Dog-Friendly Camping near National Park, NJ

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    Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA campground provides designated pet sites with fenced dog pens at select RV hookup spots. Pets are welcome throughout the campground's tent sites, RV spaces, and cabin accommodations, with clear policies requiring leashes in common areas. The campground maintains a clean, family-friendly environment with specific pet waste stations positioned near the walking trails and pond area. Hospitality Creek Campground and Old Cedar Campground also accommodate dogs at their facilities, with both tent and RV sites available for pet owners. The KOA staff assists campers with pets by delivering firewood directly to sites, eliminating the need to leave pets unattended while gathering supplies. Bathrooms remain exceptionally clean despite the pet-friendly policies.

    Dog-friendly walking trails circle the small fishing pond at Philadelphia South KOA, providing exercise opportunities without leaving the grounds. Several campgrounds in the region offer pet washing stations useful after muddy hikes or water activities. Wharton State Forest's Atsion Family Camp maintains pet-friendly cabins and tent sites with nearby trail access suitable for leashed dogs. Camping with pets requires preparation for temperature fluctuations, particularly during spring and fall when overnight temperatures can drop significantly. The designated dog park areas feature separate sections for large and small breeds, with double-gated entries preventing escapes. Most campgrounds enforce quiet hours that apply to barking dogs, with staff available to address excessive noise complaints.

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    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near National Park (97)

      1. Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA

      4.3(21)5mi from National ParkRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Beautiful campground — lots of trees, pond, kids play equipment, dog park, etc. facilities all clean and whole place is well maintained. Easy late arrival."

      "We did Chinatown and walked part of the Schuylkill River trail which we accessed by parking near Fairmount Park."

      2. Group Camp — Ridley Creek State Park

      4.7(10)15mi from National Park2 sitesTents

      "well marked trails great for hiking. pet friendly! we love walking here with our dog. there are even a few great spots to get a small creek swim in! It also has a greag picnic area with grills."

      "We found a lot of really unique sites around the park. Will keep going back"

      from $57 / night

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      3. Old Cedar Campground

      4.2(11)16mi from National ParkRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Quiet Getaway Weekend 

      We went to Old Cedar Campground in Monroeville, New Jersey, for a quiet getaway weekend. This is a small and basic campground, not a resort. No fancy amenities."

      "Not close off the highway, but wooden sites. Seems as though people spend their summers there. Pool was beautiful and looked new. Mini golf was decrepit and looked abandoned. Store was nice."

      from $31 - $50 / night

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      4. Tinicum Island

      5.0(1)5mi from National ParkTents

      5. Atsion Family Camp — Wharton State Forest

      4.3(24)25mi from National ParkRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Atsion Family Campground Off US 206 and about 1/2 a mile up Atsion Road in New Jersey’s Wharton State Forest, you’ll find the Atsion Family Campground."

      "This was a nice large site in the“pet-friendly” section(sites 26-34) of the campground. Site 34 is close to Atsion Road, so there was car noise, but it wasn’t really an issue to us."

      6. Hospitality Creek Campground

      4.5(12)22mi from National ParkRVs

      "The park was easy to find and located a short distance from the highway. We were met at the entry gate with a personalized folder containing lots of helpful information for our stay."

      "We love the lake side campsites."

      7. French Creek State Park Campground

      4.2(83)39mi from National Park227 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "We had done a jr. program in national parks and was a great way for us to lean about the area and it’s wildlife as a family. My kids were excited to earn badges and certificates when they finished."

      "There are numerous hiking trails in the park that seemed to be well marked and maintained. The park is about 20- mins from Reading, and 10 mins from Birdsbroro."

      from $20 - $75 / night

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      8. Fort Washington State Park Campground

      4.1(7)19mi from National Park4 sitesTents

      "It's almost 500 acres filled with trails, woods,and river. I usually go to the parking right off of Militia hill rd.and Skippack Pike intersection."

      "m following up on my review from over a year ago with new photos, updated weathered campers’ tales and a quick snapshot of HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS: HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Rustic group camping nestled in nearly"

      from $28 - $72 / night

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      9. Lums Pond State Park Campground

      4.5(52)36mi from National Park73 sitesRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "We hiked the 7.5mile lake trail with our two pups. It was beautiful and along the way there were opportunities to kayak/sup, beach it, or even play on a ropes course."

      "The site itself was set back some, and felt secluded while still being near the parking area. Walk to bathrooms and camp store was on the longer side."

      from $22 - $40 / night

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      10. Parvin State Park Campground

      3.9(15)25mi from National ParkRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "lake with water sports, hiking trails that are dog friendly, plenty of campsites. If you have kids staying longer for the lake would make sense. bring bug spray!!"

      "Outside, to the back of the cabin, was a small deck with picnic table, a grill, and a fire ring. Beyond that you will find a path to the lake with beautiful swans."

      from $20 - $65 / night

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near National Park, NJ

    789 Reviews of 97 National Park Campgrounds


    • Matt S.
      Aug. 22, 2021

      Baker's Acres Campground

      Rustic and Classic Campground

      We stayed at Baker’s Acres Campground in Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, for a weekend in mid-August. So did the rains of Hurricane Henri! 

      Our site(#Zoo-1) was a level back-in with 50-amp electric, water, sewer, and cable. It was easy to pull in and accommodates larger rigs. The hook-ups were all well-maintained and worked fine. We had plenty of room to fit our car too. The site included a picnic table and fire ring. My favorite thing about this campground is that most of the sites have plenty of trees and shrubs for semi-privacy, shade, and a rustic feel. 

      This campground has been family run for over 50-years and has an interesting history that’s worth reading more about. Our site is located across from the pickle ball court which used to be a petting zoo(now the site# should make sense, right?). We came because we wanted to experience one of New Jersey’s oldest campgrounds. We liked the interesting vignettes they created around the campground as well as the goldfish pond near the office and store. 

      Baker’s Acres is well-maintained. The amenities include a swimming pool, lots of sports courts/fields, and a bunch of family-friendly scheduled activities. There is a camp store with all the usual items as well as bath and laundry facilities. The wifi service was ok, but costs$1 per day per device. Our Verizon cell service worked fine. 

      The front office staff were all friendly and we love that, especially when checking in at a new campground. 

      Drive time to Tuckerton Seaport is about 10-minutes and Long Beach Island is about 35-minutes depending on traffic. There are plenty of stores within a 5-mile drive if you should need anything including Walmart, super markets, convenience stores, and several restaurants. 

      Our only minor negative was that our site was sandy dirt which created a bit of a mess, especially after the rain. It is the Jersey shore, after all. This would have been 5 stars if the site had gravel, grass, or was finished with concrete. It’s a pet peeve, but I hate having to constantly clean up to keep the sand out of our RV. 

      This is a great old-fashioned campground close to LBI. We’ll can’t wait to go back!

    • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
      Sep. 24, 2025

      Washington Crossing State Park - TEMP CLOSED FOR 2024

      History and Camping with Revolutionary Limits

      Washington Crossing Historic Park, straddling Pennsylvania and New Jersey along the Delaware River, is one of those rare places where you can literally camp in history. The Pennsylvania side is all about historic buildings, museums and picnic spots, while the New Jersey side (Washington Crossing State Park) offers organized group tent camping. This isn’t the place for a cushy RV getaway or individual tenters looking to sneak in for the night, but rather a structured, group-style camping steeped in Revolutionary War atmosphere. First impressions? More Boy Scout jamboree than weekend getaway, but if you’re here for camaraderie and heritage, you’ve hit the mark.

      Facilities are deliberately minimal. On the Pennsylvania side, camping is limited to a handful of Scout-designated sites with portable toilets, no running water and zero frills. Across the river in New Jersey, the official group camping area provides open tent-only sites with no hookups, no pets and strict quiet hours. Think old-school camping: fire rings, pit toilets and a heavy dose of ‘leave no trace’ ethos. Reservations are required, permits are non-negotiable and the max stay tops out at 14 nights. What you do get is a wide, peaceful forest setting with plenty of space for tents, youth groups or scout troops along with the kind of simplicity that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

      Beyond the tent pads, the surrounding parks are rich with history and outdoor options. On the Pennsylvania side, you’ll find the visitor center, historic McConkey’s Ferry Inn, Bowman’s Hill Tower, and interpretive programs that bring the Revolutionary War era to life. Picnic areas and a boat launch offer ways to enjoy the Delaware River. In New Jersey, miles of wooded trails lead you through rolling hills and historic landscapes, perfect for hiking and birdwatching. It’s a spot where history buffs, scouts and nature seekers can all find common ground.

      Insider Tips? Here’s a handful: (1) The best group sites are the ones tucked furthest from the trailhead as (surprise, surprise) they’re quieter and offer more privacy; (2) Stock up before arriving, as there are no supply stores inside the park, so head on over to nearby Weis Markets in Langhorne or ShopRite in Fairless Hills, both of which are on the PA-side; (3) Be sure to bring all your own water as none is available onsite; (4) Kayakers should launch from the Pennsylvania side’s boat access for an iconic paddle on the Delaware River; (5) Visit the park’s historic reenactments, especially the Christmas Day Crossing event as it’s easily the most memorable history lesson you’ll ever get outdoors; and (6) When you’re done camping, fuel up at It’s Nutts Restaurant on the Jersey side in Titusville for classic diner-style comfort food or Francisco’s on the River for Italian fare with Delaware River views.

      Happy Camping!

    • Steve W.
      May. 31, 2022

      Atsion Family Camp — Wharton State Forest

      4x4ing in the Pine Barrens

      Atsion Family Campground

      Off US 206 and about 1/2 a mile up Atsion Road in New Jersey’s Wharton State Forest, you’ll find the Atsion Family Campground. The facility is run by the Dept of Environmental Protection and offers Tent, Trailer and Group Sites. There are also Cabins for rent as well, but only available during the summer months, After Memorial Day until October. AFC is one of several campgrounds in WSF and is the largest with 50 camping sites. Amenities include a handicapped accessible restroom/shower building, several drinking water spigots, and a waste dump for trailers. There are no electric hook ups and cell service is low, but manageable. Plenty of sun (shady too) so bring your solar powered generators and cell signal boosters if you need to stay connected. AFC is also pet friendly, so bring your 4 legged furry family members, after registering them with the camp site.

      The individual sites are spacious with a pic-nick table and fire ring grill. Some sites have lake-side water access, so bring your canoes and kayaks and reserve these sites (4, 8, 10, 12, 20 and 22) early as they are popular. The ground is sandy and relatively level for easy camp set up. Some sites are close to a roadway, so you do get some car noise, and like all unmonitored camp sites, loud, unruly campers can be lurking among the pines. Be sure to get your fire wood from the guy that lives across the street from the campground entrance. 5 bucks, on the honor system, a good amount of wood, open 24/7.

      Nearby is the Atsion Recreation Area, which offers fishing, walking, biking and horseback trails, a life guard monitored beach by the lake with restrooms and snacks (Summer Months). Only 15 minutes away, a quick drive, is Batso Village, an old iron and glass community from the late 1700s to early 1900s. NJ State Park Rangers are working hard keeping the area clean, rehabilitated, and educational center allowing you to walk through the old buildings and time as you image what life was like back then. Wharton SF is huge, over 122,000 acres of sandy terrain, towering pine trees, lakes/rivers and off roading trails!! Y’all should come and play in the Pine Barrens

    • L
      Jun. 12, 2019

      Belleplain State Forest

      So far so good

      Arrived at 1pm on Wednesday. Check in was smooth. They allowed me to drive around first and pick out a campsite before checking in. They charge $5 extra for a dog. So far it is very quiet and that's what I was looking for. It's just a short drive to the ocean is:Cape May, Ocean City New Jersey.

    • Tom H.
      Apr. 14, 2021

      French Creek State Park Campground

      Great extended weekend

      Spent a great extended weekend on in the park. Did some fishing and received good tips from the locals.

      The park ranger staff was great and informed us that there was a junior ranger program for kids. We had done a jr. program in national parks and was a great way for us to lean about the area and it’s wildlife as a family.

      My kids were excited to earn badges and certificates when they finished. The pet friendly loop was great for our dog and had full hookup sites in that loop for those that need it.

      If you have time there are plenty of places for hiking in the park or just outside. We enjoyed a nice leisurely hike at Crows Nest Preserve that went through beautiful PA farmland.

    • Kathy L.The Dyrt PRO User
      Sep. 3, 2021

      Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA

      Really nice

      We stayed here for a night in transit. Beautiful campground — lots of trees, pond, kids play equipment, dog park, etc. facilities all clean and whole place is well maintained. Easy late arrival. Good location - convenient but far enough off the highway. Would stay here again.

    • L
      Aug. 6, 2018

      Lums Pond State Park Campground

      Very Dog Friendly

      Campground sites are nice and spacious, bathrooms are good, and there’s plenty to do for everyone. We hiked the 7.5mile lake trail with our two pups. It was beautiful and along the way there were opportunities to kayak/sup, beach it, or even play on a ropes course. We always travel with our dogs and this place has the BEST dog park. Big open space with access to lots of water play. We definitely recommend this spot!

    • E
      Aug. 4, 2021

      Lums Pond State Park Campground

      Impromtu tent camping success!

      I was able to book my site the day before the trip. The site itself was set back some, and felt secluded while still being near the parking area.

      Walk to bathrooms and camp store was on the longer side. Firewood was $5 a bundle, but the register wasn't working and they could only take cash.

      The hiking in the immediate area was beautiful, lots of fun trails and wildlife. Fishing, kayaking, zip lining, tons of great activities.

      The firepits have grates over one half, so campfire cooking is a breeze. Cook up and use the provided picnic table for an easy dinner set up.

      The park itself is very dog friendly and most sites had dogs. There is also an off leash dog park at Lum's pond and dog water dishes outside the camp store.

      The showers and bathrooms were incredibly well kept with hot water and stocked supplies. If you didn't feel like walking so far, the tents had a spiget with running water near the parking areas.

      Reception for Verizon was spotty, t mobile was pretty great. Wish there was an ATM on site though I don't think the cash only situation is a normal one for this campground.

      All in all an amazing trip, and I'll be back as soon as possible.

    • D
      Jun. 5, 2023

      French Creek State Park Campground

      Weekend Trip To Reading

      My family and I stayed at French Creek State Park while attending an event in Reading. The park was clean and well maintained. We stayed in Loop A which had no camp host. The camp hosts were in loops B & C.  We had a full hook up site. The water and electric worked great! The campground was well patrolled by Rangers throughout our stay. The bathhouses appeared to be clean and maintained. The quiet time starts at 9pm and seemed to be followed by most campers. There are numerous hiking trails in the park that seemed to be well marked and maintained. The park is about 20- mins from Reading, and 10 mins from Birdsbroro. There are many stores and restaurants in the area for food and supplies if needed. We had good cellular service with both AT&T and T-Mobile. The one downside was that there was no off leash dog park. We had to take our dog to a dog park in Birdsbroro. We would stay at this park again.


    Guide to National Park

    Camping areas near National Park are situated within the Pine Barrens region where sandy soil and pine forests dominate the landscape. The area's elevation rarely exceeds 200 feet above sea level, creating mostly level camping terrain with moderate drainage after rain. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing between November and March, while summer highs frequently reach the 90s with high humidity.

    What to do

    Hiking accessible trails: At Wharton State Forest, you'll find multiple trail options ranging from beginner to more challenging routes. "There are little trails around the campsite too," notes one visitor, while another mentions "a nice 2 mile trail brings you around the Campground" at Hospitality Creek Campground.

    Kayaking and canoeing: Most local lakes permit non-motorized watercraft with varying rental options. "We went to an amusement park and went on the Sploosh ride. You know - basically the giant log flume ride but in a boat," shares one camper about nearby attractions. Another visitor notes, "We ordered food from their website which was promptly delivered to our site. That was cool."

    Fishing opportunities: Lakes in the region offer catch-and-release fishing for multiple species. "We spent Saturday afternoon fishing but not catching anything at Scott's Run. It was a beautiful location and it was still a fun way to spend the day with the kids away from the site," reports one family who visited French Creek State Park.

    What campers like

    Privacy between sites: The amount of space and vegetation varies significantly between campgrounds. "As long as you don't stay right across from the bath houses you will find ample shade at your site. There are so many trees and brush in between most sites you can't even really see your neighbors," notes a French Creek camper.

    Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high standards for bathrooms and shower facilities. "The bathroom at the campground is very nice and new however it is a little on the dirty side. I don't know if they have anyone who goes around to clean the bath houses but it certainly was in need of cleaning," reports one visitor about French Creek State Park.

    Seasonal programming: "In season tons of hourly activities for the kids. 1 thing i dont like is tge excessively high prices. i think all sites should be for 2 adults and 2-3 kids," mentions a Hospitality Creek Campground visitor, noting that some locations charge per child rather than a flat family rate.

    What you should know

    Site selection matters: Choose sites based on your specific needs and preferences. "The site was a good size, covered in heavy mulch, and is level. The photos of the lake were taken from our site to show this really is waterfront," shares a reviewer from Hospitality Creek, while another notes that at Old Cedar Campground, "Many spots had trees but we couldn't get one as they stated our rig would not fit... I beg to differ.... probably just a way of getting more $ from us."

    Reservation timing: Most dog friendly campgrounds near National Park require advance planning. "Book early because it fills up fast!" advises one camper about Lums Pond State Park, while another mentions, "I understand why it is so difficult to get a reservation at Lums Pond."

    Weather considerations: The region experiences rapid weather changes. "We got there, the host wasn't very friendly. We had to pay $50 per night for a tent site that was sandy mud," reports one camper about Old Cedar Campground, suggesting spring camping may encounter wet conditions.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near National Park, NJ?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near National Park, NJ is Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA with a 4.3-star rating from 21 reviews.

    What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near National Park, NJ?

    TheDyrt.com has all 97 dog-friendly camping locations near National Park, NJ, with real photos and reviews from campers.