Pet Friendly Camping in Ohio
For many pet lovers a weekend of camping involves taking your dog to a nearby kennel dropping him off on a Friday afternoon and picking him up early Monday morning. That is no longer necessary as the state of Ohio has more than 50 campgrounds that will welcome your dog. There are also select cabins at the state parks that will allow you to bring Fido. There are few things that beat snuggling up with your dog in a cozy tent far away from all the everyday distractions. With a bit of preparation not only will you have an enjoyable weekend, but your dog will have a blast!
There are a few guidelines to be followed.
- Pets must always be kept on a leash.
- Pets are not permitted on swimming beaches.
- 2 Pets per campsite or cabin.
- Pets may never be left unattended.
- Pets must be current on rabies vaccine and be wearing an identification tag.
- Pets are also not allowed in restrooms or other campground buildings or structures.
Ohio State Parks with Pet Friendly
Campgrounds
Alum Creek
A.W. Marion
Barkcamp
Beaver Creek
Blue Rock
Buck Creek
Burr Oak
Caesar Creek
Cowan Lake
Deer Creek
Delaware
East Fork
East Harbor
Findley
Forked Run
Geneva
Grand Lake St. Marys
Great Seal
Guilford Lake
Harrison Lake
Hocking Hills
Hueston Woods
Independence Dam
Indian Lake
Jackson Lake
Jefferson Lake
John Bryan
Kelleys Island
Kiser Lake
Lake Alma
Lake Hope
Lake Loramie
Malabar Farm
Mary Jane Thurston
Maumee Bay
Middle Bass Island
Mohican
Mosquito Lake
Mt. Gilead
Muskingum River
Paint Creek
Pike Lake
Punderson
Pymatuning
Rocky Fork
Salt Fork
Scioto Trail
South Bass Island
Strouds Run
Tar Hollow
Van Buren
West Branch
Ohio State Parks with Pet Friendly
Cabins
Pets are welcome in select cabins at the following state parks.
Burr Oak
Cowan Lake
Dillon
Hueston Woods
Lake Hope
Maumee Bay
Mohican
Pike Lake
Punderson
Pymatuning
Salt Fork
Other Considerations:
To make the trip as enjoyable as possible remember to pack the following items:
- Pet first aid kit
- Leash/ Tether/ Stake
- Portable food and water dishes
- Poop bags
- Bandana for a makeshift muzzle
- Tweezers for tick removal
- Name and number of nearby veterinarians in case of emergency
- Comfortable sleeping pad to keep dog comfortable at night
When choosing a campsite or cabin keep your dog’s personality in mind. Does
your dog enjoy lounging or is it more athletic and would enjoy day hiking
trips? This should be an important factor when selecting your destination. Your
dog should also be familiar with basic commands before venturing out on your
first camping trip. “Leave it” is important in case your dog encounters a snake
or skunk. “Sit” and “heal” are a few more commands that will make your weekend
a bit more enjoyable. You love your dog, not everyone does. If your dog is
aggressive towards any wildlife or humans, the best idea is to leave it at
home. In addition, if it is a barker or a wanderer you may want to consider
leaving it at home. There are far too many things that can go wrong. Even a
very friendly lab can knock over children in their excitement.
With all the above information keep in mind that camping with your dog will
enhance your experience and with a little planning it will be a trip neither of
you will soon forget. Enjoy all Ohio has to offer!
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