59 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Wayne National Forest Leith Run Recreation Area features water hookups and electric hookups on its pet-friendly campsites. Pets are allowed at all nine campgrounds near Matamoras, Ohio, with varying amenities depending on the location. River Run Campground at North Bend State Park offers tent, RV, and cabin accommodations where pets are welcome, plus features like picnic tables, fire rings, drinking water, and showers. Kinderhook Horse Trail provides a more rustic camping experience with toilets and picnic tables but lacks hookups or drinking water. Kinderhook Trailhead offers similar primitive camping with fire rings and toilets where pets can accompany their owners. Local campers note the campgrounds are well maintained with super nice staff who deliver firewood directly to campsites.
The North Bend Rail Trail provides excellent hiking opportunities for campers with dogs, crossing 35 bridges and passing through 11 tunnels along a scenic 72-mile route. Leashed pets can explore alongside their owners at Hune Bridge Campground, which sits adjacent to a historic covered bridge and creek that's suitable for fishing and float trips. Wayne National Forest trails range from beginner to intermediate difficulty with some steep sections that dogs should be prepared to navigate. The North Fork of the Hughes River at River Run Campground allows dogs to cool off during summer months, though visitors should be aware some primitive camping locations like Kinderhook Horse Trail experience significant insect activity and have reported concerns about frequent vehicle traffic in the evening hours, potentially making solo camping with pets less advisable.
"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."
"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."
from $15 - $55 / night
Check Availability"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"
"Pets are welcome, though there’s no dog park, and families might find it a bit dull since there’s nothing for kids to do. For me, the simplicity was part of the charm."
"Right on the Ohio River. Tight spots, but pretty level. The owner, Max, is amazing. He met us with a welcome packet in a reusable bag."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Just a few miles from the Ohio Covered Bridge Scenic Highway, this lovely tent-only campground offers a pleasant get away. There are 6 spacious “walk-in” campsites, a small pond, and vault toilets."
"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."
"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."
"Pretty easy trail to walk, small camp ground for multiple campers, and a nice little waterfall at the bottom of the trail it wasn’t running very much when we went but a pretty spot"
"Easy, short trail. Beautiful caves to explore and a nice waterfall at the end."
"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 ."
from $20 - $40 / night
Check Availability
ScoutI stayed here in the worse month possible for camping in ohio but the owner made it a great experience. They are very accommodating. Even though every thing was snowy and muddy I could tell this is a very well taken care of place. Shower house was clean and warm. The laundry mat washed and dried great. As a construction worker I have payed way more for way less. This place is gem for construction/oil field workers in the area.
LegendDog park!! and right on the lake!! Found this by mistake on our way out, and the dogs loved it. Access to lake, a beach, well fenced. I would give Salt Fork SP extra stars for this one, especially if there were campsites co-located.
Camp ground is easily accessible being just 6 miles from I70, leaving the convenience of Cambridge and city amenities close by while allowing for great trails and solitude. Stayed in campground A, and the front end has little shade, but being here in autumn was perfect for lots of sunshine on site. Sites with trees for tree tents is minimal. Drinking fountains are dispersed fairly frequently throughout campground, but RV hookups with water were limited during my stay. Shower houses and comfort houses all have flushers and sinks.
TICK WARNING!!!! After a morning hike down wooded Trail, we spent A LONG TIME pulling ticks from dogs...even though the temps were in the 30's overnight and everyone was treated with flea & tick protection.
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.
TravelerSaltfork is located about 45 minutes from my house, and makes for the perfect overnight trip.
There are tons of things to do, and lots of space in which to do them. My favorites includes hiking trails, and the lakeside dog park.
I stay in the primitive camping, it allows for more privacy and quiet. Although it also means you are relegated to the pit toilets. I personally don't mind them, but I know some campers will make the drive to the nicer shower house in the RV heavy side of the park.
Each site has a picnic table and fire ring, the fire rings in the primitive section need some work, as the grates are very old and small.
ScoutI spent 28 nights at this laid‑back little campground from late May through June, and honestly, it was exactly the kind of no‑frills spot I love. Every site is a pull‑through, long enough for just about any rig and tow vehicle, with a simple grass‑and‑gravel setup that only needed minimal leveling. There’s no shade, so be ready for full sun, but the tradeoff is wide‑open views—especially if you snag sites 11 or 12, which overlook the river beautifully. Hookups were solid across the board: 30/50 amp electric, normal water pressure, and full sewer. Connectivity was fantastic, which made working remotely a breeze. Starlink ran between 250–300 Mbps, Verizon had five bars. I didn’t have a single issue streaming, attending meetings, or getting work done. Amenities are basically nonexistent—no bathrooms, no showers, no pool, and the laundry across the street was closed the entire month I stayed. But honestly, the price reflects that, and I wasn’t paying for extras I didn’t need. Pets are welcome, though there’s no dog park, and families might find it a bit dull since there’s nothing for kids to do. For me, the simplicity was part of the charm. The atmosphere is relaxed and quiet, with moderate road noise from Route 7 and occasional train and barge traffic along the Ohio River. I actually enjoyed the sounds—they added character. There’s also a nearby church whose bells I found lovely. Most of the other campers were long‑term workers who kept to themselves and were consistently respectful. I rarely saw anyone, which made the whole stay feel peaceful and private. The location is great if you need essentials: gas, ice cream, a post office, and even the occasional food truck. Scenic views and parks are close by, and I stayed here mainly because my family lives nearby and I’ve always loved the area. The staff made the experience even better. Paul greeted me when I arrived, helped me pick a great site, and even assisted with unhooking. Max, the owner, stopped by on the weekend with a packet of local attractions and chatted for a bit. Both were incredibly friendly and welcoming. As for pros, the location, views, and price are hard to beat. The cons are pretty mild—no trees to buffer the road noise and sites that could be a bit roomier—but nothing that ruined the stay. Remote workers, vacationers, and anyone craving a quiet retreat will feel right at home here. My work‑from‑RV score was excellent across connectivity, noise, and comfort, and I’d absolutely work remotely here again. In the end, I genuinely loved my time at this campground. The owner and manager were wonderful, the grounds were well maintained, and the no‑frills vibe fit me perfectly. I fully plan to make this a regular summer stop.
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.
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.
TravelerNice lodge with pool. Pet hedgehog worked the front counter. Bigfoot stuff everywhere. Okay trails.
LegendIf you are confused by this campsite that makes sense. This was an AEP ReCreation campsite. It has recently been purchased by the State of Ohio. The ReCreation AEP campsites has an outstanding FB (Facebook) page. I would recommend you keep close tabs on that site to figure out what you need to know about this site or others. The new sign does make it easy to find. It is also one of the closest campsites to the Miner's Memorial Park with the Big Muskie bucket. If you don't know what that is do go and check the site out.
I would also say print maps and also take photos of maps. This one wasn't too bad to find as it is on the current paper map that AEP printed dated January 13, 2020. If you have kids that like horses I would go over to see if anyone is at the Equine area that is close by as well. So a fun filled day of looking at a giant mining bucket and horses.
Cell phone coverage is extremely limited out here. Verizon got service in most of the areas. It wasn't 100%. If you do need coverage the Mining Memorial is the main spot to go. Other carriers never seemed to have a signal.
These campsites allow 2 cars per site. Pets are allowed if leashed. As Ohio is taking over the campsites think Ohio State Park rules. You can still camp here for free at the moment.
https://www.aep.com/recreation/areas/recreationland
https://www.cleveland.com/open/2018/07/first\_phase\_of\_ohios\_new\_jesse.html
https://birding-in-ohio.com/morgan-county/jesse-owens-state-park-and-wildlife-area-maple-grove-campground/
Camping areas near Matamoras, Ohio concentrate along the Ohio River valley at approximately 600-700 feet elevation. The region experiences distinct seasons with humid summers averaging 80-85°F and winter temperatures frequently dropping below freezing. Fall camping offers colorful foliage views in Wayne National Forest and surrounding areas where primitive camping options supplement established campgrounds.
Fishing opportunities: 4 Wayne National Forest areas provide creek and river access for anglers. At Hune Bridge Campground, campers have direct fishing access to nearby creeks. As one visitor notes, "The creeks are also great for fishing and float trips... This campground also serves as the local 'take out' for the river."
Rail trail exploration: The North Bend Rail Trail offers 72 miles of relatively flat terrain for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. A visitor to River Run Campground explains, "This humble campground is located on the 'Haunted' North Bend Rail to Trail. It was easy check in with a friendly staff. Great place to stay with plenty of room to enjoy yourself."
Mountain biking: Several trail networks cater to different skill levels. As one camper at Cokeley Campground shared, "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, since we were there for a mountain bike race."
Reasonable prices: Many campgrounds offer economical rates for various camping styles. At Harris RV Park, visitors appreciate the value: "Right on the Ohio River with full hookup for $25 a night?! Full hookup alone is worth more than 25 bucks. Cash or Check only."
Firewood service: Several campgrounds provide easy firewood access. As noted at River Run Campground: "Clean and well maintained with super nice staff. Had a $6 bundle of firewood delivered to my campsite."
Pet-friendly facilities: Multiple dog friendly campgrounds near Matamoras allow pets with varying amenities. Mountwood Park visitor comments, "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."
Site selection matters: Terrain varies significantly between campgrounds and even within the same facility. At Wolf Run State Park, a camper advises, "Would advise to visually check the sites, due to terrain which is rolling... Some of the electric sites were very small or had a very bad dip on the pad. Choose your site wisely."
Water availability varies: Not all campgrounds provide drinking water. At Kinderhook Horse Trail, visitors note, "Area is dedicated to horse trail riding. Nice clean area just off main road. Can camp here in certain spots... Does have a small hand pump water spigot. Has no flush vault toilet."
Local traffic patterns: Some primitive sites experience unexpected vehicle traffic. At Kinderhook Horse Trail, reviews warn, "People coming and going every 15 minutes ish. Some folks pull in stare at you for a few seconds then leave" and "It also seems to be a spot locals visit quite a bit. I've had two cars drive in after sunset who have just sat around for a bit then left."
Playground access: Several pet-friendly campgrounds near Matamoras offer recreation facilities for children. At Kinderhook Trailhead, visitors explain, "This is a great drive in campsite perfect for family and friends to get into the woods for a bit."
Site privacy considerations: For family camping, site selection affects privacy levels. At River Run Campground, one visitor notes, "We had a wonderful time. The Park is great... We stayed during historic heat wave but kept cool in the river, the pool, and with the ice cream store nearby. The property was very clean and family oriented. Nice spacing at our site in particular."
Weather planning: The region experiences significant seasonal variation. A Wolf Run State Park visitor shares, "We got engaged on the lake view site in early fall and also spent Halloween weekend there! It definitely adds a spook factor if you are camping that time of year. We were the only ones tent camping that weekend!"
Road access warnings: Some GPS directions lead to difficult routes. A Cokeley Campground visitor warns, "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! Call the office! Park personnel said some GPS will bring campers up a bad gravel road!"
Electrical hookup inspection: Check electrical connections before setting up. At Mountwood Park, a camper noted, "Some of the electric hookups had damage but being able to choose your spot upon arrival helped."
Site size limitations: Several campgrounds have restrictions on larger vehicles. At Mountwood Park, a visitor advises, "FYI. Most of the sites seemed small so it might be best for smaller setups. Also I did not see any pull through sites."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Matamoras, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Matamoras, OH is Hune Bridge Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Matamoras, OH?
TheDyrt.com has all 59 dog-friendly camping locations near Matamoras, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
