Dog-Friendly Camping near Marietta, PA

Marietta sits at the convergence of the Susquehanna River and Chiques Creek, creating diverse waterfront camping options throughout Lancaster County. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions in the 50-70°F range. The area's rolling terrain provides both riverfront and wooded camping sites within close proximity to Amish communities.

What to do

Fishing excursions: At Gifford Pinchot State Park, anglers catch various species from the shoreline. "We caught a handful of bass and an absurd amount of bluegill from shore," notes Danielle V., who recommends bringing your license as "rangers in this park check."

Kayaking: The Susquehanna River provides excellent paddling opportunities. "We took our canoe or kayak and spent the day on the river," shares one camper at Thousand Trails Circle M, where the campground "sits in the center of a horseshoe curve of the river."

Hiking trails: Explore the surrounding natural areas on foot. "I took an early morning hike on the 8.5 mile Lakeside Trail that goes around the lake and it was really awesome to see the lake from all different angles," writes a Gifford Pinchot visitor. The Northwest Lancaster Trail offers additional opportunities with convenient access for hikers of all skill levels.

Water recreation: Many campgrounds feature swimming options. Pequea Creek Campground visitors enjoy creek access where "kids loved it for splashing and floating in Pequea Creek." The site includes "steps down the 'levee' affording easier access to the creek" for comfortable water entry.

What campers like

Private riverfront camping: River Rock Recreation offers exclusive access to the entire campsite. "This is a single campsite that you rent, no other campers on site unless you are bringing them with you! You can camp with up to 10 people and there is certainly plenty of room for everyone to spread out," explains Kellyann M. The site includes "3 wood tent platforms" with two near the river.

Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses. At Old Mill Stream Campground, visitors appreciate "some of the cleanest camp bathrooms and showers I have seen," calling it a "tranquil little spot right in the thick of it." The bathhouse was "just remodeled so it's excellent!"

Spacious campsites: Campgrounds near Marietta often provide ample room between sites. "We had site 108 which is an electric site along the shore and close to the beach, and it was perfect for our needs," reports a Gifford Pinchot visitor. At Pequea Creek Campground, sites are described as having "plenty of room and give you options to be along the creek or tucked back in the trees."

Pet-friendly amenities: Beyond designated walking areas, many campgrounds welcome pets throughout the property. River Rock Recreation allows "2 dogs" to join their owners as they "wander around" the riverfront property. Thousand Trails Circle M provides open spaces for exercising pets in a natural setting.

What you should know

Campsite selection matters: Location within campgrounds significantly impacts experience. At Pinch Pond Family Campground, "the best campsite locations are actually the ones designated for primitive tents as they are all located in the rear of the property and therefore quieter and more removed from the rest of the somewhat crowded campground." For RVers, sites #102-120 in the far rear offer more seclusion.

Environmental factors: Be prepared for local conditions that may affect comfort. "There is a shooting range near the property, so at all hours you will hear target practice going on, especially in the wee early hours," reports a Pinch Pond reviewer. At Old Mill Stream, campers note "the overwhelming impression was the smell of cow manure from the nearby dairy farm feedlot" when wind shifts certain directions.

Reservation systems vary: Some campgrounds use first-come systems rather than specific site assignments. At Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country, "this is a first come, first serve. Meaning you have to arrive early in order to get the best spots. They don't reserve sites for you," explains a visitor who recommends arriving by 1 pm to secure preferred locations.

Seasonal considerations: Visiting during off-peak times can improve experience. A Thousand Trails Hershey camper notes they "stayed here in a Class A motor home" during Easter weekend, finding the campground less crowded than summer months while still offering shuttle access to nearby attractions.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Thousand Trails Hershey provides "great playgrounds" that are "well-maintained with seemingly new equipment." A visitor mentions the campground is "very welcoming with a good atmosphere" and includes "lots of kids events" throughout the season.

Kid-friendly activities: Many campgrounds offer specialized programming. Gifford Pinchot State Park impresses families with young children: "We took our 3 yo camping for the first time here. He had so much fun. It was clean campground located in a State Park. Easy walk to the lake with a small beach," writes Julie Y., who appreciated that "it wasn't a commercialized camping experience."

Family convenience: Look for sites with amenities that simplify camping with children. Pinch Pond Family Campground provides "no shortage of outstanding amenities" including "super-clean and well-kept restrooms with showers" plus "a small playground and basketball court." One parent notes their children "LOVED" the game room that "has tickets" making it "like camping and going to chuckie cheese at the same time."

Water features: Streams and pools provide entertainment for children. Old Mill Stream Campground features "a creek that runs along the backside of the campground" where "even though the amusement park wasn't open yet, kids still had a good time!" The grounds include a "small playground and basketball court" for additional activities.

Tips from RVers

Site leveling: Prepare for uneven terrain at some locations. At Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country, "the campground is pretty hilly and they don't seem to want to level out the sites" with one visitor noting they "had to go out and get more blocks and we're still not very level front to back." They recommend coming "in on an angle to make the slope less drastic."

Hookup accessibility: Check hookup locations before selecting sites. Old Mill Stream Campground offers "full hookup sites" where "each site has a firepit and picnic table. There were over 50 cable channels and all the hookups were well-placed and worked well" at a rate of "$61/night." Sites are "plenty long" for larger rigs.

Navigation challenges: Some campgrounds have complex entrance procedures. Old Mill Stream requires drivers to "turn in at the Cartoon Network Hotel driveway" which can be initially confusing. At Pinch Pond, "while it is RIGHT NEXT to the highway, it's not a simple or EZ path to navigate as you'll have to basically get off the turnpike and essentially drive around a 5 square mile bit of PA Dutch countryside just to arrive."