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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