Wayne National Forest supports pet-friendly camping at multiple locations. Leith Run Recreation Area offers electric hookups and water access for campers with pets, though recent reviews indicate the campground was damaged by flooding in 2018. Hune Bridge Campground features four free pet-friendly campsites with picnic tables, fire rings, and lantern poles near a historic covered bridge. Each site accommodates both tent and RV camping with pets, but no drinking water is available onsite. Campers should bring water filters as nearby creeks provide water sources. The campground serves as a popular river access point despite a flood-damaged canoe launch.
Kinderhook Trailhead and Kinderhook Horse Trail offer more rustic pet-friendly camping options with vault toilets. The horse trail area includes flat tent spots near a picnic table and manual water pump, though visitors report significant insect activity and occasional excessive visitation from locals at night. North Bend State Park's River Run Campground, about 45 minutes south, provides more developed pet-friendly options including tent sites, RV spots with water and electric hookups, and pet-friendly cabins. Located along the North Bend Rail Trail, the park offers excellent hiking opportunities for campers with dogs. The trail passes through 35 bridges and 11 tunnels with access to North Bend Lake for water activities. Clean bathhouses, friendly staff, and $5 wheelbarrow loads of firewood enhance the camping experience.
"This campground is just off Hwy 26, but far enough away from town that there isn’t much traffic. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring, and lantern pole. "
"This is a great drive in campsite perfect for family and friends to get into the woods for a bit."
"Close to the restroom there’s a picnic table, tentspots and a manual water pump. A lot of insects, humid and dense deciduous forest surrounding the trailhead. The Kinderhook trail was overgrown."
"Very quiet at night, except for a handful of cars that might drive through or spend the night. I spent two weeks here and had zero issues with people being loud or causing a ruckus."
$15 - $55 / night
"Initially, you don't see it...you must drive up and over a roller."
"North Bend State Park is located at the halfway point of the 72-mile North Bend Rail Trail, so it’s a great camping spot for hikers, bikers and horseback riders who want to explore this scenic trail which"
"This is a horse trail camp. There is a vault toilet,a few trash cans,a water spigot and plenty of room for horse trailers. There are some trails you can walk or ride on."
"As we drove around the trailhead, we found a second designated site. The forest website says dispersed camping is allowed and fires are allowed with a 10 foot clearance and a ring of rocks."
"Just a few miles from the Ohio Covered Bridge Scenic Highway, this lovely tent-only campground offers a pleasant get away. There are 6 spacious “walk-in” campsites, a small pond, and vault toilets."
$25 / night
"Right on the Ohio River. Tight spots, but pretty level. The owner, Max, is amazing. He met us with a welcome packet in a reusable bag."
"Great hiking with well marked trails. Fantastic biking on the 72 mile North bend trail which is an abandoned rail way with multiple tunnels including one that is a quarter long and haunted."
"My dad and I stayed at the lodge in NBSP in May 2023 after riding bicycles for 26 miles from West Union on the rail trail."
"Pretty easy trail to walk, small camp ground for multiple campers, and a nice little waterfall at the bottom of the trail it wasn’t running very much when we went but a pretty spot"
"Easy, short trail. Beautiful caves to explore and a nice waterfall at the end."
$20 - $40 / night
"Especially if you have a dog. Across the street, the park portion of this campground has a dog park, playground, historical site and pond for fishing FYI ."
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.
RangerWeekend get away with the wife and dog. Pet friendly park. Walking path to the lake which was very close. Would advise to visually check the sites, due to terrain which is rolling.
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.
ScoutOnly stayed for a night but it was very quiet and only a handful of other campers. All the sites seemed relatively level. Some of the electric hookups had damage but being able to choose your spot upon arrival helped. We arrived in pouring rain and had no issues with our campsite when we could see it in the morning lol.
Bathrooms and showers were relatively clean and accommodating.
Seemed a lot like a hidden gem and I definitely recommend. Especially if you have a dog. Across the street, the park portion of this campground has a dog park, playground, historical site and pond for fishing
FYI . Most of the sites seemed small so it might be best for smaller setups. Also I did not see any pull through sites.
LegendAs with any trip, do your research, read your reviews, peruse Google Satellite maps and talk to locals when you can.
Mountwood County Park http://www.mountwoodpark.org/about.html is located about 15 minutes east of Parkersburg on Rt 50. Heading east on Rt 50 from Parkersburg, WV you will arrive at Mountwood County Park on the right...but the campground portion is a mile further east on the left side of the road. Both are marked by road signage...but most would assume they are all in one location.
If you bring your quads, dirt bikes or mountain bikes with you when you camp, then Mountwood County Park is for you. Right off the back of Mountwood are plenty of ATV trails to keep you busy during your stay. If bombing mountain bike trails is your thing, then across the highway from the campground is your dream. If relaxing in a serene mountain or river valley campground atmosphere is what you desire...keep driving east on Rt 50 another 20 minutes to North Bend State Park.
The primitive tent sites ($20 nightly) are less than desirable and more of an afterthought...and I'm being gracious. There is patchy tall grass, dirt and rocks with no leveled areas. And you have to wander a distance to the restroom/showerhouse when needed. You can rent the tiny cabins ($40 nightly) up on the top of the hill if you desire. They were rented and filled during my visit, surrounded with trailers filled with quads (not a bad thing, just not what I was expecting). One of the main ATV offroad trail entrances is a hundred yards or so past the primitive tent sites so anticipate traffic and some noise. There were a few electric/water sites available for RV/Campers but the majority of them were filled.
It does appear that that there are several "long term campers" at numerous sites, as wooden steps and decks are built and attached to the campers. I would not describe the campground as neat and tidy, but fills a need.
The other portion of the county park lies across Rt 50 about 1/2 mile east. This is where you will find a nice 50 acre lake...shaped like a "T" on its side... for short paddles or fishing (no swimming permitted), a solid collection of varied ability MTB trails and a cool, little local WV Oil history museum. Being a bit of a history buff, I was fascinated by the museum...how the local town was created during the oil boon and then destroyed by fire...of an enormous wilderness mansion that sat where the campground now sits. Interesting stuff.
There is a nice dog park if you brought your pooch. Several picnic areas with picnic shelters, playgrounds, and decent shared hiking trails.
As stated, if your main purpose is to MTB or ATV, then you might be contented with Mountwood County Park Campground. As county parks go, Mountwood County Park, itself, is nice and has a lot to offer. If quiet camping is your objective, I would recommend NorthBend State Park just down the road a piece.
TravelerNice lodge with pool. Pet hedgehog worked the front counter. Bigfoot stuff everywhere. Okay trails.
LegendIf you are confused by this campsite that makes sense. This was an AEP ReCreation campsite. It has recently been purchased by the State of Ohio. The ReCreation AEP campsites has an outstanding FB (Facebook) page. I would recommend you keep close tabs on that site to figure out what you need to know about this site or others. The new sign does make it easy to find. It is also one of the closest campsites to the Miner's Memorial Park with the Big Muskie bucket. If you don't know what that is do go and check the site out.
I would also say print maps and also take photos of maps. This one wasn't too bad to find as it is on the current paper map that AEP printed dated January 13, 2020. If you have kids that like horses I would go over to see if anyone is at the Equine area that is close by as well. So a fun filled day of looking at a giant mining bucket and horses.
Cell phone coverage is extremely limited out here. Verizon got service in most of the areas. It wasn't 100%. If you do need coverage the Mining Memorial is the main spot to go. Other carriers never seemed to have a signal.
These campsites allow 2 cars per site. Pets are allowed if leashed. As Ohio is taking over the campsites think Ohio State Park rules. You can still camp here for free at the moment.
https://www.aep.com/recreation/areas/recreationland
https://www.cleveland.com/open/2018/07/first\_phase\_of\_ohios\_new\_jesse.html
https://birding-in-ohio.com/morgan-county/jesse-owens-state-park-and-wildlife-area-maple-grove-campground/
LegendThis campground is currently closed but hopefully opening in a couple of weeks. We were camping there as volunteers with the Buckeye Trail Association to assist with trail cleanup. The Buckeye Trail is easily accessible from the campground for hiking.
The campground has a beautiful lake you fish or kayak on and there are a ton of birds so bring your binoculars.
Some sites have good shade and some have absolutely none. There is no electric so come ready to boondock or bring a generator. There are sites on the hill or right next to the lake. There are water pumps and drop toilets which were semi clean.
It’s free to camp and first come first serve. You do have to have a permit which can be downloaded from the web. You do have to register and there is a camp host.
Wood is not provided and there are no rings but spots for your fire. Be smart, keep an eye on it. Picnic benches are at each site, some better than others. Each side also has its own trash can.
It is pet friendly, keep em on their leash. Some sites have more space than others if you want to keep your dog on a lead.
We lucked out with cool weather so not having 100% shade was fine with us this weekend.
Wayne National Forest offers diverse pet-friendly camping options near New Matamoras, Ohio. The area sits along the Ohio River at approximately 640 feet elevation, characterized by rolling hills and hardwood forests. Summer temperatures typically range between 75-85°F with higher humidity, while spring and fall provide milder conditions for camping with pets.
Fishing at multiple spots: Wolf Run State Park Campground provides access to a stocked lake where pets can accompany you. "A lot of people were fishing in the dam area for the trout release," notes Renée C. in her review of Wolf Run State Park Campground.
Explore historic sites: Visit the covered bridge at Hune Bridge despite closure issues. "OK, yes, there is a covered bridge, but it's closed and full of local yocal graffiti," reports Jeff P. about his experience at Hune Bridge Campground.
Mountain biking: Trail systems at Mountwood Park offer terrain for various skill levels. "If bombing mountain bike trails is your thing, then across the highway from the campground is your dream," explains Dave V. in his review of Mountwood Park Family Campground.
Affordability along the river: Budget-conscious travelers appreciate waterfront camping at reasonable rates. "Did I mention we're right on the Ohio River with full hookup for $25 a night?! Full hookup alone is worth more than 25 bucks," reports Clean Slate D. about their stay at Harris RV Park.
Accessible trails: The trail systems connect directly to several campgrounds. "Area is dedicated to horse trail riding. Nice clean area just off main road," explains Joe B. about the camping at Kinderhook Horse Trail.
River views: Scenic sites overlooking water are particularly valued. "We were at site 13, right on the water. Check-in was easy and the staff was very friendly!" shares Julie C. about her experience at River Run Campground.
Seasonal closures: Some facilities have limited accessibility during winter months or due to damage. "Talked to a National Forest Ranger and was told that this campground flooded in February 2018 and it will be quite some time before they can open it up again," Shari G. mentioned about Leith Run Recreation Area.
Limited privacy: Several campgrounds have open layouts with minimal separation between sites. "No much privacy between sites but a good deal of shade, especially site #4 in the afternoon," notes Shari G. about Hune Bridge Campground.
Local traffic concerns: Some camping areas experience unwanted visitor traffic. "People coming and going every 15 minutes ish. Some folks pull in stare at you for a few seconds then leave," warns Dexter V. about Kinderhook Horse Trail.
Playground accessibility: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. "Has a playarea for kids with basketball court," mentions cyndy F. about Wolf Run State Park Campground facilities.
Swimming options: Plan water activities for hot days at select locations. "We had a wonderful time. The Park is great and we have stayed at lodge 4 times before but this was first camping trip. We stayed during historic heat wave but kept cool in the river, the pool," shares Jeremiah S. about North Bend State Park.
Level site selection: Choose carefully to avoid sloped tent areas. "Our first visit to this campground with a whim on picking a site. The pad was level and not bad in length," shares Shannon G. about her Wolf Run State Park experience.
Approach routes matter: Several access roads present challenges for larger vehicles. "Do not follow GPS to get to North Bend SP(Cokeley or River Run) Call the park office directly. GPS took us up some nasty horse-shoe hills!" warns Kim M. about Cokeley Campground.
Limited big rig options: Many campgrounds can't accommodate larger RVs comfortably. "There are two campgrounds in North Bend State Park...one is Cokely and the other is River Run. Neither are easy to get to when you have a big rig!" advises Bran P. about Cokeley Campground.
Site dimensions vary significantly: Research specific site sizes before booking. "FYI. Most of the sites seemed small so it might be best for smaller setups. Also I did not see any pull through sites," notes Seána B. about Mountwood Park Family Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near New Matamoras, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near New Matamoras, OH is Hune Bridge Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 4 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 57 dog-friendly camping locations near New Matamoras, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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