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Cowans Gap State Park Campground's pet-friendly sites accommodate dogs in camping area A, sites 1-30, allowing pet owners to enjoy the park's 1,085 acres without leaving their canine companions behind. Additional pet-friendly options include Raystown Lake / Saxton KOA at Four Seasons, which provides a dedicated dog fence and accommodates pets at their tent, RV, and cabin sites. All pet-friendly campgrounds in the region require dogs to be leashed when outside designated pet areas, with most limiting pets to two per site. Woy Bridge Campground welcomes pets at its secluded, peaceful sites while Lake Raystown Resort offers pet-friendly accommodations across tent sites, RV spaces, cabins, and even yurts. Bathrooms throughout pet-friendly campgrounds are consistently clean and well-maintained, with hot showers available for campers after outdoor adventures with their pets.
Pet owners camping near Wells Tannery should pack sufficient waste bags as dedicated pet waste stations are limited at most campgrounds. The region features multiple water access points where dogs can cool off after hikes, including Raystown Lake with its numerous boat launches and swimming areas. Hiking trails surrounding many campgrounds provide excellent exercise opportunities for dogs, with the trail around Cowans Gap Lake offering a particularly pleasant walking route. Firewood is available for purchase at most locations, allowing for cozy evenings with pets beside the campfire. Weather conditions vary significantly by season, with spring and fall offering comfortable temperatures for pets, while summer heat may require additional water and shade considerations. Four Seasons campground features a specific doggie den at site 22, providing a secure 6×6 foot enclosure perfect for containing pets during meal times.
"Pet friendly (spaces 1-30, Campground A), nice shower houses with heat, well laid out beach, beach house, watercraft rentals, friendly park rangers & staff, and in the center of trails galore!"
"Pets allowed only on a certain portion of the A loop."
from $20 - $48 / night
Check Availability"Both RV sites and lots to rent to pitch your own tent, fishing, huge lake with beach, lots of activities for the kids throughout the summer, one of the nicest parks we have camped at!"
"Fantastic lake side camping resort. Best for campers or using their cabins but it has freeway access to the lake and beautiful views."
"The pavilion where all those activities happened were right next to our site (22 with the doggie den)."
"The staff here at Raystown Lake/Saxton KOA are great. They a friendly, willing to help anyway they can, and keep the place spotless."
from $100 / night
Check Availability"Ridge camp is the furthest away from the marina and the public swimming area. However it's the closest to the Allegrippis Trail system and from the entrance of the camp loop there is a trail head!"
"It’s close to bathhouse and playground if you want those. There is parking at every bath house. There is trash receptacles at the entrance to the loop as well as firewood or sale."
from $28 - $200 / night
Check Availability"One of the best campgrounds I have stayed at so far the pond is nice and has a 1/2 mile walking path around it with trees and beaches to stop and sit dog park is big and has a place for small or large"
"The campground is nestled on the outskirts of Bedford Pennsylvania and is a very easy location to travel to regardless of your rig size."
"Shawnee State Park is a very large campground (319 campsites with mixed electric and non-electric, some pet friendly, some not) about 10 minutes off highway 76 and 20 minutes from the Flight 93 National"
"The morning drive started early, had several stops and starts, and I was once again glad that my big dog was along for the ride."
from $20 - $110 / night
Check Availability"The bathrooms are a bit of a walk if you're tent camping but they were clean and well stocked."
from $25 - $150 / night
Check Availability"We wanted to be close to Raystown Lake. Trough is quiet and small. It's really great if you're looking for a spot to "rough" it (not really, but closer than most!) with the kids. Awesome sites."
"Nice small park with gravel drives/roads and plenty of room for big rigs. All sites level with partial shade. Open, but with plently of space between sites. The trails are nice and very sceinic."
from $23 - $25 / night
Check Availability"We camped at Suquehannock for the first time in August 2020 and had a fantastic time with our dog!"
"We ended up with spot 3, which was on a cliff’s edge. So, it looked like it may be near the water, but there was no way down, and the forest obscured any view that may have been there."
from $25 - $32 / night
Check Availability
GuideWe stayed for 10 days in a rustic cabin. Campground is well organized and clean. Tons of activities and even a hiking path. Pet friendly with small dog park. We had civil war soldiers drilling and staying the weekend we were there. Bathrooms are super clean.
GuideOne of the best campgrounds I have stayed at so far the pond is nice and has a 1/2 mile walking path around it with trees and beaches to stop and sit dog park is big and has a place for small or large dogs there is 3 play grounds all different and all well kept
TravelerClean well kept family owned campground. Located a few miles off 81, in the country surrounded by beautiful views. It’s a mix campground of seasonal campers and short term campers. Very family oriented. Very nice off leash fenced dog park.
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.
RangerGreat campground for families. Large water park that goes to 3 ft. Playgrounds, dog park, canteen, mini golf, jumping pillow, laser tag, pedal cars, gem mining are just some of the amenities. Very pricey during peak season. We did the camp & store at about $50/night.
ScoutThis campground is far enough away from home but at the same time close enough for a weekend camping trip. Nice level spots for RVs. A pet area as well as a non-pet area. A lake with a beach, as well as being close to the AT. Close to Gettysburg as well.
RangerThis is a small campground with about half the sites being rustic electric back-in sites and the other being rustic walk-to tent sites. We stayed in the walk-to section. A lot of them are labeled "waterfront" by the park site but ours did not live up to that criteria so be aware of that. We were hoping to be truly stream-side but were not that near to it. The bathrooms were modern and clean. The park is extremely quiet and peaceful, probably one of the most remote PA state parks we've been to. The camper side was pretty full while we were the only ones on the walk-to side. We enjoyed walking the roads and little trails around the campground and seeing the old stone fireplaces/chimneys. There was a dog park area on the walk-to side which was nice. We liked it here.
ScoutSmaller campground, but big on amenities!
Staff was friendly, attentive and the Campground is extremely well-cared for. Sites vary in sizes and are well-defined. They have a great camp store and their mini-golf was just remodeled and a lot of fun to play. In addition to that, there is a bounce pad, shuffle board, horseshoes, chess, over-sized jenga, playground, dog park, gem mining, basketball, bikes, wood, propane, etc. and they pick up trash daily right at your site. All of this in a beautiful wooded spot near Gettysburg.
I highly recommend!
GuideWe chose this campground for its proximity to home with the chance to swim in the lake.
The camping did not disappoint. We always try to book “outside” loop sites so we don’t have “back neighbors” but none near the lake were available, so we took our chances on an “inside” site in E loop. It was great, smallish, but plenty of vegetation to make it feel private. (Some poison ivy around the edges, though.) The pull-in sites in general seem a bit small (space for our two 4-person tents and that’s it), but are well shaded and separated from neighbors by small patches of woods or bushes. The pull-through sites in our loop were more exposed to the road, but had a bit more space.
There was some noise from the interstate. There were surprisingly few mosquitoes. The bathhouse was clean, but showers were not very warm.
The swimming was unfortunately disappointing. The roped-off swimming area was 3 feet deep at the most. Warm water in August, nice for kids to splash around, but not really good for actual swimming. Bonus for dog people: pets allowed on the beach and in the lake.
During COVID-19, the bathrooms/bathhouses at the beach area are closed; porta-johns only.
We rented paddle boards and a canoe one afternoon and paddled around to one of the lake inlets, which was actually deep and had a good swim. But this is technically not allowed.
If you feel okay about rule-breaking and have water-safe family members (and no pets), I would absolutely choose a site in I loop close to the lake. The sites in E loop closest to the lake are actually up a fairly steep hill from the lake path.
Hiking trails were nice. My kids especially liked the rock scramble-ish up and down the stream gorge on Evitt’s Mountain trail.
Nestled within Pennsylvania's Appalachian Mountains, campgrounds near Wells Tannery sit at elevations between 1,000-1,300 feet, bringing cooler summer temperatures compared to nearby urban areas. The region experiences significant seasonal differences with autumn temperatures ranging from 40-65°F, while summer can reach 85°F with higher humidity. Fall camping offers vibrant foliage displays typically peaking mid-October through early November.
Mountain biking at Raystown Lake: The Allegrippis Trail system provides over 36 miles of purpose-built mountain biking paths accessible from Seven Points campground. "Ridge camp is the furthest away from the marina and the public swimming area. However it's the closest to the Allegrippis Trail system and from the entrance of the camp loop there is a trail head!" notes Travis S. from Seven Points.
Fishing access for all skill levels: Multiple lakefront locations offer varied fishing opportunities throughout the season. At Susquehannock, Ian W. reports: "Some site right on the water, can walk right into the lake. Beautiful scenery, be prepared to be woken by bass boats and subsequent wake at sunrise."
Historical site visits: The Bedford area contains several preserved historical locations within a 30-minute drive. "We drove into Huntingdon and found signs to two outlooks which had spectacular views. One was Ridenour Overlook and the other Hawn's Overlook which were accessed from the same parking lot," shares Laure D. about day trips from the area.
Winter camping options: Some local campgrounds remain open during colder months. Friendship Village Campground operates year-round with winter-ready facilities, offering a different perspective on the region's landscape when less crowded.
Clean bathroom facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain well-serviced restrooms despite rural locations. At Friendship Village Campground, Tasha M. reports: "Fantastic Family Campground...Although it was the off season there was still tons to do. The kids played mini golf, jumped on the pillow, played on multiple playgrounds, enjoyed ice cream and went fishing."
Waterfront camping options: Direct lake access from campsites remains highly sought after. Andrew from Susquehannock notes: "Don't be alarmed by the fact that some reviews call this 'primitive' camping-- there are restrooms with well-ventilated composting toilets, potable water is available at the entrance station, and our campsite was very flat, clean, and safe."
Solitude during weekdays: Most campgrounds experience significantly lower occupancy Monday through Thursday. "After the weekend though, all the activity slows down. There are seasonal campers that stay around, and they're constantly working on improving and fixing up sites during the week. Expect lots of quiet time just relaxing during the week," explains Paul B. about Raystown Lake/Saxton KOA.
Fishing accessibility: Multiple shoreline access points allow fishing without needing a boat. Kristen H. mentions: "We stayed here as a last resort site for a spur of the moment camping trip. Over all we had a blast! The campsites sit on slight inclines but aren't overbearing. They provided shaded area and are accessible to the shoreline!"
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in this mountainous region feature uneven terrain. At Shawnee State Park Campground, Lee D. cautions: "Most of the non-electric sites were decidedly not level but many of the FHU and electric sites were fairly level, and we did not have a problem finding one."
Limited cell service: Coverage varies significantly by campground and carrier. "No cell service at all, nor OTA TV. Water is available in the campground at various spots. Day use is busy, but campground is pleasantly quiet," explains Gary P. about camping at Trough Creek State Park.
Reservation timing for waterfront sites: Lake-view spots often require booking 3-6 months in advance, especially for summer weekends. Jennifer R. shares: "We wanted a waterfront spot, and although we booked over a month in advance none were available."
Road noise varies by location: Some campgrounds experience highway sounds despite rural settings. Aaron S. mentions: "Nice campground, clean and plenty of activities for the kids. The only thing we didn't like was all of the road noise. This campground is located by 2 major highways and truck traffic and Jake brake are constant all night long."
Multiple playground options: Several dog-friendly campgrounds near Wells Tannery feature multiple play areas for different age groups. Steve K. notes about Friendship Village: "There is 3 play grounds all different and all well kept."
Swimming areas with varied depths: Lake beaches offer gradual entry points suitable for children of different swimming abilities. Casey S. shares about Shawnee State Park: "The lake and the trails around it are beautiful. Great swimming and kayaking/small boating. The campground was nice, quiet and clean."
Organized weekend activities: Many campgrounds schedule family-oriented programs during peak season. Paul B. explains at Timber Run Campground (formerly Four Seasons): "We stayed during Bigfoot weekend. It was super fun as our family likes bigfoot fun. We started out Friday night getting the offered $12 bbq plate that included pork burnt ends, beans and potato salad that were 'oh it's so good'."
Bathroom proximity consideration: When booking with children, note distance to facilities. Heidi H. from Woy Bridge Campground mentions: "The bathrooms are a bit of a walk if you're tent camping but they were clean and well stocked."
Dump station logistics: Multiple campgrounds feature convenient dump facilities with varying designs. Tim J. shares about Seven Points: "On our way out, we visited the dump station again and got in one of the 4 lanes with no wait. The dump station, as noted above had wide lanes and made the experience an easy and clean one."
Site selection for larger rigs: Choose carefully based on access requirements and length. Gerard advises about Shawnee State Park: "The site we were assigned was easily accessed and had a nice view of the campground. However, as we drove through the rest of the RV park area we noted that many of the sites had very awkward back-in approaches that did not provide sufficient area to maneuver a large rig into them."
Water access locations: Note where to fill tanks when booking partial hookup sites. David C. from Heritage Cove Resort points out: "Clean modern shower and toilets. All sites in shade. Boat rentals. Camp store. Boat launch. Gravel sites. Friendly staff."
Electrical hookup variations: Verify amperage compatibility before booking. Danielle S. notes: "Site 258 on loop D is quiet, but may have been noisy if the yurt and 2 cabins had been rented out. There is a 20 amp plug and 30 amp service at this site."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Wells Tannery, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Wells Tannery, PA is Cowans Gap State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 31 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Wells Tannery, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 122 dog-friendly camping locations near Wells Tannery, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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