s
sorcha A.
Traveler
TravelerShady Oak Campground
Easy access to Lancaster and Pennsylvania Dutch areas. Friendly, welcoming staff and plenty of colorful trees in the autumn. The only RV park in the area that is open year round.
Dog-Friendly Camping near Summit Station, PA
3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Search destinations
Add dates
Appalachian Camping Resort and Mountain Springs Camping Resort accept pets in their accommodations including tents, RVs, and cabins near Summit Station. Full hookup sites with water, electric, and sewer connections provide convenience for RV campers traveling with animals. Most campgrounds in the area maintain standard pet policies requiring leashes no longer than 6 feet, proof of vaccinations, and that owners clean up after their animals. The pool areas are off-limits to pets, but many campsites offer spacious, shaded spots where pets can rest comfortably with their owners. Campground staff at these locations tend to be helpful and friendly, though site levelness varies considerably between locations.
Several dog-friendly hiking trails surround the Summit Station area, with access points near Locust Lake State Park and French Creek State Park campgrounds. Pets must remain leashed on all trails to protect local wildlife. Fishing ponds at Camp Swatara and Twin Grove RV Resort provide water access where dogs can cool off under supervision during summer months. The seasonality of most campgrounds (typically April through October) means limited winter camping options for pet owners. Highway noise affects some campgrounds like Camp A While, which might disturb noise-sensitive pets despite the peaceful stream running through the property. Permanent seasonal campers at many locations are generally friendly to visiting campers with pets. Most camp stores stock basic pet supplies including waste bags and treats, though bringing sufficient supplies from home is recommended.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Summit Station (136)
1. Blue Rocks Family Campground
"According to hikers on the AT, this is what they call Pennsylvania, as they hike through this section of the state. And Blue Rocks Campground doesn't dissapoint."
"Blue Rocks family campground is close to I78 however it is still off the beaten path. It is very peaceful to camp here as you have different types of environments."
2. Appalachian Camping Resort
"Check in is as 3pm, we showed up at 2:45 after a 7 hr drive and they made us pay $15 extra. Sites were average. Caught some cat fish in the pond. The pool wasn't bad, and bingo was fun."
"We started our trip Friday afternoon, we pulled into the campground and they had a table set up outside to “check in.” We did not wait in a mile long line to park and go into the office."
3. Mountain Springs Camping Resort
"Close to other stores and camping center."
"Large size pool for the bigger folks and a walk in pool for the toddlers. Fun activities for all to enjoy. All the campers that were there when we there are super friendly."
Check Availabilityfrom $60 - $73 / night
4. Jonestown/Hershey KOA
"Grounds, bathrooms, showers, playgrounds, dog park, everything. This park is wonderful!"
"Nice dog park."
5. Camp A While
"Not to much to do in the area but it is somewhat close to the Appalachian Trail if you’re into that. It seems like the camp ground always has something fun going on."
"The only reason for not giving five stars is because it’s very close to a freeway. There’s quite a bit of truck and car noise from the freeway."
Check AvailabilityAvailable this weekend
from $26 - $44 / night
6. Twin Grove RV Resort
"Super dog friendly. Many little dog parks throughout. Great pool."
"There is a pond to fish from, a dog park for your furry friend to play at and a few playgrounds for the kids."
7. Camp Swatara
"There's lots to do for the whole family: hiking to the rock pile, fishing and boating in the lake, swimming, mini golf, a splash pad, ball fields, and creeks to play in, and more."
Check Availabilityfrom $30 - $85 / night
8. Echo Valley Campground
"There are gardens with walkways to walk to the pool or the office. Our site 24B was a pull through with full hook up. We had cable and WI-FI. There wasn't any shade yet were only here one night."
9. Robin Hill Campground
"You will get you exercise walking to the pond, pool, capstone or basketball courts. The playground was luckily right across from us up on the hill. They also have a Frisbee golf course on site."
"This campground had been let go with poor management for many years, HOWEVER the new management and staff have really turned it around!!"
10. Adventure Bound Camping Resort at Eagles Peak
Drive Time
- 29 min from Reading, PA
- 31 min from Lebanon, PA
- 47 min from Allentown, PA
- 59 min from Lancaster, PA
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Summit Station, PA
99 Photos of 136 Summit Station Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Summit Station, PA
1011 Reviews of 136 Summit Station Campgrounds
- RRussell A.
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!
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.
Peggy C.TravelerCountry Acres Campground
Lovely campground!
Country Acres is a lovely, well maintained campground. Sites are level and bath house facilities clean and modern. Friendly staff in the office. Dog friendly. Local to all the Lancaster attractions. A complimentary farmland tour is offered by bus and it was great. They take you out into an area of Amish farms and shops and make a stop at 2 of these. The fresh Amish pretzels are amazing!
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.
Roger V.TravelerBake Oven Knob
solid parking place for vans and RVs. road is dirt gravel but not terrible. nice hike nearby
Troy P.TravelerShikellamy State Park Campground
meh
i mean meh with the most enthusiasm as you can live your entire life & be oki not going here. the trails are small & the overlook is fenced high for falls. it’s about as much scenery as going for a walk deer hunting. it’s beginner friendly if anyone wants to start getting into parks but i feel there’s more focus on pavilions & playgrounds than calling it a state park. for anything boating or canoeing on the river it’s a good place to be but your in town so it take it for what it is
- LLynn C.Scout
Old Mill Stream Campground
Never Again
The advertisements for Olde Mill Campground were disingenuous. The campsite was 20 yards from a roller coaster. The NOISE of the roller coaster and children on it screaming was as relentless and unnerving as any train we have ever slept near. There was no quiet until almost midnight. The “pull-through” site left my truck almost in the road and our 25’ Airstream slightly over the road on the backside. The site was not level. The sites were close enough to hear a neighbor’s snoring.
- jjeanne A.Guide
Council Cup Campground
Better than nothing
Small campground with rude owner. Everything I asked about was putting her out. It was cheap though at $36 for water and electric with a military discount.
Guide to Summit Station
Camping options near Summit Station, Pennsylvania span across several state parks and private campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. The region sits in the Appalachian foothills at elevations between 800-1,200 feet, creating varied terrain for both tent and RV camping. Fall temperatures typically range from 40-65°F, while summer camping season sees averages between 65-85°F with higher humidity levels.
What to Do
Fishing opportunities: French Creek State Park offers two lakes stocked with multiple fish species. "There are several warm water fish in the lakes including northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and several types of panfish. Ice fishing is also allowed at both lakes and the ice thickness is monitored," notes one camper at French Creek State Park Campground.
Water activities: Many pet friendly campgrounds near Summit Station feature lakes and water access points. "We had lake front access to put kayaks in and fish which was awesome. Great walking path around lake for kids to ride bikes to parks or beach," shares Dawn R. at Locust Lake State Park.
Trail exploration: Hikers with pets can access various trail systems directly from campgrounds. "Super easy access to Appalachian trail. Trail heads begin inside the campsite," mentions Amy C. about Blue Rocks Family Campground. Another camper adds it's "right at the base of one of the most popular hiking trail, The Pinnacle."
What Campers Like
Natural features: The region's wooded settings provide privacy between sites. "It's nestled in the woods and is very rustic. Really gives you that camping feel!" says Darrien K. about Blue Rocks Family Campground.
Kid-friendly amenities: Many campgrounds offer specialized activities for children. "Family camping has nice camp sites with mature trees. There's lots to do for the whole family: hiking to the rock pile, fishing and boating in the lake, swimming, mini golf, a splash pad, ball fields, and creeks to play in," notes Christopher E. at Camp Swatara.
Weekend entertainment: Several pet friendly campgrounds near Summit Station feature scheduled events. At Twin Grove RV Resort, "On Saturday nights they usually have a band playing on the stage which is really neat," according to Tiffany S., while Mike J. adds they have "a ferris wheel, merry go round, and other small kiddie rides."
What You Should Know
Site conditions: Campsite quality varies significantly across the area. Chelsea B. warns about Locust Lake State Park: "Beware: these sites are not travel trailer friendly...Trees were growing up in all the sites that were available and most of the ones without trees in the way were pointing in the wrong direction for backing into and NONE were level."
Noise factors: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds. Jen from Camp A While notes, "The fall foliage is exquisite. Between the cars rushing by, the sound of the stream is peaceful and serene," but another camper mentions being "Right off the highway with lots of loud trucks and bikes."
Bathroom facilities: Maintenance quality differs between locations. At French Creek, one camper reported, "Bathrooms are absolutely horrendous - Really terrible," while another mentioned, "Bathrooms were just okay. Muddy floors - don't know how often floors are cleaned."
Tips for Camping with Families
Water play options: Multiple locations offer swimming areas for children. At Jonestown/Hershey KOA, "Decent spaces between sites, with a smaller section for tents than RVs. Tent sites also have raised pads/beds for the tents to be set up and have options near the creek for both tents and RVs," explains Marlaina M.
Campground activities: Look for scheduled events that entertain kids. "Fun activities for all to enjoy. All the campers that were there when we there are super friendly," notes Ray B. at Mountain Springs Camping Resort.
Site selection: Reserve sites away from busy areas for a quieter experience. One camper at Robin Hill notes, "This campground is called Robin HILL for a reason. You will get you exercise walking to the pond, pool, capstone or basketball courts. The playground was luckily right across from us up on the hill."
Tips from RVers
Hookup options: Full-service sites can be limited at state parks. "Great place. No water hook up. No sewer hook up. Just electric at certain sites," warns Brandon W. about Locust Lake.
Site access: Some campgrounds have challenging navigation. "Camp sites are very close together. Drives are very narrow. Some campsites are unlevel," notes Hannah about Mountain Springs Camping Resort.
Arrival timing: Check-in policies vary between campgrounds. "Check in is as 3pm, we showed up at 2:45 after a 7 hr drive and they made us pay $15 extra," reports Michael K. at Appalachian Camping Resort, while another camper notes, "Very laid back with check in and out times without giving you crap about it!"
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly
campsite near Summit Station, PA?
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Summit Station, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Summit Station, PA is Blue Rocks Family Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 26 reviews.
What is the best site to find
dog-friendly camping near
Summit Station, PA?
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Summit Station, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 136 dog-friendly camping locations near Summit Station, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring