Dog-Friendly Camping near Newport, PA

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    Little Buffalo State Park Campground provides pet-friendly accommodations across multiple camping styles including tent, RV, cabin, and glamping options. The campground features clean, well-maintained sites with electric hookups and water access at most locations. Pets must be kept on leashes throughout the camping area, with designated pet walking zones available. Several reviewers note the park's exceptional cleanliness and quiet atmosphere makes it ideal for camping with dogs. Nearby trails offer good walking options for pets and owners, though the park strictly enforces its no-alcohol policy which extends to the pet-friendly areas.

    The Susquehanna River shoreline at Ferryboat Campsites and Riverfront Campground provides additional dog-friendly camping options near Newport. Both campgrounds allow pets at riverfront sites where dogs can enjoy supervised water access. The bathhouse facilities at these locations are functional but basic compared to state park amenities. Seasonal campers at Ferryboat are particularly welcoming to visitors with pets. Several hiking trails near the campgrounds connect to portions of the Appalachian Trail, offering extensive walking opportunities for dogs and their owners. During summer months, the river provides cooling swimming spots for pets, though owners should be aware of water conditions as the Susquehanna can rise quickly during heavy rainfall periods.

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    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Newport (138)

      1. Little Buffalo State Park Campground

      4.5(19)3mi from Newport52 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Camping trails, grills to cook on but bring ur own charcoal, giant lake to fish and boat on, hiking for all experience levels, great fishing, lots of space, wildlife is everywhere and there is even an"

      "A playground is near bathhouse in the campground, along with several hiking trails. The dump station is easily accessible. Firewood is also available for purchase at the campground."

      from $22 - $92 / night

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      2. Buttonwood Campground

      4.9(14)12mi from NewportRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Clean and well kept campground located 12 mile below Lewistown, Pa. As clean a campground as you will find. Staff is super friendly."

      "One is along the River and the other is situated near the camp store, playground and pool. This campground had it all! There was laser tag, playground, jump pillow, pedal carts!"

      from $30 - $78 / night

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      3. Ferryboat Campsites

      4.0(6)9mi from NewportRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "With that said they do have primitive camping spots next to the putt putt course and water only tent sits at the upper feild."

      "Lots to do very close to water and many things to do in and around camp ground. Stayed for a few days would go back."

      from $30 - $100 / night

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      4. Riverfront Campground

      3.8(5)7mi from NewportRVs, Tents

      "Great river front location! Could be a bit muddy depending on the river. The train does run right near all night long, but I find it soothing. Bath houses are a bit rough, hence the 4 stars."

      5. Lake Heron Retreat

      5.0(4)12mi from Newport7 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "I wanted to find something close enough to home, but far away from the hustle and bustle of our suburban lives. This fit the bill. There are 10 sites….some are occupied by seasonal guests."

      "This lake was beautiful! A short walk from the campsite. We had the lake to ourself both evening and morning. $61. No WiFi. Leveling was fine. Verizon service was fine."

      from $20 - $240 / night

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      6. Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground

      4.2(57)32mi from Newport295 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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      7. Hersheypark Camping Resort

      4.1(31)27mi from NewportRVs, 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."

      8. Paradise Stream Family Campground

      5.0(6)18mi from Newport1 siteRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Tucked in the woods but near activities. The store is well stocked and also has a variety of sweet treats!"

      "It was also a gated entrance which was nice. We will definitely return."

      from $35 - $150 / night

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      9. Colonel Denning State Park Campground

      4.8(9)20mi from Newport50 sitesRVs, Tents

      "Cleanest facilities of the year so far, amazing large flat sites, dog friendly and great stream right behind the sites."

      "We love the dog friendly sites near the water, the kids and pups play all day! We love how large site 15 is and that it is near the trail head. Bathhouse is very nice and clean."

      from $20 - $38 / night

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      10. Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground

      4.7(26)32mi from Newport74 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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."

      from $20 - $43 / night

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Newport, PA

    799 Reviews of 138 Newport 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.

    • Gary C.
      Sep. 1, 2020

      Buttonwood Campground

      Beautiful Campground

      Clean 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!

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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

      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.


    Guide to Newport

    Pennsylvania's central forests offer diverse camping options near Newport, situated along the Susquehanna River valley at approximately 400 feet elevation. The region features rolling hills with elevations reaching 1,000+ feet in nearby state forests. Summer temperatures average 80-85°F during the day and 60-65°F at night, with higher humidity levels common from June through August.

    What to Do

    Hiking on the Appalachian Trail: Colonel Denning State Park serves as an excellent base for hikers looking to explore sections of the famous trail. "We stayed in site 42... The park rangers had an owl program on Friday night and ended up calling in several screech owls. Very cool to hear their eerie cries in the woods," notes Nate & Erika L. about Colonel Denning State Park Campground.

    Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes and rivers provide excellent fishing spots. At Lake Heron Retreat, "This lake was beautiful! A short walk from the campsite. We had the lake to ourself both evening and morning," reports Camille W. The 10-acre private lake is stocked and requires no additional fishing license.

    Water recreation: Beyond swimming areas, tubing is popular during summer months. "Tubing down the river is so fun and the highlight of a stay here. Campground does have a wristband system for most activities and amenites," explains Heather G. from Buttonwood Campground, where tubing requires a $20 activity wristband that includes shuttle service back to camp.

    Historical attractions: The region offers several historical sites within 30 minutes of Newport. "The historical mill was well worth the trip. By the far the highlight of ours as well. Especially since they engaged the wheel and actually ground corn!" shares Chelsea K., describing the functioning historic mill at Little Buffalo State Park.

    What Campers Like

    Scenic waterfront sites: Many campers appreciate riverside camping options. "Large grassy sites right on the Juniata River. Tubing, canoeing, swimming. Nice pool. GORGEOUS landscaping. Very friendly," writes Darcy S. about Buttonwood Campground.

    Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness is consistently highlighted in reviews. "Bathhouse is very nice and clean," says Casey L. about Colonel Denning State Park. The modern facilities typically include hot showers and flush toilets at most established campgrounds in the area.

    Wildlife viewing: The region offers excellent wildlife observation opportunities. "Wildlife is everywhere and there is even an eagle nest in the park and you can see the pair and often their young," mentions Dawn N. about Little Buffalo State Park Campground, where visitors can spot bald eagles during nesting season from designated viewing areas.

    Swimming areas: Many campgrounds feature swimming options. "The pool area is nice, safe and clean. There is on site wine and wine slushies to purchase from a local vineyard," notes Heather G. about Buttonwood Campground. Several state parks have designated lake swimming beaches with lifeguards during summer months.

    What You Should Know

    Campground layouts: Site configurations vary significantly between parks. "The camp host was knowledgeable and friendly. We stayed in site 42, which was not the greatest layout (electric was on the wrong side of the site for our door and canopy to open to the fire ring)," explains Nate & Erika L. about Colonel Denning State Park.

    Train noise: Railways run near several campgrounds in the region. "Trains are all night," Bill O. warns about Hersheypark Camping Resort, which sits near active railroad tracks. Request sites farther from tracks if noise sensitivity is a concern.

    Weather considerations: The Susquehanna Valley experiences occasional flooding. "Storms with heavy rain in the area made the river rise. We were told the campground is susceptible to flooding, so check the weather when you come!" advises Robin from Ferryboat Campsites. Always check weather forecasts before arrival.

    Seasonal sites domination: Some campgrounds primarily serve seasonal residents. "This is a wonderful little campsite primarily catering the seasonal RVer," notes Avery M. about Ferryboat Campsites. This creates a different atmosphere than transient-focused parks.

    Tips for Camping with Families

    Activity planning: Look for campgrounds with structured kids' programming. "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," shares Jeffrey H. about Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground, where children can interact with through-hikers.

    Swimming access considerations: Not all swimming areas are equally accessible. "Nice for a smaller campground. Only downfall is we have smaller children and we could not bike from the campground to the pool, it was too far and the hill to get back was too big for them to ride up," explains Paula R. about Little Buffalo State Park.

    Entertainment options: Some campgrounds offer extensive recreation amenities. "There is laser tag, playground, jump pillow, pedal carts! There was even something for the parents! They have a wine barn on site with different beverages including wine slushes!" describes Ray L. about Buttonwood Campground, which offers comprehensive family activities.

    Playground proximity: Site selection affects children's independent play ability. "We had site 114. It has water access and is right next to a small man made beach and playground," notes SkywaystoHighways.com Y. about Gifford Pinchot State Park, highlighting the convenience of sites near play areas.

    Tips from RVers

    Site leveling: Terrain varies significantly between campgrounds. "Stone surface. Not to bad for leveling. Our site was spacious," reports Stephen W. about Hersheypark Camping Resort. Most established campgrounds offer level pads with gravel or paved surfaces.

    Hookup variations: Water and electric access differs between parks and sites. "If traveling in an RV you will need to fill your fresh water tank as each site does not have water hook up," warns Adam P. about Pine Grove Furnace State Park. Always confirm specific hookup availability when booking.

    Site spacing: Proximity to neighbors varies widely. "It is a nice camp ground but the lower drive threw spots are packed together. Our 32' with slides just fit the sight and we had zero room for the truck," advises Mike J. about Hersheypark Camping Resort. Research site dimensions before booking large rigs.

    Dump station location: Service area placement affects departure logistics. "The dump was up on the other side so had to pull a U turn, luckily our camper was small enough to make the turn," explains Jen R. about Paradise Stream Family Campground, highlighting accessibility considerations for larger units.

    Frequently Asked Questions

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Newport, PA is Little Buffalo State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 19 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 138 dog-friendly camping locations near Newport, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.