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Canoe Creek State Park Campground's pet-friendly cabins provide comfortable accommodations for travelers with dogs near Altoona. Pet owners can reserve modernized cabins featuring full bathrooms with hot showers, furnished common areas, and fully-equipped kitchens with large tables and full-sized appliances. The pet-friendly cabins include a bedroom with a full-size bed and a second room with two sets of bunk beds. Trails throughout the park welcome leashed dogs, though visitors should be aware that hunting is permitted in some areas and may encounter off-leash hunting dogs during hunting seasons. Pet owners walking dogs on trails should consider wearing hunter orange during fall hunting season for safety.
Prince Gallitzin State Park's Crooked Run Campground offers additional pet-friendly camping options with designated pet loops including the Red Oak section. Sites are primarily paved with fire rings and picnic tables, and clean bathhouses with excellent water pressure serve the camping areas. The park features multiple trails accessible to leashed dogs, though some areas have restrictions where pets are not permitted. Multiple water access points around the 26-mile shoreline lake provide opportunities for dogs that enjoy swimming, while nearby Pat's Primitive Place and Long Acres on Clover Creek offer more secluded pet-friendly tent camping experiences along creeks. Sites at both locations feature established fire pits and easy access to fishing spots, with Pat's Place maintaining well-cleared pathways approximately five minutes from parking areas to creekside campsites.
"This campground is perfect for people who are looking to get away from busy city life or just want to relax next to a lake."
"We stayed in one of the pet friendly loops of the park. We had a great time in our PUP....bathhouse was clean and well maintained."
from $20 - $57 / night
Check Availability"Ridge camp is the furthest away from the marina and the public swimming area. However it's the closest to the Allegrippis Trail system and from the entrance of the camp loop there is a trail head!"
"It’s close to bathhouse and playground if you want those. There is parking at every bath house. There is trash receptacles at the entrance to the loop as well as firewood or sale."
from $28 - $200 / night
Check Availability"The grounds are open to hunting and we were surprised by a bird hunter and his dog who was running around off leash, creating a little havoc for us while walking our two dogs on the trail."
"You can go to the beach, kayak, hike, or go outside the park to explore some caves or a bat church. We will continue to come here every year!"
from $70 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Both RV sites and lots to rent to pitch your own tent, fishing, huge lake with beach, lots of activities for the kids throughout the summer, one of the nicest parks we have camped at!"
"Fantastic lake side camping resort. Best for campers or using their cabins but it has freeway access to the lake and beautiful views."
"Adjacent huge cemetery site is accessible via a goat path at the back of the campground and provided a great place to walk our dog every day."
"it’s small, with shaded sites around the perimeter and two walk in sites just left of the entrance."
"The hiking here is really spectacular with lots of scenery, overlooks, and side trails that extend many miles out into state forest lands which are adjacent to the park."
from $20 - $108 / night
Check Availability"We camped at Suquehannock for the first time in August 2020 and had a fantastic time with our dog!"
"We ended up with spot 3, which was on a cliff’s edge. So, it looked like it may be near the water, but there was no way down, and the forest obscured any view that may have been there."
from $25 - $32 / night
Check Availability"We had easy access to things around us but a quick walk along a path brought us to a beautiful spot by the creek. We set up camp right along the creek, as shown in our pictures."
from $25 - $50 / night
"The secluded area combined with the creek nearby made for a great escape from reality. The stars are so bright out here and the tent was absolutely fabulous! Definitely 10/10 recommend."
from $25 - $65 / night
Check Availability"The pavilion where all those activities happened were right next to our site (22 with the doggie den)."
"The staff here at Raystown Lake/Saxton KOA are great. They a friendly, willing to help anyway they can, and keep the place spotless."
from $100 / night
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GuideOne of the best campgrounds I have stayed at so far the pond is nice and has a 1/2 mile walking path around it with trees and beaches to stop and sit dog park is big and has a place for small or large dogs there is 3 play grounds all different and all well kept
GuidePreface: if your main objective is activities for children, you have come to the right place. This place is loud and full of kids.
We booked a site but chose not to pay to select which one. All the pictures looked great! We ended up on a grassy hill in the back. The spot was so unlevel there were 19 inches between my bottom step and the ground. This site was the same price as level ones closer to activities.
Also bathrooms were outdated. They had older residential toilets that plugged constantly. The day we left 2 of the 3 in our nearest bathroom were out of order.
Aside from all the above, the Dog Park is awesome. It’s the size of a real, normal dog park. The ice cream on site is also a nice perk.
TravelerWe stayed during Bigfoot weekend. It was super fun as our family likes bigfoot fun. We started out Friday night getting the offered $12 bbq plate that included pork burnt ends, beans and potato salad that were "oh it's so good". On Saturday was rock painting and then bingo and ended the night with a DJ dance party. The pavilion where all those activities happened were right next to our site (22 with the doggie den). Then Sunday we had pancakes and later a visit from RayCEP which is an education program that PA DNCR provides talking about various outdoorsy type things. This is primarily for kids, but we sat and listened too and our 17 year old helped out with the craft.
After the weekend though, all the activity slows down. There are seasonal campers that stay around, and they're constantly working on improving and fixing up sites during the week. Expect lots of quiet time just relaxing during the week. There's the pool, dog park, bounce pillow, playground, but not tons to do which if you're looking for is great. Raystown Lake has multiple access areas that are probably 15-20 minutes away - we fished at Tautman Run and Aitch - both were accessible and had lots of bluegill to steal our worms.
Now to the site description: Site 22 is a deluxe patio back in site with a patio, 4 nice Adirondack chairs, a double glider, a weber propane grill and built in fire pit AND a dog fence just for that site that was maybe 6 ft x 6ft. it was big enough for our 2 labs to fit into when we fed them. The site wasn't hard to level our RV but overall the sites are hilly and in fact the whole park is on a hill.
The owners and workers were friendly and great hosts! We love what they're doing there.
One last tip: if traveling from the Altoona area, go out through Martinsburg over Cove Mountain Rd - it saves you 30 minutes to an hour.
RangerThis is a small campground with about half the sites being rustic electric back-in sites and the other being rustic walk-to tent sites. We stayed in the walk-to section. A lot of them are labeled "waterfront" by the park site but ours did not live up to that criteria so be aware of that. We were hoping to be truly stream-side but were not that near to it. The bathrooms were modern and clean. The park is extremely quiet and peaceful, probably one of the most remote PA state parks we've been to. The camper side was pretty full while we were the only ones on the walk-to side. We enjoyed walking the roads and little trails around the campground and seeing the old stone fireplaces/chimneys. There was a dog park area on the walk-to side which was nice. We liked it here.
RangerWhile I understand that Memorial Day is a very busy camping weekend, I was hoping that due to the coronavirus that this spot would be less crowded given the restrictions in place. Our loop had approximately 50 sites with roughly 200 people on it, minimum. The concept of social distancing here is a joke and the only evidence of there being a pandemic was the sign in the bathroom that stated to stay 6 feet apart and masks being a requirement in all park buildings… with no enforcement whatsoever. That said, sites are on the small side with a fire ring and a picnic table. All vehicles MUST back into the parking spaces, and all parking spots are blacktop. There is a camp store and a bundle of decent hardwood will cost $6; they do accept cards with a $10 minimum. The city of Altoona is about 30 minutes away for more extensive shopping. There is a marina and boat rental on the lake about a 10 minute drive away. Bathrooms are very clean and the push button showers have excellent water pressure. Drinking water is dispersed throughout each loop. Pets are allowed on certain loops.
TravelerThis campground (now named "Orchard Station Campground" is under new management, and is open all year (I think). They are in the process of upgrading sites with new utility lines and level gravel pads.
Owner was very friendly & helpful.
Allowed me to charge my Rivian onsite (I paid him for the extra power).
Adjacent huge cemetery site is accessible via a goat path at the back of the campground and provided a great place to walk our dog every day.
We were attending the Alleghany Ukulele Soiree at the Altoona Grand Hotel, and this was a perfect spot (less than 5 minutes away).
Will definitely return!!
RangerI honestly struggled with what to rate this campground. I loved the area. Very peaceful and quite, but close to State College (a must since we were in town for a Penn State game). I also loved historic Bellefonte (I highly recommend eating at the Governors Pub). It had a cute little dog park, nice play ground, bouncy pillow, gem mining, pool, etc.- what you expect to find at a KOA. Once we were in it, I even loved our site once we were in it. It was very secluded, private, quite and woodsy. That being said- getting into the site was almost impossible. We didn't think we'd be able to do it. And as it was, our slide out was about an inch away from a tree on one side and up against a raised concrete pad on the other. For a smaller camper, it was probably perfect, but I really don't think they had any business putting a camper our size in that site. Width wise, the site was large and had some sort of shrub growing in the middle of the entrance which helped with giving it more privacy. Then there was the water pressure… or lack of water pressure. Saying it trickled out would be generous. Though there was a lot about the campground that I liked, I won't go back again just based on the water pressure alone. I've never been that stressed out trying to rinse my hair… It could very well have just been a problem with our site- we were in the very back on the hill. Or it may be a problem everyone was experiencing. I'm not sure which is why I gave it a 4 rating. I liked everything about it but that.
ScoutClean and well taken care of, pretty quiet. Would definitely stay here again but a few things to keep in mind.
For kids the play grounds are run down. Also no real “dog run”. All in all if your a couple wanting to go relax its great, but if you have pets and or younger kids there isn’t much on the grounds.
TravelerThis is one of our favorite campgrounds. Very neat & clean. Full hookup sites & pet friendly. Close to dam where the fish are plentiful. Nice level sites.
Camping near Altoona, Pennsylvania offers diverse terrain options across varying elevations, with Blue Knob State Park situated on the second highest peak in the state at over 2,700 feet. The region experiences moderate seasonal changes with summer temperatures typically ranging from 65-85°F and frequent short bursts of rainfall in mountainous areas that don't always appear on weather forecasts.
Lake activities at Raystown Lake: Seven Points Campground provides access to the expansive Raystown Lake with multiple swimming areas. "Huge lake for water sports, scenic trails, small dirt bike oval track," mentions Judy H. The lake offers numerous water access points across its 26-mile shoreline.
Mountain biking on established trails: Seven Points Campground connects to extensive trail systems perfect for cyclists of varying abilities. "Looking at some of our neighbor's sites, depending on where the camper site was located, some had their picnic table and fire ring either above or below them," notes Tim J., highlighting the campground's terrain variation. The Allegrippis Trails begin near upper camp loops with "fast flowing singletrack."
Creek fishing opportunities: Pat's Primitive Place offers secluded creek access for anglers. "Right around the corner from our site was a great spot along the river for sitting out in the sun and fishing for trout," reports Sarah C. The established paths lead approximately five minutes from parking areas to creekside campsites.
Clean, modern facilities: Raystown Lake/Saxton KOA receives consistent praise for maintenance standards. "They have recently remodeled the bathrooms/showers (3 of the 4 look brand new), and the pool has been crystal clear," reports Chuck M. Visitors appreciate the well-maintained amenities throughout their stay.
Level, spacious sites: Ridge Camp at Seven Points features well-maintained campsites with practical features. "Our pad was limestone and very flat and level, so setting out our rugs was easy and comfortable underneath our feet. The picnic table had a new seat on one side and was in great shape," shares Tim J., noting the campsite's thoughtful layout design.
Convenient four-lane dump station: Blue Knob State Park provides efficient camping infrastructure with practical amenities. "Small quiet campground with room for tents and travel trailers at most sites," reports Travis S. The park's layout accommodates various camping styles while maintaining a natural environment.
Seasonal limitations and weather considerations: Blue Knob State Park experiences unique weather patterns due to its elevation. "Clouds blowing east from the Midwest tend to break on the mountains here at Blue Knob, so short little bursts of rainfall are frequent, and they don't always show up on weather apps," advises Brian S. Campers should prepare for unexpected changes regardless of forecasts.
Site selection importance: Finding the right site requires research at Susquehannock Campground where topography varies significantly. "The spots are small though and the fire ring for spot 4 is right next to where you park your car in spot 3," notes Jennifer R., highlighting proximity challenges. Many waterfront sites feature steeper terrain requiring careful placement.
Cell service variability: Network coverage differs across the region's campgrounds. "Bring everything you need, it's about 30 minutes to some supplies. Make sure you bring firewood and be prepared for extremely limited cell service (Verizon)," warns Olivia L. about Blue Knob State Park. However, Pat's Primitive Place reports "great phone service at the site and nearby (Verizon)."
Explore dedicated family activities: Lake Raystown Resort organizes regular programming for younger campers. "Great getaway campground for some camping or glamping fun! So much to do here including swimming on the beach or at the water park, mountain biking, boating, hiking, and enjoying the beautiful lake!" exclaims Kaitlyn A., highlighting multiple activity options.
Consider pet-friendly accommodations: When bringing dogs to Long Acres on Clover Creek, access to water is a key feature for family pets. "The secluded area combined with the creek nearby made for a great escape from reality," shares Sarah A., describing the peaceful environment that works well for families with pets.
Look for playgrounds and kid-friendly facilities: Seven Points offers recreational areas across multiple camping loops. "Each loop has a playground and bathhouse," notes Rachel B. The visitor center includes "a great educational area inside and a nature trail outside," providing additional learning opportunities for children.
Check site dimensions carefully: Seven Points Campground offers varied options for RVs with different layouts. "Valley Camp (VCAM) was a single in/out with a loop around the playground, but the sites appeared too small for our 28' TT," observes Tim J., emphasizing the importance of matching vehicle size to appropriate sites.
Consider electrical requirements: For RVers needing specific hookups, Raystown Lake/Saxton KOA provides versatile options. "The site fees are a little pricey and some of them are a little closer together than we would prefer but otherwise, a great place to visit," notes Chuck M. Many sites offer both 30 and 50-amp service to accommodate various RV power needs.
Plan for varying terrain: Leveling equipment is essential at most campgrounds in the region. "Site 5 was slightly sloped. It's listed as tent-only because there isn't really a parking spot for campers, we just parked on the grass," reports Laura about Blue Knob State Park, highlighting terrain challenges that might affect larger vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Altoona, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Altoona, PA is Crooked Run Campground — Prince Gallitzin State Park with a 4.3-star rating from 26 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Altoona, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 92 dog-friendly camping locations near Altoona, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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