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River Rock Recreation's private riverside campground offers pet-friendly camping just north of Bainbridge, with pets allowed at no additional fee. The 2-acre site accommodates up to 10 people with tents or RVs, providing multiple wooden tent platforms, two hammocks, a covered outdoor kitchen, and a clean portable toilet. Dogs can accompany campers throughout the property and along the riverfront, where many visitors enjoy fishing and kayaking with their pets. Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA also welcomes pets but maintains stricter policies including designated pet areas, dog parks, and pet walking trails. Several reviewers noted breed restrictions at this campground, with at least one visitor reporting being turned away due to staff determining their dog appeared to be a pit bull mix.
The Northwest Lancaster Trail near River Rock Recreation provides excellent pet exercise opportunities with connections to nearby hiking paths. Campers with dogs particularly appreciate the spacious grounds at River Rock where pets can explore without crowding, though the campsite's proximity to railroad tracks means some noise disturbance that light sleepers may want to prepare for with earplugs. Hersheypark Camping Resort and Thousand Trails locations in the area also permit pets with varying amenities. Most campgrounds require pets to be leashed when outside the designated exercise areas, properly supervised, and never left unattended at campsites. The multiple pet-friendly camping options around Bainbridge provide good access to water recreation on the Susquehanna River, making these sites popular for campers who enjoy bringing their dogs on fishing and boating adventures.
"I liked the dish washing sinks outside of the shower houses. The site was nice with the tent pad backing up to the trees."
"Our site was in the pet loop and was set back off the road a good amount which kept a lot of the road noise down. It was very large and Iffered gIId trees fIr strIngIng up tarps and hammocks."
from $24 - $89 / night
Check Availability"This campground has a little something for everyone, from full hook up sites neatly stacked next to each other, to quiet patches of grass next to the river."
"We stay here every September during the Hershey Dog Grooming Expo. We have never had any complaints. Office personnel are very friendly and helpful."
"A little pricey and strict for vistors, they need to leave by 10 and can’t bring their pets."
"There was a bathhouse and dish sink nearby, as well as the entrance to a nice little nature trail a few sites down. "
from $45 - $279 / night
Check Availability"The first thing to know is that Thousand Trails sites are a first come, first serve. Meaning you have to arrive early in order to get the best spots. They don't reserve sites for you."
"This is a clean, nice looking campground in a location very close to Hershey park and the outlets. It’s a very nice area."
from $50 - $60 / night
Check Availability"Set just off I-76 in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, Pinch Pond Family Campground& RV Park is a large, all-in-one, family-focused campground with a layout that feels more like a small neighborhood"
"campground so inconveniently located (more on this later) right next to highway I76."
"https://www.riverrockadv.com/#/ I was fortunate enough to find this local gem while browsing“camping near me”. Not only that, my unlucky butt won a 2 night stay there!"
"There is no on site running water or electric but they did leave us with a 5 gallon water jug and a 5 gallon shower bag to use in the outside shower."
from $75 - $90 / night
Check Availability"this campground is completely surrounded by a fairly dense forest, which likely is what blocks any irritable sound and most certainly blocks any highway or traffic visibility."
"Tucked into the rolling, wooded hills of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country RV Resort offers a unique blend of peaceful countryside and activity-packed camping, all just a stone"
"Close to Lancaster for necessities and great proximity to Baltimore and Philadelphia for day trips."
"I used to stay here all the time with my grandparents when they were around. It was always some of the best times for me."
"We got a spot for two nights in the pet area. We were shaded by trees, but the spots weren’t very private. Bathroom facilities are nice."
"The open field pet friendly sites are also large but provide no shade and it gets hot! You can feel the difference between these sites and the interior loop sites. "
from $24 - $280 / night
Check Availability"Very close to Hersheypark. Nicest miniature golf course I’ve ever seen at a RV park. Same can be said for the swimming pool, absolutely beautiful. Great little dog park as well. "
"Great location a updated grounds, sites and restrooms n bath houses. Local to hershey but out of the traffic. Great vaction site for RVs n longer stays. Quiet n comfortable RV living!"
GuideWe stayed for 10 days in a rustic cabin. Campground is well organized and clean. Tons of activities and even a hiking path. Pet friendly with small dog park. We had civil war soldiers drilling and staying the weekend we were there. Bathrooms are super clean.
ScoutClean and well kept campground located 12 mile below Lewistown, Pa. As clean a campground as you will find. Staff is super friendly. Campground has two distinct levels with open spaces with few trees above and well shaded spots with large trees for shade located down along Juniata River. Great place for fishing, tubing or just getting wet. Campground has many activities for kids. On site is a pool, winery, dog park, office/supplies located in center of campground. WiFi is available to all. Nearly all full hook-ups with back-ins and pull-thrus available. Pets allowed. 42 mile South from State College and 48 mile North of Harrisburg on Rt 322. Highly recommend!
GuideWe have a motorhome with no additional vehicle and two dogs, and this site couldn’t have been more perfect for us. A dog park, walking distance to most everything we wanted to see. The national park is mostly dog friendly. My husband caught a fish first day in the pond behind our site. The staff was super friendly and welcoming.
ScoutThe rangers were nice and the campground hosts were sweet. I liked the dish washing sinks outside of the shower houses. The site was nice with the tent pad backing up to the trees. I would rather sleep in a tent any night over a motel room but this time was different. Due to my father passing, me and my daughter stayed there 3 nights. I will be back another time to actually enjoy the lake and being between Lancaster and Gettysburg makes both places easy to access. Next time I will be getting a site away from the group area. It was nice that the pet area is separate from those of us who don't have pets or want quiet from dogs barking. Some of the groups can get rather loud especially when there are a bunch of teens. It was nice that the pet area is separate from those of us who don't have pets or want quiet from dogs barking.
TravelerClean well kept family owned campground. Located a few miles off 81, in the country surrounded by beautiful views. It’s a mix campground of seasonal campers and short term campers. Very family oriented. Very nice off leash fenced dog park.
GuideWe loved it here. It accommodates a large family reunion with plenty of space. The campground was well populated but we didn’t feel cramped at all. Super dog friendly. Many little dog parks throughout. Great pool.
GuideThis camp boasts a stream and beautiful city bridge for water play in the summer and photography in the cooler months. Grounds, bathrooms, showers, playgrounds, dog park, everything. This park is wonderful!
TravelerNice campground with well taken care of sites. There is a pond to fish from, a dog park for your furry friend to play at and a few playgrounds for the kids.
TravelerThis is an amazing campground! There are 2 dog parks right next to each other, which is great for your furry friend to be able to run around and play off leash. And for the kids there is an arcade, a ferris wheel and some other rides. On Saturday nights they usually have a band playing on the stage which is really neat. There is also a ice cream place to get a nice cold treat. The RV spots are really nice and well kept.
Camping opportunities near Bainbridge, Pennsylvania extend along both sides of the Susquehanna River at approximately 300 feet elevation. The area falls within USDA Hardiness Zone 6b with average winter lows between -5°F and 0°F, creating a camping season that typically runs April through October. Railroad tracks parallel much of the river corridor, influencing campsite selection for light sleepers.
**Fishing opportunities: Gifford Pinchot State Park offers access to multiple fishing spots with diverse catch potential. "We caught a handful of bass and an absurd amount of bluegill from shore," reports one camper at Gifford Pinchot State Park. Bring your license as "the rangers in this park check."
**Water recreation: The Susquehanna River provides kayaking opportunities with boat launches at several campgrounds. "We spent our time fishing the river banks right outside our tents and kayaking on the Susquehanna to fish the warm waters. We caught a ton of catfish and carp using live bait," notes a visitor to River Rock Recreation.
**Hiking nearby trails: Several maintained pathways connect to campgrounds in the area. The "8.5 mile Lakeside Trail that goes around the lake" at Gifford Pinchot State Park offers varied terrain and perspectives, with one visitor mentioning it was "really awesome to see the lake from all different angles."
**Disc golf courses: Two 18-hole courses operate at Gifford Pinchot State Park, each with different terrain challenges. "The course in the Conewago area is relatively flat, whereas the Quaker Race course is built into the side of the hill leading into the QR day use area, so it is a lot more wooded and hillier."
Private camping options: River Rock Recreation provides exclusive river access for smaller groups. "This is a single campsite that you rent, no other campers on site unless you are bringing them with you! You can camp with up to 10 people and there is certainly plenty of room for everyone to spread out," explains one reviewer.
Clean facilities: Consistently mentioned across dog friendly campgrounds near Bainbridge are well-maintained restrooms and showers. A camper at Pinch Pond Family Campground noted, "Our campsite was very spacious and the ENTIRE campground was extremely clean and tidy. The office and grounds keeping staff were super friendly and helpful."
Pet-friendly atmosphere: Multiple campgrounds accommodate four-legged family members. At Thousand Trails Hershey, "there is plenty of room on our site and we had zero room for the truck," though sites vary in spaciousness.
Outdoor cooking amenities: River Rock Recreation provides purpose-built cooking areas. "One of my favorite features other than staying right on the river was the kitchen area. There is a stone floor, covered roof, and wrap around wood countertop space complete with an outdoor sink."
Train noise considerations: Railroad tracks run alongside several campgrounds near Bainbridge, creating noise issues. At Hersheypark Camping Resort, "Bath houses are nice and clean. I would suggest making sure you aren't close to the tracks bc the trains run all night long!"
Site selection strategies: When booking at Thousand Trails properties, timing matters. A visitor to Thousand Trails Hershey advises, "The first thing to know is that Thousand Trails sites are a first come, first serve. Meaning you have to arrive early in order to get the best spots. They don't reserve sites for you. For everyone complaining about driving around and not finding spots, if you get there early enough around 1 pm, you won't have a problem."
Shooting range proximity: Some campgrounds have unexpected noise sources. At Pinch Pond Family Campground, "there is a shooting range near the property, so at all hours you will hear target practice going on, especially in the wee early hours."
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds operate on limited schedules. "We stayed Sun-Wed and rented 2 kayaks from River Rock for 1 of the days," demonstrating weekday availability outside peak seasons.
Kid-friendly campground features: Thousand Trails Circle M provides multiple recreation options for children. "Putt putt is still open and fun, so is playground. Arcade was open. There is an indoor pool and spa (spa closed due to Covid). They had Halloween ever at every weekend of October and we spent Halloween weekend here. The kids loved it!!"
Beach access considerations: Several campgrounds offer water-based recreation with specific swimming areas. At Gifford Pinchot State Park, "We had site 108 which is an electric site along the shore and close to the beach, and it was perfect for our needs. It has a small beach area within the campground loop that we camped in, but the main beach is on the other side of the large Pinchot Lake."
Animal interaction opportunities: Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm provides unique experiences with farm animals. "We came amidst COVID-19, so the many activities and events this location usually holds are down, BUT there is still fun to be had here! We've enjoyed mini-golf, feeding the animals, 'hiking' through the cornfield, fishing, and campfires."
Budget-friendly attractions: Free or low-cost activities abound near several pet-friendly campgrounds around Bainbridge. "If you love farm animals, that is the spot to be. Got a kick out of the children playing with the kids (baby goats) pigs, goats, chickens, horses and even lamas. Plenty to see and learn. Perfect campground for the family."
Leveling challenges: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain requiring preparation. At Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country, "Unlevel is an understatement we were in E row and every camper there had front end 4 foot off the ground. Many other sites were the same."
Hookup considerations: Water quality varies across campgrounds. "Water was rusty in our row came out brown at first then was tan after running through our filter for the entire stay. The site on either side was the same rusty."
Site spacing differences: Some campgrounds offer more separation than others. A camper at River Rock Recreation noted, "The site is almost 2 acres in size and you do not share the site with anyone. We saw no one while there and you're literally about 100-150 yards off a side road."
Reservation timing: For popular dog friendly campgrounds in the Bainbridge region, early booking is essential. "If you are thinking about staying here during the Renaissance Faire, which apparently is a VERY BIG thing in these parts, you are going to want to book your spot as soon as possible."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Bainbridge, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Bainbridge, PA is Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 57 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Bainbridge, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 126 dog-friendly camping locations near Bainbridge, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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