PA State Parks Opening More Campsites For Pets

PENNSYLVANIA — Great news for pets came out of Harrisburg on Thursday, as Pennsylvania announced they are improving pet accessibility at state parks over the coming year.

More than 130 new campsites at six different state parks will officially be "pet-friendly" by 2022.

"Both our ‘Pet Camping’ and ‘Dogs in Cabins’ programs have expanded slowly and cautiously as park officials gauge camper acceptance and pet owner compliance," Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said. "We know many of our campers say their park stays are enhanced by the presence of pets."

And while canines might be thought of as the most common camping companions, this news doesn't apply only to them. Cats are also permitted, and other domesticated animals will be considered.

The new sites are located across the state, and include:

• Cook Forest, Clarion County, (15 sites)
• French Creek, Berks County, (two cabins)
• Poe Valley, Centre County, (13)
• Prince Gallitzin State Park, Cambria County (82 in Hickory and Birch loops)
• Pymatuning, Crawford County, (number to be determined)
• R.B. Winter, Union County, (26 sites and one cottage)

Various rules apply to pets at state campgrounds. Only two are allowed at a time. Leashing is required, barking must be kept to a minimum, and all waste must be properly disposed of.

Pet camping was launched by DCNR as a pilot program in 2001 at nine state parks.

For details on regulations and reservations, see here.