140 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Hersheypark Camping Resort and Ferryboat Campsites welcome campers with pets across their various accommodation options, from tent sites to cabins. Riverfront Campground provides pet-friendly waterfront sites convenient to the Appalachian Trail, making it popular among hikers with dogs. Little Buffalo State Park Campground maintains year-round accessibility for campers with pets, offering electric hookups and reservable sites. Most facilities require leashes and limit pets to designated areas. Bathhouses and amenities vary significantly between locations - Ferryboat Campsites maintains clean bathroom facilities while some campers note Riverfront's restrooms need maintenance. The train noise at Hersheypark Camping Resort runs throughout the night, something to consider for pets sensitive to sounds.
Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground provides lake access where pets can cool off during summer months, though swimming restrictions may apply. Many campsites along the Susquehanna River offer excellent fishing and kayaking opportunities where leashed pets can join their owners at the shoreline. Seasonal considerations affect pet comfort - Jonestown/Hershey KOA remains open year-round while others like Thousand Trails Hershey operate April through October. For extended outings, the Harrisburg East Campground features a large grassy area for dogs, though it remains unfenced. When selecting sites, campers report riverfront locations at Ferryboat Campsites provide the most enjoyable experience for pets, with enough space to set up comfortably away from neighbors.
"This campground has a little something for everyone, from full hook up sites neatly stacked next to each other, to quiet patches of grass next to the river."
"We stay here every September during the Hershey Dog Grooming Expo. We have never had any complaints. Office personnel are very friendly and helpful."
"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"Camping trails, grills to cook on but bring ur own charcoal, giant lake to fish and boat on, hiking for all experience levels, great fishing, lots of space, wildlife is everywhere and there is even an"
"A playground is near bathhouse in the campground, along with several hiking trails. The dump station is easily accessible. Firewood is also available for purchase at the campground."
from $22 - $92 / night
Check Availability"Great river front location! Could be a bit muddy depending on the river. The train does run right near all night long, but I find it soothing. Bath houses are a bit rough, hence the 4 stars."
"With that said they do have primitive camping spots next to the putt putt course and water only tent sits at the upper feild."
"Lots to do very close to water and many things to do in and around camp ground. Stayed for a few days would go back."
from $30 - $100 / night
Check Availability"The first thing to know is that Thousand Trails sites are a first come, first serve. Meaning you have to arrive early in order to get the best spots. They don't reserve sites for you."
"This is a clean, nice looking campground in a location very close to Hershey park and the outlets. It’s a very nice area."
from $50 - $60 / night
Check Availability"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"Grounds, bathrooms, showers, playgrounds, dog park, everything. This park is wonderful!"
"Nice dog park."
"They had a large grass area for dogs, although unfenced. The highway bordered it on one side and while we were on the other side of the campground we could still hear the noise if our door was open."
"The sites that were close to the interstate were noisy from traffic. Also it was close to Harrisburg International Airport so planes also made it noisy at times."
from $84 - $94 / night
Check Availability"I wanted to find something close enough to home, but far away from the hustle and bustle of our suburban lives. This fit the bill. There are 10 sites….some are occupied by seasonal guests."
"This lake was beautiful! A short walk from the campsite. We had the lake to ourself both evening and morning. $61. No WiFi. Leveling was fine. Verizon service was fine."
from $20 - $240 / night
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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.
ScoutClean and well kept campground located 12 mile below Lewistown, Pa. As clean a campground as you will find. Staff is super friendly. Campground has two distinct levels with open spaces with few trees above and well shaded spots with large trees for shade located down along Juniata River. Great place for fishing, tubing or just getting wet. Campground has many activities for kids. On site is a pool, winery, dog park, office/supplies located in center of campground. WiFi is available to all. Nearly all full hook-ups with back-ins and pull-thrus available. Pets allowed. 42 mile South from State College and 48 mile North of Harrisburg on Rt 322. Highly recommend!
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.
Campgrounds near Dauphin, Pennsylvania offer diverse terrain with elevations ranging from 400 to 1,300 feet along the Susquehanna River valley. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-90°F with moderate humidity, while spring and fall camping experiences mild 50-70°F days. Winter camping options remain available at several locations with temperatures often dropping below freezing.
Disc golf courses for all skill levels: Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground features two 18-hole disc golf courses with distinct difficulty levels. "Conewago day use area on the south side of the lake and the Quaker Race day use area on the north side of the lake. Both areas have their own 18 hole disc golf course, but I will say: BEWARE of poison ivy!" notes camper Danielle V.
Rail trail hiking and biking: Jonestown/Hershey KOA connects directly to the Swatara Rail Trail. "The Swatara creek runs right next to it so it is great for kayaking, tubing, etc. Campground is connected to the Swatara Rail trial which is great for biking," explains Bobby S., providing easy access to miles of converted railway path.
Private lake fishing: At Lake Heron Retreat, campers gain access to a 10-acre private lake with excellent fishing opportunities. "This lake was beautiful! A short walk from the campsite. We had the lake to ourself both evening and morning," reports Camille W., highlighting the peaceful setting away from crowds.
Clean restroom facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high standards for bathhouses. At Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA, "Bathrooms are very clean and modern, but a decent walk from tent sites. The facilities are all lovely, staff in the camp store are kind and helpful," according to Melissa C.
Train-free locations: Some campers specifically seek out quieter locations without railway disruptions. Little Buffalo State Park Campground receives praise for its peaceful setting: "This is a small campground but worth going to. Very nice park and clean bath house," reports Dawn T., making it a good option for light sleepers.
Waterfront access: Riverfront options provide direct water recreation. At Ferryboat Campsites, "We enjoyed our stay here — but mostly because we liked being right on the water. If it weren't for that this would not be the campground for us. The weather was hot so lots of tubing and fishing and kayaking in the river," shares Melissa.
Seasonal price variations: Campground rates fluctuate significantly throughout the year with peak pricing during summer months. Hersheypark Camping Resort charges premium rates during the main season. "Basic RV's park 95 night is way to much you pay for location," notes Bill O., indicating location-based premium pricing.
Site levelness challenges: Many campgrounds in the region feature hilly terrain resulting in uneven sites. At Thousand Trails Hershey, campers report: "Some of the sites are not very level, ours included (which they warned us about when they told us which one it was)." Bringing additional leveling blocks is recommended.
Tick and insect precautions: The wooded areas around Dauphin harbor ticks and other insects, particularly during warmer months. At Gifford Pinchot, one camper warns: "Then I left and woke up with a serious case of chigger bites. Not the best experience to say the least." Proper insect repellent and regular tick checks are essential.
Off-season swimming alternatives: While most natural swimming areas close during cooler months, some facilities offer extended options. Little Buffalo State Park Campground features "a large area that is only 1 foot deep, great for little ones! There is also a splash pad! There are 2 slides for fun!" according to Amanda H.
First-time camping spots: For introducing children to camping, choose sites with beginner-friendly amenities. At Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground, one parent shares: "We took our 3 yo camping for the first time here. He had so much fun. It was clean campground located in a State Park. Easy walk to the lake with a small beach."
Book early for holiday weekends: Family-friendly campgrounds fill quickly during school breaks and holidays. Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA requires advance planning: "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."
Site selection strategies: Experienced RVers recommend requesting specific areas within campgrounds. At Hersheypark Camping Resort, "The Lazy River section is far away from the noise of the super close train tracks. The pioneer section you are literally feet away from the tracks but the playground area is there," advises Marc P.
Leveling requirements: Many campgrounds feature sloped terrain requiring additional leveling equipment. Jonestown/Hershey KOA offers "nice level sites with great atmosphere," according to Bobby S., making it preferred for larger rigs with limited leveling capability.
Pull-through availability: For easier maneuvering, certain campgrounds offer specialized sites. "They had pull through sites which I was looking for. Sites were a bit close where we were but they had other sites that were more spread out," notes Ray L. about Hersheypark Camping Resort, ideal for those uncomfortable with backing into spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Dauphin, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Dauphin, PA is Hersheypark Camping Resort with a 4.1-star rating from 31 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Dauphin, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 140 dog-friendly camping locations near Dauphin, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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