DCNR Home : Pennsylvania State Parks : Stay the Night : Camping


Camping


The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is represented by this colored map.

Where to Camp

This chart lists all camping locations in Pennsylvania State Parks. 
 

Whether you like sleeping close to nature in a tent or relaxing in style in an RV, camping in a state park gives you the inside view to explore history, natural areas and fun  activities for the entire family. If you've never camped, or haven't camped in years, we've got  two programs to help. Our First-time Camper program is for people who have never camped in a Pennsylvania State Park. Our Family Camping programs are for those who want guided, hands-on help camping.

Explore Recreation to see what types of recreational opportunities are available in parks.


Pets in Campgrounds

Pennsylvania State Parks allows pets in designated campsites in most state park campgrounds. Specific pet camping guidelines govern this program and are listed below. The designated campgrounds and campsites are listed below.

Other state parks will continue to prohibit pets in overnight areas.

No more than two non-caged pets are allowed to stay on any one campsite.

For reservations, call toll-free, 888-PA-PARKS, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. These parks have limited pet sites so be sure to specify to the call center operator that you desire a campsite that permits pets.

Explore Where to Camp for a listing of parks that allow pets campgrounds.

What is a Pet?

A house pet is limited to any dog or cat commonly kept in household captivity, or a caged pet.

A caged pet is an animal that will not be released from its cage for the duration of its stay in the state park, like birds and hamsters.

A pet is not livestock, like horses, cows, pigs, sheep and goats.

A pet is not a vicious or dangerous animal, like any animal with a history of attacking without provocation.

Pet Camping Guidelines

  • Responsible ownership is the key!
  • Pet owners must pick up after their pets and dispose of pet waste properly.
  • Pets can only be brought into a designated campground if caged, contained in a vehicle, trailer, motor home or camper, or on a leash. Inquire at the park office about specific leash length requirements.
  • Dogs and cats must have current rabies vaccinations. A pet must display a valid license, if required in its home state.
  • Pets must not be left unattended, except when using a restroom or visiting a park building for a brief period of time. When doing so, the pet must be kept in a camping unit or vehicle, weather conditions permitting.
  • Pets must be under physical control at all times.
  • Pets may not create a disturbance or nuisance. Excessive barking is a disturbance.
  • Pet food must not remain outside of a camping unit or vehicle because it will attract rodents/wildlife.
  • Pets are to be walked in the designated walking areas of the campground and on designated pet walkways when accessing other areas of the park from the campground. Pets may not be walked through non-pet areas of the campground unless it is designated as a pet-camper travel route.
  • Pets are permitted in day-use areas, on designated sites in campgrounds and all areas not otherwise closed to pets.
  • Pets are not permitted in swimming areas, inside buildings, in non-pet overnight areas like cabins and group tenting areas, or in any area designated as an area closed to pets.
  • Animals that are considered vicious, dangerous or that display vicious behavior will not be permitted in the park.


 

More information is available at any Pennsylvania state park office or by calling 888-PA-PARKS.