Dog-Friendly Camping near Chester Springs, PA

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    French Creek State Park Campground's pet-friendly Loop C offers spacious sites with ample shade where pets won't disturb other campers, as privacy between sites comes from abundant trees and brush. This well-maintained Pennsylvania state park requires pets to be leashed at all times and restricts them to designated areas. Both tent and RV campers have access to pet-accommodating sites with electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings. The paved level areas make setup easy for campers with animals. All dogs were well behaved during weekend visits, making Loop C quieter than expected despite being the only loop permitting pets. Lancaster-New Holland KOA, located about 30 minutes away, provides additional pet-friendly options including tent sites, RV spots with full hookups, and cabin accommodations.

    The surrounding area features multiple hiking trails accessible directly from the campground where leashed dogs can explore alongside their owners. French Creek offers two lakes, Hopewell and Scotts Run, though pets must remain on designated shore areas and are not permitted in the swimming zones. Campers with dogs should be prepared for rocky terrain on some sites and trails. During summer months, yellow jackets can be problematic in certain areas, so pet owners should monitor their animals closely for curious sniffing around ground nests. The pet-friendly camping season extends year-round at French Creek, while other nearby options like Hibernia County Park operate seasonally from May through October. Bathroom facilities in Loop C include hot water for washing dishes but cleanliness varies throughout busy weekends, making self-contained RV camping preferable for extended stays with pets.

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    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Chester Springs (110)

      1. French Creek State Park Campground

      4.2(83)12mi from Chester Springs227 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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 $20 - $75 / night

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      2. Group Camp — Ridley Creek State Park

      4.7(10)13mi from Chester Springs2 sitesTents

      "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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      3. Lake-In-Wood Campground

      4.4(21)20mi from Chester SpringsRVs, Glamping

      "My family and I stayed at Lake In Wood for 4 days. The campground is very well maintained , and the staff is very nice."

      "There is a quarry close by so you could hear the trucks beeping and the noise from there but that was the only negative thing."

      from $40 - $60 / night

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      4. Hibernia County Park

      4.0(8)13mi from Chester SpringsTents, Glamping

      "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

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      5. Evansburg State Park Campground

      4.5(6)13mi from Chester Springs2 sitesTents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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”."

      from $43 / night

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      6. Brandywine Creek Campground

      4.7(3)12mi from Chester SpringsRVs

      "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."

      7. Spring Gulch Resort Campground

      3.8(16)21mi from Chester SpringsRVs, Cabins

      "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."

      8. Deep Creek Campground at Green Lane Park

      3.4(8)17mi from Chester SpringsTents, Glamping

      "Large sites, clean bathrooms, lots of hiking trails"

      from $20 - $30 / night

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      9. Lancaster-New Holland KOA

      4.8(12)22mi from Chester SpringsRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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. "

      10. Hidden Acres Camping Grounds

      4.0(4)16mi from Chester SpringsRVs, Tents

      "include camp store with slushies, ice cream and firewood, full size basketball and volleyball courts, game room, pool, laundromat, pavilions, freshwater catch and release pond for sunnies and bass and nearby"

      "Only RVs and pull behind."

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Chester Springs, PA

    974 Reviews of 110 Chester Springs Campgrounds


    • L
      Aug. 6, 2018

      Lums Pond State Park Campground

      Very Dog Friendly

      Campground 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!

    • Kathy L.The Dyrt PRO User
      Sep. 3, 2021

      Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA

      Really nice

      We 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.

    • E
      Aug. 4, 2021

      Lums Pond State Park Campground

      Impromtu tent camping success!

      I 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.

    • D
      Jun. 5, 2023

      French Creek State Park Campground

      Weekend Trip To Reading

      My 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.

    • C
      Jul. 11, 2021

      Stonybrook RV Resort

      Well maintained and comfortable RV Park

      We stayed here for 3 nights and thought well of the park.  The place was meticulously clean and the permanent campers keep their sites so well.  The pool was warm, clean and enjoyable.  There’s a nice playground and a GaGa pit.  There’s lots of space to walk your dog on leash but no dog park.   We had an issue with our surge protector and the manager had an electrician out to us quickly who helped us solve a problem.  Pleasant staff in the camp store.   The laundry area and shower rooms are beautiful and clean.  

      There is nothing to do in the immediate area, but we were there to use the bike trails and bop around Jim Thorpe…about 25 minutes away via pretty country roads.

    • Mackenzie B.
      Aug. 4, 2018

      Group Camp — Ridley Creek State Park

      love it here

      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.

    • Nancy W.The Dyrt PRO User
      Sep. 12, 2022

      Philadelphia-West Chester KOA

      Nice Campground Near Philadelphia

      West 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.

    • Ellen B.
      May. 23, 2019

      Lums Pond State Park Campground

      Great place in the back yard

      We 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!

    • Tamara P.
      Jul. 8, 2020

      French Creek State Park Campground

      Great Park!

      We stayed at site 18 in Loop A. 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.


    Guide to Chester Springs

    French Creek State Park offers pet-friendly camping options within a 7,526-acre protected area that spans Chester and Berks counties. Located about 15 miles southeast of Reading, the park's terrain features significant elevation changes across its wooded landscape, with rocky patches throughout many camping areas and trails. Winter camping remains available when other nearby facilities close seasonally, making it a year-round option for dog owners seeking pet friendly camping near Chester Springs, Pennsylvania.

    What to do

    Hiking with dogs: French Creek's trail system accommodates leashed pets throughout the park. "There are two lakes, Scotts Run Lake and Hopewell Lake that you can fish at, kayak, canoe or just relax by," reports Jen R. who enjoyed water activities while camping with her dog.

    Frisbee golf course: The wooded course offers a unique challenge for disc enthusiasts. According to Benjamin C. at Boulder Woods Campground, the area has a "Great disc golf course" that provides entertainment beyond traditional camping activities.

    Historical exploration: Visit Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site adjacent to French Creek. Ellen C. notes, "French Creek State Park Campground is located in Elverson, Pennsylvania and sits adjacent to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site," making it easy to combine outdoor recreation with historical education during your camping trip.

    What campers like

    Spacious sites: Many campsites offer good separation between neighbors. At French Creek State Park Campground, Dan X. appreciates that "Plenty of foliage between sites keeps them pretty private. Plenty of space, picnic table, fire ring, basic bathroom facilities."

    Year-round availability: Unlike seasonal options, some parks remain open through winter. "Stayed over for one night in early December. Showers and bathrooms were great!" reports Galit P. about her off-season experience at French Creek.

    Quiet atmosphere: Despite allowing pets in Loop C, the noise level remains manageable. Jennifer S. at Hibernia County Park found similar tranquility: "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."

    What you should know

    Rocky terrain: Many sites have rocky areas that can complicate tent setup. Chelsea from Hibernia County Park cautions, "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."

    Bathroom facilities vary: Cleanliness fluctuates during busy periods. According to Cheryl K. at French Creek, "Bathrooms were just okay. Muddy floors - don't know how often floors are cleaned. Showers were odd - one large stall but no separate dressing area."

    Limited hookups: Many sites lack full RV connections. "There are NO HOOKUPS, and water is not easy to come by if you are in an RV," warns Jennifer S. about Hibernia County Park Lake Campground, adding "If you are coming in an RV, you should come with a full water tank."

    Privacy concerns: Some campgrounds offer better site separation than others. Abi D. cautions about Hibernia: "There is absolutely no privacy. The campsites are right next to each other with hardly any trees. You can see everything other campers do any they can see everything you're doing."

    Tips for camping with families

    Kid-friendly fishing: Dedicated children's fishing areas accommodate young anglers. Anna from Hibernia County Park shares, "The children's pond is a short ways away for well stocked fishing," making it ideal for introducing kids to fishing.

    Playground access: Multiple play areas serve different age groups. One family at Lake-In-Wood Campground reported, "Nice playground for the kids and a small arcade. We had a great time and will definitely go back," highlighting entertainment options beyond natural attractions.

    Wildlife awareness: Yellow jackets can be problematic during summer months. "During weekdays so I would suggest a site far from it," advises April L. at Lancaster-New Holland KOA, emphasizing the importance of site selection for families with pets or children.

    Tips from RVers

    Site selection: Choose locations carefully based on rig size and leveling needs. "If you have a decent sized rig I would steer clear of this row. The road for this row is narrow and there is a fence that makes backing in more difficult, especially for a 30+ ft travel trailer," advises April L. about Lancaster-New Holland KOA.

    Water planning: Come prepared with a full water tank at parks without hookups. At Evansburg State Park Campground, RVers appreciate the pet-friendly policies but must plan for limited services, as the park doesn't offer full hookups at all sites despite allowing camping with dogs.

    Dump station availability: Plan for waste disposal needs before arriving. Jennifer S. warns about Hibernia County Park: "There is NO DUMP STATION. There are a few nearby campgrounds that will let you dump for a fee, otherwise, you'll have to look for a truck stop on the way home," essential information for those seeking pet-friendly RV camping near Chester Springs, Pennsylvania.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Chester Springs, PA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Chester Springs, PA is French Creek State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 83 reviews.

    What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Chester Springs, PA?

    TheDyrt.com has all 110 dog-friendly camping locations near Chester Springs, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.