Dog-Friendly Camping near Reed, PA

Little Buffalo State Park Campground sits within the wooded valleys of Perry County at an elevation of approximately 700 feet. The park's 88-acre Holman Lake serves as the centerpiece for recreation with boat rentals available for fishing and paddling. Winter camping options remain available during colder months with specific sites designated for seasonal access.

What to do

Hiking year-round: Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground offers 8.5 miles of lakeside trails that circle the entire lake, providing diverse views and wildlife spotting opportunities. "I took an early morning hike on the Lakeside Trail that goes around the lake and it was really awesome to see the lake from all different angles. I also hiked the Quaker Race Trail and that was nice, too," says Carly E.

Historical exploration: The area features several sites with industrial heritage, including old iron works and restored buildings. "The park has an old iron furnace with historical information about it. There is an Appalachian trail museum, which was very neat to check out, and the old Ironmaster's Mansion serves as a hostel and event venue," notes one camper.

River activities: Ferryboat Campsites offers direct river access for tubing, kayaking and fishing. "The ferry here is real, and has been in operation for the last 100+ years. There is a small goat petting zoo, with very friendly pigmy goats and the camp is extremely pet friendly as long as they are on a leash," reports Avery M.

Disc golf courses: Two 18-hole courses are available at some parks in the region, though players should be cautious of poison ivy along certain fairways. Bring your own discs as rentals are limited during off-season months.

What campers like

Lake swimming: Lake Heron Retreat offers a pristine 10-acre lake with excellent fishing and swimming opportunities. "This lake was beautiful! A short walk from the campsite. We had the lake to ourself both evening and morning," writes Camille W.

Clean facilities: Despite the rustic settings, most campgrounds maintain high standards for restrooms and shower facilities. "The bathhouses / restrooms are clean and the campground has a very friendly atmosphere," notes one visitor. Some shower facilities require quarters (25 cents per minute), so bring change.

Quiet atmosphere: Many campers appreciate the peaceful setting, particularly at smaller campgrounds. "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. It was very quiet and peaceful," shares Sharon L.

Dog friendly options: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Reed provide designated pet areas with nearby trails. The separation of pet and non-pet camping areas helps maintain campground cleanliness and reduces noise concerns for those without pets.

What you should know

Campsite selection matters: Buttonwood Campground has two distinct camping sections separated by a local road. "The campground is divided by a local road and has 2 different feels. The lower section is right by the river with several riverfront sites and many river view sites. The upper side has the playground and kids activities," explains Bryan S.

Seasonal closures: Many campgrounds in the region operate from April through October, with limited winter availability. State parks typically maintain year-round access to trails and day-use areas even when campgrounds are closed.

Train noise: Several campgrounds sit near active rail lines that operate throughout the night. "Yes, there is a train track across the river and you will hear them go by, but most of the time I really didn't notice them," shares one camper. Light sleepers should request sites farther from tracks.

Wildlife awareness: Ticks are common in wooded sites, particularly from May through September. Campers should check daily for ticks and bring appropriate repellent during peak seasons.

Tips for camping with families

Splash amenities: Jonestown/Hershey KOA offers water features specifically designed for children. "Friendly staff, very quant, laundry onsite, splash pad, play grounds, very clean restrooms/showers, provides shuttle to Hersheypark, some creekside sites along with access to creek from your campite!" reports Amber R.

Bring bikes: Many campgrounds feature paved roads ideal for young cyclists, with some connecting to rail trails for extended family rides. "Campground is connected to the Swatara Rail trial which is great for biking. The Swatara creek runs right next to it so it is great for kayaking, tubing, etc," shares Bobby S.

Swimming options: While some sites offer direct water access, designated swimming areas provide safer alternatives for families with small children. "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 lake," mentions one review.

Pet policies: Dog friendly campgrounds near Reed typically enforce strict leash requirements, with 6-foot maximum lengths common at most locations. Some campgrounds offer designated pet exercise areas separate from common spaces.

Tips from RVers

Water access: At Thousand Trails Hershey, water hookup locations can be challenging. "If traveling in an RV you will need to fill your fresh water tank as each site does not have water hook up," advises Adam P.

Site leveling: Many campsites throughout the region require significant leveling due to natural terrain. "The sites are gravel and most are not level. They are not well maintained as the site next to us has weeds a foot high," notes one RVer. Bring extra leveling blocks, particularly for larger rigs.

Campground navigation: Some campgrounds have tight interior roads that can be difficult for larger units. "The loop we are in has four roads leading to the campsites. The exit road is also an entry road to campsites. If someone is going to a campsite in Road D you can not pass them when exiting as the road is only one lane," explains James G.

Reservation timing: Weekends fill quickly at most campgrounds from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with holiday weekends requiring reservations 6-9 months in advance for prime sites.