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Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground welcomes pets throughout its main camping areas, alongside Codorus State Park Campground which features similar pet-friendly accommodations. Both state parks maintain clean, well-maintained grounds where campers can enjoy outdoor recreation with their four-legged companions. Leashed pets must be attended at all times on the campgrounds, with owners responsible for proper waste disposal. The showers and bathhouse facilities at Otter Creek Campground stay clean and accessible for campers, though shower buttons only stay on for a few seconds at a time. Accommodations range from primitive tent sites to full hookup RV spots with 50-amp service, with select campgrounds offering pet-friendly cabins, yurts, and glamping options. Most sites feature picnic tables and fire rings, though Indian Rock Campgrounds has fire pits without grills.
The nearby Susquehanna River provides excellent opportunities for pet owners to explore waterfront trails with their dogs. Otter Creek Campground sits directly beside the Susquehanna River and Otter Creek in York County, offering secluded camping with access to boat docks and fishing areas where pets can join their owners. The Mason Dixon Trail connects to several campgrounds, providing miles of hiking opportunities for active dogs and their owners. Most campgrounds in the area require dogs to remain on-leash at all times, though some offer designated exercise areas. The wooded setting at Merry Meadows Recreation Farm provides shaded campsites that keep pets comfortable during summer months, with seasonal campers reporting positive experiences bringing dogs to the property. When planning visits, note that summer weekends book quickly at popular pet-friendly campgrounds, particularly at state parks during their operating seasons from April through October.
"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 $20 - $89 / night
Check Availability"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 $20 - $195 / night
Check Availability"Our dog was welcomed. Will definitely be going back. This was our first trip with our camper ever and everyone was helpful"
"It was a VERY dark walk to get to the bathhouse for showers. And the fire pit had no grill, so we ended up having to use the stoves of some RV camping friends for meals."
"Pet friendly and very lush with greenery."
"Covered bridges and road side shopping are close by. Enjoyed river tubing which is close by to this campground. Music bingo on Saturday night was so much fun. Owners are very nice 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"Pet friendly!"
"Just down the road about a mile or so was the Indian Steps Museum which is owned by York Conservation Society."
"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."
"There was a lot of space so walking our dogs was great. The smaller bathroom stalls are pretty small but got the job done. Playground and pool were both nice and clean. Wonderful place for a family."
"Highly recommend staying here with lots of close hiking trails within driving distance."
"We were surprised to find this nice little spot next to the creek right outside of town. There’s a spot right next to it but was unoccupied while we were there so we were all alone."
"The bathroom near the pool left a little something to be desired. It wasn’t filthy but also wasn’t sparking clean. It was great being close to the battlefield."
"We were there around Halloween and they had decorated the park so nicely. The sounds of the farm animals all around was fun and amusing for us."
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.
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.
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.
The camping scene surrounding Dallastown sits within York County's rolling hills at approximately 500 feet elevation. Summer temperatures average in the 80s with cooler evening temperatures in the 60s, making nighttime camping comfortable with proper gear. The area features a mix of state parks and private campgrounds within a 30-minute drive, many situated near the Susquehanna River's western shore.
Hiking along riverside trails: The Mason Dixon Trail connects to several campgrounds and offers miles of scenic paths. "This campground was great for a weekend trip... Beautiful hiking in the area, which was the reason we went out there in the first place!" notes Nate & Erika L. about Otter Creek Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Numerous bird species inhabit the wooded areas throughout York County campgrounds. At Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm, campers can enjoy farm animals. "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," according to Robert M.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple access points along the Susquehanna River provide excellent fishing spots. "We caught a handful of bass and an absurd amount of bluegill from shore," reports Danielle V. about the day use areas at Gifford Pinchot State Park.
Mini golf and disc golf courses: Several campgrounds offer family-friendly recreation options on-site. "Both areas also have their own 18 hole disc golf course, but I will say: BEWARE of poison ivy!" warns one visitor about Gifford Pinchot's courses.
Secluded waterfront sites: Pequea Creek Campground offers peaceful spots along the water. "The wife & I stayed in site 22 for three nights and bicycled 14 miles, some along the Susquehanna, on nearby Enola Low Grade Trail. We enjoyed the birds singing in the mornings and welcomed grandkids' visit for splashing and floating in Pequea Creek," explains J W.
Clean bathhouse facilities: Most campgrounds maintain good facilities, though quality varies. "The bathrooms were nice. The shower is an annoying push button that only stays on for a few seconds," shares a camper at Indian Rock Campgrounds.
Wooded tent sites: Merry Meadows Recreation Farm provides shaded camping options. "Wooded sites, open sites, tent sites. All great! We have visited 5x this year," states Amy R. The campground offers a mix of site types to suit different preferences.
Well-maintained swimming areas: "The LARGE beach area in the QR day use area is one of the nicest I've ever seen at a PA state park, with tons of picnic tables with grills, a playground, a volleyball court, and a special fence solution to keep the stupid geese out of the water in the swimming area," explains a visitor to Gifford Pinchot State Park.
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate from April through October, closing for winter. "We camped here for the first time a few years ago while out east. We really love this Campground! There is a wide variety of sites so finding one that you like should not be difficult," notes J K. about Codorus State Park Campground.
Bug preparation: Mosquitoes and ticks are common, especially near water. "We had a corner site and had plenty of room. Campground bath houses were clean, nice hot showers with great showerhead that stayed on without pushing a button," shares Jennifer R. about Tucquan Park Family Campground.
Reservation requirements: Book well in advance for summer weekends, especially at state parks. "Summer weekends book quickly at popular pet-friendly campgrounds," notes a regular camper.
Flooding potential: Low-lying sites can flood after heavy rain. "We first had a 2 point site near the river, but when it rains the sites get flooded with runoff from the campground," reports Kasey M. about Circle M campground.
Playground access: Thousand Trails Circle M offers extensive recreation options for children. "Lots of events to keep the kids busy. We happened to be there on the weekend a magician came, my kids loved it. They have an indoor and outdoor pool. Nice playground," shares Leanne B.
Beginner-friendly environments: Choose campgrounds with amenities for first-time campers. "Very nice, easy going campground. Definitely family oriented and a good place to start camping if you're a novice," recommends Jennifer S. about Codorus State Park.
Swimming options: Some parks have beaches while others offer pools. "I like that it wasn't a commercialized camping experience. We plan to check out the hiking trails our next visit," explains Julie Y. about camping with her 3-year-old at Gifford Pinchot.
Educational experiences: Farm-based campgrounds provide unique learning opportunities. "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," explains Kasey M. about Gettysburg Farm.
Site selection strategy: Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA offers various site options. "Site Details: I forget our site#, but we were in the wooded area farthest from the central 'hub'(in the top left corner if you're looking at a campground map). Our site was level, shaded and quite large. Almost every site in this section was similarly large and wooded, with an impressive amount of space between sites for a KOA," shares Jen V.
Dog-friendly campgrounds near Dallastown: Most parks allow leashed pets throughout common areas. "We were down by the river and had a lot of room on our site," mentions Leanne B. about the pet-friendly Circle M campground.
Hookup variations: Check specific sites for available services. "We had site 108 which is an electric site along the shore and close to the beach, and it was perfect for our needs," notes Danielle V. about Gifford Pinchot.
Road conditions: Some campgrounds have rough access roads. "I realize that the private entrance road is long to maintain but patching some of the holes, clearing debris from the dump site deck, and wiping down the bathrooms would have netted a 5th star," mentions J W. about Pequea Creek Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Dallastown, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Dallastown, 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 Dallastown, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 124 dog-friendly camping locations near Dallastown, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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