Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Crofton, MD

Washington DC / Capitol KOA welcomes dogs with a dedicated exercise area where pets can run freely, distinguishing it from many campgrounds that lack proper pet exercise space. The campground features tent sites, RV hookups, and pet-friendly cabins with picnic tables and fire rings. All camping sites have gravel pads, though some visitors note the sites can be uneven. The Dyrt includes reviews of campgrounds near Crofton, Maryland. Multiple campgrounds in the area permit pets, including Cherry Hill Park, Greenbelt Park Campground, and Adventure Bound Washington DC. Each location maintains specific pet policies regarding leash requirements and designated pet areas.

Located approximately 30 minutes from Washington DC, these pet-friendly campgrounds serve as convenient bases for exploring the region with dogs. The Capitol KOA provides amenities for children including a pool, playground, jumping pillow, and basketball courts, creating a family-friendly environment where pets are part of the experience. Greenbelt Park Campground offers hiking trails through wooded areas where leashed dogs can enjoy outdoor exploration. Bathrooms and shower facilities vary in cleanliness and maintenance across locations. Weather considerations include hot summer temperatures at tent sites with limited shade. Most campgrounds enforce quiet hours to minimize barking disturbances, and the proximity to urban areas means veterinary services are readily accessible in emergencies.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Crofton, Maryland (66)

    1. Cherry Hill Park

    42 Reviews
    Beltsville, MD
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 937-7116

    $999 / night

    "Great location with access to all forms of transportation.  Store fully stocked to include groceries.   Two pools. Hot tub.   Play areas to include a game room and miniature golf.  "

    "As we looked around we found that all of the sites, regardless of amenities, were spaced about the same."

    2. Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park

    32 Reviews
    Greenbelt, MD
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 344-3948

    $20 / night

    "The park is located away from the camping grounds. It has two play grounds, several picnic tables and a bathroom."

    "If you are really looking for somewhere to feel far away from civilization and see some beautiful scenery, this probably isn't it."

    3. Washington DC / Capitol KOA

    16 Reviews
    Millersville, MD
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 923-2771

    "We did not take our dog this time with us but would seriously consider it next time."

    "The location worked for my trip but not sure it’s that convenient to DC."

    4. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area

    19 Reviews
    Catonsville, MD
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 461-5005

    $20 - $51 / night

    "Camp site(Tent camping)
    The camp site is what it is, just a camp site :)  It's one of the bigger state parks surrounded by forest in MD."

    "Another negative was after the storm for the next few days we heard trees falling nearby."

    5. Adventure Bound Washington DC

    9 Reviews
    Upper Marlboro, MD
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (443) 607-8609

    "We had a fantastic time our 1st time at #AdventureBoundCampingResort in Lothian, Maryland."

    "This place is a good place to stay, the laundry room & showers are handy, the pool is large, & it's a 40 minute drive to the capital & the Smithsonian Mall or a 25 minute drive to the closest"

    6. Pine Tree Associates Nudist Club

    2 Reviews
    Crownsville, MD
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 841-6033

    $30 - $55 / night

    "My wife and I were trying to find an RV location near the Annapolis city dock for a boat show and found Pine Tree Associates."

    "Camping fees include access to a large outdoor pool, an indoor pool and a hot tub. There is room for tenting and campers."

    7. Hollofield Area Campground

    18 Reviews
    Windsor Mill, MD
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 461-5005

    $19 - $27 / night

    "Pet friendly. Very quiet. I only gave it 4 stars because the camp sites are too close together. Fire pits were well designed, bathrooms were relatively clean."

    "It may be close to suburbia (a neighborhood right through the trees) and convenient to major highways (literal minutes to I95), but you will feel like you are truly secluded in the woods."

    8. Sandy Point State Park Youth Group Camping

    8 Reviews
    Gibson Island, MD
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 432-2267

    9. Camp Meade RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Odenton, MD
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 722-4237

    10. Military Park United States Naval Academy/Annapolis Naval Station Annapolis FamCamp

    1 Review
    Annapolis, MD
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 293-9200

    "Very spartan but great location. Not much to do in the campground and some long timers there. Dirt cheap"

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Showing results 1-10 of 66 campgrounds

Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Crofton, MD

653 Reviews of 66 Crofton Campgrounds


  • singinajf@aol.com
    May. 26, 2021

    Ramblin' Pines

    Quiet Spot

    The staff and seasonal campers are all very friendly. The bathrooms are incredibly clean. We love all the games there are to play and the dog park is our favorite spot. Overall, it's peaceful and quiet in a nice, wooded setting.

  • C
    Aug. 23, 2018

    Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina

    RV Park surrounded by water!

    Our first visit (March 2018) was just prior to peak season (lower rates) and we had a site literally 10 ft. from the water! Full hook ups and sites were a little close, but nice. There seemed to be a lot of long term/permanent residents, but most sites along the waterfront remained open. The campground seemed to stress pet restrictions both in the rules section of their registration packet and signage around the grounds. There was a pet exercise/walking area, but could use some sprucing up. However, no one really made an issue of walking your dog around the campground and as the weekend came around, more and more dogs were around.

    You have to drive through a residential neighborhood to reach Bar Harbor, so big rigs take care/caution. Would like to try Bar Harbor again sometime.

  • Linda B.
    Jul. 7, 2019

    Cherry Hill Park

    Actually a 10!!!

    This is a campers dream site.  Everything you can think of is offered here.  You have to check their website to see all.  This is the closest site to Washington DC.  Great location with access to all forms of transportation.  Store fully stocked to include groceries.   Two pools. Hot tub.   Play areas to include a game room and miniature golf.  Pets are pampered here.  Even dog walking service available.

  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 27, 2021

    Cherry Hill Park

    Impressive Campground

    Cherry Hill Park was easy to find and get to basically right off I-95. This was our first time RVing into the WA DC area and we were concerned about traffic getting to the campground(CG). As we arrived, traffic was heavy on I-95 but manageable. Cherry Hill’s and our RV GPS directions were spot on getting us to the park. We were very impressed with this CG from the moment we entered. We picked up our package outside the office(no contact check-in) and went to premium site 93 with FHUs. Back-in was easy. The wifi was very good but the CG was only about a 1/4 full. Cherry Hill has many different ways to stay; cottages, cabins, yurts, glamping pods, premium and regular tent sites in addition to the RV sites. As we looked around we found that all of the sites, regardless of amenities, were spaced about the same. There are a few sites in the CG on the end that will give you a little more yard space like 97(need to be a competent backer), 402, and 1723. We got 2 bars each on Verizon and AT&T. The CG’s cable provided a large selection of channels and worked well. We were impressed with the main laundry facility due to the amount of large washers and dryers, very fair pricing and very clean. The two off leash dog parks(in the same area) were nice plus there’s a well maintained walking trail that goes around this very large CG’s perimeter. We really liked how there are trash receptacles and dog poopy bag dispensers nicely placed all over the CG. Though we didn’t use it, they even have a dog walker service so you can spend a lot of time exploring the DC area without worrying about your pups. About the only draw back was the road noise from the interstate and highway pretty much 24/7, but considering the area that is to be expected. Sites 13-38 and 1500 sites near the premium tent area are the farthest away from the road noise. We would definitely stay here again.

  • Megan K.
    Aug. 17, 2021

    Prince William Forest RV Campground — Prince William Forest Park

    Great spot with hookups by PW park

    If you, like me, hate making reservations over the phone, it was worth it! Quick, simple, painless process. 

    Restrooms/showers: very clean, spacious, centrally located. My spot was in the back row and I didn't mind the walk 

    Lots: lots are really staggered/ set back from each other so feels like you have more space. Average lot size in general, but the set back feels like you have more space. It wasn't crowded either way, especially given on a weekend 

    Small pool 

    Wifi: don't plan on being able to have work zoom calls or really much on it for that matter 

    Cell service: I can confirm Verizon and Google fi have great service. I would imagine any other carrier would work just as well. 

    Area: the surrounding area is really bikeable 

    Hookups: I had a 30amp hookup with no issues. They also have up to 50amp full hookups. All of them looked well maintained. 

    Staff: super friendly; great check in experience They have a dog park but didn't get a chance to check it out. 

    Overall: great experience, would recommend

  • Caitlin A.
    Apr. 25, 2021

    Smallwood State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED THROUGH JULY 2023

    Private sites with water views nearby

    These campground is a great find. The sites are well spaced, and while on the smaller side they’re very private with woods between each one. Bathrooms were clean and well stocked. The other campers were all respectful and observed pet policy and quiet hours. I have a reactive dog and he did well here! We’ll be back!

  • C
    Jun. 9, 2021

    Bay Shore Campground

    Nice place with awesome view

    This campground is perfect for a quiet visit to the Eastern shore town of Rock Hall as It sits conveniently between the village of Rock Hall and Eastern Neck sanctuary.  The area reserved for RV campsites overlooks a bluff on the Chesapeake Bay….gorgeous.  Because we went in the middle of the week, we had a lot of space to our self and open areas for our dog to play. Admittedly there isn’t a lot to do in the campground itself, even the bathrooms were closed down for Covid and only self contained RVs could camp.There is a small playground and a dog park, and a small pond for fishing. Sewer hook ups are not yet available but they are coming. Purchasing the WiFi access was a waste of money and our Verizon signal was very weak.  The biggest attraction is the view over the Bay.  So if you are looking for beautiful scenery and a cooling breeze this is a lovely and relaxing place. We met the owner who was very attentive to our needs and also helped us use the dump station as this was the maiden voyage with our new RV. The campground is clean and nicely landscaped.  Be sure to go into the town of rock Hall for a seafood dinner at Waterman’s.

  • p
    Sep. 17, 2023

    Merry Meadows Recreation Farm

    WOW

    Needed a place for 13 weeks near Baltimore. This was the only place available. Could be nice,but... Most expensive site we've ever had, plus had to pay electric at almost double electric company rates. Had to allow others to drive through our site, plus had to drive through someone elses to get to ours. Completely unkept. Filthy laundry room. Half the toilets and showers out of order. Took about a month just to put up out of order signs on washer and dryer that at least 3 people brought to their attention. Won't allow you to receive mail or packages and claim it is a county rule. Just tell people you don't want to mess with their mail. Any time the power even flickered due to wind or rain (which was frequently) it would take about 8 hours for wifi to come back up. Had to walk up the hill to get any cell service. Got a call because we had Memorial Day flowers outside. We're told we couldn't have them in a pot and Needed to plant them in the ground. Was told water was shut off for routine sanitization, then noticed small signs behind restroom and at dog park about e. coli being in the well. Tried to give away firewood when leaving, but the guy didn't want it on his site because he might fail his site inspection. Using pressure regulator messes with the well pump and makes it pulsate. Their answer is don't use a regulator. Since we went 5 days over 3 months our going away gift was to be put on a daily rate of $76 so it cost almost $400 for the last few days. Every other place we've stayed just continues you at the same rate. "Oh, we can't do that," was the response. There is more, but I'll stop now. Would not stay here again.


Guide to Crofton

The Crofton area camping options span across woodlands within the Chesapeake Bay watershed, typically 100-250 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures average 85-90°F during peak camping season with humidity levels often exceeding 70%. Most campgrounds near Crofton operate year-round, though water systems at some parks shut down during winter months when overnight temperatures can drop below freezing.

What to do

Hiking trails: Greenbelt Park Campground offers numerous woodland trails for day hikes. According to visitor Crystal C., "There is a lot of people who use this space as a green space for walking and running. There is no shoulder so you share the road space with those enjoying this space so be careful." The park maintains several miles of trails connecting directly to campsites.

Water recreation: Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area features river access for swimming and fishing. A reviewer notes, "We found a small river and swimming hole at the bottom of the hill off to the side opposite the cabins/park." The river offers a cool swimming option during hot Maryland summers.

Urban exploration: Camp locations provide convenient access to Washington DC attractions. At Cherry Hill Park, Joe R. explains, "This was a great stop to take the kids to visit the city. Easy access and well laid out sites. They have a bus stop for metro service to the city, but we took the 20 minute drive." Most campers report 25-40 minute travel times to DC monuments.

What campers like

Proximity to cities: Multiple campgrounds function as affordable bases for exploring urban areas. Laura M. from Greenbelt Park Campground states, "The green line takes you to the National Mall... The train ride from the Greenbelt station to the national mall is about 30 min." Many campers note the cost savings compared to urban hotels.

Wildlife viewing: Forested campsites offer chances to observe local fauna. One reviewer at Patapsco Valley mentioned, "Every morning birds and squirrels" were visible from their site, while another noted "a family of deer grazing close by, a great way to settle in for the evening." Wildlife sightings occur most frequently at dawn and dusk.

Camp amenities: Adventure Bound Washington DC provides facilities for extended stays. Emily L. notes, "This place is a good place to stay, the laundry room & showers are handy, the pool is large, & it's a 40 minute drive to the capital & the Smithsonian Mall or a 25 minute drive to the closest Metro station." Most campgrounds maintain shower facilities with varying cleanliness ratings.

What you should know

Site conditions: Gravel pads are standard at many campgrounds, with varying levels of maintenance. At Washington DC / Capitol KOA, a visitor reported, "Camp site wasn't level at all. I was actually kind of worried that it would slide into the woods." Several campgrounds receive similar comments about uneven sites.

Reservations required: Most popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer months and weekends. Crystal C. explains about Greenbelt Park: "Reserve online - this is a NO CASH facility which means you CANNOT pay upon arrival so you will have to do so online." Plan to book 2-3 months ahead for weekend stays.

Long-term residents: Some campgrounds near Crofton have significant numbers of extended-stay campers. Matthew S. notes at Adventure Bound Washington DC, "Lots of long term residents in dirty rundown campers. Trash dumpsters are always full. Bathrooms and showers are always clean. Full hookups at most sites." This creates a different atmosphere than vacation-oriented campgrounds.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Hollofield Area Campground offers recreation areas specifically for children. According to Jennifer S., "There is a 'natural' playground in the loop, and then if you drive down further to the park entrance, there is a large playground for the kids." Most campgrounds provide at least basic play equipment within walking distance of campsites.

Pool availability: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Crofton have swimming facilities for summer relief. At Washington DC / Capitol KOA, Elise M. shares, "They have a nice area for kids (pool, playground, jumping pillow, basketball courts, giant chess, etc)." Pool availability typically runs May through September, weather permitting.

Site selection: For families seeking privacy, certain campsites offer more seclusion. One reviewer recommends at Hollofield Area, "If you're a tent camper and don't need electric, the sites on the outer loop were quite nice and private." Corner sites or those at the ends of loops typically provide more space between neighbors.

Tips from RVers

Approach routes: Some campgrounds have access limitations for larger vehicles. The Travyl Couple cautions about Hollofield Campground: "APPROACH THIS PARK ONLY FROM THE WEST IF YOUR VEHICLE IS OVER 11 FEET HIGH. (There is a 11' bridge coming east bound into this park.)" Many campgrounds have similar restrictions not mentioned on websites.

Hookup availability: Cherry Hill Park provides comprehensive services for larger rigs. Beth R. lists available amenities: "50 amp hook-up, Water, Sewer" among the pros, making it suitable for extended stays. Most pet-friendly campgrounds near Crofton have at least partial hookups, though availability varies by site.

Dump stations: Clean dump facilities matter for longer stays. Diana S. noted at Hollofield Area: "With on-site electric hookup, and amenities including dump, water fill, garbage and recycling easily accessed on the way in/out, all creature comforts were there for enjoying." RVers report most dump stations in the region are well-maintained but can have long lines on Sunday afternoons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Crofton, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Crofton, MD is Cherry Hill Park with a 4.8-star rating from 42 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Crofton, MD?

TheDyrt.com has all 66 dog-friendly camping locations near Crofton, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.