Kevin M.
Traveler
TravelerDogwood Acres Campground
Well run
The staff here are amazing. Quiet time is respected, clean campground. Will come again.
Dog-Friendly Camping near Shippensburg, PA
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Michaux State Forest campgrounds welcome pets at all designated sites while enforcing standard control requirements. The primitive sites require free permits and remain available through various seasonal dates, with motorized sites open from April through late November and parking lot sites accessible year-round. Caledonia State Park Campground's pet-friendly accommodations include tent sites, RV hookups, and cabins, though pets are restricted to specific camping loops. Gettysburg Battlefield KOA and Mountain Creek Camp Ground provide dedicated pet areas with proper waste disposal facilities. Dogs must remain leashed at all campgrounds unless in designated off-leash areas, with most parks enforcing a standard 6-foot maximum leash length. Visitors use The Dyrt to find real feedback on pet-friendly camping near Shippensburg, Pennsylvania.
The Appalachian Trail access points near Pine Grove Furnace State Park connect with numerous pet-friendly hiking routes throughout Michaux State Forest, creating extensive recreational opportunities for dogs and owners. Michaux's primitive camping sites lack restroom facilities and hookups, requiring visitors to treat any available creek or spring water before consumption. Summer temperatures in the region regularly exceed 85°F, necessitating extra water supplies for pets, while winter camping requires additional gear for pet comfort. Mountain Creek Camp Ground's proximity to Michaux offers convenient access to both established amenities and forest trails. State park campgrounds like Caledonia feature modern shower facilities and clearly marked pet waste disposal stations. Rangers at Michaux State Forest occasionally check campsites during evening hours to verify permits and ensure camper safety.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Shippensburg (108)
1. Gettysburg / Battlefield KOA
"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."
"In addition to that, there is a bounce pad, shuffle board, horseshoes, chess, over-sized jenga, playground, dog park, gem mining, basketball, bikes, wood, propane, etc. and they pick up trash daily right"
2. Gettysburg Campground
"Friendly staff and bonus that it’s pet friendly. Watch out for falling black walnuts in October. We heard them hitting ours and other rigs during our three day stay."
"I always appreciate the near solitude experience of this campground as 90% of the sites are RV sites, that are kept away from the tenting area."
3. Michaux State Forest
"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."
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
4. Artillery Ridge Campground
"We 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."
"Kids loved being able to see them and get close and even pet them! This campground is minutes from town and is practically on the battlefield."
5. Twin Bridge Campground
"This is a huge campground with mostly very large RVs situated on farmland. The sites varied. Some were in an open field, others by the stream with trees. We had Site C, which was right on the stream."
"Our kids love the creek and playing in and around it. Some activities, playground, mini golf etc. but more of a relaxing campground."
Check Availabilityfrom $38 - $43 / night
6. Dogwood Acres 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."
"It's close enough to 81 that's it's easy to find but tucked back in that you are not bothered by anyone."
7. Granite Hill Camping Resort
"Great shade and access to the playground. You can let the kids play all day while sitting at your campsite cooking and just hanging. It’s only 15 yards for the play set."
"Nice place to camp me and the wife was there July 4th weekend close to the pool"
8. Mountain Creek Camp Ground
"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."
9. Hosack Run
"This pet friendly campground in Caledonia State Park is .8 miles from the larger Chinquapin campground (no pets), ranger station and swimming pool."
"The campground itself is a small, pet friendly loop and has very nice bathrooms/showers that were very clean and appeared fairly brand new."
from $16 - $21 / night
10. Owens Creek Campground — Catoctin Mountain Park
"firewood hut on the way in, unfortunately most of the wood wasn't dry due to rain the day before and the wood being out from under the hut awning, but we made do with the stacks of dead wood along the outside"
"We stayed at site 28 which is right next to the little bridge over the creek for easy access to the trails and near the bathrooms."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 / night
Drive Time
- 9 min from Chambersburg, PA
- 27 min from Hagerstown, MD
- 33 min from Gettysburg, PA
- 36 min from Harrisburg, PA
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Shippensburg, PA
83 Photos of 108 Shippensburg Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Michaux State Forest
Granite Hill Camping Resort
Free Spirit CampgroundD
Free Spirit CampgroundD
Gettysburg Campground
Paradise Stream Family Campground
Gettysburg
Artillery Ridge CampgroundH
Round Top CampgroundJ
Owens Creek Campground — Catoctin Mountain Park
Houck - Cunningham Falls State Park
Mother Earth Organic FarmM
Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Shippensburg, PA
938 Reviews of 108 Shippensburg Campgrounds
- kken
GuideArtillery Ridge Campground
Great campsite. Fire pit, picnic table, swimming pool ( not open), miniature golf course, laundromat, bathrooms, showers, dump station, gathering areas for groups, playground, and even a horse area and stalls for horses. Dog friendly. Staff was very helpful and curious.
Matt S.
LegendLake Raystown Resort and Lodge
Enormous property, but...
We spent a long weekend for walks in the woods, seeing the fall colors, and all around a huge lake.
What We Liked:
- Even though the sites are sloped, they’re huge. I like that a lot.
- This property is enormous. They have a marina on the lake, a wedding facility, conference center, lots of cabins which look pretty good, and tent sites in addition to the RV sites. Go say hi to the goats behind the store. The property is amazing!
- If you’re interested, it’s a 90-minute drive to the Flight 93 Memorial— well worth the trip!
Things to Keep in Mind:
- The roads getting there are like a roller coaster. This isn’t the resort’s fault, but something you need to know if you’re going there.
- The sites are sloped. Took several blocks to get even close to level. I may be spoiled, but I really appreciate a level site.
- No sewer connection. There’s a dump station available, but just know the sites are water and electric only.
Would We Return?
- Probably not. It’s not fun driving in that area and there’s nothing much to do in the area.
Pam R.GuideGifford Pinchot State Park Campground
We booked two nights mid October not realizing that it's duck hunting season and that hunting is allowed RIGHT by the campground - with kids everywhere. We were jolted out of sleep at 5 am by gun fire right near our site. It kept up for the next hour. In addition, the bathrooms, although clean are in poor condition. Peeling paint everywhere with bare concrete in the showers. For such a pretty site, we had a miserable stay. We left after one night.
- jjohn L.Guide
Artillery Ridge Campground
Got us out of a jam.
Where we were camping had blown up their dump station. Artillery Ridge helped us out. $10. to dump. If we come to camp in Gettysburg, it will be hear.
- jjohn L.Guide
Codorus State Park Campground
Hurricane camping
You just can't beat a pennsylvania park. This one is not an exception. Nice clean restroom, plenty of room. Now, what cost a star. Yes, it rained like hell. When we broke camp and go dump. The dump station was overflowing with sewer. Go to the guard shack to tell them, and find another site. None there. Can I go to an unused full hookup to dump? No! I would have to pay for the site. Two hours later, we found a place to dump for $10.
- nnancy H.Guide
Hosack Run
Quiet & Dog friendly - 20minutes from Gettysburg Battfields
This pet friendly campground in Caledonia State Park is .8 miles from the larger Chinquapin campground (no pets), ranger station and swimming pool. Our site #171 was level, paved, full hook ups and next to modern clean bathrooms with flush toilets, warm showers and outside dish washing sinks. Many available sites with and without services on a Sunday in October. There were a good number of friendly, tidy, long term campers with large wall tents. (They allow 21 day stays after Labor Day)
- TTyler D.Guide
Gambrill State Park Campground
Great Camp Spot
This is a great camping spot. The sites aren’t too close together and the hosts are very friendly. The only reason I gave it four stars is because we are near a highway so you can hear cars throughout the night. But the crickets make up for it by being as loud as possible. With the fees, it cost $25 for a non-electric site and with access to showers after a long trek I was happy to pay.
Thomas B.
RangerRedemption Springs
Pleasant Stay and Hosts
We stayed at Redemption Springs to get relatively close to Baltimore without bringing our 30ft travel trailer into the city. Seth and the other gentlemen I spoke with were all extremely accommodating. Enjoyed learning about their approach to restorative farming and purchasing a variety of treats at the farm store. Beef, pork, chicken, seasonings, baked goods, and more. We booked on Hipcamp and recommend following his driving instructions. Our rig fit fine by tuhe main barn and they kept an eye on us going in and out to make sure we didn't have issues making any of the turns. Lots of farm life!
Guide to Shippensburg
Michaux State Forest's designated camping areas accommodate pets throughout its primitive sites, motorized sites and parking lot campsites. Caledonia State Park Campground, Pine Grove Furnace State Park, and Cowans Gap State Park also welcome pets at their tent sites, RV hookups and cabin accommodations. Pets must be under control at all times and leashed when not inside vehicles or camping units. The clean facilities at Caledonia make it a standout option for pet owners, with reviewers noting the immaculate bathrooms and showers. Most campgrounds in the area require pets to be leashed, though some primitive backcountry areas in Michaux State Forest offer more flexibility for well-trained dogs with perfect recall. Many camping areas feature picnic tables, fire rings, and designated tent pads where campers can set up with their four-legged companions. Dogs are welcome on most trails throughout these public lands. Visitors use The Dyrt to find real feedback on camping near Shippensburg, Pennsylvania.
Hiking trails throughout Michaux State Forest provide excellent exercise opportunities for dogs, with the Appalachian Trail crossing through several nearby camping areas. Pine Grove Furnace State Park offers lake access where some pet owners allow supervised water play. Sites at established campgrounds like Gettysburg Battlefield KOA and Gettysburg Campground provide more amenities for pets but offer less privacy than the forest sites. During summer months, the firefly displays at Caledonia create magical evening walks with leashed pets. Pet owners should note that wildlife is abundant in the region, requiring vigilant pet supervision to prevent unwanted encounters. The winter camping options in Michaux State Forest give adventurous dog owners year-round opportunities, with some reviewers specifically mentioning January camping trips along the Appalachian Trail as ideal times for bringing hardy dogs along.
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Shippensburg, PA?
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Shippensburg, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Shippensburg, PA is Gettysburg / Battlefield KOA with a 4.5-star rating from 26 reviews.
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dog-friendly camping near
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What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Shippensburg, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 108 dog-friendly camping locations near Shippensburg, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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