Mountwood Park Family Campground accommodates pets at its sites along with tent, RV, and cabin options. Located in Walker, West Virginia, the park maintains a pet-friendly policy requiring pets to be leashed at all times. Campers often note that the spacious sites provide adequate room for pets to rest comfortably near tents or RVs. Forked Run State Park Campground similarly allows pets throughout its grounds, with multiple camping loops providing electric and non-electric options for pet owners. The park features several short hiking trails accessible to leashed dogs, making it popular for campers traveling with pets. Blennerhassett RV Park receives positive mentions from campers with pets, with the owner described as particularly accommodating to travelers with dogs. Most campgrounds in the area maintain standard pet policies including waste cleanup requirements and barking restrictions during quiet hours.
Hiking trails at Forked Run provide excellent exercise opportunities for dogs, with the lake view trail offering scenic water views for pets and owners alike. During summer months, several waterfront areas provide cooling opportunities for pets, though owners should be aware that the beach swimming areas may restrict dogs. The campgrounds near Washington maintain pet-friendly status year-round, with winter camping at Forked Run remaining an option for hardy campers with pets. Ashland RV Park, situated along the river in nearby Marietta, offers a quieter setting away from highway noise for noise-sensitive pets. Carthage Gap features two fishing lakes and extensive woodland areas where leashed pets can explore. Local campers recommend bringing all necessary pet supplies as rural locations like Forked Run have limited nearby shopping options for pet necessities.
$25 - $40 / night
"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."
$35 / night
"Sitting above two fishing lakes, one you can swim in during the summer the campground is peaceful and tranquil and next to some amazing woodland."
$25 - $55 / night
"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."
"The Blue Trail goes through here and provides a fun hike. There is a bathroom across the road and access to water at the entrance of the site. Showers are 15 minutes walk or a quick drive away."
"The go to camping location for Athens. Many campsites, trails, and amenities. Anything from boat rentals, a small store, and docks to use near the lake."
"Sites are only rented in person once you arrive, they have clear instructions at the entrance. Sites were nice and level, but a bit on the smaller side. Plenty of trails for hiking around the park."
$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."
"Very close to the nice little downtown Marietta, Ohio but still very rural location. Large sites. Great staff. Absolutely love this place. Slow pace and quiet."
"The highway traffic can be a little loud in the morning if you're on that side of the property, but who wants to sleep when there are trails to hit!"
$20 - $80 / 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."
$20 - $40 / night
"Especially if you have a dog. Across the street, the park portion of this campground has a dog park, playground, historical site and pond for fishing FYI ."
RangerOn 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. We spent most of the time on the water (there’s a power limit on the boats) but the campsites were nice in a simple kind of way (showers but no flush).
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.
ScoutOnly stayed for a night but it was very quiet and only a handful of other campers. All the sites seemed relatively level. Some of the electric hookups had damage but being able to choose your spot upon arrival helped. We arrived in pouring rain and had no issues with our campsite when we could see it in the morning lol.
Bathrooms and showers were relatively clean and accommodating.
Seemed a lot like a hidden gem and I definitely recommend. Especially if you have a dog. Across the street, the park portion of this campground has a dog park, playground, historical site and pond for fishing
FYI . Most of the sites seemed small so it might be best for smaller setups. Also I did not see any pull through sites.
GuideLove this place. 1st time ever in West Virginia and this park was up to the task of making a great 1st impression of the state.
Great hiking with well marked trails. Fantastic biking on the 72 mile North bend trail which is an abandoned rail way with multiple tunnels including one that is a quarter long and haunted.
Not a bad camping site in the river run part, but if you can snag one along the river, grab it.
Staff was wonderful, especially Brittany! Facilities are dated but are good enough for me. Biggest negative was an inconsistent internet. Wifi was right behind me but my Android was more disconnected than connected. Weirdly my firestick internet TV was strong throughout.
Highly reccomend
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.
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.
LegendAs with any trip, do your research, read your reviews, peruse Google Satellite maps and talk to locals when you can.
Mountwood County Park http://www.mountwoodpark.org/about.html is located about 15 minutes east of Parkersburg on Rt 50. Heading east on Rt 50 from Parkersburg, WV you will arrive at Mountwood County Park on the right...but the campground portion is a mile further east on the left side of the road. Both are marked by road signage...but most would assume they are all in one location.
If you bring your quads, dirt bikes or mountain bikes with you when you camp, then Mountwood County Park is for you. Right off the back of Mountwood are plenty of ATV trails to keep you busy during your stay. If bombing mountain bike trails is your thing, then across the highway from the campground is your dream. If relaxing in a serene mountain or river valley campground atmosphere is what you desire...keep driving east on Rt 50 another 20 minutes to North Bend State Park.
The primitive tent sites ($20 nightly) are less than desirable and more of an afterthought...and I'm being gracious. There is patchy tall grass, dirt and rocks with no leveled areas. And you have to wander a distance to the restroom/showerhouse when needed. You can rent the tiny cabins ($40 nightly) up on the top of the hill if you desire. They were rented and filled during my visit, surrounded with trailers filled with quads (not a bad thing, just not what I was expecting). One of the main ATV offroad trail entrances is a hundred yards or so past the primitive tent sites so anticipate traffic and some noise. There were a few electric/water sites available for RV/Campers but the majority of them were filled.
It does appear that that there are several "long term campers" at numerous sites, as wooden steps and decks are built and attached to the campers. I would not describe the campground as neat and tidy, but fills a need.
The other portion of the county park lies across Rt 50 about 1/2 mile east. This is where you will find a nice 50 acre lake...shaped like a "T" on its side... for short paddles or fishing (no swimming permitted), a solid collection of varied ability MTB trails and a cool, little local WV Oil history museum. Being a bit of a history buff, I was fascinated by the museum...how the local town was created during the oil boon and then destroyed by fire...of an enormous wilderness mansion that sat where the campground now sits. Interesting stuff.
There is a nice dog park if you brought your pooch. Several picnic areas with picnic shelters, playgrounds, and decent shared hiking trails.
As stated, if your main purpose is to MTB or ATV, then you might be contented with Mountwood County Park Campground. As county parks go, Mountwood County Park, itself, is nice and has a lot to offer. If quiet camping is your objective, I would recommend NorthBend State Park just down the road a piece.
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
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 options near Washington, West Virginia range from established state park facilities to private RV parks along the Ohio River. The area sits at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, with elevations around 600-900 feet and a humid continental climate featuring four distinct seasons. Winter temperatures typically drop to the 20s while summer brings heat and humidity, affecting camping conditions throughout the year.
Disc golf at Forked Run: The 18-hole course winds through wooded terrain near the lake. Benjamin C. notes, "attractions: rural area. lake. disc golf. fishing. swimming. hiking."
Trail exploration: Burr Oak State Park offers multiple hiking options for various skill levels. Leon H. mentions, "Hiking trails are good, the lodge has been renovated, however, I have not stayed there since the reno. Fairly remote, cell service is dicey but if that is what you are going for, you will be pleased."
Lake activities: Burr Oak State Park Campground provides water recreation opportunities including boating and fishing. Lauri C. states, "Great cabin with a lot of room for family. Easy access to the water for a fun-filled day off boating."
Swimming options: The beach area at Strouds Run State Park offers summertime cooling. Olivia S. reports, "Awesome park! There are shelters with picnic tables at one stop, and a little beach and boating dock if you keep going!"
Seasonal wildlife viewing: Fall and spring bring excellent opportunities to spot local fauna. At Carthage Gap, Rob D. describes, "Sitting above two fishing lakes, one you can swim in during the summer the campground is peaceful and tranquil and next to some amazing woodland."
Winter camping options: Several parks remain open year-round despite seasonal closures elsewhere. Kenpocentaur K. from Burr Oak explains, "We actually stayed at the lodge and it was lovely. We would hike around during the day and swim inside as it was before spring."
Affordable stays: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the reasonable rates. Kevin T. notes about Forked Run State Park Campground, "This campsite costed about 2o dollars per night. There is electricity and restrooms. There are showers like usual and there is also boat rentals which was really expensive."
Quiet weekday options: For those seeking solitude, mid-week camping offers more privacy. Bobbi M. shared, "Decided to go to Forked Run because its close to home and we had never camped there. We wound up being the only ones in our loop."
Facility conditions vary: Some parks have older amenities requiring maintenance. At Strouds Run State Park Campground, Megan M. advises, "This is an extremely primitive place that is not run by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. There are very few amenities here. There are pit toilets, potable water towards the front, and that's it."
Site selection matters: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain that affects tent placement. Bob L. warns, "Sites are very bad for tent camping and not the bet for RV's. Back ins are sort and most sites have no level ground even for the picnic table or fire ring."
Reservation systems differ: Some parks require advance booking while others operate first-come, first-served. Isaac K. explains, "Sites are only rented in person once you arrive, they have clear instructions at the entrance."
Off-season limitations: Services and amenities may be reduced outside peak months. Birgit H. reports, "We stopped here on Thanksgiving on our way South. Self paying, off season was $15. But the restrooms were closed."
Playground accessibility: Hocking Hills State Park Campground offers recreation areas for children alongside camping. Jeremiah S. shares about a nearby campground: "The playgrounds need replaced. The activities building had a pool and game room area, which we used a lot. These were dated as well but our kids had a blast and that is all that matters."
Beach facilities: Families with children appreciate water access during hot months. Megan M. notes, "This state park has a beautiful lake and a nice beach. There are boat rentals and a frisbee golf course. Overall, this part of the park is beautiful."
Multi-day stays: Some families extend their visits beyond weekends. Michelle D. shares, "Our family has camped here for many years and up to 10 days at a time. Looking forward to our next trip and hitting the beach again."
Distance to restrooms: Consider site location relative to facilities when camping with children. Jenny K. points out, "The campsites are so close together, which you think would at least mean the bathrooms were close, but no, they were a serious hike. Not good with kids."
Site length considerations: Mountwood Park Family Campground accommodates various vehicle sizes but has some limitations. Seána B. advises, "Most of the sites seemed small so it might be best for smaller setups. Also I did not see any pull through sites."
Riverfront options: RVers seeking quieter settings appreciate parks along waterways. James P. shares about Ashland RV Park: "Very close to the nice little downtown Marietta, Ohio but still very rural location. Large sites. Great staff. Absolutely love this place. Slow pace and quiet."
Full hookup availability: Service levels vary between parks. Jackie D. mentions, "While an RV park, you can also tent camp with the amenities, making it really nice. Electrical hookups and water at your site, plus clean bathrooms and a shower house on the property."
Road noise factors: Highway proximity affects some pet friendly camping near Washington, West Virginia. Keith O. notes, "Large open campground minutes from downtown Marrietta OH owner and Staff are very friendly and easy going! Clean, nice newer bath house."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Washington, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Washington, 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 Washington, WV?
TheDyrt.com has all 87 dog-friendly camping locations near Washington, WV, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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