R
Russell A.
Scout
Scout100 Mile View Camping
What a great place. So unique! Love the view, and a great experience! There are no hook ups, so be prepared but if you are looking for the dispersed camping experience you have found it. What a gem!
Dog-Friendly Camping near Portland, PA
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Camp Taylor Campground's wooded sites create a dog-friendly environment along the Delaware River. Mountain Vista Campground and Driftstone Campground also welcome pets with designated areas for exercise. Most campgrounds near Portland enforce leash requirements throughout the property, though some offer fenced areas where dogs can run freely. Tent sites, RV spots with full hookups, and select cabins accommodate campers with pets at nearly all established campgrounds in the region. Delaware Water Gap/Pocono Mountain KOA maintains pet-friendly policies across their camping options, including glamping sites. Cranberry Run Campground provides water access where many dogs enjoy cooling off during summer months. Quiet hours are strictly enforced at Camp Taylor, ensuring peaceful evenings for all guests and their pets.
Hiking trails connected to Camp Taylor lead to the Delaware River, offering excellent exercise opportunities for dogs. Several campgrounds provide direct access to creeks where pets can splash and play during hot weather. The Delaware River Family Campground features riverfront sites popular with dog owners who enjoy paddling with their pets. Wildlife encounters are common in the area, so keeping dogs leashed protects both local animals and pets. Temperatures in summer can exceed 90°F, requiring extra water supplies and shade for camping dogs. Most campgrounds require proof of current vaccinations at check-in, and nearby veterinary services are available in East Stroudsburg and Mount Bethel. The hiking trails around Jenny Jump State Forest provide excellent terrain for active dogs with trail access directly from camping areas.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Portland (136)
1. Camp Taylor Campground
"Positives: sites are decent sized with fire pits and picnic tables. easy access to hiking, convenient to a beautiful vineyard, peaceful region, and the most amazing wolf preserve is right next to you. "
"They were knowledgeable about the surrounding towns, their campground, and basically everything nature related. This was our very first night camping in an RV (we were renters at the time)."
Check Availabilityfrom $33 - $42 / night
2. Driftstone Campground
"Pet friendly. We love it at Driftstone!"
"Driftstone is set on a beautiful location on the Delaware River. River Road on which it is located, is picturesque and quiet enough to run, walk or bike on."
Check Availabilityfrom $64 - $74 / night
3. Mountain Vista Campground
"Large dog park. Love the Campground except our site is near a fairly busy road which takes away from that beautiful tranquility. They have camouflaged it as best they could. Friendly staff."
"The staff are wonderful, the whole campsite is very dog friendly and even has a dog park. Lots of stuff to do for kids including a game room. Only downside is the sites are a bit small."
4. Delaware Water Gap / Pocono Mountain KOA
"The site was very kid and pet friendly, outfitted with both a pet and children's playground(see pictures and videos)."
"Also a small pet area. We enjoyed it and would go back."
Check Availabilityfrom $45 - $250 / night
5. Jenny Jump State Forest
"My husband and I Tent camped in #34 with our dog. The space was reasonably priced, but we did have to pay an extra $5/day for our dog."
"Hikes close by. Other campers friendly. Dog friendly on a leash."
6. Delaware River Family Campground
"Leashes pets allowed, and they have a large store on grounds if you forgot anything."
"Only complaint is we got a site next to a seasonal camper who did no maintenance at all. Other than that it was pretty cool."
7. Cranberry Run Campground
"PRO's: Dog Friendly (we had 2 dogs and there was no charge), firewood and ice available, small store with essentials, pay per person with no limit to # people, quiet, shaded, close to DeWG Con's: small"
"A shady spot with a creek nearby and good cell service. They have a pool. The surrounding area/town is really nice."
Check Availabilityfrom $44 - $72 / night
8. Thousand Trails Timothy Lake South
"The campsite is beautiful and lovely to walk around, the outside campground cats are the best part though ❣️"
"Had to move to a new site to get away from the trees to get starlink connectivity."
9. Great Divide Campground
"Very scenic with a small lake, a pond & surrounded by woods. This is also the most expensive campground on our trip at $96.11 a night."
"This is a beautiful campground with much to do around the grounds themselves. They had live music which was actually really good!!! A reggae band. We found plenty of trails to hike with our two dogs."
10. Otter Lake Camp Resort
"We are lucky enough to have a lakefront site at Otter Lake for the Winter season, and feel like we have gone to heaven!"
"There is a steam and some wet areas behind the row of sites we were in. I would probably avoid this section in the summer as the bugs will be bad."
Drive Time
- 46 min from Allentown, PA
- 47 min from Scranton, PA
- 1 hr 11 min from Kiryas Joel, NY
- 1 hr 17 min from Trenton, NJ
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Portland, PA
108 Photos of 136 Portland Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Portland, PA
1125 Reviews of 136 Portland Campgrounds
Nancy W.
LegendHickory Run State Park Campground
Peaceful State Park Camping in the Fall
This is a large campground with a wide array of campsites so be careful attention when you book online, especially if you have a pet because some sites are not pet-friendly. Some are 50-amp full hook-up and some are primitive with no hook-ups.
There is a nice nature center with interesting interpretive exhibits and lots of informational brochures including ones about the hiking trails, bears, scat and tracks of local animals, and fishing. Our site was at the edge of the campground and backed up to Route 534 which resulted in a bit of road noise at our site. Other than the road noise the campground was pretty quiet and was not very crowded when we camped there in October.
Not all sites are level and we happened to book one that was not and we had to live with a slant for our stay. The roads in the park are gravel/dirt and since it rained the day we arrived the roads were a muddy mess which made the roads slippery and there were lots of potholes. Unfortunately, some campers were disrespectful and left bags of trash in the fire pit and scattered around their site which was totally unnecessary because there were dumpsters plenty of dumpsters in the campground. Since we camped at Hickory Run late in the season, there were no camp hosts and the trash never got picked up.
The campground is open from mid-April to mid-December; however, the shower facilities and dump station are not available after the third week of October so plan accordingly. We really like the hiking trails which are of varying degrees of difficulty and lengths. The Hawk Falls is a nice easy walk (1.4 miles round-trip) to a waterfall but is extremely popular so don’t think you will be admiring the falls alone. The parking lot at this trail head fills up fast so you better get there early if you want to get a spot.
You can enter the park from two different directions. If you have a big-rig, it is best to approach from the east side. We made the mistake of coming in from the west side as we dropped down from I-80 and came down 534 and the road was really windy with no shoulder. Luckily, there was very little traffic so we could go 10 mph and safely navigate the roads.
Be aware alcohol is not allowed in PA state parks. This park does allow hunting in certain sections of the park. The no-hunting areas are clearly marked with white no hunting signs on trees and you can also pick up a brochure from the office that designates hunting and no-hunting sections.
Stuart K.LegendWashington Crossing State Park - TEMP CLOSED FOR 2024
Revolutionary History near Delaware River
Nestled along the picturesque Delaware River in beautiful Bucks County, Washington Crossing Historic Park is one of those destinations where American history practically jumps out from behind every tree. This sprawling, beautifully preserved historic park commemorates George Washington's daring Christmas night crossing of the Delaware in 1776, with charming colonial buildings, expansive green spaces, shaded walking paths and lovely riverfront scenery. Divided into Upper and Lower sections, the park offers plenty to explore, from historic homesteads and interpretive exhibits to scenic picnic areas and the impressive Bowman's Hill Tower. Unfortunately, while the park delivers a wonderful outdoor experience, traditional overnight camping isn't part of the equation unless your a Boy Scout or accompanying one of their troops.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Spectacular Revolutionary War history at the very site of Washington's legendary Delaware River crossing; (2) Beautifully maintained grounds featuring mature trees, open lawns and scenic riverfront views; (3) Fascinating colonial-era buildings, historic demonstrations and educational exhibits that bring America's founding history to life; (4) Wonderful recreational opportunities, including walking, cycling, fishing, kayaking and picnicking; and (5) Convenient proximity to charming New Hope, the Delaware Canal towpath and Bowman's Hill Tower, offering plenty of opportunities to extend your adventure.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) No conventional public tent or RV camping, with overnight group camping restricted to organized Scout groups by prior arrangement; (2) No dedicated RV campsites, electrical hookups, water connections or dump station; (3) Park grounds generally close at sunset, limiting opportunities to linger into the evening; (4) Some historic buildings and attractions require admission fees or operate on limited schedules; and (5) Periodic restoration projects and special events can restrict access to certain areas, while the historic Washington Crossing Bridge's three-ton weight limit makes it unsuitable for larger RVs.
Happy Camping!
- Stuart K.Legend
Lowe's - W Windsor
Upscale Parking Paradise at This Home Fixer-Upper
Located just off US Route 1 in the upscale Princeton area, this spacious Lowe's serves up a surprisingly pleasant patch of pavement for weary road warriors looking to catch some shut-eye. Set back roughly 80 yards from the highway, this big blue home improvement retailer offers a generously sized parking lot with relatively manageable traffic, good maneuverability and a quieter atmosphere than you might expect from such a busy suburban retail corridor. The western and southern edges of the lot are particularly appealing for an overnight stay, and with Trader Joe's, Starbucks and several other retailers nearby, convenience certainly isn't in short supply. Better yet, the store management was friendly and accommodating when we called ahead to arrange our overnight visit.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Spacious, paved parking lot with plenty of room to maneuver larger rigs; (2) Convenient access to US Route 1 and nearby I-95; (3) Western and southern parking areas offer quieter spots away from the busiest customer traffic; (4) Excellent nearby conveniences, including Trader Joe's, Starbucks and several dining options; and (5) Friendly store management that welcomed our overnight stay, plus surprisingly good opportunities for outdoor recreation nearby.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) Some daytime retail traffic and occasional road noise, although nothing terribly disruptive; (2) No RV hookups, dump station or dedicated overnight camping facilities; (3) Parking areas closest to the store can become crowded during business hours; (4) Limited greenery and little of the scenery you'd expect from a traditional campground; and (5) While the overnight experience was excellent, this is still a commercial parking lot rather than a destination for an extended stay.
Happy Overnighting!
Tony F.
Guide100 Mile View Camping
The best views
This is a hidden gem, as close to dispersed camping you can get with dirt, gravel roads, large stone fire pits, a amazing views with the added benefit of a five gallon jug of non potable water and very clean port-a-potties. The owner regularly patrols the site and makes sure everything is okay.
Maria Mercedes M.LegendRound Valley State Park Campground
Peaceful Wilderness Escape for Adventurous Families
There's something wonderfully special about escaping into nature where the only sounds are rustling leaves, birds singing and the gentle movement of water along the shoreline. Nestled among the wooded hills surrounding the beautiful Round Valley Reservoir, this rustic SP campground offers families a chance to disconnect from everyday distractions and enjoy a little wilderness adventure together. Unlike traditional campgrounds, the campsites are accessible only by hiking or boating, so getting anywhere here requires some planning and a willingness to travel light. Once you've arrived, you'll find secluded, wooded campsites with picnic tables, fire rings and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Amenities are basic, with pit toilets and no showers, but the beautiful reservoir, scenic hiking trails, fishing and kayaking opportunities more than make up for the lack of modern conveniences. Our kids loved exploring the woods, spotting wildlife and gathering around a crackling campfire at night to share stories beneath the stars. For families comfortable with the hike, I'd recommend choosing one of the campsites along the reservoir shoreline for the lovely water views and peaceful surroundings. Just remember that swimming is limited to the park's designated beach area. Round Valley isn't your typical family campground, but for adventurous families who enjoy hiking, camping under the stars and making wonderful memories together, it's a beautiful place to experience nature at its finest!
Roger V.
TravelerBake Oven Knob
solid parking place for vans and RVs. road is dirt gravel but not terrible. nice hike nearby
Thomas B.
RangerNeversink River Resort
Cool Riverside Campground
I'll start by saying this is a site-specific review (C20). I booked using Campspot and didn't select my own site but put in the criteria for my rig (30ft TT plus truck) and got a 50A back-in spot. The site was big but abnormal. Between the picnic table placement and the trees, I ended up right around 50ft from the electric and water, and the water spigot was so low I could barely put on my camco filter. With the uneven dirt roads, I had to unhitch with my truck in a gigantic puddle (lol). The site was otherwise fine aside from my gate code not working on Day 2. As for the campground as a whole, I thought it was pretty unique place by the river that offered several good amenities and activities, like downstream river tubing, an arcade, bathroom/shower facilities, a small store, little trails, and more. I would say this place borders the more primitive side.
- eedgar V.Scout
Black Bear RV Park
Super clean and quiet
Past reviews has mentioned that the office seems to be closed often, while I found that to be true I had no reason to contact anyone. This is definitely one of the cleanest quiets site I’ve ever visited
Guide to Portland
Campers seeking pet friendly camping near Portland, Pennsylvania can access over 200 miles of hiking trails within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The region sits at the junction of the Appalachian Mountains and Delaware River Valley, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season. Winter camping is limited as most campgrounds close between late October and April.
What to do
Wolf watching tours: Camp Taylor Campground offers discounted tours of the on-site Lakota Wolf Preserve for registered campers. "The Lakota Wolf Preserve is located on the camp and offers discounted tours for campers," notes Jean T., adding that there are "miles of hiking trails and direct access to the Appalachian Tr."
Mountain hiking: Jenny Jump State Forest provides direct access to numerous mountain trails with moderate elevation gain. "We hiked to the point at Mt Tammany for a great view of the river," writes one camper. Another visitor mentions, "Hiking trails with beautiful views you could enjoy right from your campground."
Water recreation: Otter Lake Camp Resort features multiple water activities for visitors with pets. "Beautiful Lake with fishing & boating," reports one reviewer, while another mentions "nice swimming beach beautiful lake with boat rentals available."
Visit Ghost Lake: The hiking trail to Ghost Lake provides a unique destination accessible from campsites. "Nice big group site and fun walk to Ghost Lake," reports Doug W., making this a good option for campers with energetic dogs needing exercise.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Mountain Vista Campground offers secluded sites with substantial tree coverage. "Our site was roomy and serene!" reports Dina M. Another camper shared, "The sites are fully shaded. Facilities were neat & clean, and there was a covered verandah with string lights."
Wildlife encounters: Campers frequently report hearing wolves at Camp Taylor. "There are moments by the fire you can hear them howl in the distance," writes Julie F. Another notes, "The wolf preserve at the same location was just amazing - we learned so much and could hear the wolves howl from the campsite."
River proximity: Driftstone Campground provides sites directly adjacent to the Delaware River. "Easy access to Delaware from campground and kayak trips offered," according to one reviewer. Another camper notes, "Driftstone is set on a beautiful location on the Delaware River. River Road on which it is located, is picturesque and quiet enough to run, walk or bike on."
Clean facilities: Multiple campers praise the maintenance standards of pet-friendly campgrounds in the area. "The bathrooms are super clean and had the nicest showers I have ever seen at a campground," writes one Driftstone visitor, while another says, "Bathhouse was very clean. Lots of kids for our daughters to hang out with."
What you should know
Seasonal variations: Most pet-friendly campgrounds near Portland have limited operating seasons. "It was their last weekend of the season-weekend before Halloween. They offered different activities," notes Angela about Mountain Vista Campground. Most sites close between late October and early April.
Cell service limitations: Thousand Trails Timothy Lake South has variable connectivity. "Cell service for most providers is practically non-existent," notes Jim G., while another camper specifies, "Verizon is 25 down 10 up. Tmobile is unusable."
Reservation requirements: During peak summer weekends, advance booking is essential. "We were in site A22 and loved it... Already booked the site for next year!" writes Angela about Mountain Vista Campground. Holiday weekends often sell out 3-6 months in advance.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby roads. "The highway is a trucking highway so it is not a good spot if you are trying to get away to peace and quiet," notes one camper about Delaware River Family Campground. Another camper at Jenny Jump State Forest mentions, "My only complaint is that the noise from the highway was quite loud at night."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with multiple activities: Great Divide Campground offers diverse recreation options. "Great family run campground. Owners are a blast," writes Scott N. Another visitor notes, "The common area, along with the pool, had a small soccer field and volleyball court. They also had scheduled activities for kids."
Choose sites near playgrounds: Many pet-friendly campgrounds have designated play areas. "Our camp site was great (52), backed onto a wooded area and a big playground was directly in front of us, which worked out perfectly since we have school age kids," writes a camper at Delaware Water Gap KOA.
Bring extra water for dogs: Summer temperatures can reach above 90°F, requiring additional hydration for pets. "Our site was a minute walk from the restroom with sink/shower and water," notes one camper about Jenny Jump State Forest, making it easier to refill water containers.
Check quiet hour policies: Enforcement varies between campgrounds. "Unlike many other campgrounds we've been to, they are very good about actually enforcing the quiet hours at night," writes Dan B. about Camp Taylor Campground, ensuring peaceful nights for families with children and pets.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions matter: Cranberry Run Campground offers various site types. "There are tent and RV sites, some with and some without water and electric," explains one reviewer. "All the sites we saw were nice and level and all shaded," making them suitable for RVs requiring level ground.
Dump station access: Not all pet-friendly campgrounds have sewer hookups. "Water and electric hookups, no sewer but there's a dump station on the way out," notes Dina S. about Camp Taylor. At Driftstone, "There is an inexpensive pump out service available daily."
Check road conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. "PLEASE NOTE: if you are towing or have a motorhome, make sure you follow the directions on the website. Coming in from the wrong road could lead you to a hairpin turn and steep hill," warns Jim G. about Driftstone Campground.
Water pressure considerations: Timothy Lake South has unusually high water pressure. "Best water pressure I have seen on the east coast, unregulated it's over 80 psi," warns Don C., suggesting RVers should use pressure regulators to protect their systems.
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Portland, PA is Camp Taylor Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 25 reviews.
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