Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Martins Ferry, OH

Grand Vue Park welcomes pets at all 40 RV campsites with full hookups, including 50-amp service and water connections. The campground maintains a paved main road through a gated camping area, with gravel sites that accommodate various RV sizes. Hidden Hollow Campground in Fernwood State Forest allows pets with a 14-day maximum stay per 30-day period, offering free camping with self-registration at the pit latrine building. Both locations feature fire rings and picnic tables at most sites, though amenities vary between locations—Grand Vue offers on-site showers and restrooms while Hidden Hollow provides only pit toilets. Barkcamp State Park Campground permits pets throughout their campground areas, including sites suitable for tents, RVs, and glamping options. Campers consistently report that staff members are friendly and accommodating to those traveling with pets.

Hiking trails accessible to leashed dogs exist at several campgrounds, with Fernwood State Forest offering an orange-blazed trail behind site 10, though fallen trees occasionally block portions of the path. Tomlinson Run State Park Campground, approximately 45 minutes from Martins Ferry, provides additional pet-friendly camping options with electric hookups and water connections available from April through October. When camping with pets in the area, visitors should prepare for varying weather conditions and bring sufficient water supplies, as some locations like Hidden Hollow have unreliable water sources. Barkcamp State Park provides additional recreation opportunities for campers with pets, including a lake for fishing and boat rentals, though reviews indicate the lake is somewhat underwhelming. The gun range near Hidden Hollow creates regular noise until approximately 11 pm, which may disturb sensitive pets. Gunshot noise during the day might require consideration for animals with noise sensitivity.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Martins Ferry, Ohio (62)

    1. Barkcamp State Park Campground

    18 Reviews
    St. Clairsville, OH
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 484-4064

    $35 - $150 / night

    "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."

    2. Hidden Hollow Campground — Fernwood State Forest

    11 Reviews
    Valley View, OH
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 266-6021

    "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. Grand Vue Park

    4 Reviews
    Moundsville, WV
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 845-9810

    $15 - $225 / night

    "A cute restaurant is close by along with restrooms and showers that are also brand new. Firewood is for sale at the main office for $20 and they deliver to you."

    "so not fiddling around with a Fob or keycard!"

    4. Raccoon Creek State Park Campground

    49 Reviews
    Clinton, PA
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 899-2200

    $18 - $128 / night

    "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."

    5. Ryerson Station State Park Campground

    7 Reviews
    Wind Ridge, PA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 428-4254

    $20 - $82 / night

    "There are 3 trails you can take right within the campground. The downside is no cell service for Verizon."

    "Small camp loop is great for little kids to bike around.  There is no playground at the campground which would have been nice.  There is NO Verizon service at the campground. "

    6. Zion Retreat & RV Park

    2 Reviews
    St. Clairsville, OH
    18 miles
    Website

    "Had a great spot by the lake right off the back of our camper. Make sure you have a good tow vehicle as there is a steep hill at the entrance/exit of the camp ground."

    "There are several ponds around the campground for fishing and bird watching. Be sure to keep an eye our for deer as you come into the park!"

    7. Tomlinson Run State Park Campground

    19 Reviews
    New Manchester, WV
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 564-3651

    $28 - $40 / night

    "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"

    8. Sally Buffalo Park

    1 Review
    Deersville, OH
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 942-8844

    $25 - $40 / night

    9. Ronsheim Campground — Harrison State Forest

    3 Reviews
    Bloomingdale, OH
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 266-6021

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

    "Gun range nearby."

    10. Austin Lake RV Park & Cabins

    9 Reviews
    New Cumberland, WV
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 544-5253

    $70 - $250 / night

    "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."

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Showing results 1-10 of 62 campgrounds

Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Martins Ferry, OH

321 Reviews of 62 Martins Ferry 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.

  • Jay B.
    Aug. 14, 2017

    Wolf Run State Park Campground

    Weekend get away

    Weekend 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.

  • 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!).

  • 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!

  • E
    Sep. 26, 2021

    Salt Fork State Park Campground

    Cabin stay with hot tub

    Nice lodge with pool. Pet hedgehog worked the front counter. Bigfoot stuff everywhere. Okay trails.


Guide to Martins Ferry

Pet friendly camping options near Martins Ferry, Ohio spread across the rolling foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, with elevations ranging from 650 to 1,300 feet above sea level. The Ohio Valley region features numerous state forests and parks within a 45-minute drive radius, providing year-round camping opportunities despite seasonal weather variations. Campgrounds in this area typically experience hot summers with temperatures reaching 85-90°F and cold winters that can drop below 20°F.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Austin Lake RV Park offers a stocked fishing lake where campers can spend hours angling. As one visitor noted, "Fishing is good and you can rent kayaks and boats" at certain locations near Martins Ferry.

Hiking options: Raccoon Creek State Park Campground features over 40 miles of trails with varying difficulty levels. A reviewer mentioned, "We got out for a couple hours hiking in the snow. It was great. Just what we needed to stretch the legs and enjoy some family time. We did the Palomino Loop."

Horseback trails: Barkcamp State Park Campground is set up with dedicated facilities for equestrians. According to a camper, "This is set up with a whole section for horse camping with tie outs and trailer/truck sites. Lots of bridle trails and a really quiet park."

Stargazing: Some campgrounds collaborate with local astronomy groups for unique night sky viewing opportunities. One visitor at Barkcamp State Park mentioned, "Oglebay comes out and has star gazing when it's in season."

Mushroom hunting: Ryerson Station State Park Campground offers seasonal foraging opportunities. A visitor shared, "Went down to pick some Morrell and shantrels mushrooms, they were everywhere, many of the mushrooms didnt even require us to leave the path!"

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Some campgrounds offer better separation than others. At Tomlinson Run State Park Campground, a camper reported, "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 activities: Several campgrounds feature lakes for swimming and boating. At Austin Lake RV Park, one visitor enthusiastically shared, "Tons of stuff to do here... Inflatable slides and such in the lake, hiking trials, playgrounds, all sorts of stuff."

Clean facilities: Grand Vue Park maintains well-kept amenities. A recent visitor noted, "The Sites were fully paved and the entire campground was super nice! The blacktop was super nice and the campground was easy to navigate the bathhouses were really clean!"

Free camping options: For budget-conscious campers, there are no-cost alternatives. A reviewer of Hidden Hollow Campground shared, "Self-register with cards located at pit latrine building. 14 days every 30. No problem getting 40' skoolie in and parked in mostly level spots."

Historical features: Some campgrounds preserve unique historical structures. One camper at Barkcamp State Park noted, "The camp store is an old log cabin so instantly I liked this park."

What you should know

Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience regular noise from nearby facilities. At Hidden Hollow Campground, a visitor warned, "Gun range 5 mins away or so... you can hear gunshots all day until 11pm."

Seasonal closures: Water systems shut down during colder months at some locations. A November camper at Barkcamp State Park noted, "The campground had no water hookups" during their late-season visit.

Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly between campgrounds. At Ryerson Station, a camper cautioned, "There is no cell service for Verizon. I don't take these trips to remain connected, but this spot is quite isolated and if there was ever an emergency, help would be difficult to obtain."

Wildlife encounters: Local wildlife can impact the camping experience. One visitor at Barkcamp State Park described, "There was a group of cows somewhere nearby that were moaning in distress all of Saturday, Saturday night and Sunday morning."

Terrain challenges: Many campgrounds in this hilly region have uneven sites. A visitor to Ryerson Station reported, "To get to the campground, you have to drive several miles on a two lane winding road. Hard to navigate a vehicle in those road conditions."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Some campgrounds offer better play facilities than others. At Tomlinson Run State Park, a visitor noted, "It's a very well maintained campground... fun for the whole family.. lots to do there, swimming, fishing, movie nites, gamerooms."

Kid-friendly water features: Barkcamp State Park Campground provides options for family swimming and boating. A parent shared, "Great place to take kids for cookout and swimming/boating. Many area's with grills set up, but Holliday, it fills up fast."

Budget consideration: Activities may involve additional fees at some parks. A visitor to Austin Lake RV Park warned, "Austin lake offers plenty of fun with the lake. Kayaking, inflatables, beach, but almost anything you want to do will cost you an additional charge."

Campsite selection for families: Look for level, spacious sites when traveling with children. A camper at Barkcamp State Park advised, "The spaces are pretty spread out, which is very nice."

Facility planning: Check which amenities are operational during your visit. One visitor noted, "Wear your swimsuit under your clothes. No longer has changing rooms unless u wanna change in a porta potty!"

Tips from RVers

Leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in this hilly region require careful site selection. A visitor to Barkcamp State Park warned, "We stayed in the camper cabins... The cabins have a view of the dumpsters and the dump station - not the prettiest view."

Access roads: Some campgrounds have difficult approach routes. At Austin Lake RV Park, an RVer cautioned, "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."

Hookup variations: Electric service differs between parks. At Ronsheim Campground, visitors noted the absence of hookups, while Grand Vue Park offers "40 spots with full hookups" according to a reviewer.

Campground layout: Consider site arrangement when selecting a destination. A Grand Vue Park visitor reported, "A gated campground with a paved main road running through. The lots are gravel and somewhat level."

Site dimensions: Check whether your RV will fit comfortably. At Zion Retreat & RV Park, a camper observed, "The sites are a bit close, think KOA close. This might be a turnoff if the campground was full."

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Martins Ferry, OH is Barkcamp State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 18 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 62 dog-friendly camping locations near Martins Ferry, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.