Fort Washington State Park Campground permits pets at its group camping area, where sites can accommodate 20-100 people. The park features over 3.5 miles of trails through nearly 500 acres of forested landscape, making it ideal for hikers with dogs. Primitive restroom facilities are available year-round, and each group site includes multiple fire pits with provided firewood. The campground operates on a carry-in, carry-out trash policy, requiring campers to manage their own waste. Ridley Creek State Park also welcomes pets at its group camp, offering well-marked trails and creek access perfect for dogs who enjoy water. The park maintains an open field with two camping sites and fire pits, providing ample space for pets to exercise safely within sight of their owners. Park reviews consistently mention the pet-friendly atmosphere and quality hiking opportunities along the creek.
Campers seeking more extensive amenities can find pet-friendly options at Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA, which offers full-service sites for tents, RVs, and cabins where pets are welcome. Located approximately 30 minutes from Bala-Cynwyd, this campground provides electric hookups, water, sewer connections, and shower facilities while maintaining a pet-friendly policy. Alverthorpe Private Park allows pets but restricts camping to Abington Township residents only, limiting access for travelers passing through the area. The suburban park offers shaded tent sites with in-ground fire pits and standing grills, though some review notes indicate facilities may need better maintenance. Cell service remains reliable throughout most campgrounds in the region, allowing pet owners to quickly locate emergency veterinary services if needed during their stay.
"Beautiful campground — lots of trees, pond, kids play equipment, dog park, etc. facilities all clean and whole place is well maintained. Easy late arrival."
"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."
$57 / night
"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"
$28 - $72 / night
"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"
$20 - $90 / night
"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."
$1 - $100 / night
"year ago with some refreshed insight, additional photos and, well, because once wasn’t enough, here’s a quick reel of HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS: HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Hidden slice of suburban woodland tucked"
$43 / night
"It was a great place to walk with your dog and enjoy the Pennsylvania outdoors."
"Since he was 2 years old I’ve taken my son, and we always have an amazing time, either hiking the trails to wandering in the woods looking for “adventures”."
$48 / night
"We’ve stayed here a couple times in past Have family in the area Grew up in this area so very comfortable and easy access to lots of places! This visit we stayed six months may to October"
$31 - $50 / night
"This row of sites lacked the trees for shade and privacy found at most other sites around the campground. The pool was nice and clean."
"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."
"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."
"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."
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
TravelerMy husband and I came to this campground for a quick weekend getaway with our dogs. We had a great time!
The campground was very well taken care of. The sites had good tree coverage and we didn’t feel like we were right on top of the next site. There was tons of stuff to do. There’s a pond to fish, trails to walk/bike, basketball, sand volleyball, the list goes on and on. Both nights we were there, there were events being put on (a tractor ride, kickball, and a pool movie night). There was also a dog park which was very nice!
The staff was extremely kind and helpful and took great care of us!
Overall I highly recommend this campground, very family friendly. We’ll be going back!
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.
Camping near Bala-Cynwyd, Pennsylvania offers access to natural spaces within the heavily forested Delaware Valley region, where elevations range from 200-400 feet above sea level. Winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that can drop below freezing, while summer brings humidity and temperatures in the mid-80s. Most camping options sit within 45 minutes of Bala-Cynwyd, positioned along waterways like Ridley Creek and the Wissahickon.
Fishing at multiple locations: Scotts Run Lake and Hopewell Lake at French Creek State Park Campground contain northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, and several panfish species. "There are two lakes in French Creek, Hopewell and Scott's Run and each contain many species of fish. We spent Saturday afternoon fishing but not catching anything at Scott's Run," noted one camper.
Birdwatching for seasonal migrants: Militia Hill at Fort Washington State Park offers excellent raptor viewing opportunities from the observation deck. "Should you call yourself a bird watcher, you'll be particularly interested as from this very spot you can view the beautiful raptors that migrate here on a seasonal basis in both the Spring and Autumn," explains one visitor who spotted Dark-eyed Juncos, Osprey, Cooper's Hawks, and Bald Eagles.
Creek exploration with kids: The shallow waters at Ridley Creek State Park provide safe water play areas. "There are even a few great spots to get a small creek swim in! It also has a great picnic area with grills," notes a repeat visitor who enjoys walking with their dog through the park.
Disc golf through wooded terrain: French Creek State Park offers a challenging course set among trees. "There is also a frisbee golf course in the woods to make it even more interesting and competitive. The trees definitely make it harder!" reports one frequent visitor who enjoys multiple activities at the park.
Group camping facilities: Atsion Family Camp in Wharton State Forest offers spacious group sites. "Very spacious and open - which is good in some ways but I had to account for shade as well as a place to rig a ridgeline for my tarp," explains one camper who found the waterfront sites particularly appealing. "I always get site #8 and it has an amazing view of the lake."
Dog-friendly hiking trails: The walking paths around Evansburg State Park accommodate four-legged companions. "It was a great place to walk with your dog and enjoy the Pennsylvania outdoors," mentions a visitor who also appreciated the clean restroom facilities and available maps at different parking areas.
Cell service for planning: Unlike some remote camping areas, Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA maintains strong connectivity. "Wifi was fairly fast but was prone to disconnects. Lots of shopping nearby, fortunately for me because I had to run to Home Depot for a quick repair item," reports a camper who found this practical aspect helpful during their stay.
Secluded campsites with privacy: French Creek State Park offers sites with natural separation. "There is a lot of shade and the campground is laid out well. There are three separate loops to camp at, Loop C is the only loop that allows pets," reports a regular visitor who appreciates that "there are so many trees and brush in between most sites you can't even really see your neighbors."
Residential camping restrictions: Alverthorpe Private Park limits camping to township residents only. "Restricted to only residents. Looks nice, if you can actually stay here," noted a disappointed traveler during a cross-country road trip who couldn't access the facilities.
Primitive bathroom facilities: Many state parks offer basic amenities only. "Bathrooms are primitive and non-flush, so BYOTP as it's campground chic here, not hotel lobby convenient," explains one camper about facilities at Fort Washington State Park.
Carry-in/carry-out policies: Most state parks near Bala-Cynwyd enforce strict trash management. "Carry-in / carry-out trash policy means becoming one with your garbage until civilization or squirrels show up," advises a regular visitor who recommends preparing for this requirement.
Site selection for large tents: Pay attention to terrain when booking. "Many of the sites surrounding ours were very rocky and left little option for a larger than normal sized tent so keep this in mind if you have a large family sized tent," warns a visitor at French Creek State Park who found significant variation between camping loops.
Playground access: Old Cedar Campground offers multiple kid-friendly amenities. "My grandchildren loved visiting us, pool was clean - they had a few items that they could borrow - fishing was great - playground was adequate. Mini golf was fun for all. There was also activities for the younger kids - making slime," shares a grandparent who spent several weeks at the campground.
Water activities for various ages: Facilities with lakes and pools provide multiple recreation options. "We have stayed at French Creek in the past however, we have never stayed in Loop C before. This is the only loop that allows pets," explained a family who appreciated having both a lake and pool available for children.
Scheduled weekend activities: Some campgrounds maintain regular programming. "The wonderful part was having them visit us - for $8 per day the grandchildren were able to play miniature golf, swim in the pool (they had pool toys to borrow) fish (and yes they caught bass), every Saturday they had an organized activity for the kids," reports a family visitor who found the structured offerings valuable.
Access to emergency services: Maintain awareness of proximity to medical facilities. "Cell service is 'iffy' at best, depending on how hard the woods are trying to keep you offline," notes a camper about Fort Washington State Park, suggesting that families should know where reception is available in case of emergencies.
Electric hookup details: Village Scene Park offers full-service options for those needing power. "Amenities include: 30/50 electrical amp on all sites, private mailboxes, public water and sewar hook-ups, 24 hour coin-operated laundry, WiFi (albeit quite low speed), restroom/shower facilities," details a visitor who found the park a convenient base for exploring Philadelphia.
Dump station scheduling: Check operating hours before planning departure. "Oh, and there's a $20 flat dump fee, opened 9-4pm M-F, but closed on the weekends (to our chagrin, we found this out too late!)," warns an RVer who experienced this unexpected limitation.
Site width constraints: Be aware of space limitations when reserving. "Sites are narrow and can feel cramped, so don't expect big pull-throughs," cautions a visitor about Village Scene Park who found the limited space a challenge for larger vehicles.
Urban camping atmosphere: Expect residential settings rather than natural surroundings. "One moment you are slowly passing stately homes in pristine residential surroundings and the very next, you'll pull into this nicely shielded protected neighborhood park," describes a visitor who found the transition from suburban streets to camping an interesting contrast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Bala-Cynwyd, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Bala-Cynwyd, PA 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 Bala-Cynwyd, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 96 dog-friendly camping locations near Bala-Cynwyd, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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