Dog-Friendly Camping near Biglerville, PA

Pine Grove Furnace State Park sits at 761 feet of elevation in Cumberland County, about 12 miles southwest of Biglerville. The park's campground operates from March through mid-December with temperatures ranging from below freezing in winter to 80s°F in summer. Campers can access over 25 miles of trails directly from the campground, including sections of the Appalachian Trail.

What to do

Hike to scenic viewpoints: Multiple trails offer panoramic views near Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground. "Make sure you take a hike on the AT and then up to Pole Steeple for a great view! You may even bump into a through hiker excited to chat," suggests Amanda H.

Fish in stocked lakes: Several campgrounds feature fishing opportunities with proper licensing. At Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground, campers can fish directly from the shore. "We caught a handful of bass and an absurd amount of bluegill from shore," reports Danielle V.

Visit historical sites: Gettysburg National Military Park is within 20 minutes of most campgrounds. "Gettysburg is close enough for a day trip as well as Antetium," notes Amber from Pine Grove Furnace.

Explore multiple water activities: From kayaking to swimming, many parks feature water recreation. "There is a lake where you can swim or fish! You can also visit the Furnace and the AT Museum," shares Amanda H.

What campers like

Spacious campsites: Sites with ample room for setup are available at several dog friendly campgrounds near Biglerville. At Caledonia State Park Campground, "Nice level spots for RVs. A pet area as well as a non-pet area. A lake with a beach, as well as being close to the AT," writes Pam B.

Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms rank high for campers. "The bathhouse was clean. Showers were very nice and looked like they'd been updated recently," reports Jen V. about Gettysburg KOA.

Family activities: Campgrounds offer scheduled events for children. At Mountain Creek Camp Ground, "Lots of weekend activities, great pool, well stocked campstore, playground. Kids can play in creek with tubes or hunt critters," shares Barb C.

Natural settings: Wooded sites provide shade and atmosphere. "The campground has a very friendly atmosphere - we really enjoyed our stay," writes Danielle V. about Gifford Pinchot State Park.

What you should know

Site selection matters: Some campgrounds have significant variations between sites. At Gettysburg Campground, "The tenting area is calm and has a creek right next to it to listen to in the evening and morning. One of the drawbacks of this campground is that a lot of the trees are black walnut trees and the squirrels do not shy away from dropping the walnuts like bombs on your head," warns Dave G.

Water hookups limited: Several parks don't provide water at individual sites. "You will need to fill your fresh water tank as each site does not have water hook up," advises Adam P. at Pine Grove Furnace.

Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate from April through October or November. Caledonia State Park remains open year-round but with limited services in winter months.

Reservation requirements: Book early for summer weekends and holidays. Some pet friendly campgrounds near Biglerville require reservations up to 11 months in advance.

Tips for camping with families

Choose campgrounds with kid-specific activities: Gettysburg Battlefield KOA offers numerous child-friendly amenities. "Great family friendly getaway for the weekend. Close to Gettysburg Battleground," says Matthew K. Another visitor notes, "We had a long weekend stay here. The campground is about a 5 minute drive to downtown Gettysburg."

Consider waterfront sites: Lakeside camping provides built-in entertainment. "We stayed in site 114. It has water access and is right next to a small man made beach and playground," reports a visitor to Gifford Pinchot.

Look for educational opportunities: Historical campgrounds offer learning experiences. "The park is the half way point of the AT, and we got to meet quite a few hikers and hear some cool stories about their travels on the trail," shares Jeffrey H. about Pine Grove Furnace.

Check playground proximity: Sites near play areas allow parents to supervise from camp. "We stayed in the 'C' row site. Great shade and access to the playground. You can let the kids play all day while sitting at your campsite," recommends Larry N. at Granite Hill.

Tips from RVers

Extended hookup cords needed: Some campgrounds have unusual utility placements. At Granite Hill Camping Resort, "The hookups are oddly spaced and you need to ensure you have extentions handy," cautions Bobby S.

Site leveling challenges: Bring adequate leveling equipment. "It took 2 hours to get our camper set up because of the very uneven stone lot, thankfully we had enough wood to get the jack up without having to over extend it," advises Priscilla M.

Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. "Cell service is pretty much nonexistent in the campground, so keep this in mind if you can't be out of touch (we had Verizon)," notes Carly E. about Pine Grove Furnace.

Length restrictions: Check maximum RV sizes before booking. Artillery Ridge accommodates larger rigs but requires careful navigation. "We stayed in site 55. Big site but hard to get into. There are a couple of pull thru sites that are much easier," advises Bill B.