Camping areas around Valley View are located in the upper Ohio River Valley, near the edge of the Appalachian Plateau. The region features rolling hills with elevations between 700-1,200 feet above sea level. Fall camping is particularly popular with crisp temperatures in the 40-60°F range and colorful foliage displays from mid-October through early November.
What to do
Trail hiking for dogs: Raccoon Creek State Park Campground offers over 40 miles of trails suitable for pets and hikers. "Long holiday weekend trip. Love this park. Designated pet areas, flush toilets and shower house available. Plenty of trails," notes Jay B.
Fishing access: Tappan Lake Park Campground provides lake access for anglers. "Great place to camp clean lake and fun to just hang out at the camper," according to Jocelin M., making it suitable for pet owners wanting water activities.
Historical exploration: Beaver Creek State Park Campground features a pioneer village with original buildings. "The best part about the area was the history that surrounds it. There is a pioneer village near the park office that offers some picnicking areas around it. It also has original buildings from the pioneer days," writes Shay D.
What campers like
Privacy in wooded sites: At Raccoon Creek State Park, campers appreciate the secluded atmosphere. "We made a fire, hiked by the moonlight and swam at the warm lake at night. There were other campers around but we rarely noticed them," says Mariana N. about her tent camping experience.
Free camping options: Ronsheim Campground at Harrison State Forest provides no-cost camping with basic amenities. "Well maintained campground with a handful of sites. Pit toilets. Nice fishing pond," reports Peter H., making it budget-friendly for campers with pets.
Water recreation: Many campgrounds offer fishing and boating opportunities. "The lake is nice. Lots of geese and the expected goose poop. Plenty of solitude," writes Kellie A. about Jefferson Lake State Park, providing natural surroundings for pet exercise.
What you should know
Variable site conditions: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain that affects tent placement. "We stayed in site 9 this time. No fire ring here. The women's bathroom is filthy and it made me gag," reports Danielle S. about Fernwood State Forest. Site selection matters significantly for comfort.
Seasonal closures: Several campgrounds limit facilities during off-season. "We stayed in area 5. Awesome place. It was late October so most things were closed," notes Denise H. about Tappan Lake Park.
Variable bathroom quality: Facilities range from well-maintained to problematic. "The campground had no running water. We took advantage of some of the hiking trails around and they were good in some areas, but definitely needed to be kept up on more often," explains Shay D.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Barkcamp State Park Campground offers family-friendly recreation areas. "There are play grounds, basketball courts, a beach. Fishing is good and you can rent kayaks and boats," mentions Joshua B.
Beach activities: Several dog-friendly campgrounds include swimming areas. "We got a site near the playground, which my 3 year old enjoyed. The campground wasn't busy and we had a lot of privacy," says Matt H. about Beaver Creek State Park.
Night sky viewing: Rural locations provide stargazing opportunities. "The sky was dark enough to see far more stars than you'd see near any larger towns or cities. To cap it off, we laid in our tent dozing off to the sounds of owls and coyotes!" shares Matt H.
Tips from RVers
Access challenges: Austin Lake RV Park & Cabins requires careful navigation. "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. 4wd low helps, not cause you need 4wd just for the lower gears," advises Mathew H.
Site selection for leveling: At Barkcamp State Park, RV site selection is crucial. "There are 50 amp and nice hiking trails. Oglebay comes out and has star gazing when it's in season. Clean and quiet," notes Fred R., though other reviewers mention many unlevel sites.
Full hookup availability: Tappan Lake offers premium RV sites. "Section 5 is the bomb!! 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.
