Dog-Friendly Camping near Maytown, PA

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    Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA campsites accommodate pets with multiple designated dog exercise areas and convenient waste stations throughout the property. Level sites feature gravel parking pads, water and electric hookups, along with fire rings and picnic tables suitable for families camping with dogs. The large wooded sites at the back of the campground provide ample space and shade for pets during summer months. Thousand Trails Circle M and Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground also welcome pets, though breed restrictions exist at some locations. The staff at KOA carefully monitors prohibited dog breeds, with at least one visitor reporting being turned away when their dog appeared to be a pit bull mix. Most campgrounds in the Maytown area provide amenities like full hookup RV sites, tent camping areas, and pet-friendly cabins, giving campers with animals various accommodation options.

    River Rock Recreation offers a unique riverfront camping experience where dogs can splash along the Susquehanna shoreline while their owners fish or kayak. The private two-acre site accommodates up to ten people and their pets with no breed restrictions reported in reviews. Hiking opportunities abound on the nearby Northwest Lancaster Trail where leashed dogs are welcome on the maintained paths. Pet owners should note that while most campgrounds provide basic amenities like water and electric hookups, specific pet facilities vary considerably. Many campsites require proof of current rabies vaccination, and most enforce standard leash policies when pets are outside designated exercise areas. Summer visitors with dogs should ensure adequate shade and water availability, particularly at less developed sites like River Rock where temperatures along the water can rise significantly during July and August.

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    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Maytown (123)

      1. Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground

      4.2(57)18mi from Maytown295 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "I liked the dish washing sinks outside of the shower houses. The site was nice with the tent pad backing up to the trees."

      "Our site was in the pet loop and was set back off the road a good amount which kept a lot of the road noise down. It was very large and Iffered gIId trees fIr strIngIng up tarps and hammocks."

      from $20 - $89 / night

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      2. Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA

      4.3(16)6mi from MaytownRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "A little pricey and strict for vistors, they need to leave by 10 and can’t bring their pets."

      "There was a bathhouse and dish sink nearby, as well as the entrance to a nice little nature trail a few sites down. "

      from $45 - $279 / night

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      3. Hersheypark Camping Resort

      4.1(31)15mi from MaytownRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "This campground has a little something for everyone, from full hook up sites neatly stacked next to each other, to quiet patches of grass next to the river."

      "We stay here every September during the Hershey Dog Grooming Expo. We have never had any complaints. Office personnel are very friendly and helpful."

      4. Thousand Trails Hershey

      3.8(22)13mi from MaytownRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "The first thing to know is that Thousand Trails sites are 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."

      "This is a clean, nice looking campground in a location very close to Hershey park and the outlets. It’s a very nice area."

      from $50 - $60 / night

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      5. Pinch Pond Family Campground & RV Park

      4.5(15)12mi from MaytownRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Set just off I-76 in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, Pinch Pond Family Campground& RV Park is a large, all-in-one, family-focused campground with a layout that feels more like a small neighborhood"

      "campground so inconveniently located (more on this later) right next to highway I76."

      6. Thousand Trails Circle M

      3.9(19)14mi from MaytownRVs, Cabins, Glamping

      "Close to Lancaster for necessities and great proximity to Baltimore and Philadelphia for day trips."

      "I used to stay here all the time with my grandparents when they were around. It was always some of the best times for me."

      7. Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country

      3.7(14)13mi from MaytownRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "this campground is completely surrounded by a fairly dense forest, which likely is what blocks any irritable sound and most certainly blocks any highway or traffic visibility."

      "Tucked into the rolling, wooded hills of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country RV Resort offers a unique blend of peaceful countryside and activity-packed camping, all just a stone"

      8. River Rock Recreation

      4.8(5)7mi from Maytown1 siteRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "There is no on site running water or electric but they did leave us with a 5 gallon water jug and a 5 gallon shower bag to use in the outside shower."

      "https://www.riverrockadv.com/#/ I was fortunate enough to find this local gem while browsing“camping near me”. Not only that, my unlucky butt won a 2 night stay there!"

      from $75 - $90 / night

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      9. Pequea Creek Campground

      4.5(14)18mi from MaytownRVs, Tents

      "Pet friendly and very lush with greenery."

      "Covered bridges and road side shopping are close by. Enjoyed river tubing which is close by to this campground. Music bingo on Saturday night was so much fun. Owners are very nice and helpful."

      10. Old Mill Stream Campground

      4.2(17)20mi from MaytownRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Tent sites are lined up along the water which is great for fishing (especially when you need to stay close to the littles sleeping in the tent). Lots of benches lined up along the water."

      "Not to noisy being next to a theme park. The bath house was just remodeled so it's excellent! Good price!"

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Maytown, PA

    1048 Reviews of 123 Maytown Campgrounds


    • barb C.
      Aug. 6, 2022

      Gettysburg / Battlefield KOA

      Amazing campground!

      We 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.

    • JThe Dyrt PRO User
      Sep. 9, 2025

      Artillery Ridge Campground

      Great location and friendly staff

      We 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.

    • Melissa F.
      Jul. 21, 2018

      Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground

      Wish I stayed there under different circumstances.

      The 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.

    • C
      Oct. 21, 2021

      Dogwood Acres Campground

      Quiet and Friendly Staff

      Clean 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.

    • Chris G.
      Jul. 23, 2019

      Twin Grove RV Resort

      Great campground! Lots of fun

      We loved it here. It accommodates a large family reunion with plenty of space. The campground was well populated but we didn’t feel cramped at all. Super dog friendly. Many little dog parks throughout. Great pool.

    • Kathy S.
      Oct. 18, 2022

      Jonestown/Hershey KOA

      Beautiful Park

      This camp boasts a stream and beautiful city bridge for water play in the summer and photography in the cooler months. Grounds, bathrooms, showers, playgrounds, dog park, everything. This park is wonderful!

    • Tiffany S.
      May. 15, 2019

      Twin Grove RV Resort

      Beautiful Campground

      Nice campground with well taken care of sites. There is a pond to fish from, a dog park for your furry friend to play at and a few playgrounds for the kids.

    • Tiffany S.
      May. 15, 2019

      Twin Grove RV Resort

      Beautiful Campground

      This is an amazing campground! There are 2 dog parks right next to each other, which is great for your furry friend to be able to run around and play off leash. And for the kids there is an arcade, a ferris wheel and some other rides. On Saturday nights they usually have a band playing on the stage which is really neat. There is also a ice cream place to get a nice cold treat. The RV spots are really nice and well kept.

    • D
      Jun. 5, 2023

      French Creek State Park Campground

      Weekend Trip To Reading

      My family and I stayed at French Creek State Park while attending an event in Reading. The park was clean and well maintained. We stayed in Loop A which had no camp host. The camp hosts were in loops B & C.  We had a full hook up site. The water and electric worked great! The campground was well patrolled by Rangers throughout our stay. The bathhouses appeared to be clean and maintained. The quiet time starts at 9pm and seemed to be followed by most campers. There are numerous hiking trails in the park that seemed to be well marked and maintained. The park is about 20- mins from Reading, and 10 mins from Birdsbroro. There are many stores and restaurants in the area for food and supplies if needed. We had good cellular service with both AT&T and T-Mobile. The one downside was that there was no off leash dog park. We had to take our dog to a dog park in Birdsbroro. We would stay at this park again.


    Guide to Maytown

    Camping opportunities near Maytown, Pennsylvania center around Lancaster County's eastern edge, where the Susquehanna River creates a natural recreation corridor. This area sits at approximately 400 feet elevation with summer temperatures averaging 80-85°F during peak camping months. The region's transitional woodland-to-agricultural landscape provides campers with diverse terrain options within a 20-mile radius.

    What to do

    Disc golf courses: Gifford Pinchot State Park offers two 18-hole disc golf courses with distinct characteristics. "We played the first 10 holes around the Conewago day use area and I was shocked at how much poison ivy we had to dodge all over the prime walking areas through the course. The course in the Conewago area is relatively flat, whereas the Quaker Race course is built into the side of the hill leading into the QR day use area, so it is a lot more wooded and hillier," notes one reviewer from Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground.

    Kayaking the Susquehanna: River Rock Recreation provides direct river access for paddlers seeking water adventure. A visitor reports, "We spent our time fishing the river banks right outside our tents and kayaking on the Susquehanna to fish the warm waters. We caught a ton of catfish and carp using live bait. It was a great time at the river!"

    Historic towns exploration: Lancaster County offers unique cultural experiences beyond camping. A visitor to Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country shared, "Should you decide to leave 'the reservation' for any reason, you'll be engulfed by the incredibly rich, verdant countryside populated by incredibly rural residents who's ancestors settled this vast rich farmland a few hundred years ago."

    What campers like

    Large, private sites: Many Maytown area campgrounds offer spacious campsites. At Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA, visitors appreciate the generous spacing: "Site Details: I forget our site#, but we were in the wooded area farthest from the central 'hub.' Our site was level, shaded and quite large. Almost every site in this section was similarly large and wooded, with an impressive amount of space between sites for a KOA."

    Clean facilities: Consistently maintained bathhouses rank high among camper priorities. One reviewer at Pinch Pond Family Campground noted: "Very easy going place and so well kept up. Some of the cleanest camp bathrooms and showers I have seen." Another mentioned, "The bathhouses are nice and are designated shelters in case of severe weather."

    Waterfront access: Multiple campgrounds offer water recreation opportunities. A River Rock Recreation visitor described their experience: "Staying right on the river was both fun and relaxing for us. We even booked a second trip for this July. If you sit by the river long enough you may see a barn owl fly by in the evening and back again in the morning. My boys spotted the nest while kayaking."

    What you should know

    Noise considerations: Nearby infrastructure can impact the camping experience. At Pinch Pond Family Campground & RV Park, a visitor noted: "The only thing that is negative is that there is a shooting range right next door. It is pretty consistent from lunch to dinner. If your out and about, it won't be an issue. However if you enjoy sitting outside of your camper and relaxing this might be nerve wracking."

    Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven terrain. A Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country visitor reported: "Campground loses a star because the sites are pretty uneven. Not just the one we're on but others as well. The campground is pretty hilly and they don't seem to want to level out the sites."

    Weather precautions: Summer storms can move through quickly. "A 1:00 AM thunder storm reminded me to never forget to use ALL the tie downs," shared one camper, highlighting the importance of secure tent setups in this region.

    Tips for camping with families

    Swimming options: Several campgrounds provide water recreation for children. At Gifford Pinchot State Park, a family camper shared: "It has a small beach area within the campground loop that we camped in, but the main beach is on the other side of the large Pinchot Lake... The LARGE beach area in the QR day use area is one of the nicest I've ever seen at a PA state park, with tons of picnic tables with grills, a playground, a volleyball court, and a special fence solution to keep the stupid geese out of the water in the swimming area."

    First-time camping success: Parents report positive experiences introducing children to camping. "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. There was also a beach location on the state park side vs campground side of the lake. Boat rentals available. Good sized lake for canoeing or kayaking."

    Pet friendly considerations: While most campgrounds welcome pets, policies vary widely. At Pequea Creek Campground, the pet-friendly atmosphere extends throughout the property. "Dog friendly. Office staff were very helpful," noted one visitor, though most campgrounds require leashing and proof of vaccinations.

    Tips from RVers

    Navigation challenges: Some campgrounds have complex access points. A visitor to Old Mill Stream Campground advised: "The entrance in off the main road turns you into the theme park. Fear not. Turn in and follow the road to the right and into the campground. We stayed on site 123 with a 40 ft Allegro Bus. Plenty of room to maneuver a big rig."

    Utility placement: RVers should check hookup locations before selecting sites. "Each site has a firepit and picnic table. There were over 50 cable channels and all the hookups were well-placed and worked well," noted one camper regarding site organization.

    Site selection strategy: When visiting Thousand Trails properties, timing matters. "The first thing to know is that Thousand Trails sites are 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. For everyone complaining about driving around and not finding spots, if you get there early enough around 1 pm, you won't have a problem."

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Maytown, PA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Maytown, PA is Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 57 reviews.

    What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Maytown, PA?

    TheDyrt.com has all 123 dog-friendly camping locations near Maytown, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.