101 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Hocking Hills State Park Campground and several other Lancaster-area sites welcome pets throughout their facilities. Tent campers, RV travelers, and cabin-seekers find multiple pet-friendly options with varying amenities. Lakeview RV Park maintains level sites with a small swimming lake where pets can accompany their owners along the shoreline, though designated swimming areas remain pet-free. Bathhouse facilities at most campgrounds provide clean, accessible options after outdoor adventures with dogs. Most sites require pets to remain on leashes no longer than 6 feet when outside vehicles or tents, with designated areas for waste disposal. Geneva Hills Camp and Event Center offers tent sites above water features with minimal mosquito presence despite proximity to wetlands, proving convenient for pet owners seeking bug-free evenings outdoors.
Big Sycamore Family Campground provides shaded and unshaded sites within 10 miles of Hocking Hills trails, making day hikes with dogs convenient without long drives. Nearby Lake Logan allows on-leash pets along shoreline areas. Pet owners note easy access to veterinary services in Logan and Lancaster, with an emergency vet clinic approximately 30 minutes away in Canal Winchester. Camping during summer months requires extra water considerations for pets, as sites like Jackson Lake Park have limited shade in certain camping areas. Hocking Hills Camping & Canoe recently changed ownership with significant renovations completed in 2024, offering primitive riverside sites with ample space for pets to relax at camp between adventures. Kroger and Walmart stores within 5-7 minutes of most campgrounds provide convenient access to pet supplies and emergency items.
"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"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
Check Availability"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."
"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."
"Then outside is the picnic table. Due to health code rules you have to cook and do food outside of the cabin. "
"Not as close to the lake as we first thought but close enough. Will probably be back."
"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."
from $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $40 - $139 / night
Check Availability"It was a nice driving distance from Hocking Hills and a neat place to camp."
from $35 - $600 / night
Check Availability"There was some mud where camper wheels were situated in the spot (needs material). Fire rings are not near RV but behind across the road on the river. Bath house is just ok - not great, not gross."
"The river is small and is perfect to have a fire right next to. We also just went up the highway a little to a rafting rental place called murrys landing to raft down the river."
from $15 - $40 / 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.."
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
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.
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.
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
Camping areas near Lancaster provide options within 30 miles of the city center, offering sites primarily from April through October when temperatures average 55-85°F. The region's terrain features rolling hills with elevation changes of 200-600 feet throughout Fairfield County, creating varied camping environments from riverside sites to hillside accommodations.
Hiking near water features: Lake Logan provides access points along the shore where campers can bring dogs. At Hocking Hills State Park Campground, the trails connect directly to popular attractions. "The hocking hills park itself is awesome. Great trails, beautiful waterfalls, wonderous caves. They are all pretty short hikes and easy access. We enjoyed it with our large breed dog and toddler," notes Laura C.
Disc golf courses: Located near camping areas with easy access from multiple campgrounds. "Disc golf down the road," mentions Ryan D. about Big Sycamore Family Campground, highlighting the convenience of nearby recreational activities.
Kayaking on local waterways: Several campgrounds offer direct water access for paddling. "Kayaking on the lake is amazing and hiking is abundant," shares Ann H. about Campbell Cove Camping, which provides lake views and water access points.
Swimming options: Beyond standard swimming pools, some campgrounds feature swimming ponds or lake access. "There is a great playground for kids and a swimming hole. The bathrooms are so clean. You can kayak on the lake and they do have rentals," reports Brianna L. about Campbell Cove Camping.
Spacious waterfront sites: Riverside camping provides natural sound barriers and recreation opportunities. "We had a site overlooking the lake. Big site, water view and plenty of space," shares Joe B. about Campbell Cove Camping, noting the generous site dimensions.
Family-friendly amenities: Many campgrounds cater specifically to families with children. At Buckeye Lake-Columbus East KOA, amenities include "Pool, mini golf, bounce house, playground. Variety of site types available," according to Robert S.
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Several dog-friendly campgrounds near Lancaster maintain high standards for bathhouses. "The design is nice as the bunk beds are in their own separate room. This means the back room will sleep four individuals. They also included little tables and benches so you can organize yourself in the room," details Kenpocentaur K. about the KOA cabins.
Primitive camping options: Sites without hookups provide more natural surroundings and often lower rates. "This was our second weekend in a row at this campground. While we were here the weekend before, we decided that we wanted to camp on site #9. This site is probably the biggest in the primitive section," explains Cassandra C. about A.W. Marion State Park Campground.
Weather impacts: Spring and fall camping may encounter significant rain events affecting site conditions. "The sites were nice and level and the site was huge. It had a great view of the lake. I'm not so sure you'd be able to see it once the leaves are back this spring," notes Shannon G. about A.W. Marion State Park.
Campsite proximity variations: Some campgrounds feature tightly packed sites while others offer more separation. "The sites are very close together - one family moved in late at night practically on top of me - their tent was literally 4 feet from my picnic table," warns Megan M. about Hocking River RV Park.
Limited tent-specific areas: Some campgrounds group tent sites together with minimal privacy. "I wouldn't tent camp there. The tent sites were all in the same area with no division from each other," observes Angie J. about the KOA in Hocking Hills.
Road noise considerations: Campgrounds near major roads may experience traffic sounds. "Right on the river, which is interesting, but it's also right alongside State Route 33, so you hear freeway traffic constantly. Trucks and motorcycles woke me up all night," reports Megan M. about riverside camping.
Child-friendly activities: Select campgrounds with dedicated play areas and scheduled events. "There are plenty of things for the kids to do. They had a blast! Great atmosphere, friendly staff," shares Bob H. about the Buckeye Lake KOA.
Cabin options for easier stays: Family cabins provide convenience without tent setup. "We stayed in one of the rustic cabins. With other family members bringing their RVs. The bathroom facilities were some of the nicest and cleanest we've experienced," writes Angie J. about Hocking Hills Camping & Canoe.
Consider bathroom proximity: Families with young children benefit from sites near facilities. "The sites were extremely close together and a racoon harassed us for a good part of the night. It was clean and pretty but just a little cramped," reports Laura C. about camping with a toddler.
Check for seasonal operations: Many family-oriented amenities operate seasonally. "There was a nice little pool, but it wasn't open for the season yet. The shower houses were immaculate," notes Vicki H. about early-season camping in the region.
Limited level sites: Prepare leveling blocks for potentially uneven terrain. "Interestingly, there were still staff patrolling the camp on a golf cart for a while. Overall a nice place to rest for the night," notes Eric H. about Buckeye Lake KOA.
Full hookup availability: Not all campgrounds offer complete RV services. "We have tent camped here three times. Small but nice campground. Nice lake close to the campground just down an access road," explains Karen H. about site conditions.
Access road conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging approach roads. "The little road going up to the campground is VERY bumpy. It's not the campground road, it belongs to the Township, so its completely out of their ability to make improvements," cautions Vicki H.
Seasonal site differences: RVers report varying experiences based on time of year. "All in all it was a convenient location to visit with family and wrap up some vital items before heading south for the winter. We felt safe and the campground was clean and in good condition," shares Kelley M. about fall camping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Lancaster, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Lancaster, 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 Lancaster, OH?
TheDyrt.com has all 101 dog-friendly camping locations near Lancaster, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
