Lake Hope State Park Campground accommodates dogs with designated pet-friendly sites across its tent, RV, cabin, and glamping accommodations. Leashed pets must be supervised at all times within the campground area. Zaleski State Forest allows pets on hiking trails and at primitive camping areas, with visitors noting the need to pack extra tick protection during summer months. Top O' The Caves Campground and Lazy Dog Camp Resort both maintain pet-friendly policies for all accommodation types including cabins. Visitors use The Dyrt to find real feedback on camping near Hamden, Ohio. Sites at Lake Alma State Park Campground can be limited in size and relatively close together, making it important to consider space needs when traveling with larger dogs.
The backpacking trails at Zaleski State Forest provide excellent opportunities for hiking with dogs, with multiple water sources available at designated camping areas. Dogs should be kept leashed on trails to minimize wildlife encounters and protect native plants. Backpackers report seeing few other hikers on trails but often meeting fellow campers at designated sites. Tar Hollow State Park Campground features pet-friendly sites with access to multiple hiking trails, though the heavily wooded terrain requires vigilance for ticks and poison ivy when camping with pets. Hocking Hills KOA Holiday offers full-hookup RV sites and cabin options where pets are permitted, providing a more developed camping experience with amenities for travelers with dogs. All campgrounds enforce standard pet policies requiring waste cleanup and preventing excessive barking during quiet hours.
$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."
$25 - $35 / night
"Lake Hope State Park is the unsung hero of Logan county, Ohio. Hocking Hills State Park gets the crowds because of its amenities and closer proximity to Old Man's Cave...but..."
"Lake Hope has plenty of recreational opportunities for everyone and the campground is close by! The campground is quiet and well kept."
"This is located by the hocking hills region of the state. Beautiful winding Ohio roads and landscapes out of this world."
"Zaleski State Forest is adjacent to Lake Hope State Park. Off Rt 278 near Zaleski, Oh, true Ohio countryside to enjoy on the way in. Signal is spotty."
$35 - $46 / night
"A beautiful place that is very accessible to people walking or biking from the campground unlike other SE Ohio state parks."
"Great trails, nice bike path and walking path around lake great new shower house."
$27 - $75 / night
"The campground is about 2-3 acres large, situated on a hill with a path dug out around the perimeter. "
"Tar Hollow State Park sits adjacent to the State Forest, in a similar setup to Scioto Trail and Lake Hope."
"The tent site was decently secluded and near a nice small pond. The campground put on a free BBQ for all of the guests one of the nights! It was very good and well thought out."
"It’s located very close to Hocking Hills State Park. Some of the tent sites are on an incline, but the RV site we had (site 24) was very spacious. There’s a a nice pool and nature trails."
"I did not like the campsite it was all pea gravel and no grass for our two dogs that we brought. The staff were all great and the park was kept clean."
"Lake Snowden is a great alternative to camping at Strouds. The lake is large and clean, with an awesome new “water park” opened during the summer. Great shelters, facilities, and optional bathrooms."
"We were able to camp right by the lake. The trails are great for hiking and some more intermediate mountain biking. And there are boat rentals of many different types."
"Plenty of food spots just north on the highway exit we stopped at Milstone BBQ. Plenty of fun hikes in Hocking Hills State park."
"The one down side is the tent sites close to the bathrooms was crowded so if a little more privacy is wanted choose one a short distance away. All in all a nice place and I would return.."
GuideThe campground is small. Has a nice dog park. Pickle ball courts Cafe Sky diving right here. The Ohio river is visible. The only real problem comes with the train tracks right here. The trains are close and do blow their whistle for crossing by the office.
TravelerWe stayed in Site 09. The sites are spacious with level, asphalted pads. Each site has a fire pit and picnic table.
Toward the front of the campground is a great splash pad, playground, and dog park, which includes an agility course. These are located away from the RV's; therefore, the campground was very quiet and peaceful.
Nearby was a marina, fishing access, and an archery range. The surrounding hills are pretty.
The bath house was clean. A laundry room was available.
The only drawback was the lack of shade. Because this place is relatively new, in time--as the planted seedlings grow--this problem will lessen.
LegendJust a beautiful park. Clean well maintained. Lots of amenities. Paddle boats, marina, 18 hole disc golf, bike park, huge dog park, store,archery range, playground and trails.
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.
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.
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
GuidePeaceful nice place, pets okay. I'd recommend it.
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.
GuideHocking Hills is a wonderful destination to go for camping and a weekend of hiking. 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.
Campgrounds near Hamden, Ohio sit within the rolling hills and dense forests of southeastern Ohio, where elevations range from 640 to 1,100 feet above sea level. The region experiences four distinct seasons, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter lows frequently reaching 20°F or below. Most camping areas are positioned within the mixed hardwood forests typical of the unglaciated Allegheny Plateau.
Hiking through dense forest terrain: Hocking Hills State Park offers extensive hiking options with varied difficulty levels. "Great hiking trails. Very busy on holiday weekends so I think it is best to go when that is not the case or even through the week," notes Renée C. about Hocking Hills State Park Campground.
Paddle the calm waters: Lake Hope State Park provides rental options for water exploration. "At lake hope you can enjoy camping in many ways rather if it's by tent (the way I prefer) or by camper. Very nice beach and swimming area. Hiking and horse back riding trails. Canoe/kayak rental," shares Jonathan W. about Lake Hope State Park Campground.
Search for historic sites: Explore old iron furnace ruins and abandoned tunnels. "The haunted Moonville Tunnel is nearby and worth the short drive and hike. Unfortunately, it is becoming defaced by disrespectful taggers...still cool nonetheless," mentions Dave V. about Lake Hope State Park. This historical tunnel, once part of a rail line, provides a glimpse into the region's industrial past.
Tent-specific camping areas: Tar Hollow State Park offers dedicated primitive camping. "We stayed in the non electric sites near the lake & had the place to myself on a sun & mon night. The noise of the water treatment area nearby is easily tuned out during the day but would recommend earplugs at night," advises Anne about Tar Hollow State Park Campground.
Pet-friendly accommodations: Most campgrounds welcome four-legged companions with appropriate restrictions. "The best part about this Campground?? DOGS ARE ALLOWED!! We were so grateful of this because we love taking our dog camping with us!" remarks Fred J. about Top O' The Caves Campground. These dog friendly campgrounds near Hamden generally require leashes and proper waste disposal.
Lake activities: Multiple parks feature swimming and fishing opportunities. "Lake Hope is a nice flatwater paddle. Get there early and watch the water lilies open," suggests Dave V. Swimming beaches are typically open Memorial Day through Labor Day, with most lakes allowing fishing year-round with proper Ohio licensing.
Site spacing varies significantly: Prepare for different privacy levels depending on campground choice. "Lake Hope was super crowded and the sites felt like they were literally on top of each other. It also was not super clear on which site was which," reports Rachel H.
Water access considerations: Not all primitive sites offer convenient water sources. "Portable water is available at the parking lot only. The walk-in campground does NOT connect by trail to any other trails. A car is fairly necessary," explains Kate W. about Zaleski State Forest.
Seasonal wildlife awareness: Ticks are common in warmer months, particularly in densely forested areas. "We have backpacked the trails here since the 1980s. You will see lots of wildlife, we have seen salamanders, deer, snakes, a wild turkey even wandered into our camp in May 2018," shares Leon H. about Zaleski State Forest.
Cell service limitations: Most forest campgrounds have minimal connectivity. "There is no cell service. Be sure to give anyone who may need to contact you a heads up," warns Sydney about Tar Hollow State Park Campground.
Consider accessibility needs: Some campgrounds require significant walking from parking areas. "You cannot park your car directly at your campsite. There is a parking lot at the bottom of the campground hill. You have to carry your items to your campsite," explains Sydney about Tar Hollow's North Ridge campground. This can be challenging with young children or lots of gear.
Look for recreational amenities: Some campgrounds offer more structured activities for children. "We have stayed here a couple of times in a tent and a class a motor home. The campground is pretty secluded but beautiful rolling hills," notes Marshall P. about Lake Hope State Park.
Choose sites with adequate space: Family groups need room to spread out. "Campsites 40-43 are for close friends of family. When we put out our awning we touched camper in front of us," cautions angela S. about Lake Alma State Park Campground. Sites here range from 16-30 feet wide, with limited options for larger family setups.
Check site dimensions carefully: Many older campgrounds have shorter, narrower sites. "The sites were too short for my camper, which is odd because when booking I indicated the length of my camper. I had to back in camper, drop it, move truck, hook camper back up and finish backing in to site," explains Bill T. about Lake Alma State Park Campground.
Be prepared for hilly terrain: Most campgrounds in this region feature uneven sites. "Camp sites are very small and very unlevel, had to raise back of camper and put front about a 1/4" off ground to get close to level. Site around is sloped in all directions," reports Daniel about Lake Hope State Park.
Consider full-service alternatives: For RVers wanting more amenities, consider commercial campgrounds. "Complete with KOA amenities. EV chargers on-site. Bathrooms were excellent individually separated rooms with showers and toilets. We were escorted to our site upon arrival," shares Zach L. about Hocking Hills KOA Holiday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Hamden, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Hamden, OH is Hocking Hills State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 109 reviews.
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