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Hocking Hills State Park Campground accommodates dogs in tent, RV, and cabin settings with pet-friendly amenities throughout the campground. Lake Hope State Park, Tar Hollow State Park, and Zaleski State Forest also welcome pets while offering varying levels of facilities. Most campgrounds require pets to remain on leashes no longer than 6 feet when outside the camping unit. Campgrounds provide picnic tables and fire rings at pet-friendly sites, though owners should bring waste bags as dedicated pet waste stations are limited. Hocking Hills KOA Holiday features designated pet exercise areas where dogs can stretch their legs while following leash requirements. Several sites are situated on sloped terrain, requiring strategic tent placement when camping with dogs.
Lake Hope State Park offers multiple hiking trails accessible to leashed dogs, with paths winding around the 120-acre lake providing water access points where pets can cool off. Many campers report excellent hiking with their dogs on the Hope Furnace Trail and the 2.5-mile Peninsula Trail. The lake is suitable for dogs who enjoy swimming, though owners should check for harmful algae warnings during summer months. Zaleski State Forest provides more primitive camping options for those seeking a quieter experience with their pets. The campground's pit toilets are generally clean and well-maintained even with pet traffic. Weather considerations include checking for ticks after hiking wooded trails and bringing extra towels for muddy paws after rain. Sites tend to be more spread out at Zaleski, offering more privacy for reactive dogs or those that need extra space.
"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
Check Availability"Lake Hope State Park is the unsung hero of Logan county, Ohio. Hocking Hills State Park gets the crowds because of its amenities and closer proximity to Old Man's Cave...but..."
"Lake Hope has plenty of recreational opportunities for everyone and the campground is close by! The campground is quiet and well kept."
from $25 - $35 / night
Check Availability"This is located by the hocking hills region of the state. Beautiful winding Ohio roads and landscapes out of this world."
"Zaleski State Forest is adjacent to Lake Hope State Park. Off Rt 278 near Zaleski, Oh, true Ohio countryside to enjoy on the way in. Signal is spotty."
"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."
"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
Check Availability"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.."
"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."
"A beautiful place that is very accessible to people walking or biking from the campground unlike other SE Ohio state parks."
"Great trails, nice bike path and walking path around lake great new shower house."
from $35 - $46 / night
Check Availability"Stacked Stones has a very nice location and the camp hosts/owners are wonderful. They truly make you feel like family."
"Plenty of nearby trails. Since it was so quiet in campground I saw wildlife like deer, turkeys, and they must have a resident pileated woodpecker because I keep seeing it."
from $25 - $70 / night
Check Availability"Free tricycles to ride around. Bouncy area, lake with a trampoline and activities all the time."
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.
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
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.
LegendThis was a last minute reservation and only available due to a cancellation. The campground was full for the weekend. The campground is pretty big with different types of sites. 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. The site we reserved had a hill right next to the passenger side/door side of your camper. If you had a big camper, it might be tight to open your slides and an awning. You most likely would not sit right outside your camper door. In fact, the fire ring is behind the site and up a small hill. We set up our ez-up in the back and out of the way, it worked for us. There was also a path that led you into the playground. Speaking of playgrounds, you will hear a lot of kids if the weather is nice. We were right across from the camp host (very nice lady) and very short walk to the bathhouse. The bathhouse had 4 flushable toilets and I think 3 showers. The showers did not have benches in the stall, only on the outside directly across. With a full campground, the bathrooms were kept very clean with the amount of people using it. We walked around and noticed a lot of bathhouses and another playground. We took a hike that led us to the lodge - it was an in and out and just under 5 miles. On our way back we stopped at the camp store which was well stocked with items you may need or not. There is a putt putt course, frisbee disc course, horse trails, dog park, nature center, golf course and more trails nearby. There are plenty of things to do if you like to keep busy or are trying to keep kids entertained. (The bees and stinkbugs were out and about while we were there.)
GuideThis 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.
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.
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
GuidePeaceful nice place, pets okay. I'd recommend it.
TravelerWe enjoyed our 3 night stay here! 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. 5 acres with everything we could need. The owners were amazing. Very friendly and helpful! They had only owned the campground for 2 weeks and were in the process of making several improvements. The shower house and bathrooms were clean and adequate. There is a small playground for kids. It is pet friendly. There is a nice sized pool for summer (we camped in October so it was closed for the season). Located within a short drive (about 10 miles/15 minutes) from everything Hocking Hills has to offer. There is even a restaurant close by that will deliver to your campsite. Kroger and Walmart are within 5-7 minutes driving for supplies. The only downside is that it is close to a highway so at night you can hear the traffic. This didn’t bother us so much but might be a problem for some.
Dispersed camping near Creola, Ohio offers diverse terrain options within the Zaleski State Forest and surrounding Wayne National Forest areas. The region's elevation ranges between 650-1100 feet with sandstone ridges and valleys that were carved by glacial meltwater. Campsites throughout the area experience distinct seasonal changes with autumn bringing dramatic foliage displays when temperatures average between 45-65°F.
Hiking to rock formations: At Zaleski State Forest, trails take you through varied terrain with interesting geological features. "There are a great deal of interesting rock formations to check out as well as a few good overlook areas. I highly recommend taking the short connector trail on the south loop to cut over to the Moonville Rail Trail," notes James W.
Paddling and boating options: Campbell Cove Camping offers direct access to Lake Logan for water activities. "Kayaking on the lake is amazing and hiking is abundant. Beautiful sunset view," shares Ann H. The campground is conveniently located near Old Man's Cave while providing a quieter alternative to more crowded locations.
Mountain biking trails: Lake Snowden provides trails suitable for intermediate riders looking for pet-friendly camping options. "The trails are great for hiking and some more intermediate mountain biking. And there are boat rentals of many different types," explains Joe S., highlighting the multi-use nature of the trail system.
Private camping areas: The backpacking sites at Zaleski State Forest offer more seclusion than many established campgrounds. "All of the campsites have multiple areas for different hikers and each is relatively secluded from the others so you can be by yourself," mentions Bryn S., noting the privacy not found at more developed parks.
Waterfront camping: Lake Hope State Park Campground provides camping with lake views and water access. "We did some kayaking as well as driving to different hiking paths around the area. We did a 'walking tour' that had TERRIBLE directions but we had a blast anyway," shares Anne P., highlighting the mix of water and land activities.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer chances to spot native species. At Lake Hope, one reviewer noted a special program: "The naturalists feed hummingbirds at the nature center. They pull the feeders for awhile leading up to a 'Feed the Hummingbirds' program. So cool! The birds come right to you!" says Chris C.
Campsite layout considerations: Many campgrounds have challenging terrain that affects site selection. At Tar Hollow State Park Campground, "Many of the campsites are situated on pretty intense slopes. 106 wasn't too bad. I would guess 105 is probably the most level site in the campground," advises Sydney, providing specific site recommendations for flat terrain.
Water quality variations: Campgrounds with well water may have varying taste. "Water is available at 3 backpack camping areas (Points D, I & P)," notes Renée C. about Zaleski, while another camper mentions "water is definitely well water tastes meh better off bringing a filter just in case."
Distance to facilities: Some campgrounds require planning for bathroom access. "You cannot park your car directly at your campsite. There is a parking lot at the bottom of the campground hill. You have to carry your items to your campsite," explains Sydney about Tar Hollow's tent-only area, with some sites requiring a 100-150 yard uphill walk.
Kid-friendly amenities: Top O' The Caves Campground offers activities designed specifically for children. "It has mini golf, a pool, park and small game room which is awesome for camping with kids," shares Kelli W., noting the variety of on-site recreation options beyond hiking.
Direct trail access: Some campgrounds provide convenient hiking access without driving. "The best part is you can walk to Ash Cave from your campsite! There is a connecting trail right at the front of the campground," explains a reviewer about Top O' The Caves, highlighting the convenience for families with children.
Swimming options: Water features provide cooling relief during summer months. "There is a great pond with a trampoline and activities all the time," mentions Vance M. about Jellystone, while another campground offers "a swimming beach on the opposite end of Lake Hope if you just have to get wet."
Site leveling requirements: Hocking Hills KOA Holiday offers various RV site options but terrain can be challenging. "The sites were nice and wide but not all level but it's an area that has lots of hills," notes afshar Y., suggesting blocks or levelers are essential equipment.
RV site selection strategies: Choose sites based on your specific needs and preferences. "We are first-time owners of a 29 ft Fifth Wheel and got a pull-through site. It offered little in the way of privacy, which was the only negative about the whole experience," shares Vicki H. about the KOA, recommending privacy-seekers choose back-in sites instead.
Utility hookup variations: Campgrounds may have different hookup configurations. At Lake Snowden, one camper warns: "The website advertises electrical hookups but it fails to mention that some sites on the premises are only 50 amp hookups and not 30 amp and 50 amp," suggesting RVers bring adapters or confirm specific amperage before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Creola, OH is Hocking Hills State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 109 reviews.
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