Owens Creek Campground and Houck Area at Cunningham Falls State Park welcome pets across their diverse camping accommodations. Both locations provide tent and RV sites with pets allowed, while Houck Area also offers pet-friendly cabins and glamping options. Most pet-friendly campsites feature standard amenities including fire rings, picnic tables, and access to drinking water. Sites range from gravel pads to more natural settings with varying levels of privacy. The campground maintains clean bathroom facilities with showers, though Campgrounds near Thurmont, Maryland are listed with photos on The Dyrt. Sites with electric hookups are available at both locations. Firewood is sold on-site, eliminating the need to transport wood that might carry invasive species.
Cunningham Falls State Park's network of hiking trails offers excellent opportunities for exercising dogs on leash. The Lower Falls Trail provides a shorter option suitable for dogs and children, while more ambitious hikers can explore the surrounding Catoctin Mountain area. Most sites are well-shaded, providing natural cooling during summer months when monitoring pets for heat exposure is essential. Highway noise can occasionally be heard from certain sites, particularly in the Manor Area located near Route 15. Veterinary services are available in nearby Thurmont and Frederick. Bath houses are centrally located throughout the campgrounds, though cleanliness varies seasonally and during busy weekends. Winter camping is available with portable facilities replacing closed bath houses during off-season months.
$30 / night
"My only complaint is that the fire ring is a little too close to the main road. This is true for most of the sites. However the tent pad was set back in the woods and it was very peaceful."
"Our campsite was quiet with the creek right behind us and had lots of privacy. This place is a great campground to go during summer as it's tucked in the mountains with lots of tree coverage."
$21 - $65 / night
"Not a fan of kids running around through sites. The Elderberry and Deer Spring loops are no pets, but I’d like to see a no kids policy too. Kidding!"
"The closest town is Thurmont which is small but quaint. There are a few vineyards and breweries nearby. Gettysburg, PA is close as is Frederick, MD."
$23 - $29 / night
"There are four loops; two with no hookups and no pets allowed, one with no hookups that allow pets and one with electric sites that allow pets."
"My partner and our two dogs loved this campground! We were in the dogwood loop. Positives
* Big, immaculately groomed tent pads
* Mostly tent campers!"
$23 - $29 / night
"Deer Spring Loop is near the top of the mountain. This is not a pet friendly loop.
Site 112 is level, mostly shaded, backs up to the woods and has electric.
The site is between two cabins."
"This site is at the very top of the loop so it has a great cozy vibe and is spaced well away from other sites. The only downside is that the bathhouse is a walk downhill and then a walk back uphill."
"Tons of activities and even a hiking path. Pet friendly with small dog park. We had civil war soldiers drilling and staying the weekend we were there. Bathrooms are super clean."
"In addition to that, there is a bounce pad, shuffle board, horseshoes, chess, over-sized jenga, playground, dog park, gem mining, basketball, bikes, wood, propane, etc. and they pick up trash daily right"
"Friendly staff and bonus that it’s pet friendly. Watch out for falling black walnuts in October. We heard them hitting ours and other rigs during our three day stay."
"I always appreciate the near solitude experience of this campground as 90% of the sites are RV sites, that are kept away from the tenting area."
"We have a motorhome with no additional vehicle and two dogs, and this site couldn’t have been more perfect for us. A dog park, walking distance to most everything we wanted to see."
"Kids loved being able to see them and get close and even pet them! This campground is minutes from town and is practically on the battlefield."
$18 - $50 / night
"It is located in Frederick, about an hour outside of Baltimore and Washington D.C. Though the campground is small, each site looks pretty unique. It offers tent sites, electric sites, and 4 cabins."
"The site was very level, nicely shaded, and positioned a short distance from the bath house. There was also a water spigot located right at the entrance of the site."
$20 - $92 / night
"We stayed in the Chinquapin West side due to the restrictions of dogs. Not that I don't love dogs! It's just that it can get loud sometimes."
"Stayed here two nights while visiting Gettysburg (short 20mi drive between the two). Stayed on Chinquapin Hill, each site has picnic table and fire ring and good space for camp."
"Great shade and access to the playground. You can let the kids play all day while sitting at your campsite cooking and just hanging. It’s only 15 yards for the play set."
"Nice place to camp me and the wife was there July 4th weekend close to the pool"
GuideWe stayed for 10 days in a rustic cabin. Campground is well organized and clean. Tons of activities and even a hiking path. Pet friendly with small dog park. We had civil war soldiers drilling and staying the weekend we were there. Bathrooms are super clean.
GuideWe have a motorhome with no additional vehicle and two dogs, and this site couldn’t have been more perfect for us. A dog park, walking distance to most everything we wanted to see. The national park is mostly dog friendly. My husband caught a fish first day in the pond behind our site. The staff was super friendly and welcoming.
ScoutThe rangers were nice and the campground hosts were sweet. I liked the dish washing sinks outside of the shower houses. The site was nice with the tent pad backing up to the trees. I would rather sleep in a tent any night over a motel room but this time was different. Due to my father passing, me and my daughter stayed there 3 nights. I will be back another time to actually enjoy the lake and being between Lancaster and Gettysburg makes both places easy to access. Next time I will be getting a site away from the group area. It was nice that the pet area is separate from those of us who don't have pets or want quiet from dogs barking. Some of the groups can get rather loud especially when there are a bunch of teens. It was nice that the pet area is separate from those of us who don't have pets or want quiet from dogs barking.
TravelerClean well kept family owned campground. Located a few miles off 81, in the country surrounded by beautiful views. It’s a mix campground of seasonal campers and short term campers. Very family oriented. Very nice off leash fenced dog park.
LegendThis place is right outside the gate of Harpers Ferry NP. We walked to the shuttle bus stop. It is a very large KOA, and was almost empty when we visited in September. The original site the gave us had a large rut and washed out spot, so we could not get level. I checked in the office and the reassigned another space that was much better. Full hook ups, nice clean shower and bathrooms, playground, pool, large dog park.
RangerNice little spot near Thurmont Maryland. Good playground for the kids.
TravelerThe 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.
ScoutOverall great camp ground only thing I noticed is at some of the RV sites the hook ups are in crazy spots some are In the neighboring sites area so you have to drag extensions around them. Also the pool and dog park isn’t on site you have to leave to go to it.
RangerGreat campground for families. Large water park that goes to 3 ft. Playgrounds, dog park, canteen, mini golf, jumping pillow, laser tag, pedal cars, gem mining are just some of the amenities. Very pricey during peak season. We did the camp & store at about $50/night.
Camping near Thurmont, Maryland sits at elevations ranging from 450 to 1,900 feet in the Catoctin Mountain area. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter temperatures often dropping below freezing. Camping options include both established campgrounds with electric hookups and more primitive sites for those seeking a rustic experience.
Hiking the Catoctin Mountain trails: Access popular destinations like Wolf Rock and Chimney Rock from Owens Creek Campground. "Great sites with many options from car camping to short wilderness sites. Fire rings, tent pads, running water, flush toilets and showers nearby. Owens Creek runs alongside many of the campsites and adds to the outdoors experience," notes camper Cory D.
Fishing in local waters: Multiple camping areas offer fishing opportunities. "We had a great trip. The campsites were spread out enough to give each site its privacy yet not separated too far. After setting up camp, we went for a walk along the creek and played in the water," shares Matthew K. about his experience at Owens Creek.
Historical exploration: The area's rich Civil War history makes it ideal for history buffs. Gettysburg Campground provides access to nearby battlefields. "Great spot. Nice creek with ducks. Close to battlefield," says Jenny P. The campground is approximately 20 miles from Thurmont, making day trips convenient.
Secluded forest settings: Many visitors appreciate the natural surroundings. "This site is snuggled in between a few small mountains in the Maryland landscape. It's part of the Cotactin Mountain national park area managed by the National Park Service," explains Sarah C. about Owens Creek Campground.
Peaceful water features: Greenbrier State Park Campground offers lake access and beach areas. "Big, immaculately groomed tent pads. Mostly tent campers! Almost all sites were nice and shaded. Clean bathrooms with free showers were close by. Fellow campers were friendly and respectful," reports Sarah K.
Proximity to attractions: Campers appreciate locations that balance natural settings with access to amenities. "The camp store has everything that any camper could need, and the game room is really nice. The whole campground was clean and well kept. The campground is approximately a 3 minute drive from everything in the town of Gettysburg," notes Dave B. about Artillery Ridge Campground.
Weather considerations: Mountain elevations mean temperature fluctuations. "It was so very cold the first night we were there (25!). We took advantage of our electric site and used a small space heater to take the edge off of that night!" shares a camper at Gambrill State Park Campground.
Campsite differences: Site quality and privacy vary significantly. "Good, if crowded. Nice campground. Stayed at campsite #33. Liked the lot as the tent pad was set back a good way from the road, but the fire ring was awkwardly close to the neighboring campsite. Lots are on the small side and some are less private than others," explains Shari F. about Owens Creek.
Facility maintenance: Bathroom and shower conditions vary by season and usage. "Bathhouse was a standard state park building. The bath house could use a renovation. It seemed kind of dirty and outdated to me," notes one camper about Cunningham Falls State Park.
Swimming options: Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park offers water recreation. "Great park! Well cared for and perfect for a family get away. We loved going to Cunningham falls annually, however, it books up quickly during peak season! There's a lake, boating, playgrounds, hike to the falls," explains Regina C.
Kid-friendly activities: Many campgrounds offer organized events for children. "The staff was great. We had a site right next to the trail going to Stangler Farm. The camp store has everything that any camper could need, and the game room is really nice," reports Dave B.
Trail difficulty ratings: Consider trail length and difficulty when planning with children. "The Lower Falls Trail provides a shorter option suitable for dogs and children," mentions one reviewer. Another notes, "We took our grandkids out for a few days of relaxing and unwinding in the woods. The 3-yo had no issues on the trails."
Site dimensions: When traveling with larger RVs, check site specifications. "We were in the 'A loop' is paved so it's great for bike riding. The bathhouse is just a short walk away," notes Regina C. about Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park.
Hookup locations: At Gettysburg / Battlefield KOA, "We stayed in site 55. Big site but hard to get into. There are a couple of pull thru sites that are much easier. Friendly staff. Lots of trees. Mini golf and pool," advises Bill B.
Leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven terrain. "It took 2 hours to get our camper set up because of the very uneven stone lot, thankfully we had enough wood to get the jack up without having to over extend it," warns one RVer about their experience at Granite Hill Camping Resort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Thurmont, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Thurmont, MD is Owens Creek Campground — Catoctin Mountain Park with a 4.2-star rating from 29 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Thurmont, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 108 dog-friendly camping locations near Thurmont, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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