Mountain Top Campground near Tarentum provides electric hookups and water at each site with spacious, level gravel pads bordered by grassy areas, making it comfortable for campers traveling with pets. The campground sits atop a mountain with panoramic valley views, particularly stunning during fall foliage season. Sites are well-spaced around the perimeter, offering good privacy for pet owners. While there's no dedicated dog park, the large open field in the center of the campground gives pets plenty of room to exercise. The family-owned operation maintains clean bathroom facilities with coin-operated showers. Pets must be leashed and supervised at all times, with owners responsible for waste cleanup.
Several pet-friendly accommodations exist within 30 minutes of Tarentum, including Smith Grove and Crooked Creek Lake. Smith Grove accepts pets at tent sites, RV spots, and cabins, with clean facilities and spacious campsites. Crooked Creek Lake features a more open camping area with sites close together but offers affordable rates and access to a small beach and lake perfect for dogs who enjoy swimming. Many campers note that Mountain Top Campground's 20-minute proximity to Pittsburgh makes it an excellent base for day trips with pets. The surrounding area provides multiple hiking opportunities where leashed dogs are welcome, though visitors should be prepared for limited amenities at some campgrounds - Crooked Creek Lake has no showers and relatively basic facilities compared to the well-maintained Mountain Top.
"gravel lots with wood boarders lots of grass on each site as well
full verizon coverage lte
30 + 50amp services
grey water dump on most sites
water
open year round
cons
no kids park
no dog"
"We recently stayed at this campsite with our 3 very young kids and dog. What amazing views from this location!"
from $48 / night
"This is a small campground next to Crooked Creek Lake. The lake is manmade and maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers. There is a small beach and picnic tables."
"Nice small, quiet campground near Crooked Creek. Affordable as well. Love the lake, there is even a little beach for the family. Definitely worth a visit."
from $15 - $35 / night
from $30 - $95 / night
"Very family friendly place and pets are welcome too! My son loves the horse rides on Sundays"
"The nightly RV sites are close to the park entrance and are relatively flat. The campground hosts themed events, game nights and arts& crafts."
from $30 - $300 / night
"We rented space 16 late August 2020 and our friends (and their kids) rented #17 on the inner circle, right next to us with the playground right behind us. Great spots!"
"This is a nice, quiet small campground with a small lake. Our grandchildren loved it. The boat launch is a nice size to fit 2 boats at a time. The only problem is the beach is not that great."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $25 - $50 / night
"They have an Olympic sized swimming pool, nature trails, playground, basketball court, recreation hall and walking distance to harmony and all the live music and nightlife that Harmony and Zelienople have"
"Reason for mark down is due to the trains that came through in the night and it must’ve been trash day in Harmony as we heard dumpster being banged around in the early hours of the morning."
Campground full this weekend
from $30 - $55 / night
"It’s very military positive, even includes a reserved place for the fallen soldiers. Some sites are a bit close, the pull through sites are very ample. Gravel roads and level sites."
"Tent site was nice and conveniently located next to the bathhouse"
from $50 / night
"They have a pool, fishing pond and a cloud pillow with the playground next to it along with two small dog play areas.Every week they organizes different themes for bingo, and other games."
"The sites are pretty close together and we couldn’t use our fire ring because it ended up being very close to our rig."
"Just pull in and grab some firewood 7.00 a 5gal bucket full and pick your site. there are 10 walk-in sites with 2 beauties down by the creek, 7 or so observation platforms you can camp on and to many to"
"We wanted a secluded site and close to Pittsburgh. We arrived around 7pm and there was no check in, we drove around for a while trying to find a spot with a fire ring per some helpful campers."
from $10 - $20 / night
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.
ScoutPLEASE DONT GO HERE ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE KIDS AND IF YOUR NOT WHITE..THE OWNER IS A RACIST HYPOCRITE AND SO ARE ALL OF HER CREW AT THIS LOWLIFE CAMPGROUND. JUST BECAUSE SHE DONT DRINK AND LIKE TO HAVE FUN, SHE RUINS IT FOR ALL THE OTHER CAMPERS..YOU HAVE TO BE IN BED AT 10PM..WHAT A FRIGGING JOKE..SHE SNEAKES AROUND IN HER GOLF CART AT NIGHT AND CREEPS IN YOUR WINDOWS TO SEE WHAT YOUR DOING. THATS WHY YOUR NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE CURTAINS CLOSED .SO HER AND HER SO CALLED HYPOCRITE FRIENDS CAN SEE WHAT YOUR DOING..WE USED TO BE UP THERE UNTIL WE SAW HOW SHE TREATED AND TALKED ABOUT THE POOR LITTLE BLACK KIDS..ESPECIALLY ON CHRISTMAS IN JULY, SHE BOUGHT TOYS FOR EVERY WHITE KID UP THERE WHILE SHE WATCHED THE LITTLE BLACK KIDS CRY THEIR EYES OUT BECAUSE THEY WERE 10 MINUTES LATE TO GET THEIR GIFTS..SHE IS A WHICH IN DISQUISE..EVERY KID GOT TO RIDE THE WAGON WITH SANTA AND WHEN SHE SAW YHE BLACK KIDS ,THEY JUST PASSED THEM UP LIKE THEY DIDNT EVEN SEE THEM...HOW CRUEL CAN SOMEONE BE🤬🤬BUT THEN AGAIN, ITS HER ,SHE HATES PEOPLE HAVING FUN UP THERE.DONT DRINK AFTER HER HRS .DONT PLAY MUSIC AFTER HER HRS..DONT DO SHIT UP THERE UNLESS YOU WANT KICKED OUT THE NEXT DAY...I NEVER SEEN ANYONE SO CRUEL AND HEARTLESS
....THERES A FEW OTHER CAMPGROUNDS AROUND THE BEND .PLEASE GO THERE IF YOU DONT WANT TO CAMP IN A PRISON CAMPGROUND....SHE'LL NEVER CHANGE..MAYBE UF YOYR WHITE, SHELL BE NICE 🤣🤣🤣AND YOU WOLNT GET KICKED OUT..
TravelerStayed the weekend for the first time and it wasn’t bad! There were kids playing at sites nearby but that was all the noise, highway noise at all! I like how they have a spot for your tent with a picnic table and fire ring. I was in my rooftop tent on my truck so I wish the parking spot went back a little deeper for a little more privacy. But it was nice that there was bathrooms and showers within a 1 minute walk from the site! Also it says on here there is no AT&T signal, that’s not true…it’s not great but there is a bar or 2 at times!
ScoutThe park is beautiful, unlevel shade sites; is challenging to get the trailer level. unfortunately, the bathhouses are neglected, dark and full of mildew inside the showers. The park really needs to upgrade the bathhouses. The park itself is very nice and offers a lot of opportunities for outdoor exploration and hiking.
GuideThis is more a campground for RVs then tents or even roof top tents. Place is clean and the sites 90% of them are in the open. Very little shade. Travis runs the place and very nice and accommodating. Fire wood is 20 dollars for a massive amount.
ScoutSpent three nights there in August Mid-week. Was pretty quiet but was clean and nicely taken care of. No mosquitos or bugs at night. Nice walking paths. Pool, hot tub, outdoor showers all very nice.
ScoutAdvertised as a family camp but very far from it. I’ve watched this camp progressively get worse as the years go on, over priced camp with zero efforts to make anything worthwhile, run down play grounds, broken toilet paper roll holders in the bathrooms of the shower house, roads that make you feel like your off road. Owner plans “events” and then wants campers to pay for overpriced food. The owner complains nobody comes to events anymore but barely comes to them herself. The owner is VERY money hungry! And most importantly it’s home to a sex offender who the owner cherishes dearly.
It’s a shame to see how many people realized how terrible this camp was and are selling their camps because of it. The owner should open her eyes and realize she’s the reason people don’t want to be there anymore !!!
ScoutWe are here for a month and it feels like we have the place to ourselves!
ScoutCant have no fun or drink.kids get yelled at all the time..owner sneaks around looking in campers at night..they watch every thing you do. Then they throw you out because your having to much fun. Or your up after 10pm..what a joke....please dont do nothing wrong.because.youll be on the shitlist...they are very very racist ,dont ever take a black child or try to get a place to stay or even put a tent up ,cause if your Black ,they tell you their is no room for u or a tent..STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE,ITS A BUNCH OF HYPOCRITES AND THEY DONT WANT NO BLACS IN THEIR CAMP GROOUND AT ALL..GO UP THE ROAD..THEY ARE NICER THERE...
Camping areas near Tarentum sit along the Allegheny River valley with elevations ranging from 750 to 1,200 feet. The region features rolling hills and wooded terrain with late summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F. Most campgrounds remain open from April through October, though Mountain Top Campground offers year-round access with winter electrical service.
Kayaking at Crooked Creek Lake: Located 25 minutes from Tarentum, the lake provides calm waters ideal for beginners. "The lake is great for kayaking or small boats. We fish and kayak the creek opposite the lake," notes Jennifer P. from Crooked Creek Lake.
Hiking woodland trails: The terrain around Tarentum offers multiple walking paths through deciduous forest. "The hiking trails are in excellent condition and the park keeps them clear of fallen debris," says Jim L. about the trails near Raccoon Creek State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Anglers can find multiple spots within 30 minutes of Tarentum. "I don't doubt there's fish and it's really pretty in the backdrop," mentions James B. from Mountain Top Campground. At Keystone State Park, campers report "the lake is great for fishing with plenty of hiking trails."
Panoramic vistas: The elevation changes around Tarentum create notable viewpoints. "You come up a winding road and emerge atop the mountain. It's cute. Wide open grass land with sites around the perimeter. Half a dozen of them (premium) are at the edge and have a nice view to the hills beyond," shares Jennifer H. about Mountain Top Campground.
Proximity to Pittsburgh: Many campers value the short drive to urban attractions. "20 minutes to Pittsburgh staff friendly and very helpful," notes Doreen C. Sites at Bear Run offer "pull through sites for larger RVs" and remain "Family Friendly Friendly!" according to Terra B.
Affordability: Budget-conscious campers find value at several locations. "Affordable as well. Love the lake, there is even a little beach for the family," Amanda says about Crooked Creek Lake. Sites typically range from $25-45 per night with electric hookups.
Site placement considerations: Layout varies significantly between campgrounds. At Keystone State Park, "there are 2 campgrounds in the park, the hillside one and the one on the lake. The lakeside one is a glorified trailer park and is packed during the summer with no privacy," warns Matt R. The hillside campground "doesn't get near the crowds and it set in the woods."
Shower facilities vary: While Mountain Top offers coin-operated showers, other campgrounds have different arrangements. "Showers really need an update. There are no shower heads," notes a camper at Madison-Pittsburgh S.E. KOA. Check facilities before booking, especially for longer stays.
Access challenges: Some campgrounds have tricky approaches. "The hardest part is finding it. The roads get narrow so if in an RV call them for the easiest way in," advises Corey L. about Mountain Top Campground. At Crooked Creek, "Don't pass the drive coming in. We had to drive few miles to get looped back," cautions Keith.
Playgrounds and activities: When traveling with children, choose campgrounds with kid-friendly features. "My son loves the horse rides on Sundays" at Bear Run Campground, shares Jeani B. This campground also offers "a swimming pool and playground for the kids."
Swimming options: Several dog-friendly campgrounds near Tarentum include water access. Keystone State Park has a "designated swimming area" that "attracts a lot of people in the summer." For less crowded options, Indian Brave Campground features "an Olympic sized swimming pool, nature trails, playground, basketball court."
Choose off-peak times: For quieter family camping, consider timing. "We stayed at this camp ground for our first experience camping! Quiet and friendly place!" reports Sandra F. about Bear Run Campground. Weekday visits typically offer more space and less competition for facilities.
Leveling challenges: Several campgrounds require extra preparation for RVs. "We couldn't use our fire ring because it ended up being very close to our rig," notes Patience W. from Madison-Pittsburgh KOA. She adds, "I couldn't get it level with my Anderson levelers it was pretty slopped."
Site selection for privacy: RVers seeking space should research specific loops. At Indian Brave Campground, "They escorted us to our campsite (which was larger than most) and made sure we had plenty of help getting backed in and set up!" shares Jon H., adding "even though you were close to your neighbors it didn't feel like it to us!"
Full hookup limitations: Not all sites offer complete connections. At Mountain Top, "There are no full-hookup sites…yet! They are currently working on having full-hookup sites throughout the campsite," according to a camper. However, they note "grey water hookup so you don't have to unpack and use your own!" makes the setup workable for shorter stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Tarentum, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Tarentum, PA is Mountain Top Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Tarentum, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 63 dog-friendly camping locations near Tarentum, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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