10 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Cedarville State Forest's pet-friendly campground welcomes campers with dogs in a wooded setting 60 minutes from Washington DC. The family camping loop has 27 spacious sites with gravel pads, picnic tables, and fire rings that accommodate both tents and RVs. Electric hookups are available on the inner loop sites, while the outer loop is designated for tent camping. Pets must be leashed at all times, and owners are expected to clean up after their animals. Louise F. Cosca Regional Park also allows pets at its 25 campsites, with water hookups available at every site. Spacious, wooded sites provide adequate separation between camping neighbors, though some reviewers note that raccoons are active at night and require proper food storage. Both campgrounds maintain clean bathroom facilities with hot showers, though some visitors report occasional cold water at Cedarville.
Multiple hiking trails throughout Cedarville State Forest provide excellent opportunities for walking dogs, though hikers should apply tick prevention as numerous reviews mention tick encounters. Adventure Bound Camping Resort in nearby Lothian offers full hookup sites and cabin options for those camping with pets, with clean bathroom facilities despite having many long-term residents. Cherry Hill Park in College Park provides premium amenities for campers with pets, including tent sites, RV hookups, and pet-friendly cabins. Most campgrounds in the region require pets to remain on leash at all times, with length restrictions typically six feet or less. Campers report good cell service throughout most campgrounds, with AT&T users noting consistent two-bar coverage at Cedarville. Wildlife encounters are common, so keeping pets secured is essential for their safety and the protection of local animals.
"Forested campground with fairly lengthy but level (and thus beginner friendly) hiking just a short distance away from Washington, DC."
"We picked up the camping registration outside the office at the entrance, no need to speak with anyone. Then we just drove down to our campsite in the family camping loop."
from $30 / night
"This is a pet friendly campground. There's a lot to do out at the whole park, and its worth exploring (we just didn't have time). I'm sure its so pretty out near the water."
"We enjoyed sitting around the campfire at night and walking the dogs down to the water. We were right next to a hiking trail that went down to the water and a beach area."
Available this weekend
from $150 / 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."
Available this weekend
from $20 / night
"Though you are close to highways I don’t recall hearing and noise. I love that they have shuttles to DC., walking trails and a large dog park."
"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. "
Available this weekend
from $999 / night
"Site 24 and 25 are very close together but the other sites are at a distance however, 6 of the 25 sites are unleveled so tent camping is probably the only option."
"Close to town but far enough to enjoy yourself. Bathrooms are clean and have decent showers."
from $10 - $45 / night
"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"
"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!"
"They are in short distance from the water. There is a playground, bathhouse, and historical buildings that are accessible to campers. There are hiking trials, but none are two extensive."
from $27 - $65 / night
"Super clean Very well maintained Pet friendly... kinda No veteran discounts smh Good for a day or two"
"Good site, secure location, decent facilities with solid WiFi. Pier within walking distance. Good location, tho our site wasn't fully level, so bring plenty of leveling blocks."
from $55 / night
from $18 - $30 / night
"We stayed Burke lake campground for one night last week. It was very peaceful place. The whole camp ground was very clean and well kept."
"This was my second time going Burke Lake and it was just as enjoyable as the first."
from $32 - $40 / night
ScoutLovely but busy spot. Campground A has hookups but you can also fit a camper into the standard sites. All sites have nice travel pads and fire rings. Campground b is basically an open field as of Nov 2026 recommend avoiding that area.
TravelerClose to washington as we could get. Could also park our skoolie bus which was nice and had plenty of close by shower with bathrooms. Keep in mind only one shower per restroom house. We stayed at a pretty slow season so it wasn’t bad. Would recommend if visiting DC! They also have a dump station and water fill up.
ScoutWe stayed in site #133 with our 34'10" travel trailer/toy hauler. Overall, we really like the site. It's spacious, fairly level, heavily wooded, and feels surprisingly private. There's plenty of room around the camper, and although there are other campsites and cabins nearby, the trees provide a lot of separation. We had a nice large area for our chairs, fire pit, picnic table, and dogs. The biggest thing to know about #133 is the approach. We were instructed to pass the site, go around the loop, and then make a left turn into it. With our nearly 35' trailer, that would have required an extremely tight, almost 90-degree turn between the trees, and we did not feel we could safely make it. There is actually visible damage on one of the trees at the entrance, so it appears others may have had difficulty with the turn as well. Instead, we approached from the opposite direction and positioned the camper with our doors facing the main campsite area. That put the water and electric hookups on the opposite side, but our hoses and cord were long enough to run underneath the camper and reach without a problem. Once we figured that out, the site worked very well for us. I initially thought we probably wouldn't choose #133 again because of the awkward setup, but after spending the weekend here, I would. Now that we know how to approach and position our trailer, it really is a nice site. If you're bringing a longer travel trailer, just be prepared to do a little maneuvering and make sure your water hose and electrical cord have enough length if you decide to orient your camper the way we did.
ScoutSimple and friendly check in process. Clean and well-maintained site.
GuideSpent two nights while we saw the Avett Brothers play at Wolf Trap. Nice flat site with power. Campground was quiet and clean. The only negative is communication and signage. It took us a couple wrong turns to find our site and when we came back, after the concert around 11, the entrance gate was closed and we had to sneak in through the exit gate. Asked the next day and they said that is what campers do to access the park after 11pm.
RangerWe stayed at Little Bennett starting on Labor Day Monday and left before the weekend, so it is hard to say how this looks when the campground is full of life. They had quite a few activities for families and a pavilion capable of concerts and such, but there was minimal activity during our stay. My biggest complaint is that the gate code changed and we didn't get any notice--so after a long day and a dinner out near Baltimore (nearly an hour away), I had to call the police to get back to my camper. Otherwise, the campsite was relatively spacious and quiet. The bugs were a little rough. Lots of whitetail running around.
ScoutIt was a well maintained campsite. Clean bathrooms and great hikes to fossil beach.
GuideIf you want to be near Annapolis, right on the Severn River...this is it. About 15 RV spots nestled in the woods...with full hook ups. A couple of primitive spots as well. Just a quick 5 min walk to the river...right across from the Academy. NEX, gas within 10 min walk, and 15 min drive to downtown Annapolis. Staff is always great here, and the park is clean....for a park on the woods.
TravelerBased on my stay 3 nights and what I read of Greenbelt Park (the other closeby to Washington campground) I would say this has to be much better and I will stay here again on a future visit. Campground sits inside of a much larger park with great trails, amenities and well maintained. Campground is quiet, lots of trees, forest and yet each space is very large with good spacing and privacy to adjacent sites. High tree canopy at your site so lots of room to spread out. Sites themselves are a little rustic - a mix of grass, gravel and dirt, but not muddy (it rained a good bit prior to my stay) - but in good condition. Shower/toilet block is clean and good hot water and good water pressure. Most sites are flat or near flat and the ones that aren't need minimal levelling blocks. Campground apparently is never full and there was only 1 other when I was there - really hard to believe. There is a neighborhood road up by the sites near the shower block but it is low speed and lightly travelled and I had no disturbance from it. Nice surrounding neighborhood. No signs of vagrants. Park police patrolled multiple times per day and report very little non-camper entry to ther facilities. I felt very safe.Easy access to Eashington - bus stop outside the campground to metro or just drive to the metro (free parking weekend, $6 midweek) and then train (about 8 per hour) into the sites - an hour or less total to get there. For more local people, this seems like a good escape "to the woods" without travelling forever.
Camping near Brandywine, Maryland offers a variety of terrain from wooded settings to waterfront access, with the region experiencing hot, humid summers and mild springs and falls. Most campgrounds in the area sit at elevations between 100-300 feet above sea level, creating moderately hilly camping conditions that require careful site selection for level setup.
Fishing opportunities: Smallwood State Park provides access to Mattawoman Creek where visitors can fish from several docks. "Mattawoman Creek is right there and great for kayaking," notes Lorraine P. about Smallwood State Park.
Disc golf courses: Several parks offer disc golf for campers looking for recreational activities. "I'd recommend taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course," says Rachel L. about Pohick Bay Campground, which also features water activities.
Historical exploration: Visit the historic structures within park boundaries to learn about the region's past. One reviewer mentions, "There is a separate historic area in the park, which contains Gen. Smallwood's mansion, and a few other historic buildings" at Smallwood State Park, though they note these buildings "are only open a few days out of each month during the summer."
Metro access to Washington DC: Many campgrounds serve as convenient bases for exploring the nation's capital. "The green line takes you to the National Mall... Get off at the Archives station to be in the center of all the sites," explains Laura M. about taking the train from Greenbelt Park Campground.
Spacious, private sites: Many campers appreciate the separation between sites at certain parks. "Sites are well spaced, and while on the smaller side they're very private with woods between each one," writes Caitlin A. about Smallwood State Park, making it ideal for those with reactive dogs.
Clean facilities: Despite varying ages of infrastructure, many campgrounds maintain clean restrooms. "Bathrooms were clean and well stocked. The other campers were all respectful and observed pet policy and quiet hours," notes another Smallwood State Park visitor.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple parks offer opportunities to spot local fauna. "Saw a snake, alligator snapping turtle, and rabbits, before we even reached the gates," reports Ben J. about Cedarville State Forest, highlighting the biodiversity around the camping areas.
Urban proximity with nature feel: The combination of natural settings near urban areas appeals to many campers. "This is an urban oasis. Traffic can be heard but not seen. Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground," explains Becky about Greenbelt Park Campground, noting its convenience for area residents.
Tick prevention essential: Multiple parks report high tick populations, particularly in warmer months. "LOTS and LOTS of ticks. I got one, but my wife and dog got about a dozen each. Just bring tweezers," warns a Cedarville State Forest visitor who otherwise enjoyed their stay.
Seasonal water issues: Some facilities experience occasional water temperature inconsistency. "Showers looked ok, and the stalls were quite large, but we didn't use them this trip," notes Jen V. from Smallwood State Park, while others mention variability in water temperatures at different times.
Reservation systems vary: Some parks require advance online booking while others allow on-site registration. "Reserve online - this is a NO CASH facility which means you CANNOT pay upon arrival so you will have to do so online," advises Crystal C. about Greenbelt Park Campground.
Light pollution concerns: Due to proximity to urban areas, stargazing may be limited. "It's quiet, but not too dark, as the lights from DC interfere with the night sky here," mentions Bill G. about his experience at Louise F. Cosca Regional Park.
Playground accessibility: Choose sites near play areas for convenient supervision. "We got a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse. The site was spacious," shares Ben G. about Pohick Bay Campground, adding that the park also offers "a scavenger hunt for the kids going all weekend."
Wildlife safety measures: Store food securely to prevent unwanted animal visitors. "Raccoons run wild at night flipping trash can lids on your campsite hunting for food. Use repel spray to keep the raccoons off your site," advises Tye S. about Louise F. Cosca Regional Park.
Weekday visits recommended: For quieter experiences with children, consider non-weekend stays. "Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground," notes a reviewer about Greenbelt Park, suggesting better conditions for families seeking more peaceful camping experiences.
Water activities: Many parks offer water-based recreation options for families. "Pirate's Cove waterpark is definitely a highlight in summer... Boating in summer from kayaks to motorboats," shares Anne K. about the family-friendly amenities at Pohick Bay Campground.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven sites requiring preparation. "Not all sites are level (half)," notes Robert P. about Burke Lake Park Campground, suggesting campers bring adequate leveling equipment.
Access considerations: Several parks have tight entrances or narrow roads requiring careful navigation. "Do not try and come in after dark. Very tight and very dark," warns Matthew S. about Adventure Bound Washington DC, highlighting the challenges for larger rigs.
Electric hookup locations: Inner loop sites typically offer electric access while outer loops may be tent-only. "Site 6 was good but not for larger rigs. We have a pop up and had to navigate around a tree that would have been very difficult for larger rigs. Site 5 or 7 wouldn't have that problem," reports Nurse N. about site selection at Cedarville State Forest.
Pet-friendly accommodations: For RVers traveling with animals, most parks allow pets with specific restrictions. "Most sites have water hookup" at Louise F. Cosca Regional Park according to reviewers, making it convenient for RVers with pets needing reliable water access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Brandywine, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Brandywine, MD is Cedarville State Forest with a 3.8-star rating from 17 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Brandywine, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 78 dog-friendly camping locations near Brandywine, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
