Mountwood Park Family Campground offers tent, RV, and cabin accommodations with pet-friendly policies across all site types. Camping areas include water and electric hookups with picnic tables and fire rings at each site. The park complex features a dedicated dog park located across the street from the main camping area, providing a convenient exercise space for pets. Most campsites are relatively small and better suited for compact setups rather than large RVs. River Run Campground at North Bend State Park similarly welcomes pets with designated pet-friendly areas throughout the campground. Both locations maintain a clean environment with regularly serviced bathroom and shower facilities, though the primitive tent sites at Mountwood Park may have uneven terrain and occasional wildlife visitors.
Kinderhook Trailhead offers free dispersed camping with pets allowed and provides access to multiple hiking paths suitable for dog walking. The area features two designated sites with picnic tables and fire pits, plus additional space for primitive camping if needed. Trails through Wayne National Forest connect to the campground, providing extensive walking opportunities for visitors with dogs. While the campground remains accessible throughout the year, the area becomes quite busy with horse trailers during daylight hours as it primarily serves as an equestrian trailhead. The vault toilet facilities are generally well-maintained, and cell service remains reliable throughout the area. Visitors should note that locals frequently visit the area after dark, which some campers report created an uncomfortable atmosphere when camping alone with pets.
$20 - $40 / night
"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 ."
"Initially, you don't see it...you must drive up and over a roller."
"North Bend State Park is located at the halfway point of the 72-mile North Bend Rail Trail, so it’s a great camping spot for hikers, bikers and horseback riders who want to explore this scenic trail which"
"Close to the restroom there’s a picnic table, tentspots and a manual water pump. A lot of insects, humid and dense deciduous forest surrounding the trailhead. The Kinderhook trail was overgrown."
"Very quiet at night, except for a handful of cars that might drive through or spend the night. I spent two weeks here and had zero issues with people being loud or causing a ruckus."
"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!"
"This campground is just off Hwy 26, but far enough away from town that there isn’t much traffic. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring, and lantern pole. "
"This is a great drive in campsite perfect for family and friends to get into the woods for a bit."
"This is a horse trail camp. There is a vault toilet,a few trash cans,a water spigot and plenty of room for horse trailers. There are some trails you can walk or ride on."
"As we drove around the trailhead, we found a second designated site. The forest website says dispersed camping is allowed and fires are allowed with a 10 foot clearance and a ring of rocks."
$25 / night
"He has so much info on where to eat and what to see in the surrounding areas. The guy bends over backwards for his guests."
"Love this place. 1st time ever in West Virginia and this park was up to the task of making a great 1st impression of the state.
Great hiking with well marked trails.""My dad and I stayed at the lodge in NBSP in May 2023 after riding bicycles for 26 miles from West Union on the rail trail."
RangerOn the border with West Virginia. There aren’t really sites on the water but there’s a nice path to the lake from the camp sites and lots of deer. We spent most of the time on the water (there’s a power limit on the boats) but the campsites were nice in a simple kind of way (showers but no flush).
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.
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.
GuideLove this place. 1st time ever in West Virginia and this park was up to the task of making a great 1st impression of the state.
Great hiking with well marked trails. Fantastic biking on the 72 mile North bend trail which is an abandoned rail way with multiple tunnels including one that is a quarter long and haunted.
Not a bad camping site in the river run part, but if you can snag one along the river, grab it.
Staff was wonderful, especially Brittany! Facilities are dated but are good enough for me. Biggest negative was an inconsistent internet. Wifi was right behind me but my Android was more disconnected than connected. Weirdly my firestick internet TV was strong throughout.
Highly reccomend
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
LegendThis campground is currently closed but hopefully opening in a couple of weeks. 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.
The campground has a beautiful lake you fish or kayak on and there are a ton of birds so bring your binoculars.
Some sites have good shade and some have absolutely none. There is no electric so come ready to boondock or bring a generator. There are sites on the hill or right next to the lake. 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. You do have to register and there is a camp host.
Wood is not provided and there are no rings but spots for your fire. Be smart, keep an eye on it. Picnic benches are at each site, some better than others. Each side also has its own trash can.
It is pet friendly, keep em on their leash. Some sites have more space than others if you want to keep your dog on a lead.
We lucked out with cool weather so not having 100% shade was fine with us this weekend.
TravelerFirst come first served camping with water and pit toilets, large sites, area mostly wooded. Archery range and lots of fishing spots. 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!
Dispersed camping options near Waverly, West Virginia connect directly to the Wayne National Forest trail system. The region sits at the junction of the Ohio River Valley and Appalachian foothills, with campgrounds typically positioned between 600-900 feet in elevation. Many sites experience early morning fog from late summer through fall due to the proximity to rivers and varied terrain.
Trail exploration: Access Kinderhook Trailhead where the equestrian focus creates unique camping dynamics. The area features not only designated sites but space for additional primitive camping when needed. According to one camper, "With it being an equestrian trail, there were a lot of horses and trailers throughout the day. Before sunset, everyone cleared out and only campers remained."
Mountain biking: Hit the multi-use trails at Cokeley Campground. The campground connects directly to extensive rail-trail systems. A recent visitor noted, "Fantastic biking on the 72 mile North bend trail which is an abandoned rail way with multiple tunnels including one that is a quarter long and haunted."
Paddling: Launch from boat access points along the Ohio River near Marietta. The nearby Harris RV Park offers water access with affordable riverside camping. As one visitor mentioned, "We're right on the Ohio River with full hookup for $25 a night?! Full hookup alone is worth more than 25 bucks."
Affordable camping rates: The area provides budget-friendly camping compared to many other regions. At River Run Campground, campers can secure riverside sites with hookups at reasonable rates. One visitor shared, "The Park is great and we have stayed at lodge 4 times before but this was first camping trip. We stayed during historic heat wave but kept cool in the river, the pool, and with the ice cream store nearby."
Pet exercise areas: Multiple sites offer dedicated dog walking spaces beyond the main campground. Some campgrounds maintain separate pet recreation areas. A visitor at Hune Bridge Campground appreciated the natural setting: "Adorable little campground, with a historic covered bridge and lovely creek in the backyard. There are 4 campsites and a vault toilet that is relatively clean and well-stocked."
Diverse wildlife: The area supports extensive wildlife viewing opportunities. Many campsites experience regular wildlife visits, particularly at dawn and dusk. One camper observed, "Plenty to do in the park, Great camping sites, easily accessible trails."
Weekend crowds: Equestrian-focused trailheads become busy during daylight hours. At Kinderhook Trailhead, the parking area fills with horse trailers on weekends. One visitor noted, "It is an open area, so there wouldn't be physical privacy, although the tall trees provide shade."
Site selection strategy: Choose sites based on shade patterns and river proximity. Some campground hosts help identify the best options. At Cokeley Campground, "The camps hosts were very nice and accommodating. They gave us restaurant recommendations and also allowed us to stay a few hours over, to keep the camper parked and clean up later."
Water availability: Not all sites provide potable water access. Many dispersed sites require visitors to bring their own water or filter from natural sources. A camper at Hune Bridge noted: "No drinking water is available, but there are creeks all around, so come prepared with a water filter!"
River cooling options: Multiple swimming access points provide relief during summer heat. Backwoods Campground & Winery offers secluded camping with natural surroundings. One visitor described it as "So peaceful, beautiful views!!! Always have a good time, and always love enjoying time with family and friends and time together!!!"
Playground access: Several campgrounds maintain dedicated play areas for children. North Bend State Park facilities include recreational options beyond camping. A visitor noted, "North Bend State Park would be good for kids because they have playgrounds, mini-golf and an outdoor swimming pool."
Rail-trail biking: Family-friendly paved paths connect to multiple campgrounds. The converted rail lines provide easy gradients for young riders. One camper shared, "This humble campground is located on the 'Haunted' North Bend Rail to Trail. It was easy check in with a friendly staff."
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring blocks. At Ashland RV Park, sites are generally spacious but may need adjustment. A visitor noted, "Large open campground minutes from downtown Marrietta OH owner and Staff are very friendly and easy going! Clean, nice newer bath house."
GPS routing issues: Navigation systems often direct RVs onto unsuitable roads. At North Bend State Park campgrounds, it's essential to get proper directions. One camper warned, "Do not follow GPS to get to North Bend SP(Cokeley or River Run) Call the park office directly. GPS took us up some nasty horse-shoe hills!"
Site selection for pet-friendly camping near Waverly, West Virginia: Choose locations with adequate space between neighbors. While most campgrounds welcome pets, some provide better accommodation. A visitor to River Run Campground noted, "We had a wonderful time. The property was very clean and family oriented. Nice spacing at our site in particular."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Waverly, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Waverly, WV is Mountwood Park Family Campground(Wood County Park) with a 3.6-star rating from 5 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Waverly, WV?
TheDyrt.com has all 66 dog-friendly camping locations near Waverly, WV, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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