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Hibernia County Park's pet-friendly campsites feature fire rings with built-in grills and picnic tables alongside heavily wooded tent sites. Several campgrounds near Avondale welcome pets with varying amenities - from primitive sites to full-hookup RV spots. The park maintains two camping loops: Lake Loop and Fiddler's Loop, both accommodating dogs with clean, well-maintained areas. Brandywine Creek Campground allows pets at spacious sites bordering the creek, providing natural sounds at night and morning views without mosquito problems even in summer months. French Creek State Park, Ridley Creek State Park, and Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Quarryville all permit pets with specific site designations. The wide-open camping at Birchview Campground features friendly people and occasional live music events where pets can join their owners.
Dog-friendly trails throughout these parks offer excellent walking opportunities with varying difficulty levels. At Hibernia County Park, walking trails connect campsites to nearby amenities including a playground and fishing pond well-stocked for children. Leashed pets can explore the walking and hiking trails that provide access to Chambers Lake, though swimming is not permitted for dogs or humans. Quiet hours are strictly enforced to minimize barking disturbances, particularly important since campsites lack privacy with limited trees separating neighbors. The park operates on a first-come, first-served basis, though online reservations are now available through Chester County's website. When camping with pets during warmer months, many sites offer shade but portable water dishes are essential as water sources may require short walks from certain campsites.
"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 $29 - $51 / night
Check Availability"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 is a connector trail nearby that can get you to most of the hiking trails. Site was nice. Bathrooms okay. This is a pet loop so be aware of dogs. Hiking trails in park were a nice challenge."
from $24 - $135 / night
Check Availability"Accessible and pet friendly. Great trails and great staff"
"Our go to State Park for camping as it is pretty close to home. Standard State Park with all the amenities you need. We are tent campers/ non electric (no pets/ no kids)."
from $21 - $55 / night
Check Availability"So we make sure to get close spots so we can walk. You can bring pets but we choose not to as we are not at the camp much. We do go fishing while we are here and my daughter loves this place"
"We stayed here in November with beautiful weather which meant the large farm behind the campground was spraying manure over their fields. We could smell it."
"This campground has 2 small loops, the Lake Loop and the Fiddler's Loop. Lake loop is the bigger of the two, however the “sites” are smaller and it's more open. It is popular with group tenters."
"Large campsites at the Lake Loop. Map is a little deceiving- the sites are farther from the lake than I expected and there are no running water bathrooms. Very clean and wooded sites."
from $15 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Girlfriend and I stayed here while we visited nearby Longwood Gardens. The tent sites are spacious and they all border the creek which is a nice sound at night, as well as a good morning view."
"Close to Valley Forge military park, and convenient to Philadelphia by train."
"Fishing pond is a joke and near by Gun Range can be annoying and tough on pets. But, over all, this place is pretty nice."
"Site next to us had a pipe break, they had a maintenance crew come out immediately and fix it. Amish stores/attractions close by for some entertainment also."
"Our site was really good and I love that it had it's own access to the bathrooms. Quite a few of the inner loop sites do. If you're a tent camper Acorn has some very private and secluded sites."
"I was a walk-up with no reservation and since it was a weekday the ranger gave me a great rundown of the best spots in the camp and let me drive through to check them out before going back with my decision"
from $21 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Small dog park, too small for our two labs. We were in site 50 for this trip, however if you have a decent sized rig I would steer clear of this row."
"This is a great spot for visiting Pennsylvania Amish of Lancaster County and about a one-hour drive to Hersheypark. "
"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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TravelerCampground 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!
RangerWe 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.
GuideI 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.
GuideMy 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.
TravelerOur first visit (March 2018) was just prior to peak season (lower rates) and we had a site literally 10 ft. from the water! Full hook ups and sites were a little close, but nice. There seemed to be a lot of long term/permanent residents, but most sites along the waterfront remained open. The campground seemed to stress pet restrictions both in the rules section of their registration packet and signage around the grounds. There was a pet exercise/walking area, but could use some sprucing up. However, no one really made an issue of walking your dog around the campground and as the weekend came around, more and more dogs were around.
You have to drive through a residential neighborhood to reach Bar Harbor, so big rigs take care/caution. Would like to try Bar Harbor again sometime.
LegendWest Chester KOA This is a really nice KOA not too far from downtown Philly. The campground is located in a beautiful part of the Pennsylvania countryside with rolling hills which meant the roads getting there are narrow and windy. A bridge nearby the campground was washed out earlier by a hurricane so we had to take an alternative route going about thirty minutes out of our way. (Make sure you check their website for directions!) There is a lot to do in the surrounding area like visiting the historical sites in downtown Philadelphia, Valley Forge, or exploring Amish country.
This is a typical KOA with lots of amenities and activities for kids– swimming pool, jump pad, miniature golf, volleyball, butterfly garden, gem mining, playground, store, dog park, nature trail, etc. There is a large pool area with pavilion but it was closed during our stay since we were there early in the season. The campground is right on the Brandywine River which is a slow meandering pretty river that is great to get your feet wet or go for a paddle. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent if you have time and as there is very little current in the river you can paddle out and back without any trouble. There is a nice, short nature trail which was nice to walk our dog and she enjoyed getting wet in the river.
The campground is hilly which means that a fair number of sites are not level. Our site (#27) was level for our RV but the patio sloped downhill and we could not use our picnic table or find a level spot for our chairs. Some sites are “premiums” with paved patios, Adirondack chairs, fancy firepits, BBQ grill, and tables and chairs with an umbrella. These sites are really nice, but you pay a lot more for them. Some sites are located adjacent to the river with nice waterfront views, but beware some might be muddy. There are lots of camping cabins and a couple of glamping tents.
Overall, the campground is very clean with no trash lying around and the grass was mowed and trimmed. The 50-amp electric was good as was the water pressure. The sewer connection uphill from our site so it did not drain properly. There is basic cable but since you are so close to Philly there are plenty of over-the-air channels. The Wi-Fi at our site worked well. Garbage is picked up at your site. The surrounding area has plenty of restaurants, shopping, and interesting things to see and do.
Guidewell 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.
GuideWe do Lums Pond at least twice a year if we can get reservations.
Sites are big and all were redone in the last few years with concrete pads, 30 amp service and full sewer. There are some equestrian and tent sites as well.
Lots of boating (electric motors only) and kayaking on the pond and a decent amount of hiking. There’s an off leash dog park, equestrian center and boat ramp. Book early because it fills up fast!
LegendThis is unquestionably the best KOA I’ve been to. I usually do not like KOA, except when there are no alternatives. This one is way above average. Typically these places are all gravel and dust. This one has paved roads, grass and trees. There is a pond for fishing, too. The only complaint is that, like all KOAs, the sites are on top of each other. The neighbor’s sewer connection is right next to our picnic table! But, the sites are large enough for large RVs, they have 30/50 amp hookups and water & sewer. There are cabins and large tents you can rent. There is a playground, pavilion, laundry, and several shower/bathrooms. (The one near us didn’t have hot water. The office people said they were working on it.) There us also a large, grassy, fenced dog park which my 2 spaniels appreciated.
Campgrounds near Avondale offer diverse camping experiences throughout southeastern Pennsylvania's rolling landscape. The region sits between 400-600 feet in elevation with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season. Winter camping is available at several locations though water systems may be winterized from November through March, requiring campers to bring their own water supply.
Fishing opportunities: 5-mile drive from several Elk Neck State Park Campground sites to water access points. "We saw bald eagles and great blue heron," notes Kate J., who appreciated the "well stocked camp store" during her visit.
Hiking at Turkey Point Lighthouse: This trail near Elk Neck State Park provides scenic views of Chesapeake Bay. A camper mentioned, "Definitely drive to, and then hike to the lighthouse (open most weekends) the lighthouse and the view are definitely worth it."
Kayaking on Hopewell Lake: French Creek State Park offers water activities on two lakes. "We did take our inflatable kayak out on the water, and it was lovely! There is also a nice picnic area with grills and picnic tables right by the boat landing," shares Katie M.
Frisbee golf course: Located in French Creek State Park, the course winds through the woods adding challenge to the game. "There is also a frisbee golf course in the woods to make it even more interesting and competitive. The trees definitely make it harder!"
Level campsites with good spacing: Lums Pond State Park Campground receives high marks for site quality. "Beautiful park setting with fantastic site— spacious, level, good-working hookups, and paved," writes Matt S., who also appreciated the "friendly and helpful staff."
Clean bathhouses: Facilities at many pet-friendly campgrounds near Avondale receive regular maintenance. At Elk Neck State Park, a camper noted, "The camp host were very friendly and were actually in charge of keeping the bathrooms clean (which they did excellent at)! The bathrooms were nothing fancy but I was impressed with the cleanness."
Natural sounds at night: Brandywine Creek Campground offers creek-side camping that enhances the overnight experience. "The tent sites are spacious and they all border the creek which is a nice sound at night, as well as a good morning view," shares Dave G.
Private, wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the natural separation between sites. "It's tiny (19 sites in Fiddlers loop), it's quiet, it's heavily wooded. There is NOTHING to do except walk or bike the beautiful trails, spend time on Chamber's Lake, spend time in the hammock and stare at the fire," explains Jennifer S. about Hibernia County Park.
Reservation requirements vary: Country Acres Campground and other facilities in the area may require advanced booking. "Very convenient for local sites, food, and shopping. Super clean, a large pool, and all well maintained," says Gennifer K.
Site sizes and terrain conditions: Many campgrounds have varied site options. At Hibernia County Park, "Most sites are heavily wooded which means plenty of hammock hanging opportunities. The sites are mostly grass, and not very well defined which means the distance between you and your neighbor can vary depending on how you set up camp."
Limited cell service: Some campgrounds offer a digital detox experience. One camper at Elk Neck State Park enjoys that there's "No cell signal in the campground so the family is forced to disconnect."
Seasonal amenities: Pool access and certain facilities may close during off-season periods. "We stayed over for one night in early December. Showers and bathrooms were great! The honor system of payment at the office makes it really easy to come in late and leave early," notes Galit P. about French Creek State Park.
Playground access: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Quarryville stands out for family amenities. "Our daughter really enjoyed the playground (which was excellent, by my standards). The only complaint I have is that the kiddie swings seem to be modeled after the seasickness machine," reports a visitor to Lums Pond State Park.
Kid-friendly fishing spots: Children-focused fishing areas exist at several campgrounds. "The children's pond is a short ways away for well stocked fishing," noted a visitor to Hibernia County Park.
Weekend activities: Many campgrounds schedule family programming during peak season. "This campground is very family friendly. We saw so many children running around having a great time!" shares Jalissa Y. about her stay at Elk Neck.
Water recreation options: Swimming areas and water features are popular with families. One camper at French Creek State Park mentioned, "There are two lakes, Scotts Run Lake and Hopewell Lake that you can fish, kayak, canoe or just relax by."
Site selection guidance: RVers should check site specifications carefully. At Elk Neck State Park, "In the full hook up loop pay close attention to the lengths specified. The actual pads are fairly level but some of the driveways to them are very sloped. Long rigs will have issues in a few of the sites."
Full hookup availability: Several dog-friendly RV campgrounds near Avondale offer complete utilities. "Finished the season at this state park in MD with full hook up (20, 30, and 50 amp, water and sewer) and the water was still on in November," shares Laure D. about Elk Neck State Park.
Arrival timing considerations: Larger rigs should plan arrivals during daylight hours. "Our site was a level full hook up. The road on the FHU loop is narrow and hilly. Our site was uphill and at a difficult angle. Plenty of bigger TTs and 5th wheels were camping," notes a visitor to Elk Neck.
Proximity to amenities: Many campgrounds position RV sites strategically. At French Creek State Park, "Normally site 35 would have been way too small for our usual gear– a behemoth 9X15 tent- but it was a perfect fit for the tent I was reviewing on this trip. Our friends, who have the same large tent as us, stayed on site 37 and had plenty of space to pitch it."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Avondale, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Avondale, PA is Lums Pond State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 52 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Avondale, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 85 dog-friendly camping locations near Avondale, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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