Searching for a place to camp with your dog near Dawson? Find the best sites near Dawson where you bring your dog and enjoy a scenic view. The Dyrt can help you find the perfect pet-friendly campsites that are scenic and easy to access.
Raccoon Creek State Park is one of Pennsylvania’s largest and most visited state parks. It began as a Recreational Demonstration Area operated by the National Park Service in the 1930s during the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) era.
The park encompasses 7,572 acres and features the beautiful 101-acre Raccoon Lake. Facilities are a mix of modern and rustic with group camps from the CCC era.
The 172 modern tent and trailer campsites have access to flush facilities, warm showers, and the option of electricity. Each site also has a picnic table and fire ring. Pets are permitted in C and F campsite loops.
The wooded campground offers:
Selection of secluded or adjoining sites Playground Five central washhouses Sanitary dump station Camping seasons:
E and F loops open early April and close in mid-October. A, B, C, and D loops open late May and close mid-September
$25 - $40 / night
$28 - $40 / night
Campground Closed for Renovation: The campground on Leslie Road will be completely unavailable during renovations beginning October 20, 2019. NOTE: A one-lane bridge on Echo Dell Road CANNOT accommodate vehicles with trailers or RVs. You must approach the Park Office, Wildlife Education Center, Gaston's Mill, and Pioneer Village from the south if you are traveling in a large vehicle.
$18 - $50 / night
At Breakneck, we offer camp sites that will please any type of camper, from remote primitive sites to fully enclosed cabins with electricity. Refer to the Camp Site Overview below for our current rates and amenities for each type of site. For more information and photographs, or if you have any additional questions, please fill free to contact us anytime.
$10 - $20 / night
Bear Run Campground is a full-service family vacation destination operated by the Wehr Family since 1975. This top-rated Good Sam and Trailer Life Park offers a wide range of accommodations; select from RV and pull-thru sites, rustic to deluxe cabins, or tent and backpacking and walk-in sites. Of course, Bear Run Campground has all the amenities to make your stay convenient and easy going. In addition, Bear Run Campground offers an array of activities for adults and children to enjoy.
Nestled into the beautiful Western Pennsylvania countryside and bordering Moraine State Park and a wealth of natural treasures in the surrounding area, Bear Run Campground is truly a gem that offers an unparalleled family camping experience near Pittsburgh. Learn all about what's waiting for you in Butler County!
At Rose Point Park it is our mission to provide you and your family with a memorable camping experience. As a full service campground, we offer a wide range of facilities and opportunities - from our 4 star recreation program to the calm, quiet of ferns and hemlocks along Slippery Rock Creek. Come visit us and enjoy the outdoors. We have something for everyone: Relaxing for You, Fun for the Kids!
$32 - $60 / night
$70 - $250 / night
Indian Brave Campground is a family campground with seasonal, overnight and away from home work sites. We offer Seasonal, overnight, weekly and monthly sites. We are nestled in between Zelienople and Harmony PA on the Connoquenessing Creek. Playground, Basketball court, Nature trails, Swimming pool, Camp store and other events and amenities available!
$30 - $55 / night
From the website:
Primitive tenting not allowed, only group camping as described below. Backpacking site (shelter) with permit.
Update 9/14/2020: All state park day-use and overnight lodging facilities are open according to standard seasons and hours. Group cabin camps remain closed for 2020.
Modern Cabins
Eleven modern cabins are available for rent year round. These cabins sleep six people and have:
Two bedrooms
Bathroom with shower
Kitchen
Dining/living area
Electric heat
Dock on Lake Arthur during the summer season
Renters must provide:
Linens
Towels
Cookware
Tableware
Play equipment for children is in a central area.
This activity or structure is ADA accessible.
Dogs are permitted in Cabins #7 and #11 for a fee.
Moraine State Park Cabin Map (PDF)
GPS DD: Lat. 40.96586 Long. -80.11389 No Camping
Camping is prohibited in the park. Private campgrounds nearby offer camping. Information is available at the park office. Backpacking
The Link Road Overnight Shelter on the North Country National Scenic Trail is available to backpackers by reservation only. Organized Group Tenting
There are two tent camping areas available for organized groups:
Muskrat Cove
Five Points
These rustic camps have:
Restrooms
Picnic tables
Cooking grills
Water, but no showers
Advance reservations are required. To reserve a group tent campsite, call 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757), Monday to Saturday, 7:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. except on the Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day holidays.
Mill Creek Recreation Area is an ideal family campground located on Berlin Lake in northeastern Ohio. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, hunting, picnicking and camping.
The lake is a popular location for boating, swimming, and fishing. Berlin Lake is renowned for its excellent walleye fishing. It is one of the few area lakes where natural reproduction of the species occurs. Anglers will also find largemouth and smallmouth bass, muskie, crappie and bluegill. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources manages over 6,800 acres of project lands for public hunting and wildlife management purposes. Small game species are found in abundance and hunting areas can be easily accessed.
Berlin Lake is situated on the Mahoning River, where it covers 3,590 acres and offers 70 miles of shoreline. The banks of the lake are gently to moderately sloped, allowing for easy access. Beech and maple trees cover the area, offering shade and beautiful fall color. A variety of wildlife makes its home around the lake. Visitors delight in viewing nesting ospreys. Bald eagles can occasionally be seen in the area as well.
Noah's Lost Ark Animal Sanctuary is just one mile south. The sanctuary is home to a large variety of big and small cats, including lions, tigers, cougars, leopards, bobcats and lynx. Wolves, coyotes, fox, bears, camels, zebras and primates also live in Noah's Lost Ark. Children love the sanctuary's petting zoo and educational tours.
$50 / night
Scout
Beautiful place. Host was very accommodating. Great time.
Scout
I came up for an event at the farm show grounds(yes the event you’re thinking of). I made a reservation and paid in full the day after it was announced 6 days beforehand. I got a call the day before Friday stating that I wasn’t able to check in until 1PM and the latest was 8PM. I asked if I could park there before the event and deal with it later. The owner reluctantly agreed, however said that my vehicle would be towed if I came after 8. He also stated that I couldn’t check in early or wait a little. Gates closed at 1; and was over at 8 and couldn’t leave the parking lot until 10. Needless to say I just drove home 3 hours instead. Mind you the“campground” is a quarter mile from the farm show grounds. I honestly just wanted somewhere to rest my eyes for a couple of hours in my car before I left early on the morning. I understand that places like this have policies, however this was probably the largest congregation of people Butler and the Farm Show has ever hosted. There was 10s of thousands of people in town and as a bonus the rounds were closed to due construction. If you lean even a little right, caveat emptor. The guy knew exactly what was doing. This will be the most expensive$35 this guy ever stole.
Traveler
It’s nothing much, there isn’t much in the way of activity save a few trails. However if you like adding trails to your list or you’re fine with driving a little bit to Harrison or Salt Fork, they aren’t far away at all. The overall reason I gave 5 stars though, is because it’s free.
Guide
When you pull into Beaver Creek Family Campground you pretty much have two choices: either you go left into multiple Pine tree sites or right into two cabins and more RV friendly open sites. A few of the RV sites have electric, but no water for their tanks. I suggest the pine sites for any tent or hammock campers. I stayed in one of the first set of 3 pine sites numbered 43, 44, and 45. There is some brush and cover between these sites, but each has a pull in parking pad. If 45 was occupied with a RV, 44 would not be as nice as it was. Backing into 44 and 45 would be tricky as well. To be fair any larger RV that came in better know how to get through tight quarters.
The back area of each of those 3 sites looked best to get even ground for a tent. My buddy hung his hammock between the tree to the left of the picnic bench and to a tree back and left in the picture of site 44. Site was fairly clean, but be sure to move the pine tree duff away from the fire pits to be safe.
Probably the nicest pit toilets I have experienced and while we didn't use, it the sun shower building would give anyone privacy if they had packed a portable shower. Lots of trails to choose from and the pioneer village in the state park gives you many options to spend the day. Had some luck fishing at the Canoe/Kayak area in the South East area of the park close to the Group Camp Sites.
Scout
Very nice campground, convenient and clean. A lot of lake front camp sites
Guide
Paved, free, self register, FF, pit toilet, cell service 3 bars. Only negative to some maybe gunfire at nearby range during day. Fernwood state forest.
Traveler
I'm bicycle touring across the United States. First time user of dyrt. My first camping location and review. Camping in a tree farm has been cool!
I called the number listed and left a message. See the friendly manager walking the farm. He says they no longer offer the camping service due to low guest attendence. Since I've got no place else to camp, I offer to pay for the spot. Weather was a factor. So he let me stay.
Clean bathroom. Office to charge electronics and a campsite with firepit was great. Nice and quiet here also.
I do hope more people find a use for this location. The camping service needs to return. 🚲
If not, come here during the holiday season and purchase a tree! 🌲
Thank you!
Legend
Tried this KOA on the spur of the moment. We won't be back.
It's easy on/easy off from the interstate. The hills were terrible getting there, then another hill to get to the KOA. The ANOTHER hill to get to our site.
Asked for a site by the bathroom. It was closer than all the other sites on the hill. Yes, all the sites are cut into the hill. There's stairs to get down to the bathroom/shower(!?!?). Some people living in a trailer by the stairs have a big dog that will lunge & bark.
It seems like cosmetic things have been done. Planters spaced on posts leading up to the KOA main building. The bathroom had some newer looking siding & some flowers, but the floor in the women's bathroom had holes in it. It smelled funny in there too. This place needs a major remodel!
There were cigarette butts EVERYWHERE!
We were thinking about using the pool, but decided against it. Sites were full sun.
Can't believe this is a KOA...
Scout
Great staff great place.
Traveler
Nice Campground with many amenities. Clean bathrooms and showers. Was surprisingly quiet at night despite a large number of people.
GuideGets loud and crowded on the weekend as usual, the shower house is pretty nice. There are fire rings and electrics and nonelectric sites. Swimming and boating is nearby.
The water is muddy and the shoreline is sharp rocks.
Peaceful when the early morning lawn mower brigade has gotten past and the dumpster work isn't at full force near my campsite (B18) at 7:30 AM.
ScoutA dozen or so of the sites are not level, not only that but they are narrow and where you sit is a slope making it very uncomfortable. This is overpriced for that simple issue, I guess ok for an overnight stay but I wouldn’t plan a long stay
Traveler
I took my 7yo son last year for his first time camping. He absolutely loved it!!! Everyone was very nice & the heated pool & campstore are great. He especially enjoyed the “rock mining”. He keeps wanting to go back to get the motherload bag to mine!
Scout
We stayed here for a week in June 2024 in our 42-foot fifth wheel. Overall the campground is clean and well-maintained. The owner is friendly and helpful. Amenities include a heated, in-ground pool, a recreation center, a pavilion, and swing sets.
The current owners have had the campground since ~2014 and have made many repairs and improvements. Water, electric, and sewage lines have been replaced or upgraded in the past few years. We had stable electric and good water.
Unfortunately no WiFi is available, but there was a good AT&T cell phone signal.
Ranger
Nice park with a quiet stay
Scout
The owners don’t care about camper safety at all. When a permanent camper starts slashing tires and threatening people with a knife they should act when called. Nope they came up two plus hours later and told her to get in her camper. Violence should never be exceptable. The women was arrested the next morning. The owners should have called the sheriff’s when they were called. They care zero about the campers or the kids that are there. Very unsafe. We won’t be back.
Guide
We live in Oregon and our son and family live in Zelienople. We have stayed here in 2019, 2021, 2023 and now 2024. The owners and staff are wonderful, right on top of things. We enjoy spending time with our son and his family in Zeli and Harmony as well as the other Villages around. Highly recommend IBCG to everyone (until we can't get a spot!)
Ranger
We've stayed here twice, and both times have been great. The only downside for us is that we're full-time and this is close to "home." We don't really use the amenities, so we can't validate having to pay for anyone to visit us only at our rv. We understand the policy as camp hosts ourselves. People abuse areas and will bring 30 people to a place like this. It is beautifully set up with a small lake for swimming, playgrounds, pavillions, games, events, music etc. Level gravel sites with really great grassy areas. We stayed memorial weekend and it was quiet by 9 every night. They do a great job keeping the park looking beautiful. Reasonable rates.
Guide
This place is so beautiful so peaceful the fish in the lake a huge. Small fee for fishing. It’s catch and release only. The owners of the property are very caring and helpful and friendly
Traveler
It was a nice location to the turnpike but the bathrooms are so out of date. We have a small TT and use the bathhouse frequently. The stall doors hit your knees and the well water stinks…couldn’t wash my hand in the sink. Only one shower stall in the one of 2 bathroom locations. It was nice to see an area designated for dog swimming area. The office closed at 6 PM so no late arrivals. Nice pond but it was a little murky.
ScoutThis campground was perfect for what we needed to accomplish! As first time travel trailer owners, they helped us accomplish our first trip away! Upon calling to book a site, we mentioned this was our first trip, they made the utmost effort to accommodate us with all of our needs. They escorted us to our campsite (which was larger than most) and made sure we had plenty of help getting backed in and set up! The front office and store was tiny but had a few essentials in case you forgot or didn’t have things. The site was quiet and even though you were close to your neighbors it didn’t feel like it to us! The atmosphere seemed friendly among the other campers and they were all willing to lend a helping hand where needed. They definitely made our first trip a huge success!
Scout
Was a relaxing 4 days at a tent site. Would absolutely recommend this campground!
Scout
Perfect for our little Scamp trailer. Only 5 big electric sites, no showers or potable water. As a result it was so peaceful! We loved our rainy stay. There are some lovely hiking trails around the lake and spillway. But lately there has been no swimming because of blue green algae.
ScoutWe love staying here when we visit family in Butler it’s a quiet family run park . It is very affordable and bathrooms are clean
GuideThe Park is not exclusive Campers it is open to the public for a small fee!
Super loud PA system throughout the whole park that wakes you up at 8am every morning like you are in prison!
Lake Costs Extra
Not Worth The Cost
Uncharge for everything
Guide
Everything Was Perfect
The Day before they Called us to make sure that we were still coming and to confirm the reservation and offered us a FREE site upgrade! it is the little thing that count and we said yes! It was one of their deluxe patio sites ,super nice patio with concrete pad and Nice Picnic Table! Site was Super Large And Was Perfect For A larger rig! Our Rig is only about 34 feet long but still perfect.
Halloween Events
Guide
Mountain Top was off the beaten path and very quiet. The check in process was easy and our site was flat. We had the most amazing views from our site. Water and electricity were easy to access and hook up. Bathhouse was clean. Only disappointment was that the showers were coin operated, so you not only needed cash on hand but then had to turn those into special coins for the shower. They had both ice and firewood available that was self service.
Discover the joy of camping with your furry friends near Dawson, Pennsylvania, where several campgrounds welcome pets and offer a range of amenities and activities for an enjoyable outdoor experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Dawson, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Dawson, PA is Raccoon Creek State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 48 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Dawson, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 72 dog-friendly camping locations near Dawson, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.