Camping with PETS (dogs)

ghouliajoolia · Feb 04, 2007, 10:49 AM

Hi Everyone,

I bought a very cool pop up at the end of last summer but I didn't really get a chance to go anywhere with it. I want to get some places in mind before it gets warm so I make good use of my camper this year.

I have two golden retrievers and I'd love to be able to take them along on my camping trips. Besides the fact that it is difficult to find someone to watch them, I do miss them.

Can anyone recommend any east cost camp grounds that they have taken their amily pets to, and have had a good experience? Since I live in MD, Im interested in places from New England area down to Florida?? I do have an AC unit on the camper but would prefer to find wooded areas as the camper would stay cooler with the pups.

I would love to find a place I can take them to swim or hike. I like to find places that dont mind if you have the dogs in areas other than your camp site.

Thanks,

J

tlhdoc · Feb 04, 2007, 11:17 AM

North-South Lake campground in the Catskill Mts. of NY is dog friendly. We have a group going there the opening weekend in May. There is hiking and the lake, which I have seen dogs in. Locust Lake SP in PA has a pet electric loop. We have only been there off season so I am not sure how they are about pets in the water, but if you were away from the swimming area, I would think it would be ok. I have camped at both of these parks with one of our dogs and have not had a problem. If you are interested in camping with a group check out the club section here at PUT and click on COTOC, campers of the original colonies. We have quite a few members with camping pets.

chip · Feb 04, 2007, 12:05 PM

Delaware State Parks are pet friendly, with the usual restrictions about not leaving them unattended, have to have current shots, and be on a leash at all times.

Here is the page with regulations about pets at the parks.

http://www.destateparks.com/know/rules/rules.htm#pets

Hope that helps.

Tim5055 · Feb 04, 2007, 12:52 PM

Having lived in Annapolis for a few years, I can tell you that many Maryland State Parks are dog friendly. Check out Pets in Maryland State Parks

You can also check out my Camping With Your Dog Web Page

PattieAM · Feb 06, 2007, 07:20 PM

Check out the one in North Carolina - 4PawsKingdom. I get monthly newsletters and they are devoted/dedicated to dogs.

Most of the Thousand Trails campgrounds are pet friendly, although you cannot take the dogs into the buildings. I recently enjoyed Peace River Preserve in Wauchula, FL and have never seen so many dogs (including my own). Morning walks could have been a parade there were so many. And, they didn't seem to mind the cats being strolled in netted strollers.

Virginia State Parks allow dogs, but charge a pet fee per night per animal plus tax on it. North Carolina State parks allow dogs at no additional charge.

Many of the Maryland State parks now have camping loops dedicated to the pet owners, as well as pet walking trails. Point Lookout State Park has a pet swimming beach separate from the people swimming beach. Tulip loop is a pet loop and full hookups.

Hope this helps you somewhat.

fshnfool76 · Feb 09, 2007, 09:06 AM

The only campgrounds in NY that I've been to that don't allow pets are the state CG's. That's the only time we've had to leave the pooch behind. Most other CG's welcome dogs as long as you obey the leash laws. Our dog loved going on hikes with us.
Our dog died last year while at the kennel (he was 12 yrs old and had been ill) while we were on vacation. Came back from Yellowstone to the news. We do plan on getting a new dog this spring. The kids are counting the days.

ghouliajoolia · Feb 11, 2007, 04:13 PM

Thanks everyone for your recommendations. There are some really good places for me to check out. It is always better to get advice from people who have actually been to these places with their pets.

Thankfully I do have my mother to watch my dogs sometimes, but there will be times were I will want to take her along on trips and she has two dogs herself. The local places will be great. I certainly don't want to drive very far with that many dogs along. The DE, MD and NC beaches would be perfect.

fshnfool..Im sorry about your dog passing while you were on your trip. That's awful. What kind of dog was he?

Did you drive to Yellowstone from the east coast??

PattiAM ..I'll have to check out Peace River Preserve in Wauchula, FL. Sounds interesting. Not sure what part of the state that is.

Anyway..I'll be checking out all the places everyone has mentioned. Thanks again.

fshnfool76 · Feb 13, 2007, 07:56 AM

My dog, Cayman (named after the island we had honeymooned at :rolleyes: ) was a lab/shepard mix that we found at a kennel with his mom and 8 brothers and sisters. The pups were 4 wks old when we saw them and had to wait one more week before we could take him home, so that he could nurse some more. he was the runt of the litter. Great dog, grew up with the kids. Usually slept in one of their rooms instead of on his bed. Probably get similar dog in spring. Kids are not letting up, "when are we getting another dog?"
We flew to Salt Lake on the 'red eye' and then drove the rest of the way the next morning. About a 5 hour drive. Opposite on the way home. Was alot cheaper than flying into jackson hole and renting a car from there. alan

dademt · Feb 27, 2007, 07:48 AM

None of the NJ state parks allow pets unfortunately.

tlhdoc · Feb 27, 2007, 07:53 PM

Quote from: fshnfool76My dog, Cayman

We have a Cayman too. She is a 13 year old cocker spaniel.

flyballcampers · May 14, 2007, 08:04 PM

Try Falls Lake Recreational Area in Raleigh, NC.
The sites are very nice, some are on the lake and the dogs will love it. Sites are far apart and wooded. There is also a swim beach there if you go in the summer.
Happy Camping

fshnfool76 · May 17, 2007, 06:08 PM

Quote from: tlhdocWe have a Cayman too. She is a 13 year old cocker spaniel.

Our Cayman was a yellow lab/shepard mix. Great with kids, not so much with the "stay" command. Couldn't let him off leash because he would take off for hours. He could even untie knots occaissionally :screwy: .
Now we have Ginger. A black lab mix that's 4 months old, got her at 3, and is taking her time with house breaking :banghead: . She does know sit and stay already tho. :#

wavery · May 17, 2007, 07:04 PM

Quote from: fshnfool76Our Cayman was a yellow lab/shepard mix. Great with kids, not so much with the "stay" command. Couldn't let him off leash because he would take off for hours. He could even untie knots occaissionally :screwy: .
Now we have Ginger. A black lab mix that's 4 months old, got her at 3, and is taking her time with house breaking :banghead: . She does know sit and stay already tho. :#

Be patient....it took us nearly a year to potty train our parrot :p

It's the "Stay" command that he has a problem with (unless there's food around).

It's not so bad when your dog takes off. A little searching will usually pay off. When our parrot takes off....it can be a little more challenging.

fshnfool76 · May 18, 2007, 08:01 AM

Quote from: waveryIt's not so bad when your dog takes off. A little searching will usually pay off. When our parrot takes off....it can be a little more challenging.

Yea, it's a little embarressing when you see the Ranger drive by with your dog sitting on his front seat. Maybe you could get a Homing device like Lojac for the bird.

News:

Camping with PETS (dogs)