Dog-Friendly Camping near Dallastown, PA

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.

What to do

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.

What campers like

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.

What you should know

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.

Tips for camping with families

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.

Tips from RVers

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.