Dog-Friendly Camping near Mingo Junction, OH

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    Hidden Hollow Campground in Fernwood State Forest provides free camping for up to 14 days every 30 days with pet-friendly sites. This quiet, state-managed campground offers 22 paved sites with picnic tables and fire rings, allowing dogs throughout the camping area. Pets must be leashed and under control at all times. Austin Lake RV Park & Cabins and Jefferson Lake State Park Campground also welcome pets, with Austin Lake offering cabin accommodations for those camping with dogs. Raccoon Creek State Park Campground in nearby Pennsylvania features tent, RV, and cabin options that permit pets. The campground areas are typically quiet except for occasional gunfire from a nearby shooting range that some campers note continues until late evening.

    Fernwood State Forest's pit toilet facilities are maintained with varying cleanliness levels, with some campers finding them well-kept while others report less favorable conditions. Most campsites provide level spots for tent camping with designated fire rings. The surrounding forest offers hiking opportunities along orange-blazed trails, though fallen trees occasionally block portions of the paths. Dog owners should come prepared with their own drinking water, as the hand pump water source is not rated for potable use. The primitive nature of these pet-friendly campgrounds appeals to those seeking a budget-friendly outdoor experience with their dogs, with multiple visitors noting the peaceful atmosphere despite proximity to shooting ranges. Waste disposal facilities are available for proper pet waste management.

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    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Mingo Junction (68)

      1. Raccoon Creek State Park Campground

      4.3(49)16mi from Mingo Junction180 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "While most of the campgrounds in the park are no pets- there are 2 loops that allow your furry companions! Loop F includes electric spots!"

      "There's a trail right to the beach near the D loop, so it's a great place for families to go with pets. The sites are big, wooded, and all close to the bathroom."

      from $18 - $128 / night

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      2. Hidden Hollow Campground — Fernwood State Forest

      4.2(11)8mi from Mingo JunctionRVs, Tents

      "Very well kept, completely free 1st come campground just outside the very small town of Bloomingdale, OH. Pit toilets and no source of safe, clean water anymore."

      "The campground is situated near shooting ranges so the gunfire lasts late into the evening and begins early in the morning disrupting the serenity a bit. The best part - it's free!"

      3. Tomlinson Run State Park Campground

      4.3(19)15mi from Mingo JunctionRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Pets are welcome.  Facilities are older but well kept.  Bathhouse is heated with showers that have a fiberglass tub surround, not concrete.  Nice hiking trails that connect through the campground. "

      "There are trails and fishing so plenty to do. Fairly sparse in April but a lot of people still driving and walking by. Alcohol prohibited"

      from $28 - $40 / night

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      4. Austin Lake RV Park & Cabins

      4.0(9)13mi from Mingo JunctionRVs, Cabins

      "Adjacent to the lake. Multiple amenities close by. Plenty of activities for the family. Great family owned campground."

      "Kart friendly and great spots all along the main strip, lake side and creek side."

      from $70 - $250 / night

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      5. Jefferson Lake State Park Campground

      4.0(7)14mi from Mingo Junction44 sitesRVs, Tents

      "Tucked away in southeastern Ohio is a gem of a park for camping, hiking and horse camping. Clean water, restrooms, playground, sand volleyball and basketball court."

      "Fire pits have a nice grate to flip over and cook on (this varied highly bw Ohio campgrounds).
      Nice hiking trails and the lake is nice. Lots of geese and the expected goose poop."

      from $23 - $33 / night

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      6. Beaver Creek State Park Campground

      4.3(18)28mi from Mingo Junction47 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "map]](http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/Portals/parks/PDFs/parks/Maps/Beaver_Creek/beavercreekcampmap.pdf)

      • 6 electric sites
      • 44 non-electric sites
      • Dump station
      • No showers; no flush toilets
      • Pets"

      "Site was fairly clean, but be sure to move the pine tree duff away from the fire pits to be safe. "

      from $23 - $50 / night

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      7. Whispering Pines Family Campground

      4.3(3)18mi from Mingo JunctionRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      8. Barkcamp State Park Campground

      4.1(18)29mi from Mingo Junction151 sitesRVs, Glamping

      "This was a nice place to stop for a few days on my drive west into Ohio. I knew nothing about the campground prior to this visit."

      "I grew up in the Ohio valley and I love living here."

      from $35 - $150 / night

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      9. Ronsheim Campground — Harrison State Forest

      4.3(3)20mi from Mingo JunctionRVs, Tents

      "It’s nothing much, there isn’t much in the way of activity save a few trails."

      "Gun range nearby."

      10. Washington-Pittsburgh SW KOA

      3.0(11)25mi from Mingo JunctionRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Very conveniently located off the interstate. Follow the signs to the campground NOT the GPS in order to avoid some narrow and sharp turn roads. Staff were super friendly!"

      "Easy highway access great for overnight travel"

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Mingo Junction, OH

    353 Reviews of 68 Mingo Junction Campgrounds


    • Blaine V.
      Feb. 20, 2022

      Shadow Lake RV Resort

      Great place and service

      I 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.

    • Staci R.
      Oct. 26, 2017

      Salt Fork State Park Campground

      The right side of the fork

      Dog 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.

    • Kellie A.
      May. 24, 2021

      Salt Fork State Park Campground

      My Go-to Weekend Getaway

      Saltfork 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.

    • Kathleen H.
      Jul. 10, 2022

      Raccoon Creek State Park Campground

      Pet friendly campsite, with electric

      While most of the campgrounds in the park are no pets- there are 2 loops that allow your furry companions! Loop F includes electric spots! Loved seeing the 'neighbors' dogs get excited and curious when I walked my 4-legged best friend around the site. Clean area , close to a modern bathroom (a few stalls & even 2 showers!) Looking forward to going back at the end of the month.

    • B
      Jul. 4, 2023

      Washington-Pittsburgh SW KOA

      Awesome staff!

      Very conveniently located off the interstate. Follow the signs to the campground NOT the GPS in order to avoid some narrow and sharp turn roads. Staff were super friendly! Front desk staff were knowledgeable and and helpful. We had some issues with our power, and Larry was at our site within minutes to fix it. Big open dog park! There are only a few shaded spots. Spot width was a little narrow where we stayed (on the hill), but perfect for a quick overnight stay. Bathrooms were fairly clean, laundry was nice. The pool looked very well maintained.

    • M
      Aug. 3, 2020

      Raccoon Creek State Park Campground

      Let a Local Give You The Scoop!

      In the past 5 years, I've made 13 trips to Raccoon Creek State Park and spent 16 nights in a tent there. It is my local state park and I can tell you lots about it.

      The D loop is really great tent camping at Raccoon Creek State Park. It's tents only, no RVs. So it gets a really fun, party vibe on Saturday nights during the summer. There's a trail right to the beach near the D loop, so it's a great place for families to go with pets. The sites are big, wooded, and all close to the bathroom.

      The C loop, however, doesn't take pets (which stinks). When we have our dogs with us, we gravitate towards the C loop. It's fine, but it's not as fun as the D loop.

      When we don't make a reservation and we have our dog, we end up in the F loop. It's not our preference (but--let's be clear--even the worst site in the F loop is better than NO trip!).

    • James B.
      Oct. 7, 2021

      Mountain Top Campground

      very nice for me but ymmv

      nice campsite the closest to Pittsburg that i found. 35 mins 

      pros

      amazing views at this mountain top campsite

      45 per night for me ymmv 

      clean campgrounds

      level gravel lots with wood boarders

      lots of grass on each site as well

      full verizon coverage lte 

      30 + 50amp services

      grey water dump on most sites

      water 

      open year round 

      cons

      no kids park

      no dog park

      no cable hookups

      moderate wi-fi (to be expected) 

      no black sewer hookup (does have dump station and honey wagon)

    • S
      May. 27, 2018

      Raccoon Creek State Park Campground

      Great outdoor getaway from the city life!

      I started camping at Raccoon back in the 60's as a little person with my family. Hadn't been for several decades, but finally got back with my husband and cats the past couple of years. Great park ony a 1/2 hour outside of Pittsburgh. The campground has something for everyone - RV sites with electric (although I wouldn't recommend bringing your 40' rig...sites can be a tad on the smaller side) or secluded sites just for tenting. Restrooms are clean and well maintained. Two loops allow pets F and B, but only some sites in F have electric, so be sure to check if that is what you need. There are many hiking trails that are not too strenuous or you can take a 10 mile trip around the lake. Lots of birds for viewing, particularly near the beach. You can put in your kayak or fish on the shore at the fairly large lake. Boats do require a launch pass which you can obtain from the park office. And don't miss the Wildflower Preserve if you are there in May or late summer! Great place to take the family and relax in nature!

    • Jay B.
      Aug. 15, 2017

      Raccoon Creek State Park Campground

      Memorial Day

      Long holiday weekend trip. Love this park. Designated pet areas, flush toilets and shower house available. Plenty of trails.


    Guide to Mingo Junction

    Campers seeking pet-friendly options near Mingo Junction, Ohio can explore several state parks and family-owned campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. The area sits within the Appalachian foothills, creating varied terrain with elevations ranging from 700 to 1,200 feet. Most campgrounds in this region experience moderate humidity in summer months with temperatures averaging 75-85°F, while spring and fall camping offers cooler temperatures and colorful landscapes.

    What to do

    Hiking trail exploration: Tomlinson Run State Park provides numerous well-maintained trails for hikers and their pets. "Beautiful campground, quiet, not to crowded..... There are nice hikes around the creek too," notes Darrel and Mary W., who found the park's natural setting ideal for outdoor recreation.

    Fishing opportunities: Beaver Creek State Park offers excellent fishing spots along its creek. Mike T. shares, "This is a nice clean state park. There is canoeing but no swimming. Bass fishing is really fun because we caught a few nice ones!!" The park's waterways provide a relaxing activity for campers.

    Lake activities: Barkcamp State Park Campground features a lake for swimming and boating. "There are play grounds, basketball courts, a beach. Fishing is good and you can rent kayaks and boats," explains Joshua B., highlighting the diverse water activities available.

    Historical exploration: Beaver Creek State Park Campground contains pioneer village exhibits. According to Shay D., "The best part about the area was the history that surrounds it. There is a pioneer village near the park office that offers some picnicking areas around it. It also has original buildings from the pioneer days (church, school, etc)."

    What campers like

    Peace and quiet: Raccoon Creek State Park Campground provides tranquil surroundings for campers and their pets. Alice M. confirms, "I enjoyed my stay at this park. We had a tent site for the weekend. It was a beautiful area and I really enjoyed exploring. Looking forward to going back soon!"

    Budget-friendly options: Harrison State Forest's Ronsheim Campground offers no-cost camping. Peter H. points out, "Well maintained campground with a handful of sites. Pit toilets. Nice fishing pond. Gun range nearby." Joshua B. adds, "The overall reason I gave 5 stars though, is because it's free."

    Swimming facilities: Austin Lake RV Park & Cabins provides water recreation facilities. "This camp ground! Lake and scenery was beautiful! Very clean and friendly help! Very kid oriented!" says Shawn L., describing the well-maintained facilities.

    Spacious sites: Jefferson Lake State Park features generously-sized camping areas. Theresa Tittle R. shares, "Tucked away in southeastern Ohio is a gem of a park for camping, hiking and horse camping. Clean water, restrooms, playground, sand volleyball and basketball court. Dump station and 18 miles of multi use trails!"

    What you should know

    Site conditions vary: Campgrounds in this region often have challenging terrain for setup. At Tomlinson Run State Park Campground, Dusty R. advises, "My girlfriend and I stayed at tent site 40... Most of the sites were pretty private and ours was probably the most private and had a lot of space since we were on the very end of the road / cul-de-sac."

    Water restrictions: Some parks have limited access to potable water. Bounding Around notes about Beaver Creek, "They are on a well so there is limited water and they don't allow you to fill up your on board tank. Make sure you fill up before you go!"

    Road access challenges: Washington-Pittsburgh SW KOA has tricky access roads. Chris H. warns, "Very steep narrow roads to access campground and sites..sites not level and noisy, next to highway." For RVs especially, this can present difficulties.

    Noise factors: Multiple campgrounds experience noise from nearby facilities. Darrel and Mary W. mention about Fernwood State Forest, "Love this place, especially early spring and into late fall... loop B is the boom! Fits our style of camping."

    Tips for camping with families

    Playground proximity: Position your campsite near recreational facilities for convenience with kids. Matt H. from Beaver Creek notes, "We got a site near the playground, which my 3 year old enjoyed. The campground wasn't busy and we had a lot of privacy."

    Water activities planning: Tomlinson Run State Park Campground offers swimming options for families. David A. confirms, "Nice simple, small campground sites are for everyone, RV to tent, older bathhouses but clean. Swimming pool and lake for fishing and boating!"

    Private campsites: Look for end-of-loop sites for families wanting more seclusion. Aaron B. suggests at Beaver Creek, "I suggest the pine sites for any tent or hammock campers. I stayed in one of the first set of 3 pine sites numbered 43, 44, and 45. There is some brush and cover between these sites, but each has a pull in parking pad."

    Astronomy opportunities: Clear skies provide stargazing potential. Matt H. shares, "The sky was dark enough to see far more stars than you'd see near any larger towns or cities. To cap it off, we laid in our tent dozing off to the sounds of owls and coyotes!"

    Tips from RVers

    Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the area require leveling equipment. At Barkcamp State Park, Connor M. warns, "The campground had no water hookups, about 90% of the sites were not level (and....I mean by A LOT). We were one of the only people in the campground, so we ended up just moving to one of the more level campgrounds."

    Seasonal considerations: Water systems often shut down in colder months. Shannon G. advises about Beaver Creek, "Water - have to go up to entrance as the water spouts are still shut off."

    Power options: Jefferson Lake State Park Campground has limited electrical sites. Eddie notes, "Only 5 electric sites. Very clean pit toilets. Well maintained campground. A few equine sites. Only 2 electric eq sites. Electric is a little far behind pad. We almost needed extension cord."

    Access road navigation: Driving larger rigs requires careful planning. Mathew H. shares about Austin Lake, "Be advised it will seem a little sketchy getting in. The road dead-ends into the campground and it is all downhill getting there. Take your time and all will be just fine. Our rig is 39' & 16K. 4wd low helps, not cause you need 4wd just for the lower gears."

    Frequently Asked Questions

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Mingo Junction, OH is Raccoon Creek State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 49 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 68 dog-friendly camping locations near Mingo Junction, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.