Hidden Hollow Campground at Fernwood State Forest offers free pet-friendly camping near Bloomingdale with self-registration for stays up to 14 days. The paved campsites include picnic tables and fire rings, with vault toilets and trash collection available. Pets must be kept on leash throughout the campground area. Many campers note the campground remains quiet and uncrowded, with typically fewer than five occupied sites even during peak seasons. Nearby Jefferson Lake State Park also welcomes pets at its campground, providing electric hookups at select sites and clean restroom facilities.
Several hiking trails near Hidden Hollow accommodate dogs, though owners should be aware of frequent gunfire sounds from the adjacent shooting range that may disturb noise-sensitive pets. The range operates until late evening hours most days. Harrison State Forest's Ronsheim Campground provides another free pet-friendly option with fishing opportunities at its pond. During summer months, bees are prevalent at Hidden Hollow, so campers with pets allergic to stings should take precautions. The campground's natural setting attracts abundant wildlife, including harvest spiders, requiring vigilant pet supervision. No potable water is available at Hidden Hollow, so campers must bring sufficient water for themselves and their pets.
"Very well kept, completely free 1st come campground just outside the very small town of Bloomingdale, OH. Pit toilets and no source of safe, clean water anymore."
"The campground is situated near shooting ranges so the gunfire lasts late into the evening and begins early in the morning disrupting the serenity a bit. The best part - it's free!"
$18 - $128 / night
"While most of the campgrounds in the park are no pets- there are 2 loops that allow your furry companions! Loop F includes electric spots!"
"There's a trail right to the beach near the D loop, so it's a great place for families to go with pets. The sites are big, wooded, and all close to the bathroom."
$70 - $250 / night
"Adjacent to the lake. Multiple amenities close by. Plenty of activities for the family. Great family owned campground."
"Kart friendly and great spots all along the main strip, lake side and creek side."
$23 - $33 / night
"Tucked away in southeastern Ohio is a gem of a park for camping, hiking and horse camping. Clean water, restrooms, playground, sand volleyball and basketball court."
"Fire pits have a nice grate to flip over and cook on (this varied highly bw Ohio campgrounds).
Nice hiking trails and the lake is nice. Lots of geese and the expected goose poop."
$28 - $40 / night
"Pets are welcome. Facilities are older but well kept. Bathhouse is heated with showers that have a fiberglass tub surround, not concrete. Nice hiking trails that connect through the campground. "
"There are trails and fishing so plenty to do. Fairly sparse in April but a lot of people still driving and walking by. Alcohol prohibited"
"It’s nothing much, there isn’t much in the way of activity save a few trails."
"Gun range nearby."
$35 - $150 / night
"This was a nice place to stop for a few days on my drive west into Ohio. I knew nothing about the campground prior to this visit."
"I grew up in the Ohio valley and I love living here."
"Last weekend we stayed at Tappan Lake Park in Deersville Ohio. We reserved a spot in the “new section 5” of the park. I haven’t been to Tappan lake in probably 15 years with a RV."
"Great place to camp clean lake and fun to just hang out at the camper"
"Atwood lake os a true gem . Has everything you need. The H campground loops are full hookups, some right on the water. Electric, and primitive sites too."
"The Atwood Lake Campground is a true gem in a beautiful area of eastern Ohio!"
ScoutI stayed here in the worse month possible for camping in ohio but the owner made it a great experience. They are very accommodating. Even though every thing was snowy and muddy I could tell this is a very well taken care of place. Shower house was clean and warm. The laundry mat washed and dried great. As a construction worker I have payed way more for way less. This place is gem for construction/oil field workers in the area.
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.
TravelerSaltfork is located about 45 minutes from my house, and makes for the perfect overnight trip.
There are tons of things to do, and lots of space in which to do them. My favorites includes hiking trails, and the lakeside dog park.
I stay in the primitive camping, it allows for more privacy and quiet. Although it also means you are relegated to the pit toilets. I personally don't mind them, but I know some campers will make the drive to the nicer shower house in the RV heavy side of the park.
Each site has a picnic table and fire ring, the fire rings in the primitive section need some work, as the grates are very old and small.
TravelerWhile most of the campgrounds in the park are no pets- there are 2 loops that allow your furry companions! Loop F includes electric spots! Loved seeing the 'neighbors' dogs get excited and curious when I walked my 4-legged best friend around the site. Clean area , close to a modern bathroom (a few stalls & even 2 showers!) Looking forward to going back at the end of the month.
ScoutVery conveniently located off the interstate. Follow the signs to the campground NOT the GPS in order to avoid some narrow and sharp turn roads. Staff were super friendly! Front desk staff were knowledgeable and and helpful. We had some issues with our power, and Larry was at our site within minutes to fix it. Big open dog park! There are only a few shaded spots. Spot width was a little narrow where we stayed (on the hill), but perfect for a quick overnight stay. Bathrooms were fairly clean, laundry was nice. The pool looked very well maintained.
TravelerIn the past 5 years, I've made 13 trips to Raccoon Creek State Park and spent 16 nights in a tent there. It is my local state park and I can tell you lots about it.
The D loop is really great tent camping at Raccoon Creek State Park. It's tents only, no RVs. So it gets a really fun, party vibe on Saturday nights during the summer. There's a trail right to the beach near the D loop, so it's a great place for families to go with pets. The sites are big, wooded, and all close to the bathroom.
The C loop, however, doesn't take pets (which stinks). When we have our dogs with us, we gravitate towards the C loop. It's fine, but it's not as fun as the D loop.
When we don't make a reservation and we have our dog, we end up in the F loop. It's not our preference (but--let's be clear--even the worst site in the F loop is better than NO trip!).
TravelerI started camping at Raccoon back in the 60's as a little person with my family. Hadn't been for several decades, but finally got back with my husband and cats the past couple of years. Great park ony a 1/2 hour outside of Pittsburgh. The campground has something for everyone - RV sites with electric (although I wouldn't recommend bringing your 40' rig...sites can be a tad on the smaller side) or secluded sites just for tenting. Restrooms are clean and well maintained. Two loops allow pets F and B, but only some sites in F have electric, so be sure to check if that is what you need. There are many hiking trails that are not too strenuous or you can take a 10 mile trip around the lake. Lots of birds for viewing, particularly near the beach. You can put in your kayak or fish on the shore at the fairly large lake. Boats do require a launch pass which you can obtain from the park office. And don't miss the Wildflower Preserve if you are there in May or late summer! Great place to take the family and relax in nature!
TravelerNice lodge with pool. Pet hedgehog worked the front counter. Bigfoot stuff everywhere. Okay trails.
RangerLong holiday weekend trip. Love this park. Designated pet areas, flush toilets and shower house available. Plenty of trails.
Bloomingdale, Ohio sits in the Appalachian foothills at approximately 1,200 feet elevation with a humid continental climate featuring distinct seasons. Winter camping near Bloomingdale typically sees temperatures dropping into the 20s Fahrenheit, while summer camping conditions often reach the 80s with higher humidity levels. The area's topography features rolling hills with numerous small lakes and streams creating varied terrain for camping.
Fishing at stocked ponds: Hidden Hollow Campground isn't the only place for fishing near Bloomingdale. Harrison State Forest's Ronsheim Campground offers a fishing pond that campers enjoy. Peter H. notes it's a "well maintained campground with a handful of sites. Pit toilets. Nice fishing pond." For more extensive fishing, consider Atwood Lake where "good fishing" is available according to Fred R.
Hiking forested trails: Multiple trail systems crisscross the area, many connecting campgrounds to natural features. At Tomlinson Run State Park, "the hiking trails are very well kept" as Theodore C. points out. The park maintains several hiking loops with varying difficulty levels. At Raccoon Creek State Park, Jay R. describes a "great snow hike" in winter: "We did the Palomino Loop. It also was quite interesting getting to the trail. Some nice snow covered back roads."
Water activities: During summer months, several area lakes offer swimming and boating. Tappan Lake Park provides water-based recreation with Jocelin M. mentioning you can "wake up and boat" and calling it a "great place to camp clean lake and fun to just hang out at the camper." The lake supports various watercraft, though some campers note the beach area needs improvement.
Free camping options: Bloomingdale offers several no-cost camping options beyond Hidden Hollow. Joshua B. praises Ronsheim Campground saying, "It's nothing much, there isn't much in the way of activity save a few trails. However if you like adding trails to your list or you're fine with driving a little bit to Harrison or Salt Fork, they aren't far away at all. The overall reason I gave 5 stars though, is because it's free."
Quiet weekday camping: Most campgrounds near Bloomingdale remain relatively uncrowded during weekdays, even in summer. At Jefferson Lake State Park, Kimberly notes it's a "quiet and beautiful" smaller campground that offers a mix of equestrian sites and tent/RV sites. Teri A. adds that Jefferson Lake provides "peace and quiet with level pads. Perfect for our little Scamp trailer."
Family-friendly amenities: Many families appreciate the range of activities at Austin Lake RV Park & Cabins, where Linda R. describes it as having a "playground in every section, well equipped cabins, a swimming area with inflatables, kayak, pontoon, and paddle boarding rentals, a bumper boat area, small lake where you can fish and boat." Tom S. enthusiastically reports "tons of stuff to do with the kids. They loved the lake and everything there was to do on it."
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds in the area have spotty or non-existent cell coverage. Mathew H. warns about Austin Lake: "No phone service at all, no matter the carrier." At Ronsheim Campground, linda G. simply notes "no Verizon cell service." This can be either a drawback or benefit depending on your camping style.
Variable bathroom conditions: Facilities differ widely between campgrounds. At Barkcamp State Park, Megan M. reports: "There are pit toilets, which are never great, but the ones nearest us had newish buildings, the first I've seen in Ohio state parks. The buildings themselves were clean, but the toilets were icky and needed to be hosed down."
Uneven terrain at many sites: Several campgrounds feature sloped camping areas. At Jefferson Lake, Alex S. warns: "The majority of the campsites are also so hilly that you can't put a tent up on a flat spot. We ended up sliding downhill all night because the space we rented was on a hill." Connor M. similarly cautions about Barkcamp State Park: "About 90% of the sites were not level (and....I mean by A LOT)."
Look for dedicated playgrounds: Several campgrounds offer playground facilities for children. At Raccoon Creek State Park, Jim L. describes it as his "go to spot for camping when I have to just get away from it all. It's close to home plus it is a great place to take the dog out to swim and chase geese and ducks. A great little beach area to lay out and enjoy the sun."
Consider pet-friendly water activities: Many area campgrounds welcome dogs, with several offering pet-friendly swimming areas. At Raccoon Creek, Larry M. notes "Loop f is pet friendly" and the park has a beach with swimming and kayak rentals. This makes for excellent pet-friendly camping near Bloomingdale, with options for dogs to cool off during summer visits.
Check for scheduled activities: Some campgrounds organize special events, particularly during summer weekends. At Atwood Lake Park, Leslie C. mentions: "My kids and I have been coming to Atwood for the last 10 years. We look forward to it every summer. The people are friendly and there is always something to do!" Check campground schedules when planning visits with children.
Beware of challenging access roads: Several campgrounds have steep or winding entrance roads. Mathew H. warns about Austin Lake: "Be advised it will seem a little sketchy getting in. The road dead-ends into the campground and it is all downhill getting there. Take your time and all will be just fine. Our rig is 39' & 16K. 4wd low helps, not cause you need 4wd just for the lower gears."
Prioritize full hookup sites when available: Hookups vary widely between campgrounds. At Atwood Lake, Andrea F. notes the "site have large concrete pads with full hookups. They offer a nice laundry facility and also a small camp store." For longer stays, these amenities can make significant differences in comfort levels.
Reserve early for waterfront spots: The most desirable RV sites book quickly during peak season. Lisa S. recommends at Atwood Lake: "Location, location, location! Grab a lake front spot and just hang out there! The park is in excellent condition and the facilities are just as clean and comfortable."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Bloomingdale, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Bloomingdale, OH is Hidden Hollow Campground — Fernwood State Forest with a 4.2-star rating from 11 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Bloomingdale, OH?
TheDyrt.com has all 75 dog-friendly camping locations near Bloomingdale, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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