7 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Adventure Bound Shenango Valley campground permits pets at all tent, RV, cabin, and glamping sites with full hookups including water, electric, and sewer connections. Located in Transfer, Pennsylvania, this established campground operates seasonally from May through mid-October with easy access to nearby recreation areas. The friendly seasonal campers contribute to the welcoming atmosphere despite occasional complaints about staff interactions. Most pets must remain leashed throughout the campground property, with designated pet exercise areas available. Shenango Campground offers numerous waterfront sites where pets can accompany their owners near the water, though the campground strictly prohibits alcohol.
RV Village Camping Resort maintains pet-friendly policies across its well-maintained grounds with amenities that include a swimming pool, playground, and organized weekend activities popular with families camping with dogs. The resort features full hookup sites with 50-amp electric service, though some camping spots are quite close together which can create challenges for dog owners during busy periods. Visitors often enjoy the beautiful setting and family-friendly environment. Quiet and Secluded, another local option, provides a more private camping experience with seven tent sites in a wooded setting where pets are welcome. Most campgrounds in the area implement standard quiet hours and pet waste policies to maintain cleanliness and respect for fellow campers with varying tolerance levels for barking.
"The Shenango Recreation Area is a large campground with some 300 plus sites located on a lake in western Pennsylvania. Access to the campground is fairly easy and about 12 miles north of I-80."
"Most spaces are shaded and if not on the water, close to the water. We took kayaks - endless places to put into the water including from many sites. Easy 1.5 hour drive from Pittsburgh."
Available this weekend
from $18 - $34 / night
"We love being near the water when camping and at Pymatuning most if not all sites have views of the beautiful lake and the Pennsylvania shoreline across the lake."
"We camped on the Ohio side of the lake but spent several hours on the Pennsylvania feeding the HUGE schools of carp at the spillway."
Available this weekend
from $25 - $160 / night
"Mosquito Lake gets a bad rap because of its name. We had such a great time launching our kayak from our campsite!"
"Electric sites near the lake. We stayed at site #96. New Bathrooms are under construction. Campground is flat and great for bike riding. Nice playground for kids. Dog park nearby."
Available this weekend
from $23 - $80 / night
"We stayed here as it was close to my work. We love being weekend warriors and this place is great for us. The season tenants were incredibly kind and you can tell they take care of this campground."
"Plenty of shaded, private lots, and great lots by playground to let kids roam and still watch from a distance. All sites full hookup."
from $57 - $67 / night
"Our family really enjoyed staying here, and our kids especially loved swimming and fishing in the lake. In the evening, we bought some firewood from the campground owners for our bonfire."
"The only downside for us is that we're full-time and this is close to "home." We don't really use the amenities, so we can't validate having to pay for anyone to visit us only at our rv."
from $45 - $55 / night
"No store, but Hermitage and Transfers PA are both 3 to 5 minutes away for whatever you need. Firewood is 20 dollars per tub but you get a ton of good dry wood."
"All the sites around have decent space between them. Close access to a lake. You can bring your boat"
Available this weekend
from $22 - $75 / night
"It’s close to the outlets and Keystone Safari. They have a fishing pond but I haven’t walked over and seen it. It’s across the street of the KOA so you could miss it if you don’t ask about it."
"Close to where we live so it's an easy drive and a great start to the season to shake out anything that may not be working since bringing de-winterizing our camper."
"This beautifully tree-filled campground is a bit off the beaten path, but definitely quiet, warm, and friendly."
"Gated entrance for security; very safe area in the middle of Amish country:closest businesses are an Amish-run nursery and a fruit/vegetable stand."
"Our dog comes with us and we always have a good time. Sites are not too close, you have your privacy and the bath house is close and clean."
Available this weekend
from $35 - $175 / night
ScoutI struggled making a reservation online, you need an account and it wouldn’t let me make one but i was able to call in and reserve a spot same day. I’m traveling to the east coast and just needed a place to pitch a tent for the night. worked perfect.
RangerSimple site with hookups. For the price, I didn't expect much. The hosts were friendly and got me in last minute despite coming in their last weekend of the year. It's about an hour from Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Sadly didnt get more pictures from the campground, aside from a frosty picnic table.
RangerUnique place! Boondocking only. Really suited for smaller setups. My 30ft TT fit fine but was limited. Host was great. Partially shaded spot in the woods. Great trails. Ticks galore. Sadly had a very wet trip but was otherwise nice.
GuideThis place has so much to offer so I’m just going to list them : -Beautiful lakeside camping -clean, spacious and level spots -Boat launch -sandy beach -friendly camp host and park employees -basketball court, sand volleyball court, kids playground and nature center
GuideThis park is off the beaten path and filled mostly with Full Timers in beautiful landscaped sites. But room for overnighters like us. All sites have electric and water. The laundry is small, only 1 working washer, but it came in handy. The bathrooms have free showers but could use a deep cleaning. Big open field for the dog to play
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.
TravelerWe stayed in the fall for one night to visit Cuyahoga Valley Park (about 25 minutes away, as is a Costco). Many choices for short term sites. From the many permanent RVs and water slides in the pond, looks like it could be less quiet other times of year and a fun place for kids (we weren’t traveling with any). Staff nice and helpful but showers were old and dirty, probably in part to the high iron in the water (we didn’t hook up water).
GuideWe were passing through on a weeknight in mid September. Many open sites. Sites are paved and many are sloped. Most are shaded. Our site #41 was fairly level with electricity. Close to huge bathhouse with flush toilets, showers and laundry. High above the lake with views through the trees. Appeared there were many long term campers but just as good for our short overnight stay. Online registration. $45 for electric only site.
LegendWe’ve stayed here several times over the years and it’s always a pleasant experience. Lots of seasonal campers, but most are only in residence on the weekends. During the week we have the place to ourselves. Clean facilities, the standard picnic table and fire ring. Incredible sunsets, lake breeze and nothing but the crashing of the waves to lull you into a peaceful nights rest.
The Transfer, Pennsylvania area offers diverse camping options within the glaciated landscape of northwestern Pennsylvania. Most sites in the region sit at elevations between 1,000-1,300 feet, with mild summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season. The region experiences significant seasonal fluctuations, with limited camping availability from November through April at most locations.
Fishing at Shenango Lake: The lake provides excellent opportunities for catching walleye, crappie, and bass. Shenango Campground offers direct water access for anglers. "Great place to camp, fish, boat, and do much more. I love the fact that you can tie your boat or wave runner right at most of the sites," notes Jim L.
Boating and water recreation: Many campgrounds offer boat launches and docks for easy water access. "The lake is big and you can boat, fish, kayak & canoe in it. There is a boat launch onsite," explains B M. about the facilities at Shenango.
Hiking local trails: The area features several walking paths and nature trails. Mercer-Grove City KOA offers "Hiking trail accessible from the campsite. Heavily wooded and quiet, but not too far off interstate," according to Gypsy G.
Wildlife viewing: The region's wetlands attract diverse bird species. "We saw big Blue Herons, Oriels, Robins, and lot's of little song birds. There are some groundhogs there too," reports B M. about their experience at Shenango Campground.
Waterfront campsites: Many visitors appreciate lake access directly from their sites. "I used to really enjoy this beautiful Campground area... Most of the sites right on the lake were all dry camping," notes MickandKarla W. about Pymatuning State Park Campground.
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention well-maintained bathrooms and showers. "All bath houses and restrooms are handicap available with each toilet and shower set up individually. Really nice," shares Robert H. about Jamestown Campground at Pymatuning State Park.
Family-friendly environment: Most campgrounds cater to families with children. "This was a nice place to camp... Pros nice area," mentions Rosie Lon S. about their stay at Shenango, despite some construction challenges during their visit.
Spacious campsites: Many campers appreciate having room to spread out. Rocky Springs Campground offers "Large sites" according to Judy B., who describes it as "Quiet, peaceful, relaxing, wooded and scenic."
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds in the Transfer area operate from April/May through October, closing for winter. "Open 4/1/2019 - 11/1/2019" is typical for campgrounds like Mercer-Grove City KOA, which maintains consistent seasonal schedules.
Reservation requirements: Popular sites fill quickly, especially on summer weekends and holidays. "This place worked out great for us on our drive across the country. We could still get a reservation same day even though it was 4th of July weekend," notes Kathryn Z. about Jamestown Campground.
Alcohol policies vary: Some campgrounds prohibit alcohol while others allow it. "Just no booze," mentions Jim L. about Shenango, highlighting the restriction that's strictly enforced.
Site selection matters: Research specific site numbers before booking. "Our favorite sites in the Golden loop are #6, 7, 9, 12 and 17. The main loop sites # 72, 66 and 80," advises B M., providing specific site recommendations at Shenango Campground.
Playground access: When camping with children, select sites near play areas. Chestnut Ridge Park and Campground has "a large play ground, and super friendly host. It's also really easy to get to from Interstate 80," according to Jaron P.
Swimming options: Pools provide recreation when lake conditions aren't ideal. "It is beautifully set up with a small lake for swimming, playgrounds, pavillions, games, events, music etc. Level gravel sites with really great grassy areas," shares Clean Slate D. about their experience at Chestnut Ridge.
Weekend activities: Many campgrounds organize family events on weekends. "Great campground with amenities. The pool and playground are awesome for the kiddos... The resort has lots of planned activities on the weekends," notes Zachariah W. about RV Village Camping Resort.
Pet restrictions at facilities: Some campgrounds limit where pets can go. "I didn't like that pets are not allowed in the non-pet area as that was where the playground and swimming beach was. Made it difficult to swim and play as a family since you can't leave dogs alone at the campsite," explains Jeani B. about their experience at Jamestown.
Site leveling challenges: Many sites require adjustment for comfortable parking. "Most campsites were really level gravel," notes Doug A. about his experience at Shenango Campground.
Hookup placement: Some sites have utilities positioned unconventionally. "We had to maneuver a couple of times to get into the 90 degree site but the road was wide with no obstacles to prevent swinging into the site," explains MickandKarla W. about their experience at Shenango.
Dump station access: Plan ahead for waste disposal, especially at campgrounds without full hookups. "There's also a two-lane dump station located near the entrance but there is no potable water," notes MickandKarla W., providing useful information for planning.
Electrical service reliability: Some campgrounds experience occasional outages. "We quickly found out that our 50 AMP connection had issues and after reporting it, a maintenance crew came within 20 minutes and fixed a bad breaker," reports MickandKarla W., highlighting responsive maintenance at Shenango Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Transfer, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Transfer, PA is Shenango Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 15 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Transfer, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 123 dog-friendly camping locations near Transfer, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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