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Parker Dam State Park Campground, a pet-friendly destination 28 miles from St. Marys, features full hookup sites for RV campers and electric-only options for tent campers with dogs. The campground maintains specific pet-friendly sections where dogs can stay comfortably with their owners. Sites are spacious and well-shaded in the pet loops, with clean restroom facilities and showers available throughout the campground. Several other pet-welcoming options include East Branch Campground on East Branch Clarion River Lake, which accepts pets at all sites but requires leashes, and Clarion Heights, which offers more primitive camping with pets allowed. Most campgrounds in the region enforce standard leash rules for dogs, typically 6 feet or less. Red Mill Pond provides free dispersed camping for those seeking a more rustic experience with their pets. The campground experience remains peaceful even on holiday weekends, allowing for quality time with pets.
Hicks Run Campground provides primitive camping with vault toilets and pet-friendly sites where campers have spotted wildlife, including elk, approximately 100 feet from camping areas. Medix Run Camping Area in Moshannon State Forest offers tent and RV sites with picnic tables and fire pits where pets can join their owners. Most sites in the region have standard amenities like fire rings, but campers should pack their own waste bags for pets as designated pet waste stations are limited. Tick prevention is essential when camping with dogs in this area, and owners should bring appropriate collars or treatments. Cell service varies significantly between campgrounds, with most dispersed sites having little to no reception. Riverview Campsites in Benezette features large pet-friendly sites capable of accommodating campers up to 32 feet long. The region offers excellent opportunities for dogs to enjoy outdoor activities, with nearby creeks and trails providing water access and hiking options.
from $35 - $55 / night
Check Availability"Loved how remote this location was, but be prepared to be a billy goat when trekking to the restroom no matter your site location. "
from $15 - $55 / night
Check Availability"Some sites are closer together than others, campers were parked next to us and had quite a large crowd. We started on some of the hike and wished we could stay longer."
from $10 / night
Check Availability"Only one shower house in the mountain view entrance so it would be a short drive if you do not use your camper bathroom."
"Great central location for exploring the area. Includes some of the darkest skies around for stargazing which was a plus for me. Staff and owners were very great!"
from $35 - $55 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $30 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Not the dog and certainly not her breed. Thank you for a wonderful camping experience!"
"The park is close to the Allegheny Reservoir and the Kinzua Bridge. Very nice owners were able to get us in even though we didn’t have a reservation."
from $51 - $65 / night
Check Availability"For the most part, there isn’t a bad site (although we didn’t see any of the walk up sites, and I recommend not booking a site immediately next to the bathrooms since the ones without showers are more"
"There are paths leading down to the reservoir throughout the campground. The pit toilets and shower houses are well-located and very clean. There is firewood available for purchase on-site. "
from $20 - $130 / night
Check Availability"Quiet, friendly host, big rig friendly, dog friendly, and a little tasting room. We also got to meet the livestock."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"Dog run is ok and have to walk a good was to the trash bin depending on campsite. Will be back. Some sites have concrete patio which I do recommend."
"It is very close to I80, however, there is a 5 mile drive thru a housing development where the 25 MPH speed limit is enforced by an overly zealous security guard."
ScoutThis is our second time staying here. Each time in October. We love it. Unlike most RV resorts this place is small and wooded. Has free Wi-Fi, clean bathrooms and an awesome community hub room for work from home or playing games. The weekends are busy but during the week it’s so quiet and peaceful. Close to so many attractions and parks that are part of the PA Wilds. Would definitely recommend.
Scoutbeautiful site and campground ground. peaceful. quite. and the showers were excellent!
RangerThere were even pit toilets nearby, which is an absolute luxury when finding hidden gems like this one. Clearly marked free sites with fire pits. As a female solo traveler, I think it’s worth noting that I felt safe here. The gravel road has light traffic and the other sites are in “yelling distance” but not close enough where you feel like you have to find a super hidden spot to pee. If that makes sense.
RangerI booked this site via Harvest Hosts. They only accommodate boondocking for self-contained rigs. With that in mind, it was a pleasant stay. Quiet, friendly host, big rig friendly, dog friendly, and a little tasting room. We also got to meet the livestock.
TravelerWe had difficulty finding our original site so stopped here. Decent road access from the pavement, wide open campsite with a picnic table and fire pit. Good views of the night sky.
TravelerWe wasted a couple of hours looking for the site. The directions sent us in circles. Finally just grabbed a random spot for the night.
ScoutChose this campground as a quick overnight before boondocking up into NY. Wish we’d planned for a longer stay. Very nice campground. It is huge, but we were passing through off season so we had it more or less to ourselves.
The bathhouse was very clean. Laundry facilities as well.
Will definitely try to stay here again!
GuideHere is a polished version of your campground review that improves grammar, clarity, and flow while keeping your observations and friendly tone: We stayed at Site #2 over Labor Day weekend for three nights and had a wonderful experience. The campsite is spacious and features a large open area with picnic tables and plenty of room for kids to run and play. Each campsite is surrounded by trees, which provides a nice sense of privacy. Even though there are approximately 25 campsites in the campground, it was very quiet and peaceful. There are several pit toilets located throughout the campground, all of which were very clean and well maintained. The campground also has four water spigots; however, during our stay they were not functioning due to storm-related issues. The camp hosts were very friendly and helpful, and firewood was available for purchase on-site. Surprisingly, there were not many bugs, especially considering the heavy rains before our arrival and during our first night. Several beautiful hiking trails can be accessed directly from the campground. Some sections were wet and muddy, with a few fallen trees from recent storms, but the trails were still enjoyable. For hiking enthusiasts, the Ministry Creek Trail, located about 16 minutes away, is a must-see and absolutely worth the visit. Overall, this is a quiet, scenic campground with excellent privacy, friendly hosts, and great access to hiking. We would definitely stay here again.
TravelerGreat central location for exploring the area. Includes some of the darkest skies around for stargazing which was a plus for me. Staff and owners were very great! Highly recommend for a short or a long stay.
Parker Dam State Park offers paved campsites with electric hookups in addition to pet-friendly areas, often filling quickly on weekends and holidays. The park sits at 1,900 feet elevation within Pennsylvania's Moshannon State Forest, part of the larger PA Wilds region. Fall visitors can expect temperatures ranging from 30-65°F with colorful foliage typically peaking in mid-October.
Wildlife viewing: 30-minute drive to Benezette. A short drive from Parker Dam State Park Campground leads to prime elk viewing areas. "We came to do some elk viewing. About 30-40 min drive to Benezette," reports camper Shirley M. In Benezette, some campers report exceptional wildlife encounters: "Spent time driving to Benezette - about 30 minute trip - to see the Elk. Great experience seeing approximately 100 elk. Several very large bulls."
Fishing: Trout in multiple locations. The lake at Parker Dam provides good trout fishing opportunities throughout camping season. "The lake has good trout fishing and the beach area offers a nice place for a relaxing summer retreat," notes camper J K. For river fishing, check areas near Hicks Run where access points are available. "The river is just down on 555 with a kayak launch. An elk viewing plot is just across from the kayak launch site/parking lot," according to Amber W.
Hiking: Multiple difficulty levels. The region contains numerous trails through old-growth forests. Red Bridge Recreation Area connects to several trail systems. "Can drive to a number of nice hiking and mountain biking trails," mentions Gary G. Some trails lead to scenic overlooks while others follow waterways. At Parker Dam, "we spent time hiking, looking for crayfish, and swimming in the dam," shares Angela, highlighting family-friendly activities.
Spacious sites: Room for multiple setups. Many campgrounds feature large campsites that accommodate various camping styles. Riverview Campsites in Benezette offers particularly generous sites. "Campsites were very large. Pulled our 23 ft and 32 ft campers sideways across the sites," notes Tyler R. This extra space provides privacy between camping parties and room for outdoor activities.
Water features: Lakes and streams. Campers appreciate the various water access points throughout the region. "Swimming and fishing a short walk from the grounds," mentions Travis S. about Parker Dam State Park. At Red Bridge, some waterfront sites include "their own short paths to the reservoir," according to Gary G., providing convenient water access directly from campsites.
Quiet atmosphere: Even on busy weekends. The region's campgrounds maintain a peaceful environment despite popularity. At Medix Run Camping Area, one camper reports: "It was incredibly quiet, no cell service, and I couldn't hear any of the neighboring campsites even though they were all full." This tranquility extends to primitive camping areas where visitors can disconnect completely.
Limited cell service: Plan accordingly. Most campgrounds in the region have spotty or nonexistent mobile coverage. "No AT&T signal," reports one camper at Benezett Country Store Campground. At Riverview Campsites: "No cell reception. Clean and very nice." For those needing connectivity, some nearby towns offer public Wi-Fi access points.
Seasonal considerations: Wildlife activity varies. Spring through fall brings different wildlife viewing opportunities. "During the eight months the timber rattler is a common site along the roads and in the trails. Keep your eyes open and respect them," cautions Travis S. about Parker Dam State Park. Fall brings elk rutting season when bulls are most active and vocal.
Reservation requirements: Book early for peak times. Most established campgrounds require advance reservations, especially during summer and fall elk viewing season. "Make sure there is a site available," advises one camper about East Branch Campground. For primitive sites at Medix Run: "You need to contact the forestry district for availability and to reserve."
Beach access: Clean swimming areas. Parker Dam State Park features a dedicated swimming beach with amenities. "The beach area offers a nice place for a relaxing summer retreat. Several picnic shelters are for rent if you're looking for a place to have your reunion or annual company picnic," notes J K. Facilities include "a snack bar/camp store, and a large modern bath house/changing building down near the beach."
Stream exploration: Kid-friendly water play. Shallow creeks provide safe places for children to wade and explore. "Love hopping the rocks at the spillway, hiking, looking for crayfish, and swimming in the dam," shares Angela about Parker Dam. Near Hicks Run, "there is a swimming hole in the small creek that's great! Kids loved it!"
Recreational rentals: Boats available. Several locations offer equipment rentals for water activities. "They have pavilions to have picnics, every lot that we pitched a tent was always nice. Rent paddle boats or canoes. Always a good time!" explains Angela about Parker Dam State Park. These rentals provide family recreation without needing to transport equipment.
Site selection research: Check site specifics. RV campers should research individual sites before booking. At Parker Dam, "Sites are all paved and many overlapping with fire rings right on the line between sites. Research your site before reserving," advises Travis S. Site sizes and layouts vary considerably between campgrounds and even within the same facility.
Hookup variations: Know what's available. Cook Forest State Park Campground offers various hookup options across different camping loops. "235 sites, many with electric. Most seem pretty level and big rig friendly," reports Gary P. For those requiring full hookups, Parker Dam has "added many full hookup sites" in recent years, though these typically have less shade than primitive areas.
Access road conditions: Prepare for rough entry. Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. At East Branch Campground, one camper notes "Terrible 'slow bumps' in/out of campground... a little excessive." At dispersed sites like Red Mill Pond, "the road in was bumpy with a lot of pot holes," requiring cautious driving with trailers or larger RVs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near St. Marys, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near St. Marys, PA is Clarion Heights with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.
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