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Best Dog-Friendly Camping near West Jefferson, OH

594 Reviews

Alum Creek State Park Campground welcomes pets at all campsites with accommodations for tent, RV, cabin, and glamping options. Several other pet-friendly campgrounds near West Jefferson include Buck Creek State Park and Pastime Campground, all offering full amenities like showers, toilets, and picnic tables alongside pet access. Buck Creek State Park provides year-round availability for campers with pets. Pastime Campground features 56 sites where pets are permitted, though spaces are notably narrow with campers packed closely together. Most locations enforce standard leash policies for dogs while providing trash receptacles for waste disposal. Some campgrounds like Scioto-Grove Metro Park offer more primitive backpacking sites where pets can join their owners on overnight excursions. The campground provides firewood at their pet-friendly sites, making it convenient for campers traveling with animals.

Backpackers with dogs appreciate Scioto Grove Metro Park's five reservable primitive sites along the river trail, each equipped with tent pads and fire rings that welcome four-legged companions. The park features a rope bridge crossing over a creek that both pets and owners can explore during day hikes. While Alton RV Park allows pets, reviews indicate strict rule enforcement regarding outdoor activities that might affect the grass. Temperature considerations are important when camping with pets in this region, particularly during summer months. Several campgrounds, including Cross Creek Camping Resort, feature walking paths adjacent to their pet-friendly sites, providing convenient exercise opportunities for dogs. The REI backpacking trail at Scioto-Grove offers an excellent testing ground for gear while accommodating pets, though reservations are limited to specific weekends to prevent overuse.

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Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near West Jefferson, Ohio (71)

    1. Alum Creek State Park Campground

    80 Reviews
    Lewis Center, OH
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 548-4039

    "This was the only park we’ve gone to this uear with both a large dog park AND a fenced in dog beach! Folks were friendly at the dog park with bunches of chairs set around like a conversation pit."

    "Alum Creek State Park is a beautiful park and great campground just outside the hustle and bustle of downtown Columbus and minutes away from attractions such as the Columbus Zoo."

    2. Buck Creek State Park Campground

    33 Reviews
    Clarence J. Brown Dam and Reservoir, OH
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (937) 322-5284

    $23 - $35 / night

    "It was definitely not an easy task to get a camp site here as a walk-in. We checked on reserve America several times with no luck."

    "A well manicured campground just outside Dayton, easy to get to, back in pavement site with 30A electric, picnic table and fire pit. Plenty of potable water spigots around, just not at the site."

    3. Alton RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Galloway, OH
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (614) 878-9127

    "Not a sightseeing destination, but very convenient place to stop for the night if you’re on a road trip doing a lot of driving. Safe neighborhood with a kroger right down the street."

    4. Scioto-Grove Metro Park

    8 Reviews
    Grove City, OH
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (614) 949-1078

    "No driving your vehicle any further than the bottom of the hill. Great location, very beautiful. Spacious in between 5 campgrounds and right next to the Scioto River."

    "Got lucky and found an opening for site 5 which was right on river and away from the busier parts of park - didn’t see a single person. Nice tent pads, campfire ring, and provided wood."

    5. Pastime Campground

    5 Reviews
    Plain City, OH
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (614) 915-0655

    $15 - $38 / night

    "Walking path and playground are adjacent to the campground. There is a nice swimming pool at the south end of the village park. Campers get a discounted admission."

    6. Deer Creek Camping Resort

    6 Reviews
    Mount Sterling, OH
    17 miles

    "Not only one but was using 4 buckets at a time before dumping keeping in her camper before caught dumping behind camper and trying to fit it down a small hole where the honey pots go that you are suppose"

    "The lake was pretty. Watching the herons was relaxing.

    The people in our section were courteous. All seemed to obey the quiet hours."

    7. John Bryan State Park Campground

    42 Reviews
    Yellow Springs, OH
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (937) 767-1274

    "Put on those hiking boots to enjoy 10 varying difficulty trails, bring your bike for one, and hit the multi-use for mountain biking."

    "The campsite is next to the 12 mile set of mountain bike trails.  It is a great mountain biking/camping getaway.  The trails are easy, so for all levels.  Nice camping for families.  "

    8. Korbel Campgrounds at Ohio Expo Center

    5 Reviews
    Columbus, OH
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 646-3976

    $60 / night

    9. A.W. Marion State Park Campground

    33 Reviews
    Circleville, OH
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 869-3124

    $21 - $25 / night

    "It's has a site right behind it, but has a nice size green space for an ez-up. The pad was a nice length and held our small camper and truck with room to spare."

    "There was also a path directly from our site that led to one of the hiking trails. Yay for us and our easy access; however, it also welcomed people to cut through your site."

    10. Cross Creek Camping Resort

    13 Reviews
    Lewis Center, OH
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 549-2267

    $35 - $95 / night

    "We stayed two nights here on our tour of Ohio. After staying in state parks, the narrow sites are close with no privacy."

    "Small dog park. Normal size lots for an RV park. Super crowded on a summer weekend. All size rvs and also tent campers. Easy to find."

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Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near West Jefferson, OH

117 Photos of 71 West Jefferson Campgrounds

Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near West Jefferson, OH

594 Reviews of 71 West Jefferson Campgrounds

  • Joaquim P.
    Oct. 11, 2021

    Scioto-Grove Metro Park

    Can only stay there on Fridays and Saturdays

    Only 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.

  • Gary J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 12, 2018

    Alum Creek State Park Campground

    The dog’s favorite campground!

    This was the only park we’ve gone to this uear with both a large dog park AND a fenced in dog beach! Folks were friendly at the dog park with bunches of chairs set around like a conversation pit. Lots of water and dog tennis balls were available.

    The dog beach was fenced so your dog can be off leash. There is even a fenced in area out in the water to keep the pooches from swimming across the Lake chasing geese.

    The campground itself was quite nice and spacious. Some of the most private camping sites I’ve seen in Ohio. Shower facilities we a bit above average mad seemed to be looked after at least once a day (we were there in the off season).

    IMHO, one of the nicest campgrounds in the state.

  • B
    Sep. 23, 2020

    Cross Creek Camping Resort

    Very nice resort

    We stayed two nights here on our tour of Ohio. After staying in state parks, the narrow sites are close with no privacy. Our pull through site was on the (inner) road, so lots of golf carts, cars and campers passing by. All pull through sites are on the road side. The site is not level and our leveling system has the front wheels off the ground. Many full time units here beautiful patios and decor. Staff is nice and friendly. Trash pickup isn’t offered and the walk to dumpster would be excessive for unfit or handicapped. We would stay again. Amenities are clean, as described and dog Park is immaculate but small.

  • Marshall P.
    Apr. 13, 2021

    Alum Creek State Park Campground

    Beautiful State Park close to Columbus Ohio

    Alum Creek State Park is a beautiful park and great campground just outside the hustle and bustle of downtown Columbus and minutes away from attractions such as the Columbus Zoo.

    The campground has good sized sites and is wooded throughout with clean bath houses, well maintained roads, and easy access for big rigs.

    There is also a very nice dog park in the park including dog beaches with lake access for your pups to swim.

    We love this campground and the beautiful lake and appreciate the easy access to local attractions, shopping, and more.

  • Dave B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 27, 2024

    Cowan Lake State Park Campground

    Large Campground

    Autumn is the best time to camp in Ohio. Lots of small bathrooms. Lake access. Only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was due to the fact there was no quick reentry. Had to wait for rvs in front of me to register.

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2016

    Deer Creek State Park Campground

    Splish, splash

    Lots 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

  • Vicki H.
    Oct. 1, 2018

    Alum Creek State Park Campground

    Would be 5 star except for this

    Alum Creek is just beautiful, nice sites, most of them are at least partially shaded, lots of woods, hiking trails, the lake, it is what I think of when I think of State Park campground camping in Ohio. There are a couple problems. 1. Only ONE little dump station. This is a big campground, so if you're leaving Sunday, you better get up at the crack of dawn to get to the station, otherwise be prepared to wait in a long long line of RV's. We by-passed the long line and stopped at a different State Park campground on the way home and paid 10.00 to use their dump station. 2. They never answer their phone at the campground office. I mean NEVER. If you have a question you will just have to deal with the reserveamerica people who really know nothing other than what they read on the campground website. So basically you know as much as they do. It's maddening. We will go back, but it's a 2 hour drive so it won't be anytime soon.

  • J
    Sep. 9, 2018

    Alum Creek State Park Campground

    Alum Creek State Park Campground

    great state park campground. There are some full hook ups but mostly just electric. They have pancake breakfast on Saturday mornings through summer and doughnuts on Sunday. Helpful camphost. There is a campground beach and boat launch. Lost of hiking paths in the campground and in the park area. A great dog park with lake entrance for the pups. tmThere is also some mountain bike trails. Plenty to do for everyone.

  • M
    May. 31, 2018

    Deer Creek State Park Campground

    One you will always return to

    Very 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.

Guide to West Jefferson

West Jefferson, Ohio campgrounds typically sit at elevations between 900-950 feet, with the area experiencing four distinct seasons. Summer temperatures average in the high 80s with humidity, while spring and fall bring milder conditions ideal for camping. Winter camping remains available at select locations where water systems are winterized.

What to do

Hiking trails with varied terrain: Buck Creek State Park Campground offers multiple trail options for all skill levels. According to Buck B., "One of my favorites in this area... my sons love camping here for the trails and large areas to ride their bikes."

Mountain biking opportunities: John Bryan State Park Campground features dedicated mountain bike trails through wooded areas. A reviewer notes, "There's a disc golf course lots of mountain bike trails and hiking trails! As well as some other great amenities."

Rope bridge exploration: At Scioto-Grove Metro Park, campers can test their balance on a unique crossing. Karen K. mentions, "Rope bridge crossing over a creek that kids and adults would love to explore."

Lake activities: A.W. Marion State Park Campground includes a 5-mile loop trail around the lake. Shannon G. shares, "The campground is next to a lake which has a 5 mile loop for both hiking and mountain biking. The lake has a small beach area where you can take your dogs."

What campers like

Spacious, private campsites: Alum Creek State Park Campground provides good separation between sites. Sandy O. states, "Space and Privacy...the two things that bring me back to this campground year after year. Each camping space is separated by trees and brush. And there is plenty of room!"

Weekend camping events: Cross Creek Camping Resort hosts themed weekends for additional entertainment. Catherine shares, "They also have themed-event weekends, which are really fun! It's on the pricey side, but worth it in my opinion."

Free firewood at backpacking sites: Scioto Grove Metro Park provides complimentary firewood for primitive campers. Susan G. notes, "Free reserve ahead weekend backpacking campsites. All sites have 2 tent pads, a fire ring and firewood provided."

Dog-friendly facilities: Many campgrounds near West Jefferson welcome pets. At Buck Creek State Park, leashed dogs are permitted throughout the camping areas. Jill B. mentions that Alum Creek has "a great dog park with lake entrance for the pups."

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Most dog-friendly campgrounds near West Jefferson require advance booking, especially during peak season. Scioto Grove Metro Park has limited availability as noted by Susan G.: "2020 season was closed due to covid-19, still waiting to see if they will open for 2021."

Campground beach access: Buck Creek State Park Campground offers two swimming options. Leon H. explains, "There are two swimming beaches, the public one and one in the campground. The campground one is smaller a short hike to get to it."

Site variability: Site quality can differ significantly within the same campground. At Buck Creek, Shirley M. describes it as a "tree filled park" while Brenda M. notes at Cross Creek that "our pull through site was on the (inner) road, so lots of golf carts, cars and campers passing by."

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near West Jefferson, OH is Alum Creek State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 80 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 71 dog-friendly camping locations near West Jefferson, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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