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Mt Gilead State Park Campground welcomes pets at all 59 campsites with electric hookups and full hookup options. Dogs must be leashed at all times, with a maximum of two pets per campsite. The park offers hiking trails where dogs can accompany owners through forested areas and around the small fishing lake. Clean bathroom facilities and showers are maintained throughout the camping season, with dedicated trash receptacles for pet waste disposal. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Dogwood Valley and Cardinal Center Campground also allow pets with similar policies. The heated bathrooms provide comfort during cooler months for campers and their pets. Sites vary in size and shade coverage, with some offering more privacy than others for pets that may be reactive to passersby.
Nearby trails provide excellent opportunities for dog walking, with most extending less than two miles in total length but offering scenic views of the lake and wildlife. Owners should be prepared for varied terrain, as some campsites feature sloping grounds that may gather water after heavy rainfall. Water is available at all campgrounds for pet hydration, particularly important during summer months when temperatures rise. Cardinal Center Campground and Rustic Knolls Campground feature spacious sites allowing more room for dogs to relax while remaining leashed. Local veterinary services are available in Mount Gilead, approximately 5-10 minutes from most campgrounds. The camp store at Mt Gilead State Park sells basic pet supplies during operating hours, though weekend hours are more reliable than weekday availability.
"Site 29 - this was a nice site in tall pine trees and colors all around. The pad was gravel and pretty level. We had trees in our site that could be used for hammocks as well."
"This is one of the smaller campgrounds in the Ohio State Parks system but it’s a little hidden gem."
from $37 - $50 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $23 - $70 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $27 - $220 / night
Check Availability"Lots of hiking trails, stocked fishing pond for kids, disc golf, dog park and the lake itself.
Site 187 this trip.""It’s close to home, but more importantly it has great trails and wooded sites. Winter camping has several sections of the park closed, only 1 shower house open and no camp hosts or camp store."
from $39 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Our site was on a cul de sac and was close to the pool. The sites and road were gravel. They have an indoor pool, stocked fishing pond, and an indoor clubhouse with a pool table."
"from our garden as we had way too much for just us and asked the welcome center to tell people to help themselves to what ever they wanted. we then toured the campgroundand found the stocked fishing lake"
from $47 - $53 / night
Check Availability"The campground is tucked away in a suburb of Columbus next to a soybean field, very quiet area. Only a 15-20 minute drive into town to go shopping if need be."
"This is a hugely spaced out camp with ample space to each site and great amenities for kids & dogs. Immaculate and well run. Late check in was easy, requests were honored."
"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."
"We swam in the lake and pools. We loved the paddle boat ducks and swans. The kids had the best time at archery."
"Nice campground close to Cleveland and Columbus. You feel like you’re lost taking the backroads to get there. We went in April so the water stuff wasn’t open."
from $90 - $235 / night
Check Availability"This campground is located in Mt Gilead Ohio off route 61. It is very clean and well kept. There are tons of activities for children and a very nice camp store."
"The lake is a hit so much that we never go to the pool. Having free, unlimited access to pedal boats and other boats is a huge treat."
from $90 - $289 / night
Check Availability"Sites are around a manicured field but with a high “pollinators maze” in the middle that creates too privacy and sound barrier. Only outhouses but they were very clean."
from $25 - $35 / night
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ScoutWe camped here for the first time this year and ended up booking 2 more trips here. We just finished our last trip. We love this campsite. No other place has sites this big and give you this much space. Awesome place to camp
GuideThis is the cleanest park we've ever used! The bathroom is tidy; the showers are roomy and convenient to use. There is a nice playground for younger kids as well as a pickleball court and basketball court for teens and adults. There also is a pleasant hiking trail. We stayed in Site 42, a concrete site, which was fantastic for my spouse's mobility issues. The sites are not super spaced apart, but, with the graduated elevation, we didn't feel smashed together. We visited Amish Country to absorb the beautiful fall scenery, to shop at local stores, and to relax by a campfire in the evening . The campground was perfect for us. If you're seeking a wilderness adventure , this park is not for you .
ScoutCould not ask for a better site. Absolutely beautiful setting. A nice small lake for fishing, and a perfect shallow stream for kids to play in, running right by the sites. The pool house and facilities are spotlessly clean. On top of that, the staff are extremely friendly and helpful. We even needed a jumpstart for our truck when we were towing the camper out on a rainy Monday morning and someone came around to help. 100% will come back and 100% would recommend to anyone.
GuideWell maintained campground with friendly staff. Super spacious and clean bathhouse. Close to Berlin and Millersburg for exploring Amish country. Some road noise due to location on main highway.
ScoutRight close to Columbus this campground is a staple for locals trying to just get away for the weekend. There is an amphitheater, a camper’s beach, nature center, and more all within the campground. Alum creek state park is a larger facility surrounding the campground with a public beach, walking paths, mountain bike trails, archery range, hunting areas, boat marina and more. The public beach is rather gravelly but has nice shower houses and grills available. We are attending during fall fest where they put on many activities for the campers and it is a lot of fun. You have to reserve 6 months in advance to be able to get in on fall fest unless there is a last minute cancellation. Our site is relatively flat parking, we didn’t need to level the rig. It did rain the morning we got here and the area around the fire pit was a bit muddy. The view out the back of this camp site is nice and wooded, you’re not looking at your neighbors out the back window. The sides you can definitely see each other but it’s still wooded and secluded enough between the sites here.
RangerGreat campground. My favorite is each loop has their own shower house! Nice playgrounds for kids. Nice private sites. Lots of woods and trails. Good lake for boating fishing and kayaking. Park is very clean and well maintained. They have a kids fishing pond! It’s also great for biking.
RangerThis campground has a lot to do for kids. It on the Mohican River for tubing or kayaking. They have a swimming pool, playground, putt putt, climbing wall, and recreation room. There were plenty of showers that were cleaned daily. Nice laundry facilities and camp store. The bad part is the sites are too close. Your fire ring is a few feet from your neighbor.
Rangerwe come back to MW a few times each year as the access to the river and quiet nature of the campground is great. The playground is nice, the store is clean and well stocked.
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Mt Gilead State Park Campground offers camping options year-round in central Ohio, 6 miles north of Chesterville. The area features rolling hills with elevations between 900-1100 feet, with spring and fall bringing moderate temperatures ideal for outdoor activities. Winter camping remains available with reduced services, though temperatures typically drop below freezing December through February.
Disc golf course: Mt Gilead State Park features a challenging disc golf course that extends through wooded terrain. "We took a night walk with headlamps and found the disc golf course. This was laid out to be a crazy course and included repelling ropes!" notes Sarah G. at Mt Gilead State Park Campground.
Fishing: Several campgrounds maintain stocked fishing ponds with catch-and-release policies. "They have a nice fishing pond, stocked fishing lake (catch & release), corn hole, bouncy pad, basketball court & playground," reports Beth R. about Cardinal Center Campground.
Archery and shooting: Cardinal Center Campground provides specialized facilities for target sports. "We then went over to the shooting center and tried our luck with some silliolet and metal targets on the pistol range. They also have trap and skeet available," explains George J. at Cardinal Center Campground.
Private sites: Campers frequently mention appreciating the spacing between sites at certain campgrounds. "The sites are full of trees for tent campers, hammock hangers and tree climbing. Game room, indoor pool and fishing. Clean baths ALWAYS," writes Christi L. about Cardinal Center Campground.
Indoor amenities: When weather turns unfavorable, access to indoor facilities becomes valuable. "They have an indoor pool, stocked fishing pond, and an indoor clubhouse with a pool table. The sites next to us were empty but the way it was set up, the site next to us would have had an rv angled right behind us," reports Renee L. about Cardinal Center.
Winter facilities: Dog friendly campgrounds near Chesterville often provide winter camping options. "Camping in the off season is our favorite time of year. This particular park has potable water on by the dump station and the dump station is open. The water at the full hook up sites are turned off," notes Andrea F. about Mohican State Park Campground.
Limited staff midweek: Staffing can be reduced during weekdays, affecting services. "One huge problem I had was the lack of midweek staff. As it turned out they were going to seal the asphalt the next day so I moved on and did not spend as much time as I wanted to," explains Bret J. about Mt Gilead State Park.
Cell reception varies: Network coverage differs significantly between campgrounds. "No cell service with Verizon at this park," notes Andrea F. about Mohican State Park Campground.
Seasonal closures: Facilities change with seasons at pet-friendly camping sites near Chesterville. "The store was closed due to Covid-19 but restrooms and showers were open," reports Julie R. from Alum Creek State Park Campground.
Site angles: RV site design varies between campgrounds. "However, a lot of the pads are at 90° angles instead of 45° so it can be harder for a larger camper back in," observes Shannon G. about Mt Gilead State Park.
Swimming options: Family-oriented campgrounds provide water recreation. "We swam in the lake and pools. We loved the paddle boat ducks and swans. The kids had the best time at archery," shares Traci F. about Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Dogwood Valley.
Planned activities: Scheduled events keep children engaged throughout their stay. "Even in April there was tons of planned events for the kids. Our favorites were crafts and the train ride. They had a pizza party at night and gave our family an entire box," writes L W. about Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park.
Varied terrain: Be prepared for uneven ground at some sites. "Our site was a concrete pad and our grassy area was on a hill. It is dog friendly and the shower house was clean," notes Renee L. about Mt Gilead State Park Campground.
Site dimensions: RV campers should research specific site sizes before booking. "Our pad was pretty level and not hard to back into with a small camper. However, a lot of the pads are at 90° angles instead of 45° so it can be harder for a larger camper to back in," advises Shannon G. from Mt Gilead State Park.
Hookup access: Consider seasonal variations in utility availability. "Full hookup (sewer, water, 50/30 AMP). Level site. Partially shaded in afternoon," reports Beth R. about Cardinal Center Campground.
Dump station access: Winter campers should verify which facilities remain operational. "This particular park has potable water on by the dump station and the dump station is open. The water at the full hook up sites are turned off," explains Andrea F. about Mohican State Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Chesterville, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Chesterville, OH is Mt Gilead State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 25 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Chesterville, OH?
TheDyrt.com has all 84 dog-friendly camping locations near Chesterville, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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