Pennsylvania is home to some of the most beautiful state parks in the country — from the forests of Cook Forest to the lakes of Presque Isle — but for pet owners, planning a camping trip here can be frustrating and unfair.

Currently, only a small number of campsites in each park are designated as pet-friendly, and these spots book up extremely quickly, especially during peak camping season. As a result, countless families who travel with their dogs or other pets are turned away or forced to camp in less desirable or distant locations — or worse, to leave their pets behind altogether.

Meanwhile, many other states — including New York, Michigan, and West Virginia — have embraced more inclusive policies by allowing pets at all or nearly all campsites, without major issues. These policies give families more flexibility, make outdoor recreation more accessible, and reflect the growing number of responsible pet owners who treat their pets as members of the family.

We are calling on the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and our state legislators to modernize the camping experience in our state parks by:

Expanding pet-friendly status to all or most state park campsites
Improving signage and waste disposal options to support pet owners
Maintaining reasonable rules and fees to ensure cleanliness and safety for all campers

Our parks should be welcoming to everyone — including our four-legged companions.

If you believe all Pennsylvanians deserve fair and equal access to camp with their pets, please sign and share this petition. Let’s make our parks better for everyone.