Hocking Hills State Park Campground accommodates tent campers, RV enthusiasts, and cabin guests with pets throughout its grounds. Leashed pets are permitted at all developed campgrounds in the New Plymouth region, including Lake Hope State Park, Tar Hollow State Park, and Burr Oak State Park. Most campgrounds maintain standard pet policies requiring dogs to be leashed at all times, cleaned up after, and not left unattended. The sites at Lake Hope can be challenging for tent campers with pets due to sloped terrain, but they offer clean facilities and shaded areas. KOA Holiday in Logan provides more amenities for pet owners with designated pet walking areas, trash receptacles for waste, and level sites suitable for RVs and tents.
Trails throughout Zaleski State Forest welcome leashed dogs, providing excellent hiking opportunities near multiple campgrounds. The dog-friendly hiking paths connect to many camping areas, though visitors report varying trail conditions depending on seasonal factors. Lake Hope offers dogs swimming access in designated areas away from the human beach, while Campbell Cove Camping includes pet-friendly cabin options for those preferring indoor accommodations. During summer months, early morning or evening walks are recommended to avoid hot surfaces that can burn paw pads. Most campgrounds enforce quiet hours which apply to barking dogs, with excessive noise potentially resulting in being asked to leave. Campers should carry proof of current vaccinations, especially rabies, as wildlife encounters are possible in the wooded settings of southern Ohio's state parks and forests.
$20 - $70 / night
"This walk in camp ground was located just minutes from Old Man’s Cave. It’s a family friendly and pet friendly camp ground. Our stay was quiet and relaxing."
"There are trails all over the park. Can be a bit busy during the warmer months. The park is pet friendly and has a nice nature center before you hike down to Old Man’s Cave."
$25 - $35 / night
"Lake Hope State Park is the unsung hero of Logan county, Ohio. Hocking Hills State Park gets the crowds because of its amenities and closer proximity to Old Man's Cave...but..."
"Lake Hope has plenty of recreational opportunities for everyone and the campground is close by! The campground is quiet and well kept."
"This is located by the hocking hills region of the state. Beautiful winding Ohio roads and landscapes out of this world."
"Zaleski State Forest is adjacent to Lake Hope State Park. Off Rt 278 near Zaleski, Oh, true Ohio countryside to enjoy on the way in. Signal is spotty."
"The tent site was decently secluded and near a nice small pond. The campground put on a free BBQ for all of the guests one of the nights! It was very good and well thought out."
"It’s located very close to Hocking Hills State Park. Some of the tent sites are on an incline, but the RV site we had (site 24) was very spacious. There’s a a nice pool and nature trails."
"This is a very nice campground near all of the attractions of Hocking Hills, Ohio. We had full hookups that were excellent, but if we didn't there were several new restrooms throughout the grounds."
"Our site was waterfront and also set away from other sites."
"Plenty of food spots just north on the highway exit we stopped at Milstone BBQ. Plenty of fun hikes in Hocking Hills State park."
"The one down side is the tent sites close to the bathrooms was crowded so if a little more privacy is wanted choose one a short distance away. All in all a nice place and I would return.."
$27 - $75 / night
"The campground is about 2-3 acres large, situated on a hill with a path dug out around the perimeter. "
"Tar Hollow State Park sits adjacent to the State Forest, in a similar setup to Scioto Trail and Lake Hope."
$25 - $55 / night
"Wayne National Forest shares the area with Burr Oak State Park near Glouster, Oh. Wayne National Forest is split into three areas in southeastern Ohio."
"Burr Oak State Park is on the eastern edge of Wayne National Forest, outside Glouster, Oh , off Rt 13. The Lodge is on the opposite side of the lake off Rt 78."
$15 - $40 / night
"There was some mud where camper wheels were situated in the spot (needs material). Fire rings are not near RV but behind across the road on the river. Bath house is just ok - not great, not gross."
"The river is small and is perfect to have a fire right next to. We also just went up the highway a little to a rafting rental place called murrys landing to raft down the river."
$25 - $45 / night
"It is pet friendly. There is a nice sized pool for summer (we camped in October so it was closed for the season)."
"Nice little campground right down the road from Lake Logan. Convenient to shopping nearby(Walmart and Kroger) About 10 miles from the caves and trails. Right off the highway. Good cheap firewood."
TravelerOnly weekend stays and it ends in wintertime. I’m sure it’s pretty and all, but it’s hard to find legit, free dispersed camping in Ohio! Oh well, rest stops always work for car camping.
LegendLots of room! Privacy, some sites have accommodations for several tents as well as full hook up for campers. Some are adjacent to the playground There are tons of things to do: Miniature golf Disc golf BMX trails Small dog park Golf course Horse camp
ScoutVery clean, well maintained. A lot of nearby activity, private and open sites, lake, beach, trails, marina, bikes, putt putt, dog park, playground, laundry, water close, electric at sites, many "comfort stations" "wash houses" so not far from one.
LegendThis was a last minute reservation and only available due to a cancellation. The campground was full for the weekend. The campground is pretty big with different types of sites. Some are smaller, close to neighbors while other have seclusion with trees. From past experience, if it rains, some of the sites do flood. We had great weather this weekend. The site we reserved had a hill right next to the passenger side/door side of your camper. If you had a big camper, it might be tight to open your slides and an awning. You most likely would not sit right outside your camper door. In fact, the fire ring is behind the site and up a small hill. We set up our ez-up in the back and out of the way, it worked for us. There was also a path that led you into the playground. Speaking of playgrounds, you will hear a lot of kids if the weather is nice. We were right across from the camp host (very nice lady) and very short walk to the bathhouse. The bathhouse had 4 flushable toilets and I think 3 showers. The showers did not have benches in the stall, only on the outside directly across. With a full campground, the bathrooms were kept very clean with the amount of people using it. We walked around and noticed a lot of bathhouses and another playground. We took a hike that led us to the lodge - it was an in and out and just under 5 miles. On our way back we stopped at the camp store which was well stocked with items you may need or not. There is a putt putt course, frisbee disc course, horse trails, dog park, nature center, golf course and more trails nearby. There are plenty of things to do if you like to keep busy or are trying to keep kids entertained. (The bees and stinkbugs were out and about while we were there.)
GuideThis walk in camp ground was located just minutes from Old Man’s Cave. It’s a family friendly and pet friendly camp ground. Our stay was quiet and relaxing.
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.
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
GuidePeaceful nice place, pets okay. I'd recommend it.
TravelerWe enjoyed our 3 night stay here! Some sites are full hook up, some sites are electric and water, and some are primitive. The dump station is easily accessible if you need it. 5 acres with everything we could need. The owners were amazing. Very friendly and helpful! They had only owned the campground for 2 weeks and were in the process of making several improvements. The shower house and bathrooms were clean and adequate. There is a small playground for kids. It is pet friendly. There is a nice sized pool for summer (we camped in October so it was closed for the season). Located within a short drive (about 10 miles/15 minutes) from everything Hocking Hills has to offer. There is even a restaurant close by that will deliver to your campsite. Kroger and Walmart are within 5-7 minutes driving for supplies. The only downside is that it is close to a highway so at night you can hear the traffic. This didn’t bother us so much but might be a problem for some.
Camping opportunities near New Plymouth, Ohio cover heavily forested terrain across Wayne National Forest and Zaleski State Forest, ranging in elevation from 800 to 1,100 feet. The region features numerous small creeks that feed into Lake Logan and Lake Hope, with most campgrounds situated on hillsides that can challenge tent setup. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-90°F with high humidity during June through August.
Hiking along the Buckeye Trail: Access points near Tar Hollow State Park Campground offer connections to the larger trail system. "Be sure to visit the 'Camp General Store' to pick up your permit before heading to your campsite. If your GPS takes you to the North Ridge campground, just drive past and continue on until you see the general store/putt putt area," advises Sydney.
Fishing at Lake Logan: Cast for bass and catfish at Campbell Cove Camping, which provides shoreline access. "Our site was waterfront and also set away from other sites. We had a great time here and it felt like we were in the woods but there was a business district about 3 mins away which was really convenient. Lake Logan was spectacular," notes Natalee M.
Paddling Pine Lake: Rent canoes, rowboats or kayaks at Tar Hollow State Park. "Pine Lake is nice, but the beach is a bit small. Overall, this has been a lovely place to relax and decompress!" shares Lisa S. The lake offers calm waters for beginners and families, with rental costs around $10-15 per hour.
Exploring Moonville Tunnel: Take the connector trail from Zaleski State Forest to this historic railway tunnel. "We spent one afternoon hiking over to the Moonville Tunnel and it was one of the coolest parts of our four day trek," writes James W. The tunnel is approximately a 3-mile round trip from the main backpacking trail.
Natural water features: Many campers appreciate the small lakes throughout the region. At Lake Hope State Park Campground, "we also spent some time at the lake and rented a paddle board and a water bike which was so much fun! we also did some kayaking as well as driving to different hiking paths around the area," shares Anne P.
Primitive camping options: Backpackers favor the established sites at Zaleski State Forest. "All of the campsites have an outhouse and potable water all within easy reach from all camping areas. I've never felt cramped by other campers and we've always had a great spot to make a fire, hang our food, and put up a line for our clothes to dry on," reports Bryn S.
Secluded waterfront sites: For those willing to carry gear a short distance, some campgrounds offer more private spots. At Campbell Cove Camping, "We stayed at site 61 and the lake view is perfect. Bring your hammock because there are plenty of trees!" recommends Brianna L.
Dark skies for stargazing: Due to minimal light pollution, many dog friendly campgrounds near New Plymouth offer exceptional night viewing. "If you're lucky and have no clouds, there is virtually no light pollution and you can see the Milky Way," notes Jonathan W. about Tar Hollow State Park.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the area have significant slopes. At Lake Hope, "Camp sites are very small and very unlevel, had to raise back of camper and put front about a 1/4" off ground to get close to level. Site around is sloped in all directions," reports Daniel.
Limited cell service: Most forest and state park campgrounds have minimal connectivity. At Hocking Hills KOA Holiday, they provide "excellent WiFi" according to Mike M., but this is an exception rather than the rule in the region.
Walk-in site considerations: Some camping areas require carrying gear from parking areas. At Hocking Hills State Park, "The sites were quiet and clean! Make sure to pay attention to 'walk-in' sites. It's more like 'hike a half mile with your gear' sites! All in all we had a blast and a good laugh about our trek with all our stuff!!" shares Amanda P.
Water quality varies: Campground water sources may have distinct characteristics. "The water spigots were well, of course, but you better let it run for a long bit! I've never seen such brown water at camp," notes Jennifer R. about Top O' The Caves Campground.
Seek campgrounds with amenities: Top O' The Caves Campground offers multiple activities. "It has mini golf, a pool, park and small game room which is awesome for camping with kids. It offers rustic cabins for those that dont tent camp or have a rv," recommends Kelli W.
Consider cabin options: Several pet-friendly campgrounds near New Plymouth offer basic shelters. "We stayed in one of the rustic cabins. With other family members bringing their RVs. The bathroom facilities were some of the nicest and cleanest we've experienced," shares Angie J. about Campbell Cove Camping.
Check for ranger programs: State parks often offer guided activities. At Tar Hollow, "there is a naturalist who conducts several activities. In past years we've been able to spend an hour or so at the nature rooms, and then let the kids go off with the naturalist on an hour+ guided hike down the creek to explore for wildlife and plants," explains Jonathan W.
Pick shaded sites in summer: The region's humidity makes shade crucial. "We stayed in the shaded walk in sites. Very few of these were level. 125, 120 and 138 looked like better spots than 121(our site). If you want shade, these are the spots to be, all other primitive sites are really out in the open with little cover," advises Jennifer R.
Reserve pull-through sites early: Many dog-friendly camping areas near New Plymouth have limited large RV access. At Hocking River RV Park, "pull through spots require a little bit of maneuvering with big rig (43' fifth wheel). There was some mud where camper wheels were situated in the spot (needs material)," reports Tamara W.
Check hookup availability: Electric service varies significantly between campgrounds. At Big Sycamore Family Campground, "Some sites are full hook up, some sites are electric and water, and some are primitive. The dump station is easily accessible if you need it," notes Amber R.
Consider seasonal timing: Some facilities close during cooler months. "We have stayed here a couple of times in a tent and a class a motor home. The campground is pretty secluded but beautiful rolling hills. While the site we stayed in with the motorhome was fairly level, sites are mostly small and tight on hilly terrain," explains Marshall P. about Lake Hope State Park.
Be prepared for rustic bathhouses: Even RV-friendly campgrounds may have basic facilities. At Hocking River RV Park, "The bath house was nice though. No playground which made camping with kids very uneventful for them," notes Bryatt S.
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