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!