Butler County, Author at MATPRA

So Much Dog-Gone Fun In Butler County, PA

March 11, 2026

When it comes to our pets, they’re an extension of our family. Bring them along while you experience all that Butler County has to offer!

Whether it’s dining out with your pooch at a pet-friendly restaurant or brewpub, enjoying outdoor activities, or attending one-of-a-kind events, take Fido for a ride to our charming small towns!

Pubs & Pups

Bring your four-legged friend with you while having a beer. Several of our brewpubs like Shubrew, Recon Brewing, Helltown Taproom, and Grist House Beer Crib have outdoor space for you and your pup!

Burgh’ers Brewing, The Harmony Inn, and Union Brothers Brewing goes the extra mile to make your pup’s tail wag with menu items for your furry friend!

North Country Brewing Company keeps your furry-friend hydrated with fresh water bowls while you dine outdoors!

Bastin Distillery doesn’t brew beer, but they do welcome man’s best friend to share the patio while you enjoy a hand-crafted bev!

Eateries

When the sun is shining and you want to soak in as much of the beautiful weather as possible, there’s nothing better than dining outdoors, especially with your dog.

Enjoy a mouthwatering meal with your pup on the patio at The Harmony Inn and then cool down with a dog-friendly patio and free vanilla ice-cream pup-cups at Legendary Neff Haus Ice Cream in Harmony.

Put your toes in the sand when you bring your furry-friend to the Bamboo Bar at North Park Lounge!

The Sports Grille at Cranberry welcomes dogs (and cats) to enjoy a pup cup alongside their human friends.

If you’re getting a treat, it’s only fair your dog gets one too! Pennie’s Bake Shop & Espresso sells house-made creations your dog will love!

Stop in at Derailleur Bike Shop Cafe after you trek the Butler Freeport Trail and let your fido cool off with a pup-cicle! If you’re in the Portersville area, stop by Hillview Coffee to get your dog a homemade treat from the walk-up window.

Activities & Events

Hit the trails or set sail with your dog at Moraine State Park! Refer to our Outdoor Activities Chart in our Official Destination Guide for a list of all the parks in Butler County where you can take your dog.

Here in Butler County, “man’s best friend” can go to exciting events and attractions with you! If you’re a Jeep enthusiast and a dog lover, then you’ll both be wagging your tails when you attend the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival held every year at Cooper’s Lake in June. If you’d like to catch the newest feature-film on the big screen, you and your canine can cruise over to Starlight Drive-In for a night of nostalgic entertainment under the stars!

If you feel like strutting your stuff with your pet or want to watch others, then don’t miss the annual Pet Parade during the Saxonburg Fireman’s Carnival near the end of June.

Dive into summer fun with your furry friends when you celebrate summer at Moraine State Park Regatta every August! Both of you can take to the lake with stand-up paddle boarding!

When we’re in the “dog days of summer” and your furry friend needs to beat the heat, head over to a “Pool PAWty” at Alameda Pool in Butler or the Cranberry Township Waterpark. They’ll have a great time splashing around with other dogs! After the Pool Pawty- let them run around and air-dry at Jade’s Dog Park!

When fall comes around, Fun Fore All Family Park hosts Howl-O-Ween, letting you bring the whole family together for a night of treats, mini-golf, prizes, and fun.

Enchanted Lights – A Magical Holiday Stroll invites you and your furry family to enjoy a leashed stroll to see a spectacular holiday light display! See their Facebook page for more details on Dog Friendly Days!

Lodging, Boarding & Care

If you’re traveling with your dog and need a place for the whole family to stay, there’s a variety of hotels, cabins, and campgrounds that are fido-friendly!

Take a look at our Lodging Comparison Charts in our Official Visitors Guide (pages 46-51) for a detailed list of accommodations that welcome your pup with open paws. But if you’re going out on the town and can’t bring your canine friend, call My Dog’s Care Center to schedule all of your daycare and boarding needs.

Only in Butler County, PA

March 11, 2026

Whether you’re seeking unique experiences, noteworthy nature, or simply a good dose of the weird: Butler County has something to offer everyone. The truly strange, truly quirky, truly fun!

The Jeep

One of our County’s biggest claims to fame is the invention of the Jeep. Initially a vehicle built to assist soldiers in WWII, the vehicle has since built a huge following celebrated by the annual Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival.

Harmony Cemetery

This 1800s cemetery is the resting place of approximately 100 graves belonging to the town’s founding members. Headstones are absent, except one dedicated to the founder, George Rapp. Navigate through the impressive one-ton revolving stone gate and take a moment to embrace the tranquility.

Playthings Etc.

Welcome to the ultimate playground of imagination, where classic gems meet the latest toy tech. This gleaming silver, curiously-shaped building is home to a treasure trove of board games, puzzles, science kits, and more. The demo section always has a cool toy to test.

Evans City Cemetery

Horror movie fans make their pilgrimage to Evans City Cemetery to see the filming locations of George Romano’s “Night of the Living Dead.” The cemetery chapel also makes a brief appearance in the film. They’re coming to get you, Barbara!

Mars New Year

The town of Mars celebrates the planet’s new year every 687 Earth days! Even on off-years, the town represents Mars with space and alien-themed attractions like Mars-Bethel Golf’s planet-themed mini cornhole course and a UFO in the town square.

Jennings Environmental Education Center

Home to the state’s only protected prairie, Jennings has a diverse trail network featuring rare wildflowers and native wildlife. Celebrate the Bloom welcomes the public to admire the beautiful Blazing Star.

The Snowman

This one-of-a-kind roadside attraction serves 24 delicious flavors of shaved ice served from the belly of a 13-foot-tall snowman. Stop for the photo-op and tasty treat!
(Open April – Labor Day)

Maridon Museum

This specialized museum focuses on Asian art. Take a docent-led tour and travel through history. Visitors are invited to rub the belly of their Buddha statue for good luck and prosperity.

Autumn Adventures in Butler County

September 9, 2025

Plan your path before fall’s peak! Experience autumn adventures in Butler County, PA.

Experience our fall foliage at it’s peak, create a Gilmore Girls-inspired moment in our charming towns, find unique fall festivals, and embrace farm fun just north of Pittsburgh.

Plan Your Path for Fall Foliage

Peak fall foliage can be seen in mid-October, but the months leading up are just as beautiful! There are a variety of ways to experience the beauty of autumn in Butler County.

Whether you like to bike, hike, stroll, or sit, there are plenty of places for you to connect with the great outdoors and watch the leaves change their hue. Check out local trails with beautiful autumn landscapes here!

Surround yourself with vibrant fall colors when you book a guided Fall Foliage Eco-Tour at Moraine State Park with SurfSUP Adventures.

These tours welcome all skill levels and let you navigate secret passageways and coves along Lake Arthur’s shore. Tickets can be purchased online and a list of available dates can be found here!

If you’re looking for a unique experience but don’t want to make a splash, Preston’s Pearl may be the perfect adventure!

Preston’s Pearl invites you to see the fall foliage at Moraine State Park from an elevated view! This ADA accessible pontoon boat sets sail on Saturdays and Sundays, now through October.

See the sights of fall from the upper deck while you learn more about Moraine State Park’s history and the creatures who call it home.

These tickets sell out quickly. Don’t wait for the leaves to fall! Buy your tickets online now or visit The Owlet Gift Shop at Moraine!

Happy Campers in Butler County

April 29, 2025

It’s never been easier to make memories, toast s’mores, and connect with your favorite people. Experience more of the spring, summer, and fall seasons when you stay at one of our favorite campgrounds!

Did you know there aren’t campgrounds in Allegheny County? Explore outdoor lodging and embrace nature in Pittsburgh’s backyard!

Bear Run Campground

Pitch a tent, glamp in a gorgeous cabin, or pull up your RV to an outdoor oasis less than an hour north of Pittsburgh! This pet-friendly campground invites you and your crew to experience outdoor adventures.

a man and woman standing on the porch of a wooden log cabin

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway or a complete nature retreat, Bear Run has amenities for every camper. A well-stocked general store, restrooms with showers, a laundry facility, campground WiFi, recreation centers and more allow you to enjoy endless comfort and entertainment without leaving the grounds! If you’re up for more exploration, Moraine State Park is nearby!

As of 2024, Bear Run Campground is under new family ownership but remains committed to providing exceptional outdoor experiences as it’s been for decades.

Buttercup Woodlands Campground

Nestled along scenic hills and beautiful landscapes in Butler County are 40 acres of woodlands that welcome you to explore! Buttercup is less than an hour away from Pittsburgh and accommodates a variety of campers with full hook-up RV campsites, rustic cabins with A/C, and places to pitch a tent.

A new change of ownership has brought several upgrades to life! With an upgraded arcade, remodeled cabins, a new pickleball court, golf cart rentals and a dog park, this pet-friendly campground includes fun for everyone!

Swap out the Zoom calls with fireside chats. Explore and play all day before taking a hot shower, relaxing around the fire, and enjoy the sounds and sights of a starry night.

The Cabins at Moraine State Park

Surround yourself with summer wildflowers, fall foliage, and the calls of nature when you stay and play at Moraine. Sail on Preston’s Pearl, ace an 18-hole disc golf course, take the water, take a hike, or throw a line! The limits to outdoor exploration are endless when you visit Moraine State Park.

Nestled in the lush forests of the park are 11 modern cabins available for rent all year round. The cabins are electrically heated and sleep up to six people, including two bedrooms, a bathroom and shower, kitchen, living and dining area, and a dock on Lake Arthur! Camping is for everyone, which is why Cabin 11 is fully ADA accessible.

Indian Brave Campground

Offering RV sites, cabins, and plenty of space to pitch your tent, Indian Brave Campground is the perfect place to create s’more memories! This pet-friendly campground nestled in the historic and charming town of Harmony features an Olympic-sized pool, outdoor recreation, firewood available on site and even more amenities to make the most of your stay.

Just 30 minutes from Pittsburgh and less than two miles from I-79, Indian Brave is conveniently located and jam-packed with memorable experiences. Small-town charm is only a hop, skip, and jump away! Campers can go on a stroll that leads to Historic Harmony’s town square.

Don’t forget your fishing pole! Throw a line off the fishing bridge or pack up your kayak and dive into the Connoquenessing Creek.

Lake Arthur Family Campground

Just a few miles from Moraine State Park’s Lake Arthur is a family-owned campground with spacious sites surrounded by nature. Lake Arthur Family Campground includes a stocked camp store, dog park, Saturday Movie nights, four hole disc-golf course, media library and more!

Haul your RV or pitch a tent with your family and furry friends, letting you replace city lights for starry nights. Don’t think you can survive in a tent? Check the availability for The Cardinal Cabin and start planning your stay!

Rose Point Park Cabins & Camping

“It’s more than getting away, it’s getting together!” Rose Point Park is another fantastic place to experience the great outdoors. Swap out traffic jams for trailheads when you stay and play, located under an hour north of Pittsburgh!

This pet-friendly campground has a feline mascot, S’mores, who patrols the grounds! All ages can enjoy fan-favorite events, celebrations and themed weekends throughout the season.

Haul your RV or stay in style when you book a log cabin or yurt! The fishing is prime with a stocked pond on the property and access to the Slippery Rock Creek. A heated pool, splash pad, sports courts, and more allow you to relax and unwind or pack your schedule with fun!