Cherry Hill Park's dedicated dog walking service allows campers to explore Washington DC attractions without worrying about their pets. The campground features two separate off-leash dog parks within the same area, providing ample space for dogs to exercise. Pets are welcome at most campgrounds near Cheltenham, with Cedarville State Forest, Greenbelt Park Campground, and Pohick Bay Campground all offering pet-friendly sites. The bathrooms at Ramblin' Pines are incredibly clean, and the dog park is a favorite spot for many visitors. Adventure Bound Washington DC in Lothian permits pets year-round, while Louise F. Cosca Regional Park accommodates dogs from April to October. Most campgrounds require pets to be leashed when outside designated exercise areas, and owners must clean up after their animals.
Pohick Bay Campground's hiking trail leads directly to a beach area where dogs can explore the shoreline. The trail system at Cedarville State Forest includes equestrian paths that extend deep into the woods, offering longer walking routes for energetic dogs. Campers should be prepared for ticks, especially in wooded areas like Cedarville State Forest, where visitors have reported finding numerous ticks on both themselves and their dogs. Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp maintains well-kept grounds but has somewhat limited pet amenities compared to other nearby options. Hollofield Area Campground in Patapsco Valley State Park features a designated "pet loop" for overflow and those with pets, though this area only has a port-a-potty rather than access to the main bathhouse. Most campgrounds provide waste disposal stations, but bringing extra bags is recommended as some locations have limited supplies.
$30 / night
"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."
$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."
$33 - $150 / night
"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."
"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."
$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."
"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"
$10 - $45 / 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."
$90 - $190 / night
"Whether you are an adult or a child, this place will have a positive effect on you. The owners are involved and designed this space with the visitors pleasure in mind."
$40 / night
"CAMPGROUND REVIEW: Nestled within the beautiful greenery of Huntingtown, Maryland, this campground offers heart, scenery, and access to numerous adventures."
$55 / 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."
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.
RangerThis 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.
LegendCherry 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.
GuideIf 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
ScoutThese 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!
GuideThis 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.
ScoutThe park is located away from the camping grounds. It has two play grounds, several picnic tables and a bathroom. The bathroom is a average out door bathroom with no A.C. and the floor always seems to be wet, but I never had an issue with no toliet paper. The trails are maintained. You could tell there was even some work in progress spots. Wish there were some doggie bag stations just for the trash can. The trail comes close to the road enough times that it could be a great add for a visitor who brings pets and staff would not have to hike in to hike out a bag of garbage.
LegendWe stay at Ramblin Pines because it is close to family and a good proximity to visiting Baltimore and Frederick. The campground is quite large with lots of seasonal sites but there are some transient spaces that can accommodate big-rigs. In addition to RV sites, there are tent sites and cabins.
We stayed in one of the transient sites (#FR14) across from the RV storage lot. It was a long gravel back-in with 50-amp FHU. The water hook-up is in a pit so it doesn’t freeze so look under the cover. It can be a bit difficult to reach and you have to get on the ground to hook-up. Based on the location of the spigot, we were not able to attach our water filter (we drank the tap water anyway and it was good). The electric worked fine and were able to reach the sewer with our 20’ hose. The view out of our front window was of the storage lot which was not the most scenic. However, parking in the FR row is the easiest place for big-rigs to park since some roads in the park are tight and hard to navigate with the trees and with the two-way traffic.
There are lots of amenities and it seems some people come here for the activities and things to do. It is a destination for many campers. They have lots of themed events, the most popular being the entire month of October celebrating like Halloween. They set up a haunted walk through the woods, have pumpkin carving, trick or treating, a costume contest, haunted hayride, and site decoration contest every weekend. If you want to camp on the weekends– book early because we found it very difficult to get a reservation during October and you have to pay in full and there are no refunds for cancellations. Other weekends have live music, bingo, hayrides, cornhole tournaments, crafts, and more. Basically, there is something every weekend.
Huge fishing pond, shuffleboard, horseshoes, large dog park with agility, game room, playgrounds, jump pillow, heated swimming pool, and exercise room (which was decent but didn’t have a television to occupy your time), 18-hole mini golf. A short but nice hiking trail winds through the woods and is nice for walking dogs. There is a large covered pavilion with picnic tables for big gatherings. There is free Wi-Fi but it doesn’t reach sites in the back of the campground. Wi-Fi is great if you are near the office/store. The camp store is fairly large with some food/beverage items, t-shirts, large amount of RV supplies, and misc. other items. There is a coffee maker with free coffee.
ScoutSuper clean Very well maintained Pet friendly... kinda No veteran discounts smh Good for a day or two
Campgrounds near Cheltenham, Maryland sit within the coastal plain region of the state, characterized by flat to gently rolling terrain with elevations around 200-300 feet above sea level. The area has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers reaching 90°F and above from June through August. Winter temperatures typically fall below freezing at night from December through February, with seasonal campground availability reflecting these weather patterns.
Hiking trails and waterfront access: At Cedarville State Forest, visitors can explore multiple trail systems, including equestrian paths. "We hiked the brown trail and it was a nice walk. We have AT&T and had two bars pretty consistently," notes Nurse N. The forest offers both short and extended hiking options through varied terrain.
Kayaking and canoeing: Water activities are accessible at several parks near Cheltenham. "Saturday was well planned for adventure... we kayaked the river and creek through beautiful marshlands where we saw caterpillars walk on water, a heron and bald eagles soaring above, turtles," shares Kelly M. from Final-Lee Here campground, which rents and transports kayaks to nearby Kings Landing Park.
DC monument tours: Many campers use Cheltenham area campgrounds as a base for exploring Washington DC. "We had a fantastic time our 1st time at Adventure Bound Camping Resort in Lothian, Maryland," says Kristy R., who used the camp as a base for DC exploration. The proximity to the city makes day trips practical for campers willing to make the drive.
Level, spacious sites: Campers frequently mention site quality as a factor in their experiences. "The site was perfectly level with a fire ring, grill, picnic table and table with three chairs," notes Jonathan B. about Cherry Hill Park. Many campgrounds in the area provide well-maintained sites that accommodate various camping setups.
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness stands out in reviews of multiple campgrounds. "Bathrooms are clean, closed daily for cleaning between 1 pm - 3 pm. Two showers were included," reports Nurse N. about Cedarville State Forest. This attention to facility maintenance enhances the camping experience, especially for those staying multiple nights.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The natural setting around Cheltenham supports diverse wildlife. "Saw a snake, alligator snapping turtle, and rabbits, before we even reached the gates," writes Ben J. about Cedarville State Forest. These wildlife encounters add value for nature enthusiasts camping in the area.
Tick prevention is essential: Multiple reviews emphasize tick concerns in the wooded campgrounds. "Bring bug and tick spray - definitely need it!" warns Nurse N. at Cedarville State Forest. This is particularly important during warm weather months when ticks are most active.
Reservation requirements vary: Most campgrounds near Cheltenham require advance bookings. "This is a NO CASH facility which means you CANNOT pay upon arrival so you will have to do so online," explains Crystal C. about Greenbelt Park Campground. Check reservation policies before arrival to avoid complications.
Weather impacts: The region experiences strong storms, particularly in summer. "Dark clouds began rolling in and we paddled back to the boat launch, texting the Lee's to meet us for boat pick up. We had planned to hike and swim while at the park, but instead headed for our tent during the storm surges," reports Kelly M. from Final-Lee Here campground. Having weather contingency plans is advisable.
Water recreation options: Families appreciate water activities during hot summer months. "This is definitely a family campground. So my activities for kids and places to run around. Pirate's Cove waterpark is definitely a highlight in summer," notes Anne K. about Pohick Bay Campground.
Playground availability: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. "The camp site backed to the playground and the bathhouse. The site was spacious," shares Ben G. about Pohick Bay Campground. These amenities help keep younger campers engaged during downtime at camp.
Educational opportunities: Family camping trips can incorporate learning experiences. "We saw a multitude of dragonflies. We stopped at a Kings Landing dock, hydrated ourselves and ate our packed lunch," reports Kelly M. about exploring the waterways near Final-Lee Here campground. Natural settings provide opportunities for wildlife education.
Site levelness considerations: RV campers consistently mention terrain challenges. "Sites vary in levelness, some are fairly level and some are on a mini hill. Driveways are all very narrow," notes Laura M. about Louise F. Cosca Regional Park. Bringing leveling blocks is recommended for most area campgrounds.
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary significantly between campgrounds. "Only 5 sites have electric (2, 5, 18, 24, 25) but all 25 sites have water hookup," explains Tye S. about Louise F. Cosca Regional Park. RVers should confirm specific site amenities when booking.
Access challenges: Some campgrounds have navigation difficulties, especially for larger rigs. "Do not try and come in after dark. Very tight and very dark," cautions Matthew S. about Adventure Bound Washington DC. Arrival timing and route planning matter for RV campers in the Cheltenham area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Cheltenham, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Cheltenham, 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 Cheltenham, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 68 dog-friendly camping locations near Cheltenham, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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