Dog-Friendly Camping near Chillicothe, OH

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    Scioto Trail State Park Campground permits pets at all campsites with standard leash requirements. Several pet-friendly campgrounds surround Chillicothe, including Sun Valley Campground, Tar Hollow State Park, and Walnut Creek Campground and Resort, all offering accommodations for campers traveling with dogs. Peaceful nice place, pets okay at Sun Valley Campground according to recent visitors. Most campgrounds require pets to be leashed at all times, properly supervised, and not left unattended. The campgrounds provide a mix of tent sites, RV spots with hookups, and pet-friendly cabins. Tar Hollow State Park Campground features both electric and non-electric sites where dogs are welcome, though the North Ridge tent-only area places campers in close proximity to neighbors.

    Dog-friendly hiking trails connect many of the campgrounds to surrounding natural areas. Shawnee State Park includes a great dog park with an agility course located away from the RV camping area, providing a dedicated space for pets to exercise off-leash. The surrounding Zaleski State Forest offers numerous pet-friendly trails for longer hikes with dogs. Campers should be prepared with waste bags, portable water bowls, and appropriate restraints as most parks strictly enforce leash policies. During summer months, early morning or evening walks are recommended to avoid hot surfaces that can damage paw pads. Wildlife encounters are possible in these areas, so keeping dogs leashed protects both the natural environment and pets. Most campgrounds have potable water available, but dedicated pet washing stations are limited.

    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Chillicothe (87)

      1. Hocking Hills State Park Campground

      4.4(109)26mi from Chillicothe209 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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."

      from $20 - $70 / night

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      2. Tar Hollow State Park Campground

      4.2(26)14mi from Chillicothe102 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "The campground is about 2-3 acres large, situated on a hill with a path dug out around the perimeter. "

      "The drive there was a very interesting tour of trump flags Amish buggies and more. Would come back if I was stranded in Ohio, but overall great pit stop for cleaning up on a long journey."

      from $27 - $75 / night

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      3. Caldwell Lake Campground — Scioto Trail State Park

      4.1(10)8mi from Chillicothe55 sitesRVs, Tents

      "We chose to camp at Scioto Trail State Park because of it's proximity to Salt Creek Kayak Adventures. While I had hiked at Scioto Trail in the past, this was our first visit to the campground."

      "Walk-in sites with pit toilets and potable water. The map of how the sites are laid out online is extremely inaccurate, I would not have picked my site if it had been accurate."

      from $35 - $60 / night

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      4. A.W. Marion State Park Campground

      4.0(35)21mi from Chillicothe58 sitesRVs, Tents

      "It's has a site right behind it, but has a nice size green space for an ez-up. The pad was a nice length and held our small camper and truck with room to spare."

      "There was also a path directly from our site that led to one of the hiking trails. Yay for us and our easy access; however, it also welcomed people to cut through your site."

      from $25 - $40 / night

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      5. Sun Valley Campground

      5.0(4)5mi from ChillicotheRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Peaceful nice place, pets okay. I'd recommend it."

      "We were able to reserve a drive-thru site on the same day we wanted it.  It looks like there are quite a few seasonal campers there.  Sites have space between them, many are shaded. "

      6. Deer Creek State Park Campground

      4.3(32)24mi from Chillicothe224 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "A lot of nearby activity, private and open sites, lake, beach, trails, marina, bikes, putt putt, dog park, playground, laundry, water close, electric at sites, many "comfort stations" "wash houses" so"

      "Some are smaller, close to neighbors while other have seclusion with trees. From past experience, if it rains, some of the sites do flood. We had great weather this weekend."

      from $39 - $52 / night

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      7. Paint Creek State Park Campground

      4.1(22)21mi from Chillicothe196 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Cute, charming Ohio State Park. Enjoy 4 lovely hiking trails that showcase the parks features by taking you through the woods and fields. Fish is offered and their is boat dock ."

      "It ended up being a great site for us and our dogs. There was space between us and our neighbors and we had access to the water."

      from $37 - $60 / night

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      8. Pike Lake State Park Campground

      4.1(11)17mi from Chillicothe94 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Ranger Review: Morsel Spork at Pike Lake State Park Campground Review:

      We stayed at site 67 next to the camp host. The camp site was nicely shaded with a small creek behind it."

      "We were able to run a line between trees for a dog run. Great neighbors on both sides but right across the site is the playground. It’s a little noisy but if you have kids, it works."

      from $33 - $200 / night

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      9. Walnut Creek Campground and Resort

      4.5(2)8mi from ChillicotheRVs, Cabins

      "Nice scenic drive to campground only 7 miles off of Hwy 35. No"

      "Has fishing, kayaking, golf cart trails, volleyball set up, basketball court, swimming pool and super nice cabins."

      10. Trackside Camping

      5.0(2)10mi from Chillicothe1 siteRVs, Tents

      from $35 / night

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Chillicothe, OH

    607 Reviews of 87 Chillicothe Campgrounds

    • Tara R.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 4, 2026

      Rocky Fork State Park Campground

      Been coming here since I was a kid.

      Always great time here. The upper part has more wooden areas then the lower part. But those spot are close to the lake. They a great playground. They have a big camp store with a putt putt, big lake we’re boating, fishing and kayaking. Multiple shower houses very clean kept up. Nice campground to ride bikes around.

    • AThe Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 22, 2026

      A. W. Marion State Park Campground

      Site 47

      We managed to get several sites near each other for 6-7 families and we had a blast. Near bathrooms, quiet, and within walking distance of the kayak launch.

    • Kim H.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 13, 2026

      Tar Hollow State Park Campground

      Super Relaxing and Peaceful

      We used Site 53, which is a pull thru. The site was spacious and level. The fire pit location is across a tiny stream; we enjoyed a campfire in the woods! There were no loud folks. The loudest thing we heard was the occasional bark of a dog (which we didn't mind).

      The restrooms were new and extremely clean. The staff at the camp store was friendly.

      There are plenty of places and opportunities to enjoy Pine Lake: you can sit on a bench or rent a canoe.

      We'd love to return to Tar Hollow when the fall foliage is beautiful.

    • Hannah S.
      Sep. 11, 2026

      Campbell Cove RV Resort & Campground

      Pine trees, lake, and great spots!

      This campground is located near major roads and within a quick trip to Hocking Hills State Park. Tents spots are located near the lake and provide pine tree shaded cover. Bathrooms are private and very clean!

    • Mary S.The Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 29, 2026

      A. W. Marion State Park Campground

      Ohio State Park Camping

      This is a small campground. Typical state park sites--you will have neighbors/see and hear other people. There is a non-electric section, which I like for tent camping. The electric section is all RV's, this non-electric section is all tents and a little quieter, except if you're near the playground. Campsites all have picnic tables and fire rings, and are decently sized. All pretty flat and mostly wooded/part shade.

    • Tara R.The Dyrt Pro User
      Jul. 26, 2026

      Rocky Fork State Park Campground

      Been here many times!

      Always a family favorite. Smaller sites on upper area. Nice big area for big rv on lower level and by the lake. Nice shower rooms. Camp store. Nice playground and putt putt.

    • Tara R.The Dyrt Pro User
      Jul. 25, 2026

      Paint Creek State Park Campground

      Best camping store

      Nice park, when we were there only half park was open( early in season). Great camp store. Nice shower rooms. Hilly. Some stop around us was sloped. But we did love the one with a deck, but your fire ring was down a hill.

    Guide to Chillicothe

    Campgrounds near Chillicothe offer diverse camping experiences throughout Ohio's Scioto Valley region. The area features elevations ranging from 600-1,300 feet with moderate humidity during summer months when temperatures typically reach the mid-80s. Many campgrounds remain open year-round with primitive sites available during winter months when nighttime temperatures can drop below freezing.

    What to do

    Hiking varied terrain: Pike Lake State Park Campground features several trails of different difficulty levels through wooded hillsides. "We hiked the Greenbriar and CCC Trails. They are not too challenging but beautiful. Parts of the CCC trail were overgrown with briars and narrow," notes Leon H. The park also offers disc golf, though some visitors mention maintenance issues.

    Fishing opportunities: A.W. Marion State Park provides shoreline fishing at its small lake. "AW Marion is near 23 and easy access to the highway to get to Columbus. Plenty of space and shade in not electrical campsite for a hot summer day," reports Karen K. The park's layout puts many campsites within walking distance of fishing spots.

    Kayaking and canoeing: Waters Edge Canoe Livery allows direct creek access from campsites. "Very fun place to camp and enjoy the creek on a kayak or canoe. Very friendly staff, and one of my favorite places to go," writes Jonathan W. Rentals are available onsite for those without personal watercraft.

    What campers like

    Secluded camping spots: Tar Hollow State Park Campground offers primitive camping options away from RV sites. "Beautiful, secluded group camping. Shelter and pit bathrooms. Wide open space for lots of campers. Nice access to trails. Beach area is clean & small little lake," says Renée C. The park maintains separate camping areas for different styles of camping.

    Family-friendly amenities: Walnut Creek Campground and Resort provides numerous recreation options. "Has fishing, kayaking, golf cart trails, volleyball set up, basketball court, swimming pool and super nice cabins," according to Kelly W. This dog friendly campground near Chillicothe accommodates various camping preferences.

    Natural surroundings: Scioto Trail State Park offers quieter, more rustic camping experiences. "It is small and beautiful, very rustic. The kids love the stream that runs through the park. The lake is beautiful and the fishing is good," reports Marc J. The park maintains outhouses rather than flush toilets, creating a more primitive experience.

    What you should know

    Bathroom facilities vary widely: Pike Lake has limited facilities for its size. "They have 79 sites plus a group site and they only have 4 flush toilets and 1 pit toilet to service all of them. None of the sites were full hook up so everyone had to use the four bathrooms," notes Kristin L.

    Site selection matters: At A.W. Marion, site conditions differ significantly. "We chose site #56 which had electric. It's one of the best sites we found there for its size, shade and privacy. We set up our camper and our ez-up tent which enclosed our fire ring," explains Shannon G. Research specific site reviews before booking.

    Weather considerations: Many campgrounds in the area have drainage issues during heavy rain. "It rained the first day we were there and people were literally bailing there sites out with buckets. The places that weren't flooded were very muddy," warns a Pike Lake visitor.

    Tips for camping with families

    Playground access: Pike Lake State Park positions some sites near recreational areas. "Site 57 backs up to the ravine and is nice and large. It has a lot of shade and grass. We were able to run a line between trees for a dog run. Great neighbors on both sides but right across the site is the playground," reports Shannon G.

    Group camping options: Tar Hollow State Park offers designated areas for larger family gatherings. "We stayed in the walk-in family campground, not the main campground. The sites are mostly far apart from one another and the area is fairly dense woods leaving you feeling a peaceful solitude," explains Kate W. This pet-friendly campground near Chillicothe accommodates groups while maintaining privacy.

    Kid-friendly activities: A.W. Marion maintains recreational facilities specifically for children. "Small adequate camp store. Movie for the kids at the outdoor theater," mentions Karen H. Many families appreciate the structured activities during longer stays.

    Tips from RVers

    Site leveling challenges: Paint Creek campsites require preparation. "We stayed for just one night at site #34. It ended up being a great site for us and our dogs. There was space between us and our neighbors and we had access to the water," notes Shannon G. RVers recommend bringing extra leveling blocks.

    Electric hookup availability: Sun Valley Campground provides full hookups for those requiring amenities. "This campground has a lot to offer with electric and water hookups for RVs with back-in and pull through sites. They have a dump station as well as an onsite bathroom/shower house," explains Andrew S. This dog-friendly camping option near Chillicothe accommodates both short and long-term stays.

    Off-season considerations: Scioto Trail remains open year-round. "Very easy to reserve on phone. Price very reasonable. Has only outhouses, but clean and stocked," reports Ken J. Winter campers should prepare for limited facilities and potentially challenging access during snow events.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Chillicothe, OH?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Chillicothe, OH is Hocking Hills State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 109 reviews.

    What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Chillicothe, OH?

    TheDyrt.com has all 87 dog-friendly camping locations near Chillicothe, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.