French Creek State Park Campground provides year-round accommodations for dog owners in Pennsylvania, with over 200 individual campsites spread across four loops. Loop C is exclusively pet-friendly, offering electric hookups and direct trail access. The campground features well-maintained bathhouses with dish washing stations, spacious sites with paved pads for easy setup, and ample room between campsites. Several hiking and mountain biking trails connect to the loops, making morning and evening dog walks convenient.
What to Do
Kayaking and fishing at Hopewell Lake: French Creek State Park contains two bodies of water—Hopewell Lake and Scotts Run Lake—where visitors can fish for northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and panfish. At Hibernia County Park, "The lake is about a 3 minute hike down the clearly marked trails... The children's pond is a short ways away for well stocked fishing," according to Anna.
Visit Amish countryside: Located near Lancaster County's Amish region, several campgrounds offer unique cultural experiences. At Beacon Hill Camping, you'll find "Amish shops, and guided tours into the Amish countryside" within walking distance, as Mike H. notes. The area offers authentic interactions with local culture, with some campgrounds even hosting Amish vendors: "Most weekends local Amish families come to sell their baked goods to campers," reports Heather G. from Red Run Campground.
Winter camping options: Unlike many seasonal facilities, several campgrounds remain open year-round. Galit P. shares about French Creek State Park: "Stayed over for one night in early December. Showers and bathrooms were great! The honor system of payment at the office makes it really easy to come in late and leave early." This makes the Geigertown area suitable for off-season camping when fewer visitors are present.
What Campers Like
Private, wooded sites: Many dog-friendly campgrounds near Geigertown offer secluded camping spots. At French Creek State Park, "There is a lot of shade and the campground is laid out well... the campsites are not right on top of one another," writes Jen R. Ellen C. adds, "Sites are secured closed from wind and rain by velcro strips, rather than the standard ties," highlighting thoughtful design elements that enhance privacy and comfort.
Varied accommodation options: Beyond standard tent and RV sites, the area offers unique lodging alternatives. At Lake-In-Wood Campground, Donna M. describes, "They also have specialty rental cottages and a real tipi and caboose." Robin H. adds that Lake-In-Wood features "well-kept gardens and distinctive hotel choices... themed cabins are just two examples of the small touches that go a long way toward making each visitor feel at home."
Clean, maintained facilities: Despite being rural campgrounds, visitors consistently mention quality amenities. At Spring Gulch Resort Campground, Beth B. notes, "Upper showers were much better, no bugs and water was hotter. Heated spa/pool in upper area are a bonus." Dan X. commented on French Creek State Park: "Plenty of space, picnic table, fire ring, basic bathroom facilities," showing that even basic accommodations meet campers' expectations for comfort.
What You Should Know
Site selection considerations: Many campgrounds have varied terrain that affects site suitability. At French Creek, Ellen C. advises, "Many of the sites surrounding ours were very rocky and left little option for a larger than normal sized tent so keep this in mind if you have a large family sized tent." Similarly, April L. from Lancaster-New Holland KOA suggests, "The road for this row is narrow and there is a fence that makes backing in more difficult, especially for a 30+ ft travel trailer."
Pet policies vary by loop: Most pet-friendly campgrounds have specific areas designated for animals. French Creek's Loop C is the only loop that allows pets, while other campgrounds have varying restrictions. Jen R. observed, "I expected it to be much noisier than it was. All of the dogs were well behaved, and we didn't have any problems as we took our walks around the loop."
Limited connectivity: Some campgrounds have restricted internet access. At Lancaster-New Holland KOA, Matt S. notes it's "a 5-star campground EXCEPT that there was no wi-fi or cable. It's 2023 and internet connectivity is important." Similarly, Lori mentioned about Sun Valley Campground: "Cable does not work. No internet. 2 bars LTE on T-Mobile."
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Several pet-welcoming campgrounds have kid-friendly amenities. At Sun Valley Campground, Jen R. describes, "There are open field areas so you can drive RC cars, play volleyball, catch, Frisbee or whatever. Lots to do here and something for everyone." The playground at French Creek is "situated conveniently between the loops of the campground" with features like "slides, a bridge, lots of monkey bars, ladders to climb on and the best feature was the zip line."
Swimming options for different ages: Many campgrounds offer water recreation suitable for families with pets. Jen R. notes that Lake-In-Wood has a "huge pond for fishing, miniature gold, nice indoor and outdoor pool and a kiddie pool." At Sun Valley, they offer "indoor pool, outdoor pool, hot tub, kiddie pool" providing options for different weather conditions and age groups.
Seasonal activities: Campgrounds often host special events for families. Dave R. shares about Red Run Campground: "We stayed during October and they had a scavenger hunt and hayrides for the kids in the evenings. Kids loved it." These organized activities complement the natural amenities and can keep children entertained while allowing pet owners to socialize their dogs.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Numerous sites require effort to level larger rigs. Jennifer S. from Hibernia County Park advises, "They aren't level, but nothing a little creative positioning can't fix." At French Creek, Cheryl K. notes, "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze," highlighting the importance of selecting appropriate sites for your equipment.
Hookup limitations: RVers should arrive prepared for limited utilities. In Hibernia, Jennifer S. warns, "There are NO HOOKUPS, and water is not easy to come by if you are in an RV... There is one spigot at the bathroom." She adds, "There is NO DUMP STATION. There are a few nearby campgrounds that will let you dump for a fee," information critical for planning longer stays.
Width restrictions: Many roads in these wooded campgrounds present navigation challenges. At Lake-In-Wood, Mary C. cautions, "The roads were very tight and you really had to watch how you drove through because of the trees." Becca U. from Sun Valley Campground had similar experiences: "Our particular site was a bear to park in but once situated we were very happy."