East Fork State Park

Found roughly 25 miles east of Cincinnati, East Fork State Park covers an impressive 4,870 acres, making it one of the largest state parks in Ohio. If you're looking to escape the city and get back to nature with your canine companion, this beautiful park allows you to do exactly that.

With diverse terrain including everything from rolling hills to meandering rivers, East Fork State Park offers a wide range of recreational activities. Boating on the 2,160-acre William H. Harsha Lake is a highlight for many visitors, and seven launch ramps within the park provide easy access to the water. The lake features largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and muskellunge, providing plenty of challenges for keen anglers.

A 1,200-foot swimming beach is also available, providing the perfect spot to cool off during the summer months. Please take note, however, that dogs aren't permitted on swimming beaches.

Away from the water, you might like to explore the 46 miles of backcountry trail on offer, or perhaps the 16-mile Backpack Trail and 32-mile Perimeter Trail. Walking difficulty ranges from easy to moderate, while bike riders can also tackle almost 10 miles of mountain bike trails. And if you visit the park during winter, sledding, ice skating, ice fishing and cross-country skiing are all popular.

There are more than 400 campsites available in East Fork State Park, and pets are more than welcome in the campground. A limit of two pets per site applies, while you'll also need to follow all park rules regarding dogs. This means your pooch must be on a leash of six feet or shorter at all times, and must always be supervised and under control. Cleaning up after your pet and properly disposing of their waste is also a must.

With these simple tasks taken care of, all that's left to do is spend some quality time with your furry friend in the great outdoors.