Patapsco Valley State Park offers pet friendly camping options within a 30-minute drive from Baltimore. The park encompasses 32 miles along the Patapsco River with 70 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, biking, and exploring. Summer temperatures in the area can reach the 90s, while spring and fall typically range from 60-75°F, creating more comfortable conditions for outdoor activities with pets.
What to do
Hiking at Patapsco Valley: The park contains numerous trails with varying difficulty levels connecting directly to campgrounds. "We absolutely loved this campground!! Very short drive in to Baltimore- around 30 minutes. Nice playground for the kids. Some nice scenic areas- great for pictures. Lots of picnic areas," notes Gayle B. about Patapsco Valley State Park.
Fishing opportunities: Roland Lake in Patapsco Valley provides access to the river for fishing. "Roland Lake in Baltimore County is a great place to kayak on the Patapsco River. Tons of wildlife, facilities, and amenities for you and your family. The park was clean and it had knowledgable staff," reports Anthony S.
Explore historic sites: Visit the working grist mill and mansion at Susquehanna State Park Campground. "There is a historic area in the park, with a working grist mill, mansion and other little buildings to view. Not really my thing, but was pretty neat. The views of the river are really nice from here," explains Jen V.
Water activities: Wade in the Patapsco River during warmer months. "We found a small river and swimming hole at the bottom of the hill off to the side opposite the cabins/park," shares Alexandra T. "The river was running pretty high and fast, pretty cool to see," comments Anne L. about her hike to the Susquehanna River.
What campers like
Private camping spots: The outer loop at Hollofield Area offers more secluded tent sites compared to the electric sites. "The inner circle has electric but no water or sewer. The outer circle is primitive. There is a dump station. There is a decent bathhouse but it does get buggy," notes Rebecca C. from Hollofield Area Campground.
Mini cabins: For campers who want a pet-friendly experience without pitching a tent, cabins provide an alternative. "The best part of this campground are the neat mini cabins. Small one room cabins that have electricity and heat. They are a nice touch for those that want to camp, but not completely 'rough it,'" says Sean M.
Nature immersion: Despite proximity to urban areas, the campgrounds maintain a natural setting. "Being just barely off the beaten path, I wasn't expecting all too much from the one night stay over. I was surprised at the quiet, understated beauty of the forestry around the perfectly level campsite," writes Diana S. about Hollofield Area.
Close to cities: The location provides quick access to Baltimore while still offering woodland camping. "When you are at your campsite, you really are in the middle of the woods," Rebecca C. points out about Hollofield's convenient location for visiting Baltimore.
What you should know
Site selection matters: Campsite quality and privacy vary significantly within the same campgrounds. "There are some nice tenting sites under the trees and off by themselves for the true campers, and for the rest of us glampers there are hookups and lots to do," recommends Scott C. about Cherry Hill Park.
Reservations recommended: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially on weekends. "If you arrive early expect to wait until 3" to check in, reports Gabrielle E. about Patapsco Valley State Park.
Weather considerations: The region experiences humid summer conditions. "One negative was when it rains it really flushes through the grounds. We had a site on the lower end of the loop and our site was hard to set up as we arrived during a storm and it was very wet," warns Alexandra T.
Noise levels vary: While many sites offer natural settings, some experience more noise. "You can barely hear the traffic from the road outside the park," notes Miranda M. about Greenbelt Park Campground, which provides pet friendly camping near Baltimore.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Campgrounds with play areas provide entertainment for children. "The Hilton entrance of Patapsco Valley Park is perfect for keeping the kids entertained. There is a huge playground, sensory trail and nature discovery center at the entrance to the park," recommends Angel G.
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer nature learning experiences. "There is a massive playground, nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center. There are a lot of easy, but beautiful hikes," explains Sean M. about the Hilton Area of Patapsco.
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with designated children's activities. "They have a nice area for kids (pool, playground, jumping pillow, basketball courts, giant chess, etc). If you get an area to back into it'll be more secluded, but the pull through spots offer no privacy," advises Elise M. about Washington DC/Capitol KOA.
Multiple park access: The different entrances to Patapsco Valley provide varied experiences. "Patapsco Valley offers 6 different entrances. Each one provides a several different trail heads and experiences. For camping or just spending a day out on the trail with the kids we prefer the Hilton entrance," explains Angel G.
Tips from RVers
Hookup considerations: Facilities vary between campgrounds and even within loops. "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," notes Diana S. about Hollofield Area.
Site leveling challenges: Pay attention to site descriptions when booking. "The road on the FHU loop is narrow and hilly. Our site was uphill and at a difficult angle. Plenty of bigger TTs and 5th wheels were camping," shares Adam and Suzanne B. about Elk Neck State Park Campground.
RV size limitations: Some campgrounds have restrictions on larger vehicles. "In the full hook up loop pay close attention to the lengths specified. The actual pads are fairly level but some of the driveways to them are very sloped. Long rigs will have issues in a few of the sites," warns David G. about Elk Neck State Park.
Premium sites availability: Some campgrounds offer enhanced sites for RVs. "We had a premium site for seven nights. The site was perfectly level with a fire ring, grill, picnic table and table with three chairs," shares Jonathan B. about Cherry Hill Park.
