Hocking Hills State Park Campground accommodates campers with pets in tent sites, RV spaces, and cabin options. A.W. Marion State Park Campground also welcomes pets and maintains clean camping areas with multiple bathroom options including flush toilets. Both campgrounds enforce standard leash requirements for dogs. Tar Hollow State Park Campground and Campbell Cove Camping extend pet-friendly policies to their cabins and tent sites, while Jackson Lake Park provides electric hookups and water access for dogs. Dogs must be kept on leashes no longer than six feet at all state parks. The campground at A.W. Marion features spacious sites with room for dogs to relax on leads without bothering neighboring campers, particularly in site #9 which offers extra space for pets.
Hiking trails around Hargus Lake at A.W. Marion provide exercise opportunities for leashed dogs, with a 5-mile loop suitable for dog walking. The lake allows dogs to cool off in designated areas during summer months. Most campgrounds near Amanda offer grassy sites with shade trees providing protection from summer heat. Bring extra water containers for pets, especially during warmer months when hydration is critical. Campers should pack waste bags as pet waste stations are limited at smaller campgrounds. Local wildlife in the area includes small mammals and birds; dogs should remain leashed to prevent wildlife encounters. Campground hosts at A.W. Marion are particularly helpful with pet-related questions and maintain clean facilities despite the lack of shower facilities at some locations. Quiet hours are enforced at all campgrounds to minimize barking disturbances.
$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."
$25 - $40 / night
"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."
$27 - $75 / night
"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."
"This is a very nice campground near all of the attractions of Hocking Hills, Ohio. We had full hookups that were excellent, but if we didn't there were several new restrooms throughout the grounds."
"Our site was waterfront and also set away from other sites."
$40 - $139 / night
"As a moto camper, we really lucked out with a flat plot and didn’t have anyone in the spots next to us. My #1 complaint was the bathroom situation."
"Easy access to sites. Staff could take a lesson in hospitality and giving directions on park."
"River right next to us and port a potty near. Allows dogs. Showers are at the check in but they are nice."
"Walked 8 miles with our dog and still have so much left to see. Will definitely be going back! Very quiet and clean campgrounds."
$25 - $45 / night
"It is pet friendly. There is a nice sized pool for summer (we camped in October so it was closed for the season)."
"Nice little campground right down the road from Lake Logan. Convenient to shopping nearby(Walmart and Kroger) About 10 miles from the caves and trails. Right off the highway. Good cheap firewood."
"The tent site was decently secluded and near a nice small pond. The campground put on a free BBQ for all of the guests one of the nights! It was very good and well thought out."
"It’s located very close to Hocking Hills State Park. Some of the tent sites are on an incline, but the RV site we had (site 24) was very spacious. There’s a a nice pool and nature trails."
"Plenty of food spots just north on the highway exit we stopped at Milstone BBQ. Plenty of fun hikes in Hocking Hills State park."
"The one down side is the tent sites close to the bathrooms was crowded so if a little more privacy is wanted choose one a short distance away. All in all a nice place and I would return.."
$35 - $600 / night
"It was a nice driving distance from Hocking Hills and a neat place to camp."
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.
LegendLots of room! Privacy, some sites have accommodations for several tents as well as full hook up for campers. Some are adjacent to the playground There are tons of things to do: Miniature golf Disc golf BMX trails Small dog park Golf course Horse camp
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.
ScoutVery clean, well maintained. 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 not far from one.
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
Several state and private campgrounds near Amanda, Ohio offer camping options with pet-friendly policies. Located in the Appalachian foothills at elevations between 800-1,100 feet, this region experiences distinct seasons with warm summers averaging 85°F and cool springs with nighttime temperatures in the 40s. Most campgrounds sit along gentle slopes with mixed hardwood forests providing natural shade during summer camping months.
Lake activities at multiple reservoirs: Campbell Cove Camping provides direct lake access with rental options. "Our favorite place to camp. Kayaking on the lake is amazing and hiking is abundant. Beautiful sunset view," notes Ann H. The campground connects to Lake Logan, offering water recreation within walking distance.
Hiking various trail systems: Tar Hollow State Park Campground features numerous trails with varying difficulty levels. "The hiking paths are not clearly marked and I am embarrassed to admit I did get lost in the woods. The map they have is in black and white but the park uses a color system," warns Caroline. For easier navigation, take a picture of the colorful map by the fire tower.
Swimming options for summer heat: Many campgrounds maintain swimming areas for cooling off. At Jackson Lake Park, "there's a great arcade room for hanging out" and swimming facilities, though one visitor noted "the pool was not open since there was no post about it being closed and the website says it would be open the weekend of Memorial Day."
Secluded camping areas: Some campgrounds offer more remote options away from crowded spaces. At Top O' The Caves Campground, "the tent site was decently secluded and near a nice small pond," reports one camper, while another notes the campground is "right near Ash Cave and Cedar Falls with easy access to main highways."
Campground facilities and amenities: Logan KOA receives praise for its clean facilities: "The shower houses were immaculate. The front office includes a little gift shop, ice cream, and pizza," writes Vicki H. Another camper appreciates that "sites are reasonably level" and that the "camp store was well stocked actually had what you needed if you forgot something."
Proximity to attractions: Most campgrounds provide convenient access to regional highlights. Big Sycamore Family Campground is "located within a short drive (about 10 miles/15 minutes) from everything Hocking Hills has to offer," according to Amber R., who adds, "There is even a restaurant close by that will deliver to your campsite."
Site quality varies significantly: At many campgrounds, site selection matters greatly. At Big Sycamore Family Campground, "Some sites retained water days after the rain," notes Joe B. Another camper mentions, "Sites are a good size, mostly shaded, and the bathhouse was adequate."
Booking well in advance: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. Ryan B. warns about one campground: "Should've known when there was availability for three connected sites during prime season there was something fishy."
Road and access conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. At the Logan KOA, "The little road going up to the campground is VERY bumpy. It's not the campground road, it belongs to the Township, so it's completely out of their ability to make improvements," explains a camper who advises driving slowly.
Kid-friendly amenities: Hocking Hills KOA Holiday offers numerous family activities. "There are plenty of things for the kids to do," notes one reviewer, while another mentions, "The pool was wonderful, the bathroom was clean and spacious."
Choose campsites with space: For family camping, select sites with adequate room. At Geneva Hills, one camper reports, "Tent site was nice. We could make dinner and there weren't any mosquitoes even though it was right above a swamp."
Entertainment options: Several campgrounds provide activities beyond nature exploration. At Top O' The Caves, "There is a large barn with a few arcade games that the kids seemed to like," and despite being "rather outdated," the campground offers "mini golf, a pool, park and small game room which is awesome for camping with kids."
Site leveling considerations: Many campgrounds in this hilly region require leveling equipment. At the Hocking Hills KOA, one RVer notes, "We had to use one 3/4" leveler under the wheels in one side," while another mentions the campground has "sites that are full hook up with wooden decks."
Full hookup availability: Check service levels before booking. While Jackson Lake Park provides "electric hookups and water access," Campbell Cove Camping offers more comprehensive services: "Some sites are full hook up, some sites are electric and water, and some are primitive. The dump station is easily accessible if you need it."
Pull-through accessibility: For larger rigs, confirm site access. At the Hocking Hills KOA, "We are first-time owners of a 29 ft Fifth Wheel and got a pull-through site," shares Vicki H., adding that "they escort you directly to your site so you don't get lost or go down a one-way road the wrong way."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Amanda, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Amanda, 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 Amanda, OH?
TheDyrt.com has all 96 dog-friendly camping locations near Amanda, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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