Lazy River at Granville welcomes pets at all camping accommodation types including cabins, tent sites, and RV spaces. Most pet-friendly campgrounds near Newark maintain standard pet policies with leash requirements and designated pet waste disposal areas. Buckeye Lake-Columbus East KOA, located about 20 minutes south of Newark, accommodates pets in their cabins and tent sites with ample space for walking dogs around the property. LA-Z Acres Campground in Nashport provides full-service hookups at pet-friendly sites with seasonal availability from April to October. The staff at these campgrounds are known for being helpful and accommodating to campers with pets. At Rustic Knolls Campground, pet owners appreciate the well-maintained grounds and accessibility to restroom facilities throughout the property.
Campers report that Lazy River at Granville offers excellent options for families with dogs, with trails and creek access where pets can cool off during summer months. Hidden Hill Campground in Newark provides more basic amenities but allows pets at their electric sites. Most campgrounds require pets to be leashed at all times when outside the camping unit, and owners must clean up after their animals. Some campgrounds enforce quiet hours that extend to pet noise, as barking dogs have occasionally disrupted other campers' experiences. When booking a pet-friendly cabin, it's advisable to check specific pet policies as some locations restrict pets to certain cabin types or require additional cleaning fees. Nearby attractions like Dawes Arboretum offer additional pet-friendly outdoor exploration opportunities when camping in the Newark area.
"Always something for family and dog to do."
"There was a huge thunderstorm one of the nights, where we initially retreated to our vans; but then decided to drive up to the store and got ice cream which made the kids super excited about the rain ("
$24 - $160 / night
"I camped at this state park in the very scenic rolling hills of central Ohio on a hot and sunny weekend and was happy to find plenty of shade."
"I have been extremely disappointed with Ohio State Park campgrounds."
"Then outside is the picnic table. Due to health code rules you have to cook and do food outside of the cabin. "
"Not as close to the lake as we first thought but close enough. Will probably be back."
$23 - $70 / night
"This was the only park we’ve gone to this uear with both a large dog park AND a fenced in dog beach! Folks were friendly at the dog park with bunches of chairs set around like a conversation pit."
"Alum Creek State Park is a beautiful park and great campground just outside the hustle and bustle of downtown Columbus and minutes away from attractions such as the Columbus Zoo."
$20 - $70 / night
"This walk in camp ground was located just minutes from Old Man’s Cave. It’s a family friendly and pet friendly camp ground. Our stay was quiet and relaxing."
"There are trails all over the park. Can be a bit busy during the warmer months. The park is pet friendly and has a nice nature center before you hike down to Old Man’s Cave."
"Great walking trail back through the woods. Pet friendly and the bathrooms were very nice. Well....I guess we did! We are now in a search for a Diesel pusher to go full-time!"
"They have a nice walking trail, potlucks, holiday events, live entertainment and are putting in a new, bigger pool! They also redid the driveway."
$27 - $220 / night
"A little further back in the campground to be close to the shower house that was open. Then found out that comfort station next to us was open - nice!"
"It’s not the most secluded spots but if you are looking for something tucked away there a few sites. The ability to tube down the river and walk back to your camp site was so much fun."
"Rustic is down a gravel road, well off the beaten path, and a little more remote than the boondocks. Frank, the owner, and his team are great."
$48 - $75 / night
"Not far from I-70, near the river, quiet and clean… almost too quiet."
"Doesn’t make sense to have quiet time at dark when bar nearby plays loud music outside till late."
TravelerOnly weekend stays and it ends in wintertime. I’m sure it’s pretty and all, but it’s hard to find legit, free dispersed camping in Ohio! Oh well, rest stops always work for car camping.
GuideThis was the only park we’ve gone to this uear with both a large dog park AND a fenced in dog beach! Folks were friendly at the dog park with bunches of chairs set around like a conversation pit. Lots of water and dog tennis balls were available.
The dog beach was fenced so your dog can be off leash. There is even a fenced in area out in the water to keep the pooches from swimming across the Lake chasing geese.
The campground itself was quite nice and spacious. Some of the most private camping sites I’ve seen in Ohio. Shower facilities we a bit above average mad seemed to be looked after at least once a day (we were there in the off season).
IMHO, one of the nicest campgrounds in the state.
ScoutWe stayed two nights here on our tour of Ohio. After staying in state parks, the narrow sites are close with no privacy. Our pull through site was on the (inner) road, so lots of golf carts, cars and campers passing by. All pull through sites are on the road side. The site is not level and our leveling system has the front wheels off the ground. Many full time units here beautiful patios and decor. Staff is nice and friendly. Trash pickup isn’t offered and the walk to dumpster would be excessive for unfit or handicapped. We would stay again. Amenities are clean, as described and dog Park is immaculate but small.
GuideAlum Creek State Park is a beautiful park and great campground just outside the hustle and bustle of downtown Columbus and minutes away from attractions such as the Columbus Zoo.
The campground has good sized sites and is wooded throughout with clean bath houses, well maintained roads, and easy access for big rigs.
There is also a very nice dog park in the park including dog beaches with lake access for your pups to swim.
We love this campground and the beautiful lake and appreciate the easy access to local attractions, shopping, and more.
TravelerAlum Creek is just beautiful, nice sites, most of them are at least partially shaded, lots of woods, hiking trails, the lake, it is what I think of when I think of State Park campground camping in Ohio. There are a couple problems. 1. Only ONE little dump station. This is a big campground, so if you're leaving Sunday, you better get up at the crack of dawn to get to the station, otherwise be prepared to wait in a long long line of RV's. We by-passed the long line and stopped at a different State Park campground on the way home and paid 10.00 to use their dump station. 2. They never answer their phone at the campground office. I mean NEVER. If you have a question you will just have to deal with the reserveamerica people who really know nothing other than what they read on the campground website. So basically you know as much as they do. It's maddening. We will go back, but it's a 2 hour drive so it won't be anytime soon.
Scoutgreat state park campground. There are some full hook ups but mostly just electric. They have pancake breakfast on Saturday mornings through summer and doughnuts on Sunday. Helpful camphost. There is a campground beach and boat launch. Lost of hiking paths in the campground and in the park area. A great dog park with lake entrance for the pups. tmThere is also some mountain bike trails. Plenty to do for everyone.
ScoutIn addition to having a pretty lake, lovely campsites that are spread apart nicely, clean facilities, lots of shade, boat ramps, etc.. this park is unique for it's Dog Park facility.
2 large fenced in field areas. One for small dogs, and one for large. There is enough room for several games of dog frisbee to happen at once. Then, there are 2 large fenced in areas for lake access. Balls, dog doo bags, trash bins.. all there. Lots of shade, water fountains, and plenty of running room. I can't rave about this park enough!
The only downside is there is poison ivy lacing the trail from the campsite down to the water, and the Dog Park portion is about 2 miles from the campsites.
Alum Creek State Park
Campground details
ScoutBeautiful park. There is a camper’s beach and a dog park
LegendDog park!! and right on the lake!! Found this by mistake on our way out, and the dogs loved it. Access to lake, a beach, well fenced. I would give Salt Fork SP extra stars for this one, especially if there were campsites co-located.
Camp ground is easily accessible being just 6 miles from I70, leaving the convenience of Cambridge and city amenities close by while allowing for great trails and solitude. Stayed in campground A, and the front end has little shade, but being here in autumn was perfect for lots of sunshine on site. Sites with trees for tree tents is minimal. Drinking fountains are dispersed fairly frequently throughout campground, but RV hookups with water were limited during my stay. Shower houses and comfort houses all have flushers and sinks.
TICK WARNING!!!! After a morning hike down wooded Trail, we spent A LONG TIME pulling ticks from dogs...even though the temps were in the 30's overnight and everyone was treated with flea & tick protection.
Campsites near Newark, Ohio sit within gently rolling terrain at elevations between 800-1,100 feet above sea level. The area experiences warm summers with average highs of 85°F in July and cold winters reaching lows of 22°F in January. Most campgrounds in the region operate from April through October, though several offer year-round accommodations for campers seeking off-season experiences.
Creek exploration: Rustic Knolls Campground offers a swimming pond with inflatable attractions for cooling off during hot summer days. "The camp sights are well maintained. I have stayed there several times, and I plan on going back. Swimming pond and fishing pond. Restrooms are all over for convenience," notes Kris K.
Basketball and games: Wolfie's Campground provides recreational options beyond hiking. "Nice pool, 1/2 court basketball court, playground, laundry and store," according to Steve E. The game room features additional entertainment: "Kids and I spent many quarters playing pool in the game room, which also has a 90's Sega arcade game," shares Jenny G.
Overnight facilities: Buckeye Lake-Columbus East KOA offers varied cabin options for visitors seeking pet-friendly accommodations. "The design is nice as the bunk beds are in their own separate room. This means the back room will sleep four individuals. They also included little tables and benches so you can organize yourself in the room," explains Kenpocentaur K.
Clean bathrooms: Most visitors to Alum Creek State Park Campground appreciate the well-maintained facilities. "Really impressed. Owner took us to our site helped us get settled in and made sure we had everything we needed. Bathrooms clean pool was clean. Pond was great for fishing or just hanging out," notes Angie S. from LA-Z Acres.
Pet-friendly trails: Many Newark area campgrounds maintain hiking paths suitable for dogs. "The campsites are spacious and private, surrounded by trees and brush. Beautiful walking trails. There's also a great mountain biking trail in the vicinity," reports Catherine at Alum Creek State Park.
Seasonal activities: Mohican State Park Campground offers year-round outdoor options for pet owners. "Beautiful area to see in the winter & not as busy. You will mainly see people fishing for trout. During the summer I hear it gets pretty busy with people tubing on the river," explains Renée C.
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds near Newark fill quickly, especially on weekends. "The park fills up fast. Go early," advises Michael J. from Lazy River at Granville.
Winter facilities: For off-season camping with pets, verify which services remain available. "There is nice several mile through trail that goes from the dam area following the river to the primitive camping area and then to the camper/rv camping area... One heated bathroom with a shower is open in the winter," notes Renée C. about Mohican State Park.
Noise considerations: Wolfie's Campground receives praise for cleanliness but has noise issues. "Bathrooms very clean. Loved the free games. Cabin was very clean and had comfortable beds. Doesn't make sense to have quiet time at dark when bar nearby plays loud music outside till late," reports Jean A.
Activity planning: Families seeking pet-friendly camping near Newark should consider campgrounds with multiple recreation options. "This is a small, family owned campground that is perfect for families with kids of all ages! Beautiful creek that runs along side some nice deep sites! Two pools, tons of activities!" writes Libby W. about Lazy River.
Weather contingencies: Prepare for Ohio's variable weather when camping with children and pets. "There was a huge thunderstorm one of the nights, where we initially retreated to our vans; but then decided to drive up to the store and got ice cream which made the kids super excited about the rain. And they let all the tent dwellers use the game room to relax in and ride out the worst of the storm," shares Amanda D.
Space considerations: LA-Z Acres Campground offers roomier sites for families with pets. "Lots of spaces! Lots of permanent campers. They have mobile phone service and wifi on site... Full service hookup was awesome! New stage area is the party place on the weekends!" reports Rebecca F.
Site selection: RVers with pets should research specific site characteristics before booking. "Sites are nice with some sites able to boat up to them. Be careful with rainy weather, some sites have flooded in poor weather," advises Katelyn P. about Alum Creek State Park.
Entrance navigation: Access roads can be challenging at some Newark-area campgrounds. "They only challenge is you don't want to meet a rig going out while you're coming in. We are a 38 foot class A and met a 36' 5th wheel on the curve at the entrance. We literally passed with less than an inch between us," cautions Steve E. at Wolfie's Campground.
Hook-up locations: Check utility placement when reserving RV sites. "The new section (sites numbers in the 200s) have hook ups at the front of the sites so you may have to buy longer hoses," notes Ryan H. about Lazy River at Granville.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Newark, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Newark, OH is Lazy River at Granville with a 4.6-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Newark, OH?
TheDyrt.com has all 115 dog-friendly camping locations near Newark, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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