Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Lima, OH

Ottawa Metro Park Campground welcomes pets at its well-spaced, water and electric sites along the 13-mile greenway trail system. All camping sites include picnic tables and fire rings, with both 30-amp and 50-amp hookups available. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations required, making it ideal for spontaneous trips with four-legged companions. Wapakoneta KOA, located just off I-75, offers two fenced dog areas where pets can exercise off-leash, along with full-hookup RV sites, tent camping, and pet-friendly cabins. Their level gravel sites feature wooden decks with picnic tables, and the grounds are exceptionally well maintained. Both campgrounds provide clean restrooms and shower facilities, with the KOA also offering a swimming pool, game room, and onsite food options. The bath house at Ottawa Metro Park has an accessible design with water fountains and ample amenities for campers with pets.

Several trail systems near Lima provide excellent dog walking opportunities, including the paved paths at Ottawa Metro Park which are ideal for morning and evening pet exercise. Most campgrounds enforce standard leash policies when pets are outside designated off-leash areas. Grand Lake St. Marys State Park and Indian Lake State Park both allow pets at their campsites and provide water access, though campers should be aware that Canadian geese can be prevalent at Indian Lake. Proximity to major highways makes these campgrounds convenient stopping points for travelers with pets, while still offering quiet camping experiences. Sun Valley Family Campground and Lake Cody also permit pets with standard campground rules. When planning an extended stay, Twin Lakes Park offers cabin accommodations where pets are welcome, providing a comfortable option during inclement weather. The entire area maintains a pet-friendly atmosphere with accessible veterinary services in nearby Lima.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Lima, Ohio (53)

    1. Indian Lake State Park Campground

    34 Reviews
    Lakeview, OH
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (937) 843-3553

    "The camp store is really big and it’s right next to their pool. They have a dog park, place to dock your boat and a small beach. I would imagine this would be a pretty busy during the summer."

    "This Ohio State Park is in a small quaint town. Good sites, nice beach + a real swimming pool. Many places for fishing from shore OR launching your boat !"

    2. Ottawa Metro Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Lima, OH
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (419) 221-1232

    $25 - $30 / night

    "Beautiful park with bike and walking paths. Camp hosts are very helpful. Bathrooms and showers are very clean."

    "The bath house has men's and women's bathrooms as well as a largish entry room with water fountains (one accessible to those in a wheelchair or child), a vending machine, information about the park, an"

    3. Wapakoneta KOA

    8 Reviews
    Jackson Center, OH
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (419) 738-6016

    $42 - $55 / night

    "We stay here while visiting family nearby Ohio. Lots of shade and quiet even with families and usually pretty full, hosts are extremely nice and accommodating. Swimming pool is clean."

    "Close to I75, level sites, laundry, showers, two dog areas and a store and restaurant. The managers are wonderful!"

    4. Lake Cody

    1 Review
    Lima, OH
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (419) 641-3782

    $35 - $40 / night

    5. Grand Lake St. Marys State Park — Grand Lake St Marys State Park

    14 Reviews
    St. Marys, OH
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (419) 394-3611

    "great like campground on Ohio’s biggest inland lake"

    "friendly staff, very clean restrooms, playground, could not swim in the water due to contamination which they have spent millions to repair and is slowly on the up and up, not too far from town, surrounded"

    6. Venture Out Resorts Arrowhead Lakes Resort

    4 Reviews
    Jackson Center, OH
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (419) 738-5000

    "No hiking, significant highway noise, yes a couple big ponds, but a truck stop and truck storage is behind both - so no views. Most of the campers we saw were elderly or had young kids."

    "Therefore no pool or other water amenities except for the lakes. It seems that the 50 amp sights are very spread out and randomly located."

    7. Robins Nest Campground

    1 Review
    Lima, OH
    8 miles
    +1 (419) 649-2267

    8. Sun Valley Family Campground

    1 Review
    Lima, OH
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (419) 648-2235

    9. River Trail Campground II

    6 Reviews
    Celina, OH
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (419) 795-1400

    $45 - $100 / night

    "Nice lake, you can bring golf carts nice size camping lots. We will go back again great experience beautiful place."

    10. Twin Lakes Park

    4 Reviews
    Bluffton, OH
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (419) 477-5255

    "Playground is great, lots to do, and the fishing and swimming lakes are nice. Caught some decent bass and kids enjoyed all the bluegill fishing. Bath house was very clean."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Lima, OH

182 Reviews of 53 Lima Campgrounds


  • Annette A.
    Oct. 8, 2018

    Adventure Bound Pleasant View

    AWESOME !

    This campground has everything you could want. Kids areas, swimming pond and pool, dog park area and pleasant employees. Will definitly be going back soon!

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Indian Lake State Park Campground

    Lots of sites

    Our pad was not level front to back so we had to adjust a little bit. The fire ring was nice but our picnic table was beat up. I went to move it and the seat pulled right off. We stayed on a Sunday night so it wasn’t packed. There are a ton of sites. Some had great shade and others didn’t have any at all. The bathrooms were flush toilets and they did have shower houses too. The camp store is really big and it’s right next to their pool. They have a dog park, place to dock your boat and a small beach. I would imagine this would be a pretty busy during the summer.

  • Andrea F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 20, 2021

    Adventure Bound Pleasant View

    Wagner Subscriber Campout

    We stayed at this campground in the group camp area. The sites are tight but do provide water and 30 amp electric.

    The campground offers a pond for fishing , swimming pool , bounce pad , inflatable lake fun, dog park and mini golf.

    Since we were there as a group event we didn’t use any of the extras but it all looked nice and clean plus lots of fun.

    Cell coverage was spotty but you could usually get some kind of signal.

    The campground has a lot of seasonal sites as well as primitive tent camping and standard rv sites.

  • Andrea F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 9, 2020

    Adventure Bound Pleasant View

    Nice Campground for a Group Event

    This is our second time camping here and both times were for a group camping event. For this type of event it’s a great park. We had a whole sector the event with water and electric sites.

    If we were going to camp here on our own I am not sure I would like it since it’s mostly set up for seasonal campers. So there are no hiking trail and there is also a lot of golf cart traffic.

    They do offer a swimming pool , pond with inflatable slides , dog park , bound pad and miniature golf.

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Van Buren State Park Campground

    Small and peaceful

    We stayed one night on our way to IN. We’ve never been here before and wanted to check it off our list. It’s a small campground with one side as equestrian and the other side not. All sites had electric and water, no full hookup. There were only drop toilets and no showers. They were clean but I don’t think I’d want to do more than a weekend there. It had a nice playground for kids and plenty of trails to hike or go horseback riding. They also had a dog park and small wildflower garden. The check in cabin had ice and wood for sale but no store. Our site was really nice. The pads were recently paved and had a huge bumper at the end. The fire ring was nice and the site had plenty of space for tents.

  • Andrea F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 30, 2020

    Grand Lake St. Marys State Park — Grand Lake St Marys State Park

    Off Season and No Water

    We love camping in the off season but with that comes closures. Some sections of the campgrounds might not be open, no camp hosts and limited bathrooms and showers houses. This is to be expected, but when I called the morning of our trip to make sure potable water was available and I was told yes it was only to drive 2 hours and realized they were wrong. No water 🙁. This would not have been a peas we have dry camped before but all the bathrooms were closed as well.

    After called the park ranger he did let us get some water at the maintenance building so we were at least able to finish the weekend. Lesson learned always pull with at least some water.

    Now back to the campground itself was nice and clean. Site are a little close together. The biggest down side is you are there to enjoy the lake but the lake had algae warnings everywhere not to go near the water.

    They do have a dog park, pool and splash pad when in season and a marina. Also they have WiFi and good cell coverage.

  • Lisa S.
    May. 1, 2019

    Lake Loramie State Park Campground

    Perfect retreat for the family or solo adventure

    Relax on the waters edge in shear tranquility. Perfect beach for swimming, excellent trails for hiking, and awesome lake to boat. Multiple launch ramps provide ease and convenience. Rent a canoe or kayak and head out for some time alone or with your favorite person. The cabins are heated but pets are not allowed. Campground is huge as are the sites. Some are premium, there’s a few ADA and some lakeside making for a great view to enjoy your morning coffee.

  • Megan M.
    Sep. 6, 2018

    Kiser Lake State Park Campground

    Beautiful lake, no running water, feral cats

    This park has a beautiful lake and nice (although short) hiking trails. The problem is that there is no running water- no showers and smelly pit toilets. There is one spigot for drinking water.

    Beware that the campsites are mostly in one big grassy field with no shade. I'd pick a site along the perimeter or along the lake.

    This park is overrun with feral cats (or it was when I was there). Some people might think that is cute. I consider feral cats to be wild animals that carry disease. What's really bad about them is that they've been fed so they are comfortable around people. We spent the whole weekend trying to fend them off- every time our backs were turned, they jumped up on our picnic table. They ate our food, which we had to throw away. When we sat by the fire, they rubbed up against our legs, which is disgusting, considering they carry Bartonella, which is transmitted through their fleas and ticks (Bartonella is a co-infection of Lyme, or you can get it on its own. I know- I've had it since middle school. Feral cats probably carry Lyme too, as they are mammals). I can't express how stressful it was, trying to keep these wild cats away from us the entire weekend. I don't know why the park can't get them under control.

    Sure, cat people will be offended by my statement, but would you want raccoons or skunks up on your table, eating out of your pots and pans? Would you want raccoons rubbing up against you while you are trying to relax? These cats are also wild animals, yet way too tame for comfort. Ugh,I shudder remembering it.

  • Andrea F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 17, 2021

    Kiser Lake State Park Campground

    Quiet Park

    This park is know for the lake that is kayak and canoe friendly since it doesn’t allow any kind of boat with a motor. It also features a beach , 2 playgrounds and several hiking trails. Just be careful if you hike with dogs since some trails intersect with a nature preserve which doesn’t allow pets.

    The campground itself has 20 electric sites , 56 primitive sites and 4 camper cabins. All the electric sites are pull through and all sites have a fire pit but only the electric sites come with picnic tables.

    Due to off season and COVID the camp store is closed and there is no camper host or park office staff around.

    We did notice lots of downed trees on the poorly marked hiking trails. Some trails just started but no maps were around and no trails were blazed. It was hard to tell where we were headed or how long a trail was. I tried using the new Detour app and it wasn’t very accurate for this park.

    We did have good Verizon cell coverage.


Guide to Lima

Campgrounds near Lima, Ohio spread across relatively flat terrain with elevations ranging from 800 to 900 feet above sea level. The area features a mix of woodlands and farmland with several interconnected water features including the Ottawa and Auglaize Rivers. Weather varies dramatically with summer temperatures typically reaching 80-90°F and winters dropping below freezing, affecting camping accessibility from October through April.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Ottawa Metro Park Campground offers easy access to stocked ponds where campers can catch various fish species. As one visitor noted, "It is such a nice peaceful campground! The sites were nicely spaced along with a wonderful bathroom. Its definitely one of the nicest campgrounds I have ever been to!" (Ottawa Metro Park)

Swimming options: While some lakes in the area have water quality concerns, Indian Lake State Park Campground maintains a clean swimming area and recently added a new inground pool. According to a camper, "There is a camper beach area, swimming pool and boat launch within the campground. The camp store is nice except the firewood was terrible." (Indian Lake State Park)

Biking trails: The 13-mile Greenway system near Ottawa Metro Park provides paved paths ideal for family cycling. A recent visitor mentioned, "Very clean and pleasant campground, not far off the interstate. A 13-mile Greenway passes by there. Very nice bath and shower house."

What campers like

Spacious sites: Grand Lake St. Marys State Park offers large, level camping spaces with cement pads that provide ample room for equipment. One camper shared, "Large spacious sites with cement or paved spots. Can be muddy after rain. Has a pool, playground, putt putt golf, boat docks, hiking trails, and some other great amenities." (Grand Lake St. Marys State Park)

Clean facilities: The well-maintained bathrooms and shower facilities at Wapakoneta KOA consistently receive positive comments. A reviewer noted, "Super clean KOA with level gravel sites (no weeds popping up through gravel!) 2 Fenced dog areas, nice playground, game room, giant chess set outside, clean pool.. you name it, this KOA has it!" (Wapakoneta KOA)

Quiet atmosphere: Despite proximity to highways, several campgrounds maintain peaceful environments. One camper at Twin Lakes Park mentioned, "Campground was really nice. Small and quiet but fun! Staff and seasonal campers were super friendly and helpful! Playground is great, lots to do, and the fishing and swimming lakes are nice."

What you should know

Lake water quality: Grand Lake St. Marys has experienced algae and bacteria issues. A recent visitor warned, "The entire lake stinks of pig poop. All the air smells like poo. You feel like you are breathing feces when you approach the water. We were right on the water so we couldn't escape the smell."

Accessibility features: Many dog friendly campgrounds near Lima offer accessible facilities. At Ottawa Metro Park, "Everything in the bathrooms was intentionally designed for accessibility, not a thoughtless retrofit. The accessible shower is amazing."

Reservation systems: While some campgrounds require advance booking, Ottawa Metro Park operates first-come, first-served. A camper explained, "The campground is first-come first serve, but don't worry about getting a site. There are plenty. Pick up a registration envelope from the mailbox at the entrance sign, complete the triplicate form and follow the instructions."

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly activities: River Trail Campground provides multiple recreation options for children. A visitor shared, "Nice swimming pool and clean pond for swimming and fishing. Catch and release fishing allowed. Bingo on Saturday evening! We all enjoyed our stay." (River Trail Campground)

Playground access: Several pet-friendly campgrounds near Lima feature modern play equipment. At Twin Lakes Park, "Playground is great, lots to do, and the fishing and swimming lakes are nice. Caught some decent bass and kids enjoyed all the bluegill fishing."

Weekend programming: Indian Lake State Park offers organized activities for children, especially during summer months. One camper mentioned, "This is definitely a campground for families and for those who want lots of company in there experience. Some shaded areas but mostly open land. Lots of activities for kids and families and even movies and music on the weekend."

Tips from RVers

Site leveling: Check site descriptions carefully as some campgrounds have uneven terrain. A visitor to Indian Lake State Park noted, "Our pad was not level front to back so we had to adjust a little bit. The fire ring was nice but our picnic table was beat up. I went to move it and the seat pulled right off." (Twin Lakes Park)

Hookup options: Dog-friendly RV campgrounds near Lima offer various electricity options. A Wapakoneta KOA visitor explained, "Great service and help getting the trailer positioned correctly. A few food options on site are nice. The actual sites are very small. Not much room to fit the trailer and vehicle."

Dump station access: Most campgrounds provide sanitary dump stations, but locations vary. At Ottawa Metro Park, "There is a dumpster and water available between sites. Each site comes with a picnic table. And the fields around the park are filled with bunnies!"

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Lima, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Lima, OH is Indian Lake State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 34 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Lima, OH?

TheDyrt.com has all 53 dog-friendly camping locations near Lima, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.