Pet friendly camping near Maple Glen, Pennsylvania offers camping options with more water activities than many expect. The area sits in the mid-Atlantic climate zone with mild springs, humid summers averaging 85°F, and colorful fall foliage starting in late September. Local campgrounds tend to reach capacity on summer weekends, particularly at sites with full hookups.
What to do
Explore local hiking trails: Fort Washington State Park features over 3.5 miles of trails leading to scenic observation areas. "Hawk Watch observation decks, which birders will marvel at and the rest of us will simply appreciate the vista," notes one visitor about this 492-acre park with historical significance from the Revolutionary War.
Disc golf adventures: Boulder Woods Campground offers an extensive disc golf course that draws enthusiasts from around the region. "They also have a disc golf course and they rent and sell discs. That's where we fell in love with disc golf," shares one camper who stayed there with family.
Visit historic sites: Washington Crossing State Park preserves Revolutionary War history across its New Jersey and Pennsylvania sections. "On the Pennsylvania side, you'll find the visitor center, historic McConkey's Ferry Inn, Bowman's Hill Tower, and interpretive programs that bring the Revolutionary War era to life," according to a recent visitor who appreciates the historical context.
Fish in local lakes: Several campgrounds offer fishing opportunities in stocked lakes. At Evansburg State Park, one visitor reports: "I caught a beautiful Brown Trout here a few weeks ago! Great park. You need a license to fish, and if you plan on catching Trout you need the Trout endorsement on the fishing license, currently $9.90."
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: French Creek State Park Campground provides well-separated campsites that offer privacy. "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other. Bathrooms were very nice and clean with large showers," according to a satisfied camper.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain quality bathroom facilities. One visitor to Evansburg State Park noted, "The restroom facilities were clean. There were plenty of maps and brochures available at the different parking areas."
Dog-friendly amenities: Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA provides excellent facilities for pets. "They offer many activities during the day and text you so you don't forget. The place is so clean including the bathrooms," mentions a camper who appreciated the well-maintained grounds.
Quiet atmosphere: Several campgrounds offer peaceful settings despite their proximity to urban areas. "One moment you are slowly passing stately homes in pristine residential surroundings and the very next, you'll pull into this nicely shielded protected neighborhood park," writes a visitor to Alverthorpe Private Park.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially in summer. At Tohickon Family Campground, "We had a great Halloween weekend but we were down by creek so it was very muddy. Everything else about this campground was great!" This highlights the importance of booking early and considering seasonal conditions.
Weather considerations: The area experiences significant rainfall, which can affect camping conditions. "Don't come if you're in a tent And It Has Been or will rain, It Becomes Flooded or turns into A mudPit," warns a camper about Tohickon Family Campground.
Group camping restrictions: Some parks limit camping to organized groups. "Since camping is only open to organized camping I've never camped at Evansburg," notes one reviewer, highlighting the importance of checking camping policies before planning your trip.
Varying pet policies: While many campgrounds allow pets, rules differ significantly. "This is the only loop that allows pets. I expected it to be much noisier than it was. All of the dogs were well behaved," reports a camper at French Creek State Park about Loop C.
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with kid-friendly activities: Nockamixon State Park offers cabins and water activities that appeal to families. "It was an excellent fall trip location for a family with young children," shares a visitor who stayed in one of the park's cabins.
Consider cabin options for comfort: Several campgrounds offer cabins as alternatives to tent camping. "The cabins are full electric with heat and are well appointed," notes a Nockamixon State Park visitor, making this an excellent option for families new to camping.
Look for playgrounds and recreation areas: Boulder Woods Campground provides excellent facilities for children. "This is a great campground. Bill and Kate are friendly and helpful. They have so much to do for kids!!" reports one family who enjoyed their stay.
Plan for rainy day activities: Weather can change quickly in this region. "There are a few bath houses that make the large camp ground have easy access to the bathrooms which I appreciated," notes a camper at Boulder Woods, highlighting the importance of campground infrastructure when camping with children.
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions carefully: Washington Crossing State Park has specific limitations for RVs. "This isn't the place for a cushy RV getaway or individual tenters looking to sneak in for the night, but rather a structured, group-style camping steeped in Revolutionary War atmosphere," explains a visitor familiar with the park's restrictions.
Consider hookup options: Village Scene Park offers full hookups that appeal to RVers. "Full-hookup RV sites with 30/50 amp, water, and sewer" are available, though a visitor notes that "Sites are narrow and can feel cramped, so don't expect big pull-throughs."
Look for level sites: French Creek State Park provides paved, level areas for RVs. "It was nice to just be able to back up our camper and have it mostly level already," shares a camper who appreciated this feature.
Seasonal operation variations: Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA offers year-round access. "We stayed here for 3 nights while visiting family In Philadelphia. It is a 20 minute ride into Philly and Uber was quick and responsive," notes a visitor who used the campground as a base for city exploration.
