Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Bowerston, OH

Atwood Lake Park Campground and Tappan Lake Park Campground both welcome pets on leashes throughout their facilities, including in cabin accommodations. Both locations offer full-hookup RV sites with concrete pads, tent sites, and pet-friendly cabin options. Campers with dogs particularly appreciate the paved walking paths at Atwood Lake, which provide comfortable terrain for dog walks with views of the water. Sites in Area H at Atwood Lake Park are situated near forest trails where leashed pets can explore natural surroundings. Fellow campers at both locations are generally described as friendly and accommodating to those traveling with pets. The campgrounds are regularly patrolled by rangers who enforce pet policies to ensure safety and cleanliness for all guests.

Hiking trails surrounding Atwood and Tappan lakes accommodate leashed dogs, with multiple trail difficulty levels available for various pet activity needs. Salt Fork State Park Campground, located within driving distance, provides additional pet-friendly camping options with electric hookups, showers, and laundry facilities. The lakefront sites at these campgrounds often book quickly during summer months, especially those with enough yard space for pets to relax outside tents or RVs. Campers should plan to bring waste bags as pet waste stations may be limited in some camping areas. Many RV sites include picnic tables and fire rings where pets can rest nearby while families enjoy outdoor meals. Most campground stores in the region stock basic pet supplies for emergency needs, though bringing all anticipated pet supplies is recommended.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Bowerston, Ohio (89)

    1. Atwood Lake Park Campground

    17 Reviews
    Sherrodsville, OH
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (330) 343-6780

    "Atwood lake os a true gem . Has everything you need. The H campground loops are full hookups, some right on the water. Electric, and primitive sites too."

    "The Atwood Lake Campground is a true gem in a beautiful area of eastern Ohio!"

    2. Tappan Lake Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Deersville, OH
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 922-3649

    "Last weekend we stayed at Tappan Lake Park in Deersville Ohio. We reserved a spot in the “new section 5” of the park. I haven’t been to Tappan lake in probably 15 years with a RV."

    "Great place to camp clean lake and fun to just hang out at the camper"

    3. Woods Tall Timber Resort

    5 Reviews
    Dover, OH
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (330) 602-4000

    "Ohio has a lot of great campgrounds/resorts and this one is one of the best!"

    "WTTR is our families favorite place to be during camping season in Ohio. It has everything you can imagine, it’s safe and CLEAN! We couldn’t recommend a resort more than this one."

    4. Clendening Lake Marina & Campground

    5 Reviews
    Deersville, OH
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 658-3691

    $27 - $146 / night

    "For the boats we were allowed to park down below right by the docks so I wouldn’t have to walk the hill."

    "Lakeside spot, snow flurries, quiet except for the woodpeckers. It is a bit of a drive from the freeway, but worth the effort. Cell service is very weak, but the wifi worked for us."

    5. Salt Fork State Park Campground

    36 Reviews
    Kimbolton, OH
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 432-1508

    $24 - $52 / night

    "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."

    "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."

    6. Ronsheim Campground — Harrison State Forest

    3 Reviews
    Bloomingdale, OH
    12 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."

    7. Atwood Lake Park Muskingum Watershed Conservancy Dist

    2 Reviews
    Sherrodsville, OH
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (330) 343-6780

    "We're started in a tent, moved to a pop-up, and now we're in a pull behind travel-trailer."

    8. Atwood Lake County Campground

    1 Review
    Dellroy, OH
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (330) 735-3220

    9. Jefferson Lake State Park Campground

    7 Reviews
    Valley View, OH
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 765-4459

    $23 - $33 / night

    "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."

    10. Hidden Hollow Campground — Fernwood State Forest

    11 Reviews
    Valley View, OH
    23 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!"

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Showing results 1-10 of 89 campgrounds

Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Bowerston, OH

505 Reviews of 89 Bowerston 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.

  • Kim B.
    Jul. 12, 2018

    West Branch State Park Campground

    water, water everywhere

    best barhrooms around! showers great. bathrooms great. lots of “lakefront” spots. dog park is pretty great, too! good spot to camp for cayahoga falls national park.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 23, 2023

    Countryside Campground

    Kid friendly.

    Nice park with ample parking space. Rec hall, playground, dog park. Propane is on site.

  • AJ J.
    Aug. 10, 2019

    West Branch State Park Campground

    Great Site

    My wife, 2 dogs, and I came with no reservation. They gave us a temporary tag to drive around and see what site we wanted. We ended up going to site 190 which had a decent amount of space to tent camp. The amenities were great. Clean shower and toilets in a well lit building.  There is also a dog park with a pond 2 minutes up the road which was great to wear the dogs out at. The only complaint I have is the site was a little close to our neighbor for our liking but we would go back!

  • 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.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 29, 2021

    Whispering Hills Jellystone RV Park

    Beautiful area

    Whispering Hills Jellystone is a great location for family fun. I can not say enough about how accommodating and helpful the staff was during our visits. There is plenty of activities for families and the dog park was a bonus.

  • 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.

  • Jana H.
    May. 27, 2021

    West Branch State Park Campground

    No Complaints

    The campground was nice, clean and had friendly faces. There is plenty to do-disc golf, sand volleyball, basketball, playground, dog park, not to mention the lake and beaches. There were a lot of dogs the weekend I went but nothing to complain about. Fire pit was nice and functional and the bathrooms were clean. The showers are private in your own “room”separate from the toilets. My favorite feature of the campground is the wash basins outside of the bathrooms to wash your dishes. Very nice amenity when tent camping. Our site was private enough, good sized with close bathroom access.


Guide to Bowerston

Bowerston, Ohio sits at approximately 1,050 feet elevation in the rolling hills of east-central Ohio, where camping season typically runs from April through October. The area features a mix of hardwood forests and lakes created by damming projects in the mid-20th century. Most campgrounds near Bowerston provide electric sites with 30-amp service, while full hookup sites are available at select locations.

What to Do

Hiking trails: Multiple trail systems surround Atwood and Tappan lakes with varying difficulty levels. At Atwood Lake Park Campground, "H campground loops are full hookups, some right on the water. Electric, and primitive sites too. Pets welcome on a leash, a beach and hikng also," notes Susan S.

Fishing opportunities: The lakes offer productive fishing grounds with restrictions that keep the waters peaceful. At Clendening Lake Marina & Campground, "the lake is amazing fishing spot with 9.9 hp boat restrictions. the locals are very nice," according to Tanner G. The campground also features "very nice kayak launches" for paddlers.

Volleyball and basketball: Several campgrounds maintain sports facilities for guest use. Jefferson Lake State Park Campground provides "clean water, restrooms, playground, sand volleyball and basketball court," as Theresa Tittle R. mentions, giving campers options for recreation beyond water activities.

What Campers Like

Waterfront sites: Lakeside camping spots are consistently rated highest by visitors. Lisa S. notes that at Atwood Lake Park Campground, "Location, location, location! Grab a lake front spot and just hang out there! The park is in excellent condition and the facilities are just as clean and comfortable."

New camping areas: Recent renovations have improved camping options at several locations. At Tappan Lake Park Campground, "Section 5 is the bomb!! We stayed in the 5-520-531 section. Sites are new, clean, full hookups, with plenty of paved surfaces to park. Camper sites are level and the hookups are new and easy to use," reports Jim F.

Quiet atmosphere: Several primitive campgrounds offer a more peaceful experience away from crowded areas. At Hidden Hollow Campground, Joe W. appreciates the "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. Very quiet everytime I've camped there."

What You Should Know

Variable site conditions: Campsite quality varies significantly within each campground. At Jefferson Lake State Park Campground, "You need to be careful when booking, especially if you are trying to pitch a tent, as some sites are quite sloped," warns Kimberly.

Limited amenities at some locations: Services vary between campgrounds. At Jefferson Lake, Alex S. advises, "They also advertise a water filling station but neglected to mention that it is non-potable water so if thats something you're looking for then keep that in mind."

Cell service limitations: Connectivity is unreliable throughout the region. At Clendening Lake, Laura M. reports, "Cell service is very weak, but the wifi worked for us," while Jefferson Lake offers "AT&T 5g with 3 bars," according to Eddie.

Tips for Camping with Families

Beach facilities: Lakefront beaches provide swimming opportunities for children. At Atwood Lake, "Nice beach area with toys for the kids and adults," according to Jason S., while Leslie C. adds, "My kids and I have been coming to Atwood for the last 10 years. We look forward to it every summer."

Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer play equipment for younger visitors. Woods Tall Timber Resort earns praise from Ashley S., who notes the campground "has everything you can imagine, it's safe and CLEAN! We couldn't recommend a resort more than this one."

Educational opportunities: Nature centers provide learning experiences for children. At Salt Fork State Park Campground, families can explore "Caves to be explored that are easy to access" along with "Trails that lead along shore line to old stone house built in early days of Ohio," as JH T. describes.

Tips from RVers

Site dimensions: RV sites vary in size and layout across campgrounds. At Tappan Lake, one camper mentions that in "section 5 of the park... All paved sites with picnic tables" are available, though "The lots in section 5 were all concrete full hookup sites and pretty much level."

Full-hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer complete RV services. Andrea F. describes Atwood Lake Park as having "large concrete pads with full hookups. They offer a nice laundry facility and also a small camp store."

Pet friendly camping options: Most campgrounds near Bowerston, Ohio welcome dogs with standard leash requirements. David B. confirms Atwood Lake Park has "a lot of room to roam around and great campsites," making it suitable for pet friendly camping experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Bowerston, OH is Atwood Lake Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 17 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 89 dog-friendly camping locations near Bowerston, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.