Dog-Friendly Camping near Friendship, OH

Sandy Springs Campground offers riverfront campsites along the Ohio River near Friendship, with both cabin and RV accommodations. Sites have 50-amp electric hookups and water, with full hookup options available at several riverside locations. The campground provides level sites with clear views across the Ohio River and into the Kentucky hills beyond, with fishing access directly from waterfront spots.

What to do

Hiking trails: Access trailheads directly across from Sandy Springs Campground where families can complete scenic loop trails. "We had a great hike at a trailhead directly across the street from the campground. Took us a little over 3 hours for the entire loop with a 4 year. He walked almost the entire way so it's doable and the views are worth it," notes camper Tiffani C.

Fishing spots: Cast your line in the Ohio River at Little Bear Island Campground, surrounded by the Little Sandy River. "We fished all day and night. Caught a bunch of fish and had a catfish fry. The mountain views are awesome and for once it wasn't another RV parking lot," reports camper Danny J.

Cave exploration: Schedule cave tours at Carter Caves State Resort Park Campground where multiple cave systems are open to visitors. "The park has a lot to do, not just the caves. There's tons of waterfalls off the trails, and other things to see. The caves are great to explore as well. Grab a ranger-guided tour and learn something," advises Chris B.

What campers like

River views: Sites along the water at Sandy Springs Campground provide direct views of barge traffic. "We had a riverfront site. The camp hosts are very nice and attentive to your needs," says Rick G., while John M. adds, "It is so peaceful to watch the river and see the occasional boat or barge go by."

Clean facilities: Greenbo Lake State Resort Park maintains well-kept bathhouses and common areas. "Bathhouses are clean and maintained really well, good selection of primitive, electric and water, and full hook up sites," notes Todd C. The campground also features "a nice lake for fishing, trails and a nice lodge with good food."

Dog-friendly amenities: The Ohio River Campground section at Shawnee State Park-Ohio River Campground features a dedicated dog park for pets. "Toward the front of the campground is a great splash pad, playground, and dog park, which includes an agility course. These are located away from the RV's; therefore, the campground was very quiet and peaceful," shares Kim H.

What you should know

Cell service issues: Many campgrounds in the region have limited connectivity. Turkey Creek Campground — Shawnee State Park has "non-existent cell service (Verizon) so we were happy there was an attendant at the booth when we arrived just before 6 pm on a Sunday evening," reports Lee D.

Train noise: Some riverside campgrounds experience frequent train crossings. At Wolford's Landing Campground, Gary M. warns about "Trains blowing their whistle every 20-30 minutes all night long. The crossing is right by the campground. If you can sleep through it, great. I couldn't."

Shared electric boxes: Check hookup details when booking. At Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, one camper cautions, "Had showed up at site with no electricity available. Was told had to share box but only one 30 and one 50 amp. So if you both have a 30 amp the other has to get an adapter for the 50."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Ashland Huntington West KOA offers multiple play areas for children of different ages. "Loved the fenced in soft play area for the toddlers. Great field for flying kites," shares Brooke V., who adds, "We enjoyed this place and will be visiting again!"

Activity options: Family-focused sites often provide scheduled events. At Sandy Springs Campground, Emily W. reports, "The campsite is totally geared towards family fun! My kids were busy nonstop with planned fun activities! And they had things for the adults as well and a lot of things for everyone to do together!"

Swimming areas: Several dog-friendly campgrounds near Friendship include water access for cooling off. The KOA offers "a pool and mini golf to entertain the kids who have been driving you crazy on the road," according to Matt B., who appreciates these amenities for family trips.

Tips from RVers

Site selection: Check pad lengths when reserving at Turkey Creek Campground. "Many of the other sites had even shorter pads; these would really best be suitable for tent campers as the pad would only fit a regular-size vehicle. Sites 1-6, 15, 18-21, and 23-25, 28, 32, and 33 have longer pads," advises Lee D.

Level sites: Choose campsites carefully at many regional campgrounds. At the KOA, Felicia H. notes, "Site was NOT very level. On gravel. Picnic tables and fire ring," while Sandy Springs offers more consistent setups.

Utility connections: Some campgrounds require additional equipment. "You will need extra water hose and extension cords to get hooked up in a lot of the sites," warns Ron & Bonnie D. about Carter Caves State Park Campground, where the hookup locations can be distant from parking pads.