Camp with your favorite four-legged friend in PA Wilds state parks and forests
- by Ellen Matis
- March 5, 2021
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Pennsylvania campers that enjoy spending time in the PA Wilds with their four-legged best friends will find an expanded number of campsites available to them in the Pennsylvania State Parks system in the 2022 season.
“More than 130 new sites at six state parks (across the state of Pennsylvania) will be ‘pet friendly’ next year because we know many of our campers like to plan their stays well in advance,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “Both our ‘Pet Camping’ and ‘Dogs in Cabins’ programs have expanded slowly and cautiously as park officials gauge camper acceptance and pet owner compliance. We know many of our campers say their park stays are enhanced by the presence of pets.”
Cook Forest State Park in Clarion County, part of the Cook Forest & the Ancients landscape of the Pennsylvania Wilds region, is among the parks that will have added campsites allowing camping with pets in 2022.
With this expansion, all state parks in the Pennsylvania Wilds have pet camping sites, with the exception of Cherry Springs State Park in the Dark Skies landscape. Some pet-friendly sites are also available to reserve within the Allegheny National Forest.
The Pennsylvania Wilds encompasses over 2 million acres of public lands for visitors to enjoy. The region boasts 29 state parks, eight state forests, and is home to the Commonwealth’s only national forest: the Allegheny National Forest. Find a full list of parks and forests throughout the Wilds region here.
DCNR officials stress that pet owners at all designated sites must comply with many program regulations. They govern leashing; barking and other noise; maximum number of pets allowed (two, when the size of a cat or larger); aggressive behavior; proper cleanup and disposal of feces; valid licensing when required; and needed vaccinations. Violations could require campers to remove their animals from park grounds.
Payable at time of reservation, fees will cover added maintenance and program costs at participating parks. Fees are $5 per night for dogs in cabins, deluxe cottages and yurts; $3 per night for standard camping cottages; and $2 per night for campsites.
