Barkcamp State Park Campground welcomes pets at tent sites, RV sites, and equestrian camping areas. Dogs must remain leashed throughout the park, with several hiking trails accessible for pet exercise. The campground features full hookup sites with electric, water, and sewer connections, along with centrally located restrooms and shower facilities. Sally Buffalo Park and Grand Vue Park also accommodate pets with designated pet-friendly areas. Many sites at Barkcamp sit on slopes requiring careful positioning during setup, though the grounds are well-maintained with trees providing natural separation between campsites. The campground store sells camping supplies, snacks, and rents recreational equipment including cornhole boards for evening entertainment. Most pet owners appreciate the spacious sites and access to bridle trails circling the entire encampment.
The trail system surrounding Barkcamp offers multiple options for dog walking, including horse trails that allow dogs on leash. Water access points near the lake provide opportunities for pets to cool off during warmer months, though muddy conditions can develop after rainfall. Campers should pack extra towels for cleaning muddy paws after trail excursions. Grand Vue Park features paved roads throughout the campground, making for easier walks with pets in all weather conditions. The campground is quiet enough to hear wildlife, though occasional highway noise from I-70 may disturb light sleepers. Several sites include picnic tables and fire rings where pets can relax alongside their owners. Seasonal campers recommend visiting in early spring or late fall when the campgrounds are less crowded and temperatures remain comfortable for pets.
$29 - $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."
$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!"
"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!"
"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!"
$19 - $33 / 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."
"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"
$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."
"It’s nothing much, there isn’t much in the way of activity save a few trails."
"Gun range nearby."
$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."
ScoutI 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.
LegendDog 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.
RangerWeekend 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.
TravelerSaltfork 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.
TravelerWhile 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.
ScoutVery 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.
TravelerIn 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!).
TravelerI 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!
TravelerNice lodge with pool. Pet hedgehog worked the front counter. Bigfoot stuff everywhere. Okay trails.
Campgrounds near St. Clairsville offer diverse options in eastern Ohio's rolling hills, where elevations range from 900-1300 feet. The region experiences distinct seasons with humid summers and moderate snowfall in winter. Several state parks and private facilities provide dog-friendly accommodations throughout the Appalachian foothills.
Fishing access points: Tappan Lake Park provides multiple shoreline fishing spots and boat rentals for anglers. "Great place to camp clean lake and fun to just hang out at the camper," notes one visitor to Tappan Lake Park Campground.
Hiking trail exploration: The region offers varied terrain for hikers seeking woodland paths. At Fernwood State Forest, "there is an easy orange-blazed trail behind site 10 but as of this writing, there are several downed trees blocking the trail a good distance in," according to one camper's experience.
Horse trails: Equestrians find dedicated facilities at Barkcamp State Park. "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," explains a reviewer at Barkcamp State Park Campground.
Kayaking on restricted lakes: Clendening Lake offers peaceful paddling with motor restrictions. "We love to kayak and they are set up with very nice kayak launches, the lake is amazing fishing spot with 9.9 hp boat restrictions," reports a visitor to Clendening Lake Marina & Campground.
Free camping options: Budget-conscious travelers appreciate no-cost sites at certain locations. At Hidden Hollow Campground, "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," explains one visitor to Hidden Hollow Campground — Fernwood State Forest.
Seasonal timing advantages: Many campers recommend specific months for optimal conditions. At Barkcamp, "Loop B is the boom! Fits our style of camping," notes one reviewer who specifically recommends "early spring and into late fall" as ideal times to visit.
Quiet natural settings: The relative isolation appeals to those seeking peaceful surroundings. At Ronsheim Campground, visitors appreciate the "Quiet no Verizon cell service. Pond" setting that offers a break from connectivity.
Accessible amenities: Grand Vue Park provides conveniences for comfort-focused campers. "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!" reports a recent visitor to Grand Vue Park.
Site placement challenges: Many campgrounds feature sloped terrain requiring careful setup. At Salt Fork State Park, "There are a number of good hikes within the park. We were there Columbus weekend and it was hopping but everyone quieted by 10."
Variable water access: Water availability differs significantly between locations. At Clendening Lake, one visitor notes the shower situation: "Showers closed but vault toilets available. They did have a mandatory two night stay, which they should reconsider for this time of year."
Gun range proximity: Several forest campgrounds are located near shooting facilities. "Gun range 5 mins away or so... Bathrooms are disgusting but they have toilet paper," warns a Fernwood State Forest visitor, providing important context for noise-sensitive campers.
Road conditions: Access routes can present challenges for certain vehicles. "The drive up was very hilly and lots of buggies. Be careful sometimes the road disappeared and you don't see the buggy until right there," cautions a visitor to Raccoon Creek State Park Campground.
Beach access: Multiple parks offer swimming areas for children. At Sally Buffalo Park, "I have been camping here for 19 years it is a great spot," says a long-term visitor to this family-friendly destination with water access.
Park shuttles: Some facilities provide transportation within larger properties. At Grand Vue Park, "the park shuttle bus would come around the park and was offering to take you to any where in or outside of the park!"
Rental equipment: Facilities often provide recreational gear for visitors. "There is even a little store where you can buy snacks, camping gear and even rent corn hole boards," notes a Barkcamp visitor, highlighting conveniences that benefit families.
Bathroom considerations: Facility quality varies significantly between locations. "The shower houses and comfort houses all have flushers and sinks," reports a Salt Fork visitor, though others mention older or less maintained facilities at different parks.
Site levelness: Many regional campgrounds present challenges for larger vehicles. "We ended up just moving to one of the more level campgrounds... It's a cute campground, but a lot of the RV spots are unlevel up a hill, so backing in would be a hassle," warns a Barkcamp visitor from November.
Hookup availability: Services vary seasonally at some locations. "The campground had no water hookups, about 90% of the sites were not level (and....I mean by A LOT)," reports a November visitor to Zion Retreat & RV Park, highlighting the importance of confirming utilities during off-season visits.
Electrical adaptations: Special equipment may be required at certain parks. "You do need a special plug for the electric, we didn't realize this and did not bring one," shares a Clendening Lake visitor, though they note the office provides loaners when available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near St. Clairsville, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near St. Clairsville, 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 St. Clairsville, OH?
TheDyrt.com has all 69 dog-friendly camping locations near St. Clairsville, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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