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Kentuck Campground at Ohiopyle State Park accommodates pets within its tent, RV, cabin, yurt, and glamping sites, making it a central option for dog owners traveling near Vanderbilt. The campground enforces standard leash policies while providing dedicated areas for pet relief. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Mill Run, located in nearby Mill Run, also welcomes pets throughout its accommodation types including cabins and RV sites. Staff at both locations are generally accommodating to campers with pets, though Jellystone can become extremely crowded during peak seasons with limited space between sites. The Blue Canoe RV Resort in Connellsville permits pets with clean facilities and riverside camping, though recent management changes have resulted in mixed experiences with some guests noting unfriendly staff and seasonal campers.
The Great Allegheny Passage trail offers excellent dog-walking opportunities directly adjacent to several campgrounds in the region, particularly at The Blue Canoe RV Resort where the trail runs through the property. Pets should be kept leashed on trails due to wildlife encounters and other trail users. During summer months, the Youghiogheny River provides cooling water access for dogs at several campgrounds, though water conditions vary seasonally. Most campgrounds in the Vanderbilt area feature gravel sites that can be hard on paw pads during hot weather. Laurel Hill State Park Campground provides pet-friendly cabin options with more space between sites for dogs that need additional room to relax. Pet owners should note that while firewood is provided at most locations, proper disposal stations for pet waste are inconsistently available and should be confirmed before arrival.
"This camp was laid out very well and had plenty of maps and trails, as well as daily activities. They have a small amphitheater with easy access, a dump and recycling area."
"Aside from the rock water slide, which is burned into the kid's memories, there's great, easy hiking trails and a pet-friendly campsite."
from $24 - $80 / night
Check Availability"We ended with a very private tent site with no amenities but around the corner from a pavilion with an outside washing station and flush toilets."
"ask for with 2 swimming pools. 4 water slides ,tractor rides ,fire truck rides and a train ride alongside the free activities for the kids there is allways something fun to do and only a few minute drive"
from $115 - $750 / night
Check Availability"This was our first big trip with two large dogs and it did not disappoint. It was relaxing and quiet with large spots to space out in. Wifi was good enough to work and stream Netflix."
"I was traveling alone and was looking for something about an hour away when I used my Dyrt app to locate a recommended campground. Benner’s popped up near Ohiopyle State Park."
"Located on the Youghiogheny River. Many full hookups, great play ground for the kids. New pool, but not open when we stayed."
"The GAP trail rolls right through the middle of this traditional KOA campground."
from $25 - $999999 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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
Check Availability"We were very close to the state park and all activities there."
"There is one spot with a flushable toilet and it’s a bit of a walk. The pit toilets are actually pretty ok. The showers could use some TLC as well."
"Stayed 3 nights because I wanted to be centrally located to the he Flight 93 Memorial and Falling Water (about 30 miles to each). The non pet section is heavily wooded and very shady."
"The pet loop was essentially a field with trees around it. The none pet loop was in the trees and so you sometimes had more space and sometimes were right beside you."
from $24 - $64 / night
Check Availability"Very large tent site and surrounded by woods. Not close to your neighbor like most campgrounds. Peaceful! Van Life sites are tucked away in the woods for privacy. Open fields for large groups."
"The campground is dog friendl, which is always a plus. They just added a disc golf course to the campground as well. We are already planning another trip back!"
from $16 - $45 / night
Check Availability"Pets are allowed but must be kept on a leash. There are gravel pull-ins for the sites, there are a couple of pull through sites for RVs."
"Many hiking trails of all sizes and kept clear. My dog is mostly weenie dog, and his little legs made it everywhere. Also had 12yr old son with me and he had a great time."
from $25 - $48 / night
Check Availability
GuideThis campground checks all our boxes. Beautiful scenery, quiet location, spacious campsites, full RV hookups, well-placed fire rings, dog park, nice large bathhouses, polite staff, and Wi-Fi that works.
This is located about an hour away from my home, so we plan on making this our go-to for quick camping getaways throughout the year.
Highly recommended. Definitely worth checking out.
GuidePreface: if your main objective is activities for children, you have come to the right place. This place is loud and full of kids.
We booked a site but chose not to pay to select which one. All the pictures looked great! We ended up on a grassy hill in the back. The spot was so unlevel there were 19 inches between my bottom step and the ground. This site was the same price as level ones closer to activities.
Also bathrooms were outdated. They had older residential toilets that plugged constantly. The day we left 2 of the 3 in our nearest bathroom were out of order.
Aside from all the above, the Dog Park is awesome. It’s the size of a real, normal dog park. The ice cream on site is also a nice perk.
RangerThis may be the first campground I give a 10 out of 10! All the amenities your could want, it's clean, sites are leveled, it's maintained beautifully, there are cows in the distance, fully stocked store, friendly staff. Laundry, bathrooms, fairly spacious sites, a pool, dog park. Very, very nice.
GuideNew Germany State Park is situated in Garrett County Maryland. The park has a small lake, a few trails, and two camping loops. The Hemlock loop- the only loop that allows pets, is smaller and is mostly made for tent camping, though one site has electricity, but only big enough for a teardrop camper. There is a bathroom with a hot shower. The problems with the Hemlock loop is the proximity to the other campers. Our neighbors were loud, their kids were louder and their dog was ear- splitting loud. The tent pads are varied in size with sites 52, 53 and 57 being just big enough for a large tent and not much else. Every site has a large picnic table ( that is impressively hard to move) and a fire ring. Some sites are not very level, not not as much that your rolling out of bed in your sleep. There is water, but just at the bathroom area. This makes sense since the loop itself is very small. Deer are dense in these parts, and bears frequent the area. Summer temps usually do not get as nice 85max most of the summer. There is also cross country skiing in the winter. Despite the smaller sites, the Hemlock loop is frequently full, as is the non pet loop, which can accommodate larger tents and RV’s., but no pets.
ScoutVery conveniently located off the interstate. Follow the signs to the campground NOT the GPS in order to avoid some narrow and sharp turn roads. Staff were super friendly! Front desk staff were knowledgeable and and helpful. We had some issues with our power, and Larry was at our site within minutes to fix it. Big open dog park! There are only a few shaded spots. Spot width was a little narrow where we stayed (on the hill), but perfect for a quick overnight stay. Bathrooms were fairly clean, laundry was nice. The pool looked very well maintained.
TravelerI was the only tenter at the time of my stay; had the whole place to myself. The sites are spread far apart and wooded. Table and fire rings are at each site. They have a brand new bath house which was spotless and a well kept dog park for the furs. If desired, there is a group campsite and the use of a pavilion too. The camp store if beautiful and has everything in it should you forget something. I’ll definitely be back.
GuideStayed 3 nights because I wanted to be centrally located to the he Flight 93 Memorial and Falling Water (about 30 miles to each). The non pet section is heavily wooded and very shady. The pet section is more of a loop set up with some trees. The no pet section had no, zero, zilch cell service so my stay was super quiet. Site 173 was easy to back into and had a large picnic area with a fire ring next to the brook. There is a lake with a small beach and a boat launch and numerous hiking trails. The park will s very nice pretty and during the week fairly empty. I would recommend
Scoutnice campsite the closest to Pittsburg that i found. 35 mins
pros
amazing views at this mountain top campsite
45 per night for me ymmv
clean campgrounds
level 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 park
no cable hookups
moderate wi-fi (to be expected)
no black sewer hookup (does have dump station and honey wagon)
RangerThere are two main loops in this campground. One that is pet friendly and more of a pitch-your-tent-in-the-yard thing and another that is pet-free and wooded. We didn't realize and stayed in the first one. Dogs were barking at all hours and there's no privacy. We drove through the other one and it looks so much nicer. Campsites more spread out with trees in between and way quieter. Will definitely stay there if we return.
Vanderbilt, Pennsylvania sits in the Laurel Highlands region at approximately 1,200 feet above sea level, experiencing cool summer nights even when daytime temperatures reach the 80s. Many campgrounds near Vanderbilt connect directly to the Great Allegheny Passage trail, with several offering primitive sites for those seeking a more rustic camping experience alongside full-hookup options.
Disc golf course access: Tall Oaks Campground recently added a disc golf course on their property, perfect for campers wanting recreational options without leaving the campground. According to Indy A., "The stargazing opportunities are amazing here. We stayed in a tent site and they accommodate up to 10 people, so they are very large."
Fishing opportunities: Benner's Meadow Run RV Campground maintains a well-stocked fishing pond where success rates are high, especially for younger anglers. "Kids had a great time and lots of activities for them to do!" notes Tom C. Many families report catching fish within minutes of casting.
Water recreation: Laurel Hill State Park Campground offers multiple water-based activities in a single location. "The beaches were great. We went canoeing on the lake," shares Kate D. Kayak rentals cost just $15 per hour, making it an affordable option compared to other rental facilities in the region.
Local attractions: Visit historic sites within a short drive of Vanderbilt area campgrounds. "We stayed for 2 nights while we visited Fallingwater and the Flight 93 Memorial. We should have stayed another night so we could visit Fort Necessity NP just down the road but ran out of time," reports Tim & Nancy C. from Benner's Meadow Run.
Privacy between sites: Tall Oaks Campground offers unusually spacious tent sites compared to other campgrounds in the region. "The campground has showers and portopotties. The space is so open and some of the spaces are remote, so campers can feel very alone," says Kate W. This makes it particularly suitable for groups wanting their own space.
Water slide variety: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Mill Run has expanded their water recreation facilities beyond what's mentioned in most guidebooks. "Mill run by far the best yogi bear/campground we have been to. Second time we have been & they have upgraded the water slides 4 huge slides plus big splash pad with little slide for smaller kids & the original 2 big water slides in woods," reports Erik W.
Trail accessibility: The Blue Canoe RV Resort (formerly Uniontown KOA) offers direct access to the Great Allegheny Passage trail right through the property. "The GAP trail rolls right through the middle of this traditional KOA campground... for through riders on the trail there is a special place to camp, close to the west-bound entrance," explains Shari G. The campground includes dedicated hammock poles specifically for trail users.
Night sky viewing: Several campgrounds near Vanderbilt are located away from light pollution, with some even featuring dedicated stargazing areas. "The star gazing platform leaves a lot to be desired and is in need of repair," mentions Joni P. about Benner's Meadow Run, indicating that while the feature exists, maintenance varies by campground.
Road noise considerations: Donegal Campground provides affordable camping but sits near the Pennsylvania Turnpike. "The only thing I can say about this campground that made me not give it 5 stars is, the highway noise. It's located right off the highway so the traffic noise is a little loud," explains Theresa T. Several other campgrounds in the region also experience road noise.
Bathroom facility quality: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. At Scarlett Knob Campground, "The only thing that I was unimpressed with was the bathrooms/showers. I felt dirtier after showering," notes Elena J. However, Benner's Meadow Run gets praise for their newer facilities: "They have a new bath house which is personal bathroom style and very nice."
Site levelness challenges: Several campgrounds built on hillsides have issues with uneven sites. At Madison-Pittsburgh S.E. KOA, "I couldn't get it level with my Anderson levelers it was pretty slopped. On my way out I heard they were having someone come in to level the sites," reports Patience W. Calling ahead about specific site conditions is recommended.
Seasonal crowds: Popularity of pet friendly camping near Vanderbilt fluctuates dramatically by season. According to Ohiopyle State Park visitors, "The campground was really nice and really empty in November when we were there. In the summer I bet this place is packed." Shoulder seasons offer more availability and quieter experiences.
Activity scheduling: Kentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park serves as an excellent base for outdoor adventures. "You could easily spend a week here and not exhaust all there is to see and do. The town is tiny, so you cannot miss the plethora of outfitters down every street," advises Dave V. The area offers water activities, hiking, and biking suitable for various ages.
Budget stretchers: Look for campgrounds with included amenities to reduce additional activity costs. "We've been camping here for years... They offer a game room, pool, mini golf, a full camp store, firewood, etc," shares Mark E. about Benner's Meadow Run, demonstrating how included activities can save on entertainment expenses.
Wildlife encounters: Prepare children for wildlife sightings around Vanderbilt area campgrounds. "Plenty of wildlife!!!! As I already mentioned, it's close to the state park as well as Falling Waters, a Casino, and a great coffee shop," mentions Ricki F. Evening walks often reveal deer, small mammals, and various bird species.
Playground quality: Fox Den Acres Campground maintains multiple play areas for different age groups. "This is a large campground with play grounds, well maintained pool and grounds, fishing, party pavilions, and store," notes Msmetoo48 S. Families with children under 5 should check if equipment includes appropriate options.
Site selection strategy: The Blue Canoe RV Resort offers varying site quality based on location within the campground. "Located on the Youghiogheny River. Many full hookups, great play ground for the kids. New pool, but not open when we stayed. Staff make multiple rounds, picks up your trash and delivers your purchased firewood," shares Rob S. However, he cautions that "the fire rings are all in sight of each other... not much privacy while cooking or enjoying your fire."
Leveling requirements: Prepare for challenging terrain at Laurel Hill State Park Campground. "The RV sites are on a major slope, especially the pull-through sites," warns Kathy L. Many experienced RVers recommend bringing extra leveling blocks beyond what you typically use at other campgrounds.
Hookup positioning: Electrical connections at state parks may require extensions. "The electrical hookups are not played out well like an expensive RV park with the shared power post on the entrance side of the camper. You may want to have an extension for your power cable," advises Erik E. about Laurel Hill State Park.
Seasonal considerations: For RVers seeking pet friendly camping near Vanderbilt during shoulder seasons, Donegal Campground remains open later than most. "We went to Benner's meadow the end of September. Not many people were there and the seasonal campsites were mostly closed up for the winter. This was our first big trip with two large dogs and it did not disappoint," reports Emily L., highlighting the benefits of camping outside peak summer periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Vanderbilt, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Vanderbilt, PA is Kentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park with a 4.5-star rating from 84 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Vanderbilt, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 91 dog-friendly camping locations near Vanderbilt, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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