Farmington sits at the foot of the Laurel Mountains in southwestern Pennsylvania, with an elevation ranging from 1,200 to 2,500 feet across the surrounding area. The region experiences cool summer evenings with average temperatures 10-15 degrees lower than nearby urban centers, making it comfortable for tent camping during peak season. Most dog friendly campgrounds near Farmington operate from April through October, though several remain open year-round with limited winter amenities.
What to do
Waterfall exploration: 53-foot Muddy Creek Falls at Swallow Falls State Park Campground is Maryland's highest waterfall, accessible via a 2-mile trail from the campground. "The trails to the namesake falls are beautiful and very family-friendly, with lots of helpful signage. However, the parking lots and trailheads were PACKED on the weekend, so if you're a day tripper, get there early!" notes Jen V.
Disc golf course: New addition at Tall Oaks Campground provides an alternative recreational option for campers seeking activities beyond hiking. A recent camper mentioned, "The owners are very friendly and personable. The campground is dog friendly, which is always a plus. They just added a disc golf course to the campground as well."
Creek exploration: Multiple stream access points for cooling off and shallow wading at sites throughout the area. "Site #5 is where We stayed and it was perfect for the small children to play in the creek behind us there was the perfect pathway down to the creek," shares Nora M. about her experience at Tub Run.
GAP Trail biking: Direct campground access to the Great Allegheny Passage from several local sites, avoiding the need to transport bikes. One cyclist noted, "Awesome campground right on the Great Allegheny Passage trail. We loved being able to access the GAP trail right from the campground."
What campers like
Stargazing opportunities: Open field sites at several pet-friendly campgrounds near Farmington provide exceptional night sky viewing. "The stargazing opportunities are amazing here. We stayed in a tent site and they accommodate up to 10 people, so they are very large," writes Indy A., highlighting the spaciousness at Tall Oaks.
Private, wooded sites: Natural separation between campsites at Scarlett Knob Campground creates a more secluded camping experience. "It's very cheap and rustic. The sites are pretty spread out and full of trees. So for tent camping it is fantastic. Each site feels very private and the atmosphere is great," explains Bradley B.
Large site capacity: Spacious areas for group camping that accommodate multiple tents or larger gatherings. "Our site was secluded and protected from other sites. We were very close to the state park and all activities there," notes John C. about his stay at Scarlett Knob.
Budget-friendly pricing: Affordable options for primitive and electric sites compared to more developed campgrounds. "There are a LOT of sites to choose from. They offer tent sites, van life/electric sites, RV sites, pavilions and even field sites for huge groups (75 people)," explains a Tall Oaks camper.
What you should know
Bathhouse quality varies widely: Facilities at some campgrounds need updating or better maintenance. At Coopers Rock State Forest, a camper observed, "Very clean (except restrooms) and quiet. Pet friendly! Many hiking trails of all sizes and kept clear. My dog is mostly weenie dog, and his little legs made it everywhere."
Site locations matter: Research specific sites before booking as quality and privacy can differ significantly within the same campground. "Looking around the rest of the campground, the loop up near the cabins was a typical RV area with sites lined up with little privacy in between. I would look at the other loops for our next tent-camping visit," advises Laura about her stay at Laurel Hill.
Limited services: Many dog-accommodating campgrounds have minimal on-site amenities. "If you're the type of person that wants everything prim and proper this is not the place for you. Their bathrooms are a little worse than wear....but they do have toilet paper and running water, so that's better than most places," notes one camper.
Early booking essential: Most pet-friendly sites fill quickly during summer and fall color season. "Just returned from our first weekend here. The new section is open and ready. Water and Electric Only. Dump station on the way out. We had empty space on either side of us," reports Josh W.
Tips for camping with families
Look for creek-adjacent sites: These provide natural entertainment for children with safe water access. At Yough Lake Campground at Tub Run, Natalee M. shared, "We had such a relaxing time there. The swimming lake was perfect and they had canoes and kayak rentals on site. We are avid tent campers and loved that we had a very private and secluded spot."
Consider campgrounds with playgrounds: Several facilities have designated play areas for children. "I gave it a 5 star for many reasons. First the campground is clean and made us feel like we were in a forest not just a campground... The grounds had paths everywhere and were well kept. I didn't feel like I was walking in the dirt or through someone's campsite to get to the bathroom or the playground for the kids," notes Mike B.
Water activities provide all-day entertainment: Lakes and pools keep children engaged during summer months. "Incredibly clean & close To everything. Located right beside Ohiopyle and Yough Lake dam. There is a beach in campground but found the drive to Yough lake perfect," reports Nora M.
Choose campgrounds with planned activities: Some locations offer organized family events. "Very nice campground in four loops with a variety of sites ranging from tent-only, 30-amp electric, 50-amp electric, and 30/50-amp electric, along with eight camper cabins," notes Lee D. about Laurel Hill State Park.
Tips from RVers
Road access challenges: Some pet-friendly campgrounds near Farmington have difficult access roads. At Benner's Meadow Run RV Campground, Tim & Nancy C. reported, "We stayed for 2 nights while we visited Fallingwater and the Flight 93 Memorial. We should have stayed another night so we could visit Fort Necessity NP just down the road but ran out of time."
Electric hookup positioning: Layout at state parks often requires extension cords. "The electrical hookups are not played out well like an expensive RV park with the shared power post on the entrance side of the camper. You may want to have an extension for your power cable," advises Erik E.
Leveling issues at some campgrounds: Bring additional leveling blocks as many sites feature slight to moderate slopes. "Okay campground. We met nice people staying there. However, the sites are REALLY not level because the RV lots are on a major slope, especially the pull-through sites," warns Kathy L.
Limited full hookup availability: Most pet-accommodating campgrounds offer electric-only or water/electric sites. "The sites are spread out. Electricity at sites but no water or sewer. A new section will be opening later this season that will have elec and water," notes William B. about one local state park.
