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French Creek State Park Campground offers multiple pet-friendly accommodation options including tent sites, RV spots, cabins, and even glamping yurts. Dogs must be kept on leashes throughout the 843-acre property while Hibernia County Park provides more rustic pet-friendly camping with spacious wooded sites bordering waterways. Both parks enforce standard pet policies including waste cleanup and noise control. Brandywine Creek Campground welcomes pets with spacious tent sites that border the creek, providing a peaceful sound at night and pleasant morning views. Many campers report the campground is surprisingly bug-free even during summer months along the water.
Hiking trails throughout these pet-friendly campgrounds offer excellent opportunities for dog walks. Hibernia County Park features several easy walking trails with the longest being around 2 miles, perfect for exercising pets while camping. The children's fishing pond and Chambers Lake provide water access, though pets must remain leashed near waterways. Ridley Creek State Park allows dogs on well-marked trails ideal for day hikes with pets. Each campground provides fire rings and picnic tables at pet-friendly sites, with many offering full hookups for RV camping with dogs. Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from April or May through October, though French Creek remains open year-round for pet-friendly camping in all seasons. The tent sites at most locations provide adequate space between neighbors for pet comfort.
"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 - $84 / night
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"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."
"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."
"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. "
"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."
"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."
"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."
from $24 - $46 / night
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TravelerCampground 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!
RangerWe 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.
GuideI 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.
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.
GuideBeautiful campground. Very recently renovated. Very spacious and quiet.
Great little store stocked with everything you need.
Very close to Hersheypark.
Nicest miniature golf course I’ve ever seen at a RV park. Same can be said for the swimming pool, absolutely beautiful. Great little dog park as well.
They have a very nice schedule of monthly events. They had a few food trucks and fruit/vegetable vendors come to the RV park during our stay.
Would stay again.
TravelerOur first visit (March 2018) was just prior to peak season (lower rates) and we had a site literally 10 ft. from the water! Full hook ups and sites were a little close, but nice. There seemed to be a lot of long term/permanent residents, but most sites along the waterfront remained open. The campground seemed to stress pet restrictions both in the rules section of their registration packet and signage around the grounds. There was a pet exercise/walking area, but could use some sprucing up. However, no one really made an issue of walking your dog around the campground and as the weekend came around, more and more dogs were around.
You have to drive through a residential neighborhood to reach Bar Harbor, so big rigs take care/caution. Would like to try Bar Harbor again sometime.
LegendWest 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.
Guidewell 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.
GuideWe 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!
Downingtown sits within Pennsylvania's rolling hills at approximately 300 feet elevation, where the East Branch Brandywine Creek flows through town. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer camping temperatures typically ranging from 65-85°F, while spring and fall offer cooler conditions ideal for hiking. Camping options near Downingtown provide access to historic sites, waterways, and wooded terrain within a 30-minute drive.
Creek fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer fishing access with no special permits required for children under 12. At Hibernia County Park, "The children's pond is a short ways away for well stocked fishing" according to Anna, who visited with kids ranging from 3-12 years old.
Trail exploration: The region features interconnected trail networks suitable for day hikes without extensive elevation changes. "There are a half dozen, easy trails, the longest is around 2 miles," notes Jennifer S. about Hibernia County Park's walking options, making them perfect for beginners.
Historic sites: The area features significant industrial heritage locations. Near French Creek State Park Campground, you can visit "Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site" which several reviewers mention as worth exploring during non-rainy days, according to Ellen C., who stayed at the park in October.
Water recreation: Beyond fishing, paddling options abound. "There are two lakes, Hopewell Lake and Scott's Run" at French Creek where visitors can enjoy "kayaking, canoeing or just relaxing," reports Jen R., who camped there in June with her family.
Private campsites: Many locations offer natural buffers between sites. At French Creek, "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other," according to Jen R., who appreciated the layout during her May visit.
Unique accommodations: Beyond standard tent and RV sites, specialized options exist. Lake-In-Wood Campground offers "a lot of really neat and different rentals here like a tree house, double decker bus, among others," reports Jen R., who enjoyed the family-friendly atmosphere.
Night sounds: Natural ambiance enhances the camping experience. At Brandywine Creek Campground, "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," according to Dave G., who was surprised by the lack of insects despite staying in August.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses make extended stays more comfortable. At Lums Pond State Park Campground, "The bath house was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease," notes Mark, who visited with family.
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak season. "Book early because it fills up fast!" warns Ellen B. about Lums Pond State Park, which offers full hookup sites with concrete pads.
Firewood access: Options vary across parks. At Hidden Acres Family Campground, firewood is available for purchase at the camp store, while at French Creek State Park "There is not a camp store where it is available for purchase. You can find some for sale from the neighboring homes but it's not always a guarantee," advises Jen R.
Weather considerations: The area experiences seasonal thunderstorms, particularly in summer. "The tent held up well during an evening thunderstorm, but for a small seam leak near the door," reported Ellen C. at French Creek State Park, recommending proper tent setup on level ground.
Site selection strategies: Some loops have specific advantages or restrictions. At French Creek State Park, "Loop C is the only loop that allows pets," notes Ellen C., while "Loop A [has] very spacious, less rocky sites, however, there was little shrubbery between each site, making them less private than the sites in Loop C."
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. Hidden Acres Camping Grounds has "two playgrounds, the larger one featuring one of the world's longest original steel sliding boards!" according to Jen R., who celebrated her daughter's birthday there.
Swimming options: Several locations offer swimming areas during summer months. Lake-In-Wood has "a nice indoor and outdoor pool and a kiddie pool" that families appreciate during hot weather, notes a reviewer who visited with children.
Kid-friendly fishing spots: Dedicated fishing areas make it easier for young anglers. At Hibernia County Park, "The lake is about a 3 minute hike down the clearly marked trails" and features a "children's pond [that] is a short ways away for well stocked fishing," notes Anna.
Seasonal activities: Campgrounds often host special events for children. Jen R. reports that Hidden Acres had "games and crafts for the kids" during their Christmas in July weekend, including Santa visits and themed treats for just $2 per child.
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require extra preparation. At Lancaster-New Holland KOA, "sites are nice and level" according to Michele K., making setup easier than at more rustic parks in the region.
Hookup placement: Check utility locations before committing to a site. Some campers note having to position their RVs at angles to reach both water and electric connections at certain campgrounds.
Space considerations: Larger rigs may face limitations at more rustic parks. At Hibernia County Park, Jennifer S. advises that "though at first glance the sites don't look big enough to house an RV, there are a few sites that will, including #3, #17 & #18 and plenty of sites will fit a small RV or pop up camper."
Dump station availability: Not all parks offer on-site dumping. Jennifer S. notes that Hibernia County Park has "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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Downingtown, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Downingtown, PA is French Creek State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 84 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 100 dog-friendly camping locations near Downingtown, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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