwalks. And I also learned that there were even more caves, such as Connor's Cave."
"Great trails for biking and hiking and the creek is perfect for cooling off. However, this place can get really really busy."
"We had a fine one-night stay while traveling through, but encountered A LOT of ticks on the overgrown trail. BEWARE of ticks and check yourselves and your pets if staying here. No cell service."
"Others had left some trash around. we picked up what we could. please pack it out if You pack it in.."
"A full disc golf course nearby and several ball fields. We love this park. The lake offers amazing fishing wether from boat or shore. Lots of bass crappie and catfish."
"This is a great place for us to take our dog to run and also a great place to mountain bike. Trails are color coded and they do a great job of separating them by difficulty."
"Plenty of room to be camped away from others."
"Kinda drive in and park anywhere you see a firepit. We had a rooftop tent on the truck and a tent. We camped near the smaller pond."
GuideCleanest campground with all the amenities. The hosts are the owners and they are so nice and helpful. You follow them to your site and they deliver firewood if you paid for it. Sites are clean. There is a gated dog park. Everything above is at the campground. Our dog really liked the owner too.
GuideWe were parked on a hill with lots of gravel. Campsites are very narrow. But there was a very nice pond to fish at although it was a bit of a hike to get to. They have a dog park which was nice.
GuideGreat staff, wonderful level sites. Bathroom on site. Pool during season. Partially shaded. Dog walk area. Pet friendly.
LegendStayed for one night, water/elec only. Easy on/off the interstate and staff is very friendly. Assigned site was in the back of the park and nice and shady. They have a very nice, large dog park which our pups loved. Being in the back of the campground we had to walk a little to get there, but no big deal. Did not use their showers or bathroom, so can’t comment on that. Booked to stay again on our return trip.
ScoutWe are homeless and we got a campsite for two week here and I got a special needs child. And my boy were up at the water and all I did was call then over to me and I get 3 cops at my site. When cross from me the people at that site start there car off and on all night and dog parks from 6 am to 8 am. But I get told if I am loud I get kick out. Thank you for the welcoming feel
LegendThe campground (CG) was easy to find, located just 5 miles off I-70 with clear signage along the way. We parked at the designated registration area, and check-in was quick for our one-night stay. We were then escorted to pull-through site 17 with full hookups. The gravel pad was fairly level, and although the utilities were toward the back of the site, we had no trouble connecting. There were two sewer hookups—a nice touch. Water is shared, but the pressure was solid at about 50 psi. Sites are decently spaced, though some are closer together; ours was relatively close to the next site on the driver side. Our site had a nice yard, picnic table, and fire pit, but if someone had been in the site next to us, we would have been sharing that area. We got 2 bars on Verizon and 3 bars on T-Mobile, and our T-Mobile Home Internet worked very well. The CG WiFi was fine for email and web browsing. While the grounds have mature trees, most sites—including 17—are satellite-friendly. The 1/2-acre dog park was especially impressive. There was a mix of permanent, seasonal, and short-term guests. The park was clean, well-maintained, and featured fun wood carvings. The setting includes a pond and a trail to a small lake. A small camp store, ice, and propane are also available. Overall, this is a solid CG for overnight or extended stays. Out of the 325+ campgrounds we've visited, this one has the best rules sheet—hands down. It's hilarious, and you’ll instantly get their vibe!
LegendThe Pine Ridge Campground a few miles down the road was full, so we ended up at 1 of the 8 sites here. This is an equestrian campground that allows non-horse campers, but prefers you check Pine Ridge first. We had a fine one-night stay while traveling through, but encountered A LOT of ticks on the overgrown trail. BEWARE of ticks and check yourselves and your pets if staying here. No cell service.
TravelerGorgeous little lake. Vault toilets. Our camp fire ring was shaped like a heart! Probably not on purpose but we liked it. Very quiet. Lots of fishing. And we actually saw the cat!
ScoutStayed here for 2 nights, was a very peaceful and quite area to sleep. No disturbances. Right on the lake, plenty of fish. Bathrooms are fairly disgusting and full of spiders and there is a stray cat that stalks your food.
Missouri's Ashland area offers camping options nestled in the Ozark Highland region, where the terrain transitions from prairie to forest. The area experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures frequently exceeding 90°F and mild winters, making spring and fall ideal for camping trips. Campgrounds near Ashland range from primitive sites in conservation areas to full-hookup RV parks with amenities.
Trail exploration: Connect with multiple systems at Cooper's Landing Campgrounds and Marina where campers can access the Katy Trail for biking or hiking. "Katy trail is easy biking beautiful views, shaded. Blue birds, cardinals and also an indigo bunting were seen our first trip out," writes Brenda P.
Fishing: Cast a line in stocked waters with options for both experienced and novice anglers. At Binder Park Campground, you'll find "amazing fishing whether from boat or shore. Lots of bass crappie and catfish. Lake has a motor restriction and a bait shop," according to Josh S.
Cave exploration: Visit natural formations within driving distance of most campgrounds. The area features several underground systems worth exploring. "Great primitive trails besides the well-constructed boardwalks. And I also learned that there were even more caves, such as Connor's Cave," notes Ashley F. about recreation areas near Ashland.
Evening entertainment: Live music and gathering spots are popular at Hanson Hills Campground where campers enjoy community activities. "This was the best campground. We stayed over the labor day weekend and the campground was full of activities for the kids. There was a live band and karaoke," shares Misty F.
Water access: Scenic river views provide both recreation and relaxation opportunities. "Watched the sunset by the river and it was beautiful. The river is wide and deep here. Current and undertows make it definitely not suitable for swimming. You can see the water swirling and churning," notes Brenda P. about Cooper's Landing.
Affordability: Free and low-cost camping options exist throughout the region. "Free camping, donations are encouraged. Two water spigots in the camping area. Pit toilets are fairly clean. Busy on the weekends, best time is middle of the week," writes Paul K. about camping in the Mark Twain National Forest.
Seasonal closures: Check availability before traveling as some campgrounds close during winter months. "Closed for the season," reports one reviewer about Pine Ridge Recreation Area, while another notes it reopens in April.
Wildlife concerns: Ticks are prevalent in warmer months at Pine Ridge Recreation Area. "We had a fine one-night stay while traveling through, but encountered A LOT of ticks on the overgrown trail. BEWARE of ticks and check yourselves and your pets if staying here," warns Meghan B.
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies by location throughout the area. "No cell service," mentions a reviewer about Pine Ridge, while others note good coverage at other locations: "Great AT&T service" at Hanson Hills Campground.
Swimming alternatives: Consider pools instead of natural water for safer family recreation. "The pool was clean and the grounds were very clean and nice. The pond was a great place to relax and watch the kids reel in fish after fish," reports Misty F. about pet friendly camping near Ashland, Missouri.
Plan for varied weather: Prepare for temperature swings especially during spring and fall camping trips. Temperatures can fluctuate significantly between day and night.
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and designated recreation areas. "They have a cute stage for what looked like live music," mentions Emily about Cottonwoods RV Park & Campground, which also features "a really nice playground."
Site selection considerations: Check spacing between sites as some campgrounds place RVs close together. "Our slide nearly went over the patio of the next site over," notes David E. about Cottonwoods RV Park.
Leveling challenges: Bring adequate leveling equipment as terrain varies across campgrounds. "Only had to level front to back," reports David E., while others mention more significant leveling needs at other campgrounds near Ashland.
Access road conditions: Navigate gravel and dirt roads leading to some camping areas. "A short excursion down a dirt road made the place feel remote, but within the comforts of society," notes Joceline D. about reaching Finger Lakes State Park Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Ashland, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Ashland, MO is Cooper’s Landing Campgrounds and Marina with a 4.1-star rating from 18 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Ashland, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 69 dog-friendly camping locations near Ashland, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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