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Jesse Owens State Park's collection of pet-friendly campgrounds allows free camping for up to 14 days at multiple locations including Hook Lake, Sand Hollow, and Maple Grove. Most campsites throughout these areas require dogs to be leashed at all times, with no breed restrictions noted in campground policies. The spacious sites at Hook Lake Campground provide ample room for families camping with pets, offering fire rings and picnic tables at most locations. Large sites at Hook Lake can accommodate multiple tents while giving dogs room to stretch out on their leashes. Vault toilets are maintained at all locations, though campers should bring their own water supplies for themselves and their pets. Jesse Owens State Park campgrounds maintain strict pet waste management expectations, with dumpsters available for proper disposal.
Trails throughout the Jesse Owens State Park system provide excellent opportunities for leashed dog walks, with shallow water access at several locations where dogs can cool off. Sawmill Campground features a distinctive covered bridge and water access where children and dogs can safely explore the shallows. Campers report that raccoons are particularly active at Hook Lake and other campgrounds, making proper food storage essential when camping with pets. The nearby town of McConnelsville (about 20 minutes from most campgrounds) offers a Kroger grocery store for pet food supplies if needed, along with gas stations and other essentials. Verizon provides the most reliable cell service throughout the area, though coverage remains limited at most campsites—important for accessing emergency veterinary information if needed.
"Weekend 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."
"Great smaller park, (1,000+acre) with easy access to the interstate. My Grandsons Love that the water is clearer than most lakes here in Ohio!!"
from $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability"It's not listed on maps, but it is right across the way from hook lake, there is an access road you'll go on that will take you there. It's right off 83 in McConnellsville, outside Caldwell, ohio."
"Outside McConnellsville, Oh it is worth the drive. My favorite thing about this area is the covered bride, weird I know, but I like seeing the old covered bridges."
"Very close to the nice little downtown Marietta, Ohio but still very rural location. Large sites. Great staff. Absolutely love this place. Slow pace and quiet."
"The highway traffic can be a little loud in the morning if you're on that side of the property, but who wants to sleep when there are trails to hit!"
"Great for families with pets too! Had a great time and looking forward to our next visit this weekend! I’d give it more stars if it had a shower house or swim area! Bring your solar shower!"
"Hook Lake AEP is I think the second largest of the campground areas, outside McConnellsville, Oh. Hook Lake campsites are spread throughout the woodland loop above the lake recreation area."
"Wayne National Forest shares the area with Burr Oak State Park near Glouster, Oh. Wayne National Forest is split into three areas in southeastern Ohio."
"Burr Oak State Park is on the eastern edge of Wayne National Forest, outside Glouster, Oh , off Rt 13. The Lodge is on the opposite side of the lake off Rt 78."
from $25 - $55 / night
Check Availability"It has recently been purchased by the State of Ohio. The ReCreation AEP campsites has an outstanding FB (Facebook) page."
"Maple Grove AEP is located outside McConnellsville, Oh and was ReCreated by American Energy Power. The campsite is clean, basic and free with permit."
"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."
"I showed up at 1am and drove around looking for a spot, settling for the one that was closest to the entrance, and much more private."
"Just outside the towns of Zanesville and Cumberland where you can find Ohio's famed Wilds there's heat opportunity for free camping."
"How special is that:) I also liked this campsite as you could be by the cattails, grassy area, pine tree area, on a small island behind the covered bridge."
"We chose rivers edge for our annual father son getaway and we were not disappointed. The tent sites are right next to the water and there is a beach and dock nearby also."
from $30 - $60 / night
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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.
TravelerWe camped at both Dock 3 and Dock 2 with our dog, those are the only two areas that allow pets. At Dock 3 we were right on the water but dock 2 is probably 200 yards from the water. The hiking trails are nice but very muddy after the rain. Lots of geocasches in the area on the trails in Wayne national forest. The docks have near constant traffic but it's not super busy. Just a car every few hours. There were fishermen there most of the night when we were there.
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.
ScoutWhile the campsite only provides water when compared to the burr oak state campgrounds you really can’t beat the price. On top of that they are allowing walk ins, while burr oak requires making reservations. It is a short drive from the beach and It does have hiking trails to the lake for scenic pictures and bonding moments with your children and pets
TravelerNice lodge with pool. Pet hedgehog worked the front counter. Bigfoot stuff everywhere. Okay trails.
Jesse Owens State Park campsites connect to several water features and offer primitive camping accommodations within southeastern Ohio's former strip mining territory. The park's terrain varies from open fields to wooded areas with numerous ponds and lakes created during land reclamation efforts. Free camping sites provide basic amenities with most locations offering vault toilets and trash collection but limited cell service in valley areas.
Kayaking on multiple lakes: Wolf Run State Park provides good paddling options on its lake with canoe and kayak rentals available on site. "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," notes Shannon G. about Bicentennial Campground.
Hiking wooded trails: The Buckeye Trail system connects through multiple campgrounds in the area. "There is a trail, but we have never been able to successfully follow it, as it doesn't seem super clearly marked," shares Rachel H. about Wolf Run State Park Campground. For easier hiking, "The Blue Trail goes through here and provides a fun hike," according to Sarah G. at Burr Oak State Park.
Fishing in small ponds: Most recreation areas feature fishing opportunities in reclaimed mining ponds. "The campsites do not have any camp stores, no fire wood to buy, no water (so make sure you pack what you will need), and they do have a campground host," explains Kenpocentaur K. about Hook Lake. Anglers should note that "Part of the lake is good for fishing and kayaking."
Spacious campsites: Many camping areas offer large sites that can accommodate groups. "The sites are nice size, close together and not a lot of tree cover. Well maintained and run by knowledgeable staff," notes Shelly S. about Wolf Run State Park. At Hook Lake Campground, "This would be an ideal area for large groups or a family reunion."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The reclaimed land attracts diverse animal species. "We had the whole back section to ourself! Not a soul on site but a few boats out fishing. We didn't use any of the facilities or look at them but had been warned they weren't the best! The seclusion and the view were top notch," reports Jessica R. about her stay at Wolf Run.
Waterfront camping options: Select sites provide direct water access. "The campsites are well maintained primitive campground with outhouse style restroom. Beautiful covered bridge. Nice large sites to choose," shares Gem S. about Sawmill Campground. Riverside tent sites are particularly valued as "We chose a site on a hill that I was able to get my 40+ rig into, I was all by myself with a great view."
Limited services and utilities: Most campgrounds provide minimal facilities. "This campground is wonderful for tents, hammocks or RV. It always has spots available and they are completely free. You have to fill out a permit online. No cell service. Right beside a pond good for fishing and kayaking. No power. Portable bathrooms on site," explains Madison S. about Sand Hollow Campground.
Seasonal bug considerations: Insects can be problematic in warmer months. "I was excited to stay at a new location. Found my way there and selected an open spot directly across from the bridge. Set up my area, noticed there were a lot of bugs. Seriously a lot of them," warns Tammy M. about Sawmill Campground. Another camper reported "it may have just been the time of year that we went but the bugs were especially terrible."
Maintenance variations: Facility cleanliness differs between locations. "The bathrooms are Vault toilets. They do have hand sanitizer outside of the bathrooms. It would not be handicapped or Mobility accessible for those that have limited Mobility," advises Kenpocentaur K. about Hook Lake. Several campers noted that toilet paper may not always be stocked and bringing your own is recommended.
Shallow water play areas: Several campgrounds offer kid-friendly water access. "Plenty of shallow water for the kids to play in if they wanted to go exploring," notes Kenpocentaur K. about Sawmill Campground. Families appreciate that this campground has "its own covered bridge" with safe water access nearby.
Playgrounds and activities: Some recreation areas provide dedicated play facilities. "Has a playarea for kids with basketball court," mentions cyndy F. about Wolf Run State Park. This can be important during extended stays as entertainment options are limited in the immediate area.
Food storage precautions: Wildlife interactions require proper preparation. "The raccoons were a little to close for comfort in the evening make sure you lock your food and trash in your car at night," warns Devin C. about Hook Lake Campground. Another camper advises, "Roll up your car windows or raccoons will take advantage of any acorns or hot chocolate packets in your car."
Site selection for larger vehicles: RVers should carefully assess sites before committing. "Would advise to visually check the sites, due to terrain which is rolling," recommends Jay B. about Wolf Run State Park. Shannon G. adds, "Some of the electric sites were very small or had a very bad dip on the pad. Choose your site wisely."
Boondocking preparation: Without hookups, self-sufficiency is essential. At Maple Grove Campground, "Small campground with sunny and shady spots. Host on site. Pit toilets clean but a few insects flying. Dumpster available by bathroom. Register at kiosk by bathroom. FF sites only," reports Betsy W. RVers should note that most Jesse Owens State Park campgrounds are designed for dry camping.
Level site availability: Finding flat parking can be challenging. "Our first visit to this campground with a whim on picking a site. The pad was level and not bad in length. It had a tree on site for a little shade and some grass," shares Shannon G. about Wolf Run State Park. Several reviews mention that sites on hillsides require careful positioning and leveling blocks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Clifton, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Clifton, OH is Wolf Run State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 18 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 91 dog-friendly camping locations near Clifton, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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