A German shepherd stands eager for adventure at a campsite in Bald Eagle State Park, Centre County, near Bellefonte. Responding to public demand, Pennsylvania's state parks system is expanding its camping with pets accommodations to include more campsites and cabins this year.

What could be more rustic and relaxing than a few days of camping in a rental cabin at a Pennsylvania State Park?

Try taking along a pet dog or cat. Even a parakeet or hamster. They're allowed. No kidding.

Pennsylvania allows pets in designated campsites in 55 state park campgrounds. They're allowed even in some cabins under a pilot program that began last year.

“Cabins 7 and 11 at Moraine State Park are designated dog cabins — they allow dogs as guests,” said Dustin Drew, park manager.

Moraine also allows pets in the group tenting areas and at the three backpack shelter areas, Drew said.

A few designated state parks are greatly expanding pet accommodations this season under a pilot program that's gaining momentum and popularity.

Camping with pets is something the people told us they want,” said Terry Brady, press secretary for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. One of those parks is Pymatuning in northern Mercer County, Brady said.

Rules and pet designations vary from park to park.

A detailed list of state park pet accommodations can be seen online at www.dcnr.state.pa.us/cs/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_20031410.pdf

Many campsites allow pets, but not all of them, according to the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. If you have a pet, you must use one of the designated pet sites. And there's a list of common-sense rules to follow for your pet's protection as well as for the good of the park and its inhabitants.

The first thing to consider is that not every animal can be considered a pet. Pets include dogs, cats and caged animals like birds and hamsters. Livestock — horses, cows, pigs, sheep, goats and chickens — are not considered pets. Leave them home.

The second thing to consider is that your pets shouldn't be allowed to bother other park guests.

“People need to be responsible for their pet,” Drew said. “Be considerate and clean up after them, and don't leave out any pet food, because this will attract wild animals into your campsite.”

This brings up another reminder: In the state park, if Fluffy or Fido run free, they become part of the food chain. That's why caged pets are required to be kept in their cages and campers must have no more than two non-caged pets at any one campsite, kept on a leash.

And yes, excessive barking is frowned upon.

To take a pet camping, make online reservations at www.visitPAparks.com or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757), between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Be sure to specify to the call center operator that you desire a campsite that permits pets.