135 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Colonel Denning State Park Campground offers pet-friendly sites near Newville with dedicated areas for campers with dogs. The dog-friendly section features sites along a creek where pets and owners can enjoy water access. Sites include picnic tables and fire rings on level tent pads, with clean bathroom facilities nearby. Dogwood Acres Campground provides a fenced off-leash dog park where pets can exercise freely. Both campgrounds maintain pet waste stations and require dogs to be leashed when not in designated exercise areas. The campground sites are clean and well-maintained, with the cleanest facilities reported at Colonel Denning State Park. Campers appreciate the dog-friendly sites near water access where pets can play throughout the day.
Hiking trails accessible from Colonel Denning State Park accommodate leashed pets, including the challenging 6-mile Flat Rock Trail with 1,200-foot elevation gain leading to spectacular views. The trails connect directly to campground sites, allowing convenient access for morning and evening dog walks. Michaux State Forest provides additional pet-friendly trails within a 30-minute drive. During summer months, Colonel Denning's lake area offers swimming opportunities, though dogs are not permitted at the beach area itself. Most campgrounds require vaccination records for pets and limit the number of animals to two per site. Mountain Creek Camp Ground and Paradise Stream Family Campground also welcome pets with similar amenities and access to nearby walking paths.
"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
Check Availability"We stayed in the Chinquapin West side due to the restrictions of dogs. Not that I don't love dogs! It's just that it can get loud sometimes."
"Stayed here two nights while visiting Gettysburg (short 20mi drive between the two). Stayed on Chinquapin Hill, each site has picnic table and fire ring and good space for camp."
from $20 - $92 / night
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"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."
"It's close enough to 81 that's it's easy to find but tucked back in that you are not bothered by anyone."
"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
Check Availability"Lots of pets, bikes and golf carts. Kids can play in creek with tubes or hunt critters. Negatives: Bathrooms and activities can be a hike. Some areas flood when it rains hard."
"Campsites could be further apart and there's only one bathhouse and it's at the entrance."
"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
Check Availability"This is a small campground with about half the sites being rustic electric back-in sites and the other being rustic walk-to tent sites. We stayed in the walk-to section."
"Several walking/hiking trails directly from the campground. Clean and convenient restrooms. Large sites."
from $18 - $45 / night
Check Availability"This central Pa campground is located a short drive to many attractions. Amish Country, Hershey, Gettysburg, and winerys are within 40 min drive. There are many things to do at the campground, also."
"Some reviewers have confused nearby State Parks with the actual State Forest, resulting in inaccurate information."
"Every January for the last few years some friends and I have gone and camped along the Appalachian Trail."
from $10 / night
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GuideWe 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.
ScoutClean 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!
GuideWe 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.
ScoutThe 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.
TravelerClean 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.
ScoutThis 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. A lake with a beach, as well as being close to the AT. Close to Gettysburg as well.
GuideBeautiful campground. Very recently renovated. Very spacious and quiet.
Great little store stocked with everything you need.
Very close to Hersheypark.
Nicest miniature golf course I’ve ever seen at a RV park. Same can be said for the swimming pool, absolutely beautiful. Great little dog park as well.
They have a very nice schedule of monthly events. They had a few food trucks and fruit/vegetable vendors come to the RV park during our stay.
Would stay again.
RangerGreat campground for families. Large water park that goes to 3 ft. Playgrounds, dog park, canteen, mini golf, jumping pillow, laser tag, pedal cars, gem mining are just some of the amenities. Very pricey during peak season. We did the camp & store at about $50/night.
RangerThis is a small campground with about half the sites being rustic electric back-in sites and the other being rustic walk-to tent sites. We stayed in the walk-to section. A lot of them are labeled "waterfront" by the park site but ours did not live up to that criteria so be aware of that. We were hoping to be truly stream-side but were not that near to it. The bathrooms were modern and clean. The park is extremely quiet and peaceful, probably one of the most remote PA state parks we've been to. The camper side was pretty full while we were the only ones on the walk-to side. We enjoyed walking the roads and little trails around the campground and seeing the old stone fireplaces/chimneys. There was a dog park area on the walk-to side which was nice. We liked it here.
Newville sits in the Cumberland Valley at around 560 feet elevation with camping options in the Tuscarora Mountain foothills to the west and forested ridges to the east. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer highs reaching the mid-80s and winter lows often below freezing. Most campgrounds in the area offer year-round access to hiking trails, with the Appalachian Trail running through several nearby parks.
Hiking the Appalachian Trail: Access points near Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground provide entry to this iconic trail. "Pine Grove Furnace State Park is the halfway point on the AT, and we got to meet quite a few hikers and hear some cool stories about their travels on the trail," notes Jeffrey H., who visited in July 2020. The trail connects to several state parks in the region.
Stream exploration: The creek at Dogwood Acres Campground offers water play options. "Located a few miles off 81, in the country surrounded by beautiful views," according to Coffee&Camping T. The campground features a fenced dog park area where pets can run freely, complementing the stream access.
Wildlife viewing: The mountain forests surrounding the Newville area host deer, foxes, and numerous bird species. Early mornings and evenings are best for wildlife spotting. The trails connecting to campgrounds provide opportunities to encounter native wildlife in their natural habitat.
Gem sluicing: Paradise Stream Family Campground offers this family activity along with many others. "So many things to do here! Pedal carts, mini golf, swimming pool, ceramic painting, hiking, fishing, bike riding, sluicing for gems," shares Jen R., who enjoyed the diverse activities during her stay.
Clean facilities: Colonel Denning State Park Campground receives high marks for maintenance. "Amazing! Cleanest facilities of the year so far, amazing large flat sites," notes Casey L. The bathhouses are consistently cited as well-maintained, making this park comfortable for weekend stays.
Private tent sites: Campers appreciate spaces with natural buffers. "We stayed in site 28 which was a walk-in site, this was perfect for us since we wanted to be further away from people and the light from the bathroom/shower facility," explains Tiff T., who enjoyed the isolation options at Colonel Denning.
Summer swimming options: Multiple campgrounds offer swimming areas during warm months. "There is a pool, mini golf, and a creek to fish or splash in. My husband loved finding frogs and fish," shares Emily from her stay at Mountain Creek Camp Ground. These water features provide relief during hot Pennsylvania summers.
Firefly displays: Some parks feature synchronous firefly displays during early summer. "We chose this park for the nice pool but loved the synchronous firefly show we saw in July!" remarks Stephanie S. about her experience at Caledonia State Park Campground, noting this unexpected natural wonder.
Permit requirements: Michaux State Forest requires free permits for designated sites. "Camping is free in several areas throughout Michaux State Forest, BUT you usually need a camping permit (also free) and you can only stay in designated campsites," advises Jen S., who navigated the process during her fall visit.
Site spacing varies: Some campgrounds have tight quarters while others offer more room. "While the area is beautiful, we were not impressed with the campground. We have a small 19" travel trailer which was almost impossible to park due to very tight sites," warns Shirley M. about her experience at Colonel Denning State Park.
Seasonal closures: Verify operating dates before planning your trip. "The camping area is closed summer 2018 but should be open next year after they finish their project on fixing the park to make it better," noted Danielle W. about Colonel Denning State Park during renovations.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly across the region. "Cell service is pretty much nonexistent in the campground, so keep this in mind if you can't be out of touch (we had Verizon)," cautions Carly E., describing her stay at Pine Grove Furnace State Park.
Activity schedules: Check event calendars when booking. "We had water wars. The water wars themselves did not bother us, however several people did not respect our site boundaries even though we clearly were not participating," explains Michael G. from Deer Run Campgrounds, suggesting timing visits around preferred activities.
Hiking difficulty: Consider trail ratings with children. "We did a very nice run from our campsite out to the scenic viewpoint on top of Pole Steeple (about 7ish miles). The lake is great to jump in and cool off after a summer run," shares Carly E. about Pine Grove Furnace State Park, highlighting the combination of challenging trails and swimming options.
Site location: Choose campsites based on proximity to amenities. "If you stay in lower sites you are near the water and will have to walk up a large hill to get to bathrooms," advises Casey L. from Colonel Denning State Park, providing practical site selection advice for families with young children.
Pet accommodations: Most campgrounds welcome pets with specific guidelines. "Very family oriented campground, lots of weekend activities, great pool, well stocked campstore, playground. Lots of pets, bikes and golf carts. Kids can play in creek with tubes or hunt critters," shares barb C. about Mountain Creek Camp Ground.
Site access challenges: Mountain Creek Camp Ground requires careful navigation. "Camped here 3 times. Campsites could be further apart and there's only one bathhouse and it's at the entrance," notes Benjamin A., highlighting infrastructure limitations for larger rigs.
Site selection strategy: Choose locations based on specific needs. "We had site 88 where we were appeared to be the largest non-seasonal site in the park which was nice," shares Michael G., offering practical advice for RVers seeking more spacious options at Deer Run Campgrounds.
Utility arrangements: Note hookup placements when selecting sites. "We stayed creekside so only had electric. 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. from Paradise Stream Family Campground, providing important logistics information.
Weather preparations: The Cumberland Valley experiences significant seasonal variations. Summer temperatures can reach the 90s while winter camping requires cold-weather gear and appropriate RV winterization measures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Newville, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Newville, PA is Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 26 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Newville, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 135 dog-friendly camping locations near Newville, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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