Cowans Gap State Park Campground restricts pets to specific sections within Loop A, with sites 1-30 designated as pet-friendly. Ye Olde Mill Campground, Twin Bridge Campground, and Lake Raystown Resort all welcome pets in their tent sites, RV spots, and cabins. Facilities throughout these campgrounds include clean bathhouses, electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings. Most campgrounds enforce standard leash policies, though specific pet rules vary by location. Sites are generally well-spaced with ample shade and privacy between neighbors. The bathrooms at Cowans Gap remain exceptionally clean with heating during cooler months, making shoulder-season camping more comfortable for pets and owners. Sites backing to woods and small creeks provide natural boundaries and exploration opportunities for leashed dogs.
Dog-friendly hiking trails surround many of these campgrounds, with Cowans Gap offering a 1.5-mile relatively flat lakeside trail ideal for walking pets. The Tuscarora Trail passes near several campgrounds with more challenging terrain for active dogs and owners. Water access varies by location, with some campgrounds featuring streams where dogs can wade. Cell service is extremely limited at Cowans Gap and other mountain campgrounds, so downloading maps and pet emergency information before arrival is essential. The region experiences significant seasonal temperature variations, requiring proper planning for pet comfort. Some campgrounds have restrictions on pets in swimming areas and day-use facilities, so checking specific park rules before arrival ensures a smooth experience. Most sites accommodate standard recreational equipment alongside pet supplies.
$20 - $123 / night
"Pet friendly (spaces 1-30, Campground A), nice shower houses with heat, well laid out beach, beach house, watercraft rentals, friendly park rangers & staff, and in the center of trails galore!"
"Pets allowed only on a certain portion of the A loop."
$20 - $92 / night
"We stayed in the Chinquapin West side due to the restrictions of dogs. Not that I don't love dogs! It's just that it can get loud sometimes."
"Stayed here two nights while visiting Gettysburg (short 20mi drive between the two). Stayed on Chinquapin Hill, each site has picnic table and fire ring and good space for camp."
$38 - $43 / night
"This is a huge campground with mostly very large RVs situated on farmland. The sites varied. Some were in an open field, others by the stream with trees. We had Site C, which was right on the stream."
"Our kids love the creek and playing in and around it. Some activities, playground, mini golf etc. but more of a relaxing campground."
$28 - $200 / night
"This campground is located on the east side of Pennsylvania and offers a beautiful view of Lake Raystown. The campground has over 200 sites to choose from, and many of them are right on the water."
"Ridge camp is the furthest away from the marina and the public swimming area. However it's the closest to the Allegrippis Trail system and from the entrance of the camp loop there is a trail head!"
$20 - $43 / night
"This campground is far enough away from home but at the same time close enough for a weekend camping trip. Nice level spots for RVs. A pet area as well as a non-pet area."
"There is a pet section and a non pet section in this campground. There is also showers and clean bathrooms here. Plenty of trails and attraction to explore."
"Both RV sites and lots to rent to pitch your own tent, fishing, huge lake with beach, lots of activities for the kids throughout the summer, one of the nicest parks we have camped at!"
"Fantastic lake side camping resort. Best for campers or using their cabins but it has freeway access to the lake and beautiful views."
$18 - $45 / night
"This is a small campground with about half the sites being rustic electric back-in sites and the other being rustic walk-to tent sites. We stayed in the walk-to section."
"Several walking/hiking trails directly from the campground. Clean and convenient restrooms. Large sites."
"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."
"In addition to that, there is a bounce pad, shuffle board, horseshoes, chess, over-sized jenga, playground, dog park, gem mining, basketball, bikes, wood, propane, etc. and they pick up trash daily right"
$25 - $32 / night
"We camped at Suquehannock for the first time in August 2020 and had a fantastic time with our dog!"
"We ended up with spot 3, which was on a cliff’s edge. So, it looked like it may be near the water, but there was no way down, and the forest obscured any view that may have been there."
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.
GuideOne of the best campgrounds I have stayed at so far the pond is nice and has a 1/2 mile walking path around it with trees and beaches to stop and sit dog park is big and has a place for small or large dogs there is 3 play grounds all different and all well kept
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.
RangerGreat campground for families. Large water park that goes to 3 ft. Playgrounds, dog park, canteen, mini golf, jumping pillow, laser tag, pedal cars, gem mining are just some of the amenities. Very pricey during peak season. We did the camp & store at about $50/night.
ScoutThis campground is far enough away from home but at the same time close enough for a weekend camping trip. Nice level spots for RVs. A pet area as well as a non-pet area. A lake with a beach, as well as being close to the AT. Close to Gettysburg as well.
RangerThis is a small campground with about half the sites being rustic electric back-in sites and the other being rustic walk-to tent sites. We stayed in the walk-to section. A lot of them are labeled "waterfront" by the park site but ours did not live up to that criteria so be aware of that. We were hoping to be truly stream-side but were not that near to it. The bathrooms were modern and clean. The park is extremely quiet and peaceful, probably one of the most remote PA state parks we've been to. The camper side was pretty full while we were the only ones on the walk-to side. We enjoyed walking the roads and little trails around the campground and seeing the old stone fireplaces/chimneys. There was a dog park area on the walk-to side which was nice. We liked it here.
Fannettsburg, Pennsylvania sits within the ridge and valley section of the Appalachian Mountains, with elevations ranging from 600 to 2,100 feet. The area experiences distinct seasonal changes with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter temperatures often dropping below freezing. The surrounding Tuscarora State Forest creates natural boundaries for many camping areas, with pine and hardwood forests dominating the landscape.
**Creek exploration: **At Twin Bridge Campground, families enjoy wading and playing in the water. "Our kids love the creek and playing in and around it," notes one camper who considers Twin Bridge their "favorite campground" for relaxation.
Appalachian Trail hiking: The AT passes directly through Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground, marking the official halfway point of the 2,190-mile trail. "Make sure you take a hike on the AT and then up to Pole Steeple for a great view! You may even bump into a through hiker excited to chat!" shares a regular visitor.
Mountain biking: The Allegrippis Trail system near Raystown Lake offers over 36 miles of purpose-built mountain biking trails. "The mtb trails begin just above the upper camp loops and provide a full day of fast flowing singletrack," explains a visitor to Seven Points campground, noting the trails are "IMBA standard built trails that are open year round and in any weather."
Historical exploration: The region's rich history includes iron furnaces, Civil War sites, and abandoned settlements. "The Park also has an old iron furnace (hence the name) with historical information about it. There is an Appalachian trail museum, which was very neat to check out," shares a Pine Grove Furnace camper.
Quiet, rustic camping environments: Fowlers Hollow State Park Campground receives praise for its tranquil atmosphere. "The park is extremely quiet and peaceful, probably one of the most remote PA state parks we've been to," notes a tent camper who enjoyed the walk-to sites.
Clean facilities: Bathhouse cleanliness stands out across several campgrounds. A camper at Caledonia State Park Campground mentioned, "Very nice campground with clean bathrooms and showers. Nice creek for the kids to play on a hot day."
Natural water features: Streams, creeks, and lakes enhance the camping experience. "Nestled between a hillside and a stream with a great sound of running water," writes a Fowlers Hollow visitor, highlighting how the natural soundscape improves the camping atmosphere.
Wildlife viewing: The forested mountains provide habitat for diverse wildlife. "We had a great Memorial Day weekend here — it was our first visit and we didn't know what to expect. This is the campground to come to with kids!" shares a Twin Bridge camper who enjoyed the natural setting alongside organized activities.
Seasonal limitations: Many campgrounds in the region operate from April to December, closing during winter months. "We took our new Fifth Wheel for a shakedown trip and decided to try Twin Bridges Campground. Staff was polite, amenities are great and clean," reports a camper, though noting the limited full hookup availability.
Cell service challenges: Signal strength varies significantly throughout the mountain region. A visitor to Susquehannock mentions, "Don't be alarmed by the fact that some reviews call this 'primitive' camping—there are restrooms with well-ventilated composting toilets, potable water is available at the entrance station," though noting limited connectivity.
Waterfront site competition: Lakefront sites book quickly, especially during summer months. "We wanted a waterfront spot, and although we booked over a month in advance none were available," notes a Susquehannock camper, highlighting the planning needed for prime locations.
Mixed terrain: Campsite levelness varies considerably across the region. "The campsites were nice size big enough for my 32 foot motor home and mid size SUV," writes a Fowlers Hollow visitor, though noting the dirt access road that might challenge some vehicles in wet conditions.
Playground access: Lake Raystown Resort offers extensive family-friendly amenities. "Both RV sites and lots to rent to pitch your own tent, fishing, huge lake with beach, lots of activities for the kids throughout the summer," mentions a parent who called it "one of the nicest parks we have camped at!"
Swimming options: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas ranging from natural streams to developed beaches. "The lake is beautiful and sunsets from the campground are stunning. There is a sandy beach which is perfect for swimming," shares a Lake Raystown visitor, noting the pet-friendly policies.
Educational opportunities: History-focused activities engage children in learning. "This park is the half way point on the AT, and we got to meet quite a few hikers and hear some cool stories about their travels on the trail," explains a Pine Grove Furnace camper who visited with their family.
Wildlife watching: Evening firefly displays occur throughout summer months. A Caledonia State Park camper notes, "we chose this park for the nice pool (short walk from campsites) but loved the synchronous firefly show we saw in July!"
Site selection considerations: Caledonia State Park campsites vary in accessibility and privacy. "We stayed in the Hosack run loop. The campground was very busy, nearly every site was booked. Sites are very close to each other, there's no privacy," advises an RV camper who recommends researching specific loops.
Dump station facilities: Seven Points campground offers exceptional waste disposal services. "On our way out, we visited the dump station again and got in one of the 4 lanes with no wait. The dump station had wide lanes and made the experience an easy and clean one," shares a camper who appreciated the facility design.
Leveling challenges: Mountain terrain creates uneven camping surfaces at many campgrounds. "Looking at some of our neighbor's sites, depending on where the camper site was located, some had their picnic table and fire ring either above or below them," observes a Seven Points visitor who recommends reviewing site photos before booking.
Utility limitations: Many pet-friendly campgrounds near Fannettsburg offer electric but lack full hookups. "Big spacious sites that make pitching a tent easy with water available just a few sites away no matter where you stay," notes a Ridge camp visitor at Seven Points, explaining the water access points.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Fannettsburg, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Fannettsburg, PA is Cowans Gap State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 31 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Fannettsburg, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 140 dog-friendly camping locations near Fannettsburg, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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