Perry Township Park features ten pet-friendly campsites along Lake Erie's shoreline, providing both tent and RV sites with electrical hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings. The campground maintains clean restrooms and shower facilities for campers with pets. Most tent sites offer views of the water while remaining affordably priced at $15 per night. Lake Erie Bluffs offers an alternative camping experience with walk-in tent sites where dogs are permitted. The campground provides firewood at each site, with campsites positioned to capture lake views and sunset vistas over the water. Campers report hearing the calming sounds of waves hitting the bluff below while watching eagles soar over the lake.
Hiking trails at Penitentiary Glen Reservation accommodate leashed pets with secluded campsites set back in the woods for privacy. The gorge trails provide scenic walks for campers and their dogs, though visitors should be aware of wildlife in the area, including coyote activity reported by overnight guests. Thompson/Grand River Valley KOA Holiday offers extensive pet amenities including two dog parks, dog washing stations, and specially designated fenced dog sites for campers with pets. The campground's pet-friendly accommodations include tent sites, RV spots with full hookups, and cabin options. Big Creek Park provides additional pet-friendly options with trails suitable for dog walking and cabin accommodations where pets are permitted, all situated within a larger county park system featuring multiple fishing ponds with docks.
$27 - $50 / night
"Staff was great, check in area also has a little store with all the essentials stocked up, lots of trails, great for biking and hiking, a park for the kids, fishing, canoeing, showers, flush toilets, all"
"The location was great. Big lake with a lot of water sports. Fantastic (but technical) disc golf course. It was me, my fiancee and my dog in a rooftop tent on top of a Tacoma."
$25 - $45 / night
"Not a bad view to be had, easy access to the lake, and burgers and dogs at the pavilion."
"The campground is adjacent to the small community park and baseball fields. Very well maintained and quiet. As an added bonus it is right next to Lake Erie."
$29 - $75 / night
"The pads are paved and they left a section of trees/woods behind each site to provide some privacy between neighbors. The bathrooms are very clean and the staff were helpful and friendly."
"Geneva State Park Campground: This was our first trip here and given the COVID situation it was still very pleasant. "
$25 / night
"Plenty of fire wood provided and a short distance away from the gorge to walk. The second night had lots of coyotes around, which is cool but can be dangerous if not careful of course."
"Would have given this site 5 stars but the walk to the site was a bit more of a haul than expected. It was just myself, kids, and pup."
$10 - $20 / night
"Site was a walk-in site with plenty of room. Fire wood and kindling were at the site waiting for us when we got there. We had a perfect view of the sunset from the site."
"Walk in sites with a beautiful view of Lake Erie! Quiet, clean, well kept! Provided firewood was great! Able to watch Eagles soaring over Lake Erie listening to the waves hit the bluff below!"
"Fishing lake, swimming lake, trails. Children play areas. Basketball, bad mitten/volleyball, Dog wash, dog parks (2), private fenced dog sites. (2)- pull through site."
"We always ask for deluxe sites because we travel with 2 dogs and Iust lIke havIng the extra space. This KOA did not let us down."
"Most of the trails are small, well-marked, accessible, and easily walkable for families."
"Our site was lakeside and was probably the largest campsite I ever stayed in."
"We stayed here mid June on their premium lot, super large and right on fishing lake. We brought our canoe and enjoyed fishing and just cruising around."
$12 - $30 / night
"Many of the vendors at the nearby Medieval Faire stay here for the 5 week run of the faire. Because so many people return every year, you find people gathering around campfires to socialize."
"We have a large group that has stayed there for the last 6 years..always a great time and friendly people.. mostly fair goer's...best tent sites around.. looking forward to this year."
"While this is a spot in a smaller park with a lot of day use, the site is a walk off of the trail, and situated slightly lower than trail level for privacy. Amazing sounds, smells, and relaxation."
"Great small park with a hiking trail that takes about an hour or hour and a half, it has a waterfall, small tiny cave, bridges and stairs. Really well maintained paths, tiny gravel for less mud."
LegendStayed on a premium patio site and loved it. The campground and staff were awesome. Level site, great hook ups, awesome WiFi and cable. Clean facilities, 3 lakes (one with a fishing pier), 2 dog parks, and super friendly staff. 30 min to Cleveland. Walmart, gas stations and restaurants within 5 miles. Just off Ohio Turnpike, but can't hear it. Definitely recommend this KOA
Scoutfamily camping trip. we had a nice time with our kids, friends and dogs. the dog park was a bonus... we camped right next to it. perfect! playground, big open area and a nice pool!
ScoutStayed here to be close to the NP and it is a great little campground for a reasonable price. Big dog park with pond on the other side of the park. Sites are uneven but my favorite part was the wooded path.
GuideRight nearby there is a dog park called Bow Wow Beach:-) our dog absolutely loved it! We biked from our site!
LegendWe were in the area exploring Cuyahoga Nat Park and found Silver Springs. It was 18$ for a site with electric hook ups (15$ if you are a Stow resident) No option for no paying less for no hook-up camping. Water close by and port a pottie style bathrooms close to the camp sites. There are flush toilets a walk away but we didn’t use them. Sites are big and grassy but not super level. Wasn’t a big issue for us but could be for a bigger camper. The campground was calm and quiet. Lots of trails close by. Dog park down the street as well as a play ground and fishing pond! We had a great few days staying here and will be back if we are even passing thru Stow again.
LegendWe really loved this little spot! It appealed to all of what we were looking for, our camp host was awesome. There was even a dog park within walking distance- a lot of trails to explore too. No showers and the Porto potties weren't the cleanest... But they were functional. Very hospitable locals- we were invited to a square dancing party that evening in the park! Very comfy and safe.
ScoutThe bathrooms are portojons and there are no showers, however there is THE best dog park I have ever seen in this area. So my dogs loved this campground more than me and that was worth it. It was dark enough to see a space station cross the sky at night. The camping spaces are rather close, but so many people want to camp there, because of its proximity to everything amazing.
Travelerbest barhrooms around! showers great. bathrooms great. lots of “lakefront” spots. dog park is pretty great, too! good spot to camp for cayahoga falls national park.
LegendNice park with ample parking space. Rec hall, playground, dog park. Propane is on site.
Punderson State Park Campground offers year-round camping near Mentor, Ohio with terrain that ranges from flat lakeside sites to wooded areas with significant elevation changes. The park provides both developed campground facilities and unique hillside tent camping options that require hiking 20-100 feet up or down to reach secluded sites. Weather conditions vary seasonally with Lake Erie influences affecting precipitation patterns throughout the camping season.
Disc golf adventures: Punderson State Park Campground features an established disc golf course alongside other recreational options. "Opportunities for disc golf, archery range, canoeing/kayaking/row boats, swimming (no lifeguard) and golf," notes Rebecca G., highlighting the diverse activities available at this multi-use park.
Paddle the waters: Rent watercraft to explore the lakes at several parks. "Boat ramp, disc golf, trails, kayak rentals, archery range and more," writes John R. about Punderson State Park. For Lake Erie access, Geneva State Park Campground provides water recreation with "nice campground within walking distance to Lake Erie" according to Darrel and Mary W.
Bird watching: Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, especially for bird enthusiasts. At The West Woods, "TONS OF BIRDS you will hear them all day long and see all sorts of different kinds," reports Zachary A., making this location ideal for nature observation and photography.
Lakeside camping: Lake Erie Bluffs offers walk-in tent sites with unobstructed water views. Jessica R. raves about "walk in sites with a beautiful view of Lake Erie! Quiet, clean, well kept! Provided firewood was great! Able to watch Eagles soaring over Lake Erie listening to the waves hit the bluff below!"
Private wooded sites: Many campers appreciate secluded spots away from crowds. At The West Woods, Rebecca G. notes, "While this is a spot in a smaller park with a lot of day use, the site is a walk off of the trail, and situated slightly lower than trail level for privacy. Amazing sounds, smells, and relaxation."
Spacious campsites: Hidden Lakes Family Campground receives praise for its generous site sizes. Greg K. shares, "Our site was lakeside and was probably the largest campsite I ever stayed in. Some areas where not as big, especially the pull through sites toward the front, but most of the sites on the back side were large."
Varying site conditions: Campsite quality can differ significantly between locations and within the same campground. At Punderson State Park, Coy warns, "The lots are not even close the level. You will need a lot of blocks to get close to level. Saw one RV with auto levelers with his tire about foot off the ground."
Limited availability: Some campgrounds have few non-seasonal sites. Jeff & Alison H. note about Perry Township Park, "There's only a few sites available. The rest are seasonal sites. The campground is adjacent to the small community park and baseball fields."
Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for wildlife activity, including potentially problematic species. At Penitentiary Glen Reservation, Ky G. reports, "The second night had lots of coyotes around, which is cool but can be dangerous if not careful of course. Coyotes were heard all around the general area."
Playgrounds and recreation: Family-friendly campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. Sarah Q. mentions Hidden Lakes has "nice big sites, not crowded together. Has pool and pond. Multiple play grounds."
Educational opportunities: Punderson State Park Campground provides learning experiences alongside camping. Daniel U. shares, "It was very fun walking around while learning some of the very old and somewhat creepy history. The lodge/hotel is beautiful and very old."
Accessibility considerations: Family camping requires planning for different mobility needs. Jenny K. notes about Punderson, "The sites are pretty far apart and you feel secluded but, at the same time, the bathrooms are close by. There is a lot of hiking and things to do around the area and even a playground for the kiddos."
Hookup limitations: RV campers should verify electrical capacity before booking. At Punderson State Park, Coy observes, "Very few full hookups. Rest of the sites only have 15-20 amp service," which may be insufficient for larger rigs with air conditioning or multiple appliances.
Campground navigation: Some areas have challenging terrain for larger vehicles. Joe I. advises about Punderson, "The sites greatly very on size and flatness so make sure you look at the pictures of the site before you book some are basically the parking pad and a fire ring, some are big and flat some are on an incline."
Pet-friendly options for RVers: Thompson/Grand River Valley KOA Holiday caters specifically to RVers with pets. Marla S. highlights their "dog wash, dog parks (2), private fenced dog sites. (2)- pull through site," making this an excellent choice for pet friendly camping near Mentor, Ohio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Mentor, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Mentor, OH is Punderson State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 35 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Mentor, OH?
TheDyrt.com has all 66 dog-friendly camping locations near Mentor, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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