Beach and dog-friendly camping in Ohio

Ohio’s lake beaches, forested hills, and winding rivers set the stage for outdoor adventure.

97% (880 reviews)
97% (880 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Ohio

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Dog-friendly getaways

6 top beach and dog-friendly campgrounds in Ohio

99%
(910)

Fruitdale Farm

9 sites · Lodging, Tents20 acres · Bainbridge, OH
Come stay at our little sustainable farmstead amid the beautiful rolling hills of southern Ohio! Our peaceful 20 acres has a good mix of woods, wild meadows and maintained cleared areas as well as a small pond, all of which can be explored via our nature trail. Enjoy the sounds of nature and an incredible night sky. Farm fresh eggs and fresh produce are available for purchase during the growing season and firewood is available all year round. There is also a wonderful sauna on the property that can be reserved. Great hiking, kayaking, biking, birding, fishing, swimming, and disc-golfing opportunities just a few miles away at Paint Creek State Park and the Highland Nature Sanctuary. Amish country is also just 15 minutes away with a great bakery, markets and greenhouses. This area is home to an impressive network of ancient earthworks including the world famous Serpent Mound. Our accommodations range from primitive tent-camping to "glamping" in one of our tiny off-grid cabins. The sites are spaced out for privacy and each site offers a private picnic table and fire pit. There are two shared privies/outhouses which have basic composting toilets. A grassy parking area is provided near the road, however, ALL SITES ARE WALK-IN ONLY. Greenfield (5 miles north) is the nearest town and has two grocery stores, restaurants, a bar, hardware, gas, etc. Bainbridge (7 miles south) has gas, hardware, a couple of restaurants, dollar store, amish businesses, etc.
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$30
 / night
99%
(619)

The Pleasant Valley Farm

17 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents53 acres · Lucas, OH
Pleasant Valley Farm was originally a working farm with a two-story farmhouse and traditional bank barn, built in the late 1800s. The massive timbers and joinery are constant reminders of the meticulous craftsmanship of the era. Jim and Kathy Grogg purchased Pleasant Valley Farm in 1994 and not only updated the house and barn, but also expanded the lake to its current 13 acres. The large 144-year-old, 2736-square-foot barn is now available for special occasions such as weddings, receptions, birthdays, and reunions.
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$40
 / night
100%
(229)

Rusty's Retreat

11 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Fostoria, OH
We bought this 125+ year old farm in 2010 with the hope of bringing it back to life. Overgrown and neglected, we have worked hard to make it a nice place for hiking, kayaking, fishing or any number of other activities. Peaceful and remote, the property has a beautiful brook that leads you to the South branch of the Portage river. Deer, turkey, geese, herons, mink and fox are just a few of our natural animal friends. Rusty the steer and his pony friends Buckeye and Lexi can be visited while they graze in the pasture. There's also Turk the turkey and his flock of chickens. We have the perfect place for dogs as well. We have four dogs that get along great with others and our fenced pond keeps them safe.
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$35
 / night
89%
(49)

Kickapoo Kamping

2 sites · TentsZanesville, OH
This location in Ohio is about a 10-minute walk to Dillon Dam, Reservoir and Lake! The road that was there was called Yelp Town Hollow Road. The road that this camp was on had to be raised when they put the dam in, they even had to move the one room school house! Black Hand Gorge preserve isn't far from the camp, lots of hiking and bicycle trails. Dillon State Park is 10-15 miles away with trails for horses, walking and biking. About 3,000 acres of State and Federal Land is right in our backyard! Learn more about this land:Set your tent up in a wooded area or near a stream. Great star gazing and forest bathing. The area is in the Yelptown Hollow Valley, the road and one room school house Yelptown School are reminiscent of a bygone era. The old road bed is near camping and old school house has relocated to a site nearby. Come enjoy the laid back ambience of the area! Peaceful, solitude, nearby stream.
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$20
 / night
91%
(23)

Hope's Hippie Hideaway

4 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Mc Arthur, OH
10 acres altogether, about 5 acres mowed. Enough almost the size of a soccer field for kids to play in, in more than one place. Each campsite is about half an acre and we do have fire pits once you decide where you want to camp. We do not often have guests so you should have most of the property to yourself. The campsites are on the far shaded side of the property with my camper and cabin on the other five acres. Learn more about this land: Bookings available for 2023 season. Hope’s Hippie Hideaway at Wheelabout Creek is your new private LGBT friendly 10 acre camping site, less than 10 mi away from Lake Hope. If you could go through Zaleski, it would be 2 minutes. This is not a campground. Hike all day at Lake Hope, Zaleski, or Iron Furnace State Park, and cool off in the private creek that lines the entire property. Attention: The pool is closed for 2023. Lot's of area for exploring, creeking and to enjoy the wildlife. We have swimming holes, port-o-potty, 24-foot shelter house, over six half acre shaded non-hookup camping sites to choose from with private creek access. All campsites have a fire ring, access to charcoal grill, share access to water and electric, but not hookups. Sites #1 & #6 come with picnic tables. We also now have a trash container on site. There is currently one 40-ft gravel pad with pull through access next to temporary water in a full sun area. Dogs are normally on the property with huskies a qtr mile away. Dogs are welcome when leashed. And well-behaved. This is our own little happy place where we enjoy the view, the sounds of nature and togetherness with our friends and family. There is a shooting range near Lake Hope State Park, but shooting is not allowed on the property. The property is technically in McArthur, Ohio, but Google also considers it in Albany, Ohio. 10 miles from Lake Hope, 20 mi from Athens, 6 mi from McArthur Ohio where there are gas stations, fast food, pizza can be delivered, and three dollar general's within 15 minutes. Each campsite can have up to 6 people, any more and the site next door can also be booked. This listing is only for the 4 currently available non-hookup campsites or gravel pad. All amenities including water and electric are shared with owner and other guests. Daily electric hookup for gravel pad not available yet. Please bring some extra firewood as we go through quite a bit of it and firewood is not provided. We have room in the sun and shade for trucks, trailers, ATV's, we have walking trails mowed out, a driving trail around the property, and the pool can be reserved an hour ahead of time. Let us know what you want to bring and we will let you know what is planned that weekend and things to do in the area. Adults can float, kids can go play somewhere else. Bring your hammocks and tents. Can provide tent for extra fee. Wildlife preserve area in tall grass. Discounts for returning customers.
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$29
 / night
100%
(3)

Destination Lake Life

3 sites · RVs, Tents1 acre · Chippewa Park, OH
Come explore Indian Lake and what it has to offer!Learn more about this land:Welcome to Chippewa, a waterfront community on Indian Lake in Ohio!  Electric, (well)water, sewer, trash included!  Bring your street legal Golfcart, Kayaks, Canoes, Bikes, Jet Skis, and Boat. Chippewa offers: State Park, Boat Ramp/launch, Public Bathrooms, (Waterfront) Moose Lodge, FOE/Eagles, Gas Station/Grocery/Deli/Beer Cave/General Store, Bait &Tackle Shop, and Dollar General- just a Golf Cart ride away! In under a 5 minute car ride you can be at Indian Lake State Beach/(Oldfield Beach), (waterfront) Achesons Resort, (waterfront) Tilton Hilton, (pool & waterfront) Froggy's on the Lake, and even a few other places to grab a bite to eat.We are half an hour from Mad River Mountain, which offers winter activities such as snow tubing & skiing.
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$49
 / night
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Beach and dog-friendly camping in Ohio guide

Overview

With its vast agricultural plains hemmed in by mountains, lakes, and rivers, Ohio’s natural scenery covers all terrains. Beach breaks await along the sandy shores of Lake Erie to the north, while to the east, ancient caves and waterfalls are hidden away in the forested foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Outdoor activities take place through all four seasons, from hiking and canoeing to snowshoeing and ice fishing, and camping is possible year-round. Summer temperatures average 80°F, and this is prime time for campers, but the views are most spectacular in the fall, when the eastern hills are ablaze with colorful foliage.

Where to go

Great Lakes Plains

Sandy beaches and island getaways dot the 312-mile shore of Lake Erie, stretching from Toledo through Cleveland to Conneaut. East Harbor State Park is a highlight of the Lake Erie Birding Trail, and birders flock to nearby Maumee Bay State Park during the spring warbler migration. The most scenic spots for summer camping are on the islands, and regular ferries set out for the Bass Islands and Kelleys Island state parks.

Till Plains

Cornfields and farmlands blanket Ohio’s central region, but there are also more than a dozen state parks within a short drive of Columbus. The limestone gorges of John Bryan State Park harbor some of the region’s best hiking trails, while to the north, the Mohican River is one of Ohio’s top spots for canoeing. For beaches, boating, and lakeside campgrounds, Indian Lake State Park and Alum Creek State Park are both popular choices.

Appalachian Plateau

East of the Till Plains, the patchwork farmlands of Amish Country lead the way to the state’s only national park, Cuyahoga Valley. This is where Ohio’s adventurous spirit comes into its own—take a ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Railroad, go ziplining or caving in the Hocking Hills State Park, or enjoy backcountry camping in the heart of the Wayne National Forest.

Bluegrass Region

Rambling woodlands and steep cliffs line the banks of the Ohio River in the state’s southernmost region. Just outside Cincinnati, East Fork State Park has one of the largest state campgrounds in Ohio, while the rugged landscapes of the Shawnee State Park are just a 2-hour drive from the city. For hikers, the ultimate challenge is the North Country National Scenic Trail, which cuts through southern Ohio.

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