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French Creek State Park Campground spans two campgrounds—Hopewell and French Creek—with designated pet-friendly loops where dogs must remain leashed. Both tent and RV campers find accommodations at Ridley Creek State Park Group Camp, which maintains a 6-foot leash requirement throughout the hiking trails and camping areas. The electric hookup sites accommodate pets with picnic tables and fire rings at each location. Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA provides dedicated pet areas with waste disposal stations and accepts pets at tent sites, RV spaces, and select cabin rentals. Brandywine Creek Campground allows pets at all sites with a maximum of two pets per reservation. Well-marked trails throughout these campgrounds provide excellent opportunities for pet exercise.
Lums Pond State Park Campground features dog-friendly yurts and tent sites bordering a 200-acre pond where leashed dogs can access the shoreline for water play. Hibernia County Park maintains pet-friendly tent sites from May to October with access to drinking water and restrooms for campers with animals. The nearby Evansburg State Park trail system offers multiple pet-friendly hiking routes with moderate terrain suitable for most dogs. Each campground enforces quiet hours which apply to barking dogs, and owners must clean up after pets at all locations. Tinicum Island provides free, primitive camping accessible only by watercraft where pets can roam more freely, though wildlife encounters require closer supervision of animals. The bathrooms at Philadelphia South KOA remain exceptionally clean, making extended stays with pets more comfortable.
"There are numerous hiking trails in the park that seemed to be well marked and maintained. The park is about 20- mins from Reading, and 10 mins from Birdsbroro."
"There is a connector trail nearby that can get you to most of the hiking trails. Site was nice. Bathrooms okay. This is a pet loop so be aware of dogs. Hiking trails in park were a nice challenge."
from $20 - $75 / night
Check Availability"well marked trails great for hiking. pet friendly! we love walking here with our dog. there are even a few great spots to get a small creek swim in! It also has a greag picnic area with grills."
"We found a lot of really unique sites around the park. Will keep going back"
from $57 / night
Check Availability"Beautiful campground — lots of trees, pond, kids play equipment, dog park, etc. facilities all clean and whole place is well maintained. Easy late arrival."
"The neighbor’s sewer connection is right next to our picnic table! But, the sites are large enough for large RVs, they have 30/50 amp hookups and water & sewer."
"We hiked the 7.5mile lake trail with our two pups. It was beautiful and along the way there were opportunities to kayak/sup, beach it, or even play on a ropes course."
"The site itself was set back some, and felt secluded while still being near the parking area. Walk to bathrooms and camp store was on the longer side."
from $22 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Girlfriend and I stayed here while we visited nearby Longwood Gardens. The tent sites are spacious and they all border the creek which is a nice sound at night, as well as a good morning view."
"Close to Valley Forge military park, and convenient to Philadelphia by train."
"This campground has 2 small loops, the Lake Loop and the Fiddler's Loop. Lake loop is the bigger of the two, however the “sites” are smaller and it's more open. It is popular with group tenters."
"Large campsites at the Lake Loop. Map is a little deceiving- the sites are farther from the lake than I expected and there are no running water bathrooms. Very clean and wooded sites."
from $15 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Accessible and pet friendly. Great trails and great staff"
"Our go to State Park for camping as it is pretty close to home. Standard State Park with all the amenities you need. We are tent campers/ non electric (no pets/ no kids)."
from $21 - $55 / night
Check Availability"It was a great place to walk with your dog and enjoy the Pennsylvania outdoors."
"Since he was 2 years old I’ve taken my son, and we always have an amazing time, either hiking the trails to wandering in the woods looking for “adventures”."
from $43 / night
Check Availability"My family and I stayed at Lake In Wood for 4 days. The campground is very well maintained , and the staff is very nice."
"There is a quarry close by so you could hear the trucks beeping and the noise from there but that was the only negative thing."
from $40 - $60 / night
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TravelerCampground sites are nice and spacious, bathrooms are good, and there’s plenty to do for everyone. We hiked the 7.5mile lake trail with our two pups. It was beautiful and along the way there were opportunities to kayak/sup, beach it, or even play on a ropes course. We always travel with our dogs and this place has the BEST dog park. Big open space with access to lots of water play. We definitely recommend this spot!
RangerWe stayed here for a night in transit. Beautiful campground — lots of trees, pond, kids play equipment, dog park, etc. facilities all clean and whole place is well maintained. Easy late arrival. Good location - convenient but far enough off the highway. Would stay here again.
GuideI was able to book my site the day before the trip. The site itself was set back some, and felt secluded while still being near the parking area.
Walk to bathrooms and camp store was on the longer side. Firewood was $5 a bundle, but the register wasn't working and they could only take cash.
The hiking in the immediate area was beautiful, lots of fun trails and wildlife. Fishing, kayaking, zip lining, tons of great activities.
The firepits have grates over one half, so campfire cooking is a breeze. Cook up and use the provided picnic table for an easy dinner set up.
The park itself is very dog friendly and most sites had dogs. There is also an off leash dog park at Lum's pond and dog water dishes outside the camp store.
The showers and bathrooms were incredibly well kept with hot water and stocked supplies. If you didn't feel like walking so far, the tents had a spiget with running water near the parking areas.
Reception for Verizon was spotty, t mobile was pretty great. Wish there was an ATM on site though I don't think the cash only situation is a normal one for this campground.
All in all an amazing trip, and I'll be back as soon as possible.
GuideMy family and I stayed at French Creek State Park while attending an event in Reading. The park was clean and well maintained. We stayed in Loop A which had no camp host. The camp hosts were in loops B & C. We had a full hook up site. The water and electric worked great! The campground was well patrolled by Rangers throughout our stay. The bathhouses appeared to be clean and maintained. The quiet time starts at 9pm and seemed to be followed by most campers. There are numerous hiking trails in the park that seemed to be well marked and maintained. The park is about 20- mins from Reading, and 10 mins from Birdsbroro. There are many stores and restaurants in the area for food and supplies if needed. We had good cellular service with both AT&T and T-Mobile. The one downside was that there was no off leash dog park. We had to take our dog to a dog park in Birdsbroro. We would stay at this park again.
TravelerOur first visit (March 2018) was just prior to peak season (lower rates) and we had a site literally 10 ft. from the water! Full hook ups and sites were a little close, but nice. There seemed to be a lot of long term/permanent residents, but most sites along the waterfront remained open. The campground seemed to stress pet restrictions both in the rules section of their registration packet and signage around the grounds. There was a pet exercise/walking area, but could use some sprucing up. However, no one really made an issue of walking your dog around the campground and as the weekend came around, more and more dogs were around.
You have to drive through a residential neighborhood to reach Bar Harbor, so big rigs take care/caution. Would like to try Bar Harbor again sometime.
Guidewell marked trails great for hiking. pet friendly! we love walking here with our dog. there are even a few great spots to get a small creek swim in! It also has a greag picnic area with grills.
LegendWest Chester KOA This is a really nice KOA not too far from downtown Philly. The campground is located in a beautiful part of the Pennsylvania countryside with rolling hills which meant the roads getting there are narrow and windy. A bridge nearby the campground was washed out earlier by a hurricane so we had to take an alternative route going about thirty minutes out of our way. (Make sure you check their website for directions!) There is a lot to do in the surrounding area like visiting the historical sites in downtown Philadelphia, Valley Forge, or exploring Amish country.
This is a typical KOA with lots of amenities and activities for kids– swimming pool, jump pad, miniature golf, volleyball, butterfly garden, gem mining, playground, store, dog park, nature trail, etc. There is a large pool area with pavilion but it was closed during our stay since we were there early in the season. The campground is right on the Brandywine River which is a slow meandering pretty river that is great to get your feet wet or go for a paddle. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent if you have time and as there is very little current in the river you can paddle out and back without any trouble. There is a nice, short nature trail which was nice to walk our dog and she enjoyed getting wet in the river.
The campground is hilly which means that a fair number of sites are not level. Our site (#27) was level for our RV but the patio sloped downhill and we could not use our picnic table or find a level spot for our chairs. Some sites are “premiums” with paved patios, Adirondack chairs, fancy firepits, BBQ grill, and tables and chairs with an umbrella. These sites are really nice, but you pay a lot more for them. Some sites are located adjacent to the river with nice waterfront views, but beware some might be muddy. There are lots of camping cabins and a couple of glamping tents.
Overall, the campground is very clean with no trash lying around and the grass was mowed and trimmed. The 50-amp electric was good as was the water pressure. The sewer connection uphill from our site so it did not drain properly. There is basic cable but since you are so close to Philly there are plenty of over-the-air channels. The Wi-Fi at our site worked well. Garbage is picked up at your site. The surrounding area has plenty of restaurants, shopping, and interesting things to see and do.
GuideWe do Lums Pond at least twice a year if we can get reservations.
Sites are big and all were redone in the last few years with concrete pads, 30 amp service and full sewer. There are some equestrian and tent sites as well.
Lots of boating (electric motors only) and kayaking on the pond and a decent amount of hiking. There’s an off leash dog park, equestrian center and boat ramp. Book early because it fills up fast!
LegendThis is unquestionably the best KOA I’ve been to. I usually do not like KOA, except when there are no alternatives. This one is way above average. Typically these places are all gravel and dust. This one has paved roads, grass and trees. There is a pond for fishing, too. The only complaint is that, like all KOAs, the sites are on top of each other. The neighbor’s sewer connection is right next to our picnic table! But, the sites are large enough for large RVs, they have 30/50 amp hookups and water & sewer. There are cabins and large tents you can rent. There is a playground, pavilion, laundry, and several shower/bathrooms. (The one near us didn’t have hot water. The office people said they were working on it.) There us also a large, grassy, fenced dog park which my 2 spaniels appreciated.
Dispersed camping near Thornton, Pennsylvania requires attention to the region's moderate elevation of around 350 feet and typically humid continental climate. Summer temperatures average in the mid-80s with occasional thunderstorms, while sites along waterways like Brandywine Creek often feature clay-based soil that can become muddy after rain. Most campgrounds in this area remain open from April through October, with a few year-round options available.
Fishing opportunities: At Lums Pond State Park Campground, the 200-acre pond contains "northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and several types of panfish." Ice fishing is permitted during winter months when "ice thickness is monitored" for safety.
Historic exploration: Visit nearby Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site from French Creek State Park Campground. "If you can't find enough to keep you busy at the campground or park there are a few attractions nearby... Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site and Daniel Boone Homestead."
Trail activities: Evansburg State Park Campground offers "plenty of hiking trails" with a "small running creek" flowing alongside many paths. One reviewer notes it's "great for horses" though warns visitors "we did get a lot of ticks, but not deer ticks, thankfully."
Private wooded sites: The campground at Hibernia County Park provides a natural setting where "Most sites are heavily wooded which means plenty of hammock hanging opportunities." Sites operate on a "first come, first served" basis during operating season from May to October.
Clean facilities: Reviewers consistently mention bathroom cleanliness at pet-friendly sites. One camper at Lums Pond State Park Campground notes "the bath house was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease."
Water recreation: French Creek State Park Campground offers multiple water activities with "two lakes, Scotts Run Lake and Hopewell Lake that you can fish, kayak, canoe or just relax by." A visitor describes how "we spent Saturday afternoon fishing but not catching anything at Scott's Run. It's a beautiful location and it was still a fun way to spend the day with the kids."
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds near Thornton fill quickly. At Lums Pond, "Book early because it fills up fast!" Most state parks in the area use reservation systems, while Hibernia County Park offers "sites can be reserved on line, by phone, or by 'first come, first served' self-registration."
Site specifications: Brandywine Creek Campground tent sites "are spacious and they all border the creek which is a nice sound at night, as well as a good morning view. Each site comes with fire pit and picnic table."
Pet policies: Some parks restrict where dogs are allowed. At French Creek State Park, "Loop C is the only loop that allows pets." Similarly, other campgrounds limit dogs to specific areas—"the Yurts and cabins aren't dog friendly" at one location, while another notes "Loop C is the only dog friendly loop in the campground."
Kid-friendly amenities: Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA offers numerous activities for children. "There was so much to do there a pool, lake, horseshoes, cornhole, playground, big pillow and even more. They offer so many activities during the day and text you so you don't forget."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature quality play areas. At French Creek State Park, "There is a very nice playground situated conveniently between the loops of the campground. It had some slides, a bridge, lots of monkey bars, ladders to climb on and the best feature was the zip line."
Swimming options: Families appreciate designated swimming areas at parks like French Creek. "We were there in October, so the pool was closed, but it looked nice" and "There are two lakes, a huge pool that has a beautiful view overlooking the lake" for summer visitors.
Site selection: At Hibernia County Park, "most sites are not level, but nothing a little creative positioning can't fix." While this park accepts RVs, the reviewer notes that "though at first glance the sites don't look big enough to house an RV, there are a few sites that will, including #3, #17 & #18."
Hookup information: Lums Pond State Park Campground received renovations in recent years with "concrete pads, 30 amp service and full sewer." For those needing specific electric service, "Many are in full sun. The bathroom facilities and laundry are clean and modern."
Accessibility considerations: French Creek State Park Campground advises that "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze" but cautions "If you have a large camper or 5th wheel you may need to double check what sites can accommodate your RV to ensure you have enough room."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Thornton, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Thornton, PA is French Creek State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 83 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Thornton, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 92 dog-friendly camping locations near Thornton, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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