5 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Statts Mills Campground accepts pets at all sites with water and electric hookups on O'brien Lake. Campers can bring dogs of any size without additional fees, with all sites providing picnic tables and electric service. Sites have direct access to the boat launch and fishing areas where many campers bring their dogs for recreation. Several pet-friendly accommodations exist within 30 minutes of Ripley, including Forked Run State Park Campground and Rippling Waters Church of God Campgrounds which both welcome pets. The campground grounds at Statts Mills appear neglected according to recent visitors, with broken picnic tables and inconsistent electricity at some sites.
Rippling Waters Church of God Campgrounds offers lakefront pet-friendly sites with full hookups approximately 20 minutes south of Ripley. Dogs can accompany campers along the peaceful walking paths surrounding the property's lake where catch-and-release fishing is permitted. The campground features exceptionally long pull-through sites that provide ample space for dogs to remain leashed near RVs and tents. Most pets can be exercised around the well-maintained grounds where the grass is beautifully cut. Campers should note the strong chlorine odor in the water system which may affect pets' drinking water. Local wildlife including resident swans provide interesting viewing for both people and leashed pets, though the campground primarily serves an older demographic with few children present during typical stays.
"On the border with West Virginia. There aren’t really sites on the water but there’s a nice path to the lake from the camp sites and lots of deer."
"Yes, it's a bit rough around the edges. We liked that it wasn't crowded. The attendant said the park was full over Memorial Day weekend."
Available this weekend
from $21 - $40 / night
"Right beside the area for camping is the parking lot where you can put in boats into O'brien Lake. There seems to be an abundance of deer in the area. sites have water and electric."
from $15 - $200 / night
"We tent camp, but walking around, the camping trailers did not appear to be crowded together. For us this is a fantastic place to overnight and will return again when traveling through the area!!"
"We had a pull thru site by the lake, it had to be about 100 yards long and nicely graveled."
from $55 - $155 / night
"It is minutes away from downtown Point Pleasant. I had spent the afternoon exploring the town and didn't feel like driving further."
"Overall, I was looking for something close to downtown Point Pleasant and this was a good fit. There is no wifi and cell service was a little spotty (I had 1-3 bars at times for cell service)."
from $30 - $35 / night
"This campground has been around since the 1800s. It has a lot of permanent residents and we had a lot of fun checking out the different set ups. There are a lot of amenities but they need updated."
from $20 - $80 / night
"Three fishing lakes. On old town creek. Plenty of space for kids to roam . Has a nice inground pool."
from $20 - $550 / night
"Directly across from a grocery store, pet store, and auto supply store so great resupply stop! And free electric! Clean playground also."
"Albans roadside park is for pull behind campers only. No tents allowed. About 6-7 sites for campers."
"Tucked away in the middle of the mountains, surrounded by the constant reminder of wildlife around. I stayed for the very start of spring. The world was covered in the brightest green moss."
"Kanawha state forest is nestled in the mountainous Hills of West by God Virginia right on the outskirts of Charleston. There is plenty of hiking in Kanawha state forest."
from $35 - $40 / night
"It has very close proximity to I-64 in West Virginia, and you can hear the traffic pretty clearly."
"This is a very cozy park tucked in between US60 and I64. We are in site 14 and its not quite level, but they were generous with gravel so the drainage is good! No parking in puddles!"
TravelerSites are basically parking pads with very little useful space around them but the sites are spaced apart. Bathroom and showers are usable but no frills. Scenery is pretty. ATV play area nearby.
GuideCamped here for the Mothman Festival in mid-September. Fine folks running the place - the 90+ y.o. matriarch takes the money and calculates tax by hand. Make note that the pictures posted on the website are VERY outdated; the facilities are derelict in comparison. We were just there to camp so it was fine for our purposes (i.e., no need to use the event space (closed I think), pool, playground, etc.). Tent camping is a free-for-all first-come first-serve. If rain is in the forecast, don't pitch a tent by the river; many sites on the floodplain had washed out after a heavy overnight rain. Also notable, the bathrooms were perhaps the nastiest I've seen at any campground. I don't think they cleaned them once during our two-night stay, and just progressively smelled more and more like urine as the weekend progressed.
ScoutLaid back rv park on the Ohio river plenty of room. 10/10
ScoutWe were told we couldn't stay there because we weren't members
TravelerYou would like the perfect location - reserve site 231 - at the end of- right by lake - cool breeze comes right into your camp
RangerWe thoroughly enjoyed this camp spot right on the river. LOTS of different birds. And it was so quiet!
ScoutIt rained a lot (not the park's fault) so it was pretty muddy the whole time I was there. I switched from site 7 (next to the bathhouse) to site 8 midway through, and both were fine and relatively quiet. It was busy and the bathhouse was kind of gross, but I guess that comes with the territory.
GuideHad full hookups, but poor water pressure. Campground in city park, even had a splash pad and was quiet
GuideFull hookup. $55 per night. Possibly to enter after office working hours. Bathrooms. Very friendly staff
Camping options near Ripley, West Virginia range across Jackson and surrounding counties, with elevations between 600-1000 feet and moderate humidity in summer months. The region sits within the Ohio River Valley with most campgrounds positioned near tributaries or small lakes, creating diverse fishing and water recreation opportunities throughout the camping season from April through October.
Disc golf course access: Forked Run State Park Campground offers an 18-hole course ideal for beginners and intermediate players. "There is a frisbee golf course. Overall, this part of the park is beautiful," notes Megan M., highlighting recreational options beyond typical camping activities.
Lake activities and rentals: The recreational lake at Huntington / Fox Fire KOA provides swimming and inflatable water features for families. "They had so much for kids to do: a swimming pond with inflatables, gem mining, banana bikes, and more. They showed a movie at 9pm on a big inflatable movie screen outside," reports Zach H.
Wildlife viewing: At Kanawha State Forest, campers can spot local fauna along hiking paths throughout the 9,300-acre forest. "Very pretty area! The sites are all located along a winding road that parallels a river," explains Jacqueline K., describing the natural setting that supports wildlife observation.
Peaceful lakefront settings: The 44-acre lake at Krodel Park Campground gives visitors water views and recreation access. "This is a strange campground, but not a bad one. The park's main feature is a lake that looks to be artificial. Maybe an old gravel quarry? The terrain around the lake is nicely landscaped," describes Alex M.
Unique water features: O'brien Lake at Statts Mills Campground offers direct boat launch access for fishing enthusiasts. "It's a nice little campground on a hill. Right beside the area for camping is the parking lot where you can put in boats into O'brien Lake," says Andrew S. describing the water access.
Well-maintained grounds: Many campers appreciate the care taken at certain properties. At Kountry Resort Campground, visitors note the cleanliness despite older facilities. "Clean facilities, quiet campground," states George B. in his straightforward assessment of the property condition.
Bathroom facilities vary dramatically: Many campgrounds in the area have aging or limited facilities. "Showers were clean but only central and shared between all loops," notes Shane T. about Forked Run facilities, while others report more challenging conditions at different properties.
Highway noise impacts: Several campgrounds sit near interstate highways, affecting noise levels. "The only downside was that the tent sites are close to the interstate, so there was A LOT of road noise all night," warns Zach H. about the Huntington / Fox Fire KOA.
Dog friendly campgrounds near Ripley: While most campgrounds accept pets, rules vary by location. Forked Run allows pets throughout their campground, but requires leashes at all times. "The campground features exceptionally long pull-through sites that provide ample space for dogs to remain leashed near RVs and tents," is a common campground policy throughout the region.
Activity planning: For families with kids, Blue Heron Landing provides cabin options alongside tent and RV sites near water activities that children enjoy. The property offers electric hookups and allows pets, making it convenient for families with dogs.
Swimming options: Krodel Park Campground includes a splash pool specifically designed for younger children alongside the lake. "Nice lake and splash pool for the kids. Paved 1 mile path around the lake," notes Patricia C., highlighting family-friendly amenities.
Off-season considerations: School-year visits mean fewer children at campgrounds. "Most of the campers are there long term and were gone for the time we were there. My 25 year old son was the youngest person there, except for 2 hours when 1 year old came to visit his grandparents," explains Doug about his experience at a local campground.
Site selection challenges: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain requiring careful site selection. "Sites are very bad for tent camping and not the best for RV's. Back ins are sort and most sites have no level ground even for the picnic table or fire ring," warns Bob L. about one local camping area.
Utility inconsistencies: Water quality varies across pet-friendly campgrounds in the Ripley area. "The water is pretty strong so you may want to use a regulator. Water also had a strong odor of chlorine. After showers I felt like I was just getting out of a pool," advises Larry about his experience at a campground near Ripley, suggesting RVers bring filtration systems.
Site length considerations: For larger RVs, back-in sites present challenges at several locations. "Some of the back in sites are REALLY short so we changed our originally reserved spot once we got there," shares Bobbi M., highlighting the importance of confirming site dimensions when traveling with larger rigs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Ripley, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Ripley, WV is Forked Run State Park Campground with a 3.6-star rating from 21 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Ripley, WV?
TheDyrt.com has all 64 dog-friendly camping locations near Ripley, WV, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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