9 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Pet-friendly camping near Chesapeake Beach spans from full-hookup RV parks to forested campgrounds with direct trail access, giving dog owners a wide range of options. Adventure Bound Washington DC accepts pets at all accommodation types including tents, RV sites, and cabins. The campground offers full hookups at most sites with electric, water, and sewer connections available. Most visitors note the campground has many long-term residents, primarily contractors working in the DC area. The grounds feature picnic tables at each site, drinking water, and trash disposal. Despite some reviews mentioning crowded conditions with sites close together, guests appreciate the clean bathrooms, showers, and on-site laundry facilities.
Cedarville State Forest provides pet-friendly camping from April to October with numerous hiking trails accessible directly from the campground loop. The trails are well-marked with excellent signage, though visitors should bring plenty of tick and bug spray when camping with dogs. Bathrooms and shower facilities are regularly cleaned but occasionally run out of supplies. The forest campground offers 30-amp electric hookups, multiple water spigots throughout the camping loop, and firewood available for purchase. Additional pet-friendly options include Lacy Oasis Campground with tent and glamping sites, and Final-Lee Here where pets are welcome at both tent and RV sites. Both Washington DC/Capitol KOA in Millersville and Cherry Hill Park in College Park allow pets at tent sites, RV sites, cabins, glamping accommodations, and yurts.
"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
"Location wise, it's great to see things in area. Both Washington DC and many area's along the Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis, Chesapeake Beach, Solomon's Etc. The sites are very close but adequate."
"We had a fantastic time our 1st time at #AdventureBoundCampingResort in Lothian, Maryland."
"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."
from $90 - $190 / night
"CAMPGROUND REVIEW: Nestled within the beautiful greenery of Huntingtown, Maryland, this campground offers heart, scenery, and access to numerous adventures."
Available next weekend
from $40 / 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 next 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 next weekend
from $999 / night
from $55 - $95 / night
"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."
"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."
Available next weekend
from $150 / night
"It is a very nice walk about 2 miles to the beach where you can hunt for fossils. The beach has gotten smaller over the years however the trail has gotten much better."
"Also right off the parking lot is a little fishing pond which leads you to the main trail to get down to the beach which is about a mile - a mile and 1/2."
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.
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.
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.
GuideWhat a gem! We found this place as an alternative to staying in DC during 4th of July festivities. Nice spacious sites, cabins were super clean and smelled great! Did I mention they were air conditioned during the hotest week of the summer!
Bathrooms and showers were spotless.
Many things to see and do there. Historic property, big lake (no swimming), boating, fishing, hiking. There is an Art Center with juried displays for sale.
ScoutThe park is very well maintained, and the campsites have clean fire pits and cooking grills. The restrooms are clean, spacious, and well maintained, and my campsite was large enough to comfortably fit a 6-person tent and a canopy.
However, there were a few concerns during our stay. Despite the campground’s quiet hours policy starting at 10:00 PM, many campers continued to make noise well past that time. I did not notice any campground staff or maintenance personnel making rounds to enforce the quiet hours.
I also felt concerned about security. One of my neighboring campers, who was visiting from South Carolina, told me that his generator had been stolen during the night. He reported the theft to the police, and an official report was filed. Incidents like this made me feel unsafe while camping.
I recommend increasing staff or security patrols, especially during the evening and overnight hours, to enforce quiet hours and improve the safety and security of campers and their belongings. With better enforcement and security, Burke Lake Campground would provide an even better camping experience.
TravelerOne of our favorite places. Very well kept. No bathhouse so bring your own. A lot of shady sites. Great views of Chesapeake bay. Flat roads in the area for cycling.
Cedarville State Forest sits about 30 miles from Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, offering wooded campsites and trails through 3,510 acres of mixed forest terrain. The area experiences warm summers with high humidity and mild winters, while spring and fall offer comfortable camping conditions with occasional rainfall. Most campgrounds in this region operate from April through October, with a few sites available year-round.
Hunting for fossils: At Calvert Cliffs State Park, visitors can search for prehistoric shark teeth and fossils along the beach. "Such an amazing expieriance and brings right into the eyes of child with both adult and children searching for shark teeth. Not only is searching for shark teeth a blast, but, the views are beautiful and walkin thru the woofs Is very calming," shares Sarah F.
Kayaking local waterways: Endeavor Point offers direct water access for paddlers. "The pier was perfect to fish or crab off of and the beach had great views of the sunrise," notes Ally S., who visited during Labor Day weekend. The campground provides convenient boat launch access to explore the river and surrounding marshlands.
Disc golf courses: Several parks near Chesapeake Beach feature disc golf courses, including Pohick Bay Regional Park. "I'd recommend taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course," suggests Rachel L., who considers this her "go-to weekend camping spot" just outside DC.
Natural wildlife encounters: Pet friendly camping areas near Chesapeake Beach often feature abundant wildlife. At Final-Lee Here, one camper reported seeing "caterpillars walk on water, a heron and bald eagles soaring above, turtles, a cove where thousands of tadpoles were amidst metamorphosis (having both tails and legs) scampering through and atop the water, and a multitude of dragonflies" during their kayaking trip.
Accessibility to DC attractions: Greenbelt Park Campground offers a unique combination of wooded camping with easy access to Washington DC. "There is plenty of space between camp site clusters. The park itself is safe, quiet, permitting some nice treks through the woods. The other great thing about it that you can spend entire days at the always-free Smithsonian museums and still fall asleep in the woods," explains one reviewer.
Kid-friendly amenities: Many campgrounds near Chesapeake Beach offer family 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," notes Elise M. about camping at Washington DC/Capitol KOA.
Tick prevention essential: Ticks are prevalent in Maryland forests, especially during warmer months. "Lots of trails but in June at least the ticks were waaaay too plentiful," warns Joe C. at Cedarville State Forest. Pack plenty of insect repellent and perform regular tick checks.
Waterfront site limitations: Beachfront access points are often limited. "The beach is very beautiful even though every year it gets smaller and smaller," notes Anthony S. about Calvert Cliffs State Park. Many beaches require hiking to reach them.
Urban noise factors: Despite forest settings, some campgrounds experience noise from nearby development. "It's quiet, but not too dark, as the lights from DC interfere with the night sky here," explains Bill G. about camping at Cedarville State Forest. Aircraft noise can also be present, with one camper noting "You constantly hear airplanes, and helicopters at all times" due to proximity to a Naval base.
Safety features: Look for campgrounds with family-oriented amenities. "Clean place and very quiet," reports erwin S. about Greenbelt Park Campground, which maintains well-monitored facilities and ranger-led programs.
Educational opportunities: Lacy Oasis Campground receives praise for its educational value. "My agency took about 25 children there last week and they did not want to leave, neither did I. The rates are very economical for what is being provided on the space," shares Terrance D., highlighting the positive impact on children.
Bathroom facilities: When camping with kids, clean restrooms matter. At Endeavor Point, "the bathrooms don't look like much from the outside, but the inside is very nice. Clean, hot water, and good water pressure," reports a visitor who appreciated the facilities despite the rustic appearance.
Site selection strategy: At Cherry Hill Park near College Park, choosing the right site matters. "Look at the park map and try to get a site at the end of a row. The sites are pretty close together but on the ends at least you only have a neighbor on one side," advises Scott C., noting how strategic placement can increase privacy.
Leveling challenges: Many RV sites in the area require leveling equipment. "Sites vary in levelness, some are fairly level and some are on a mini hill. Driveways are all very narrow," reports Laura M. about Greenbelt Park Campground. Bring leveling blocks and check site details when booking.
Utility considerations: When camping with RVs near Chesapeake Beach, check specific hookup details. "Full hookups at most sites with electric, water, and sewer connections available," is common at larger campgrounds like Adventure Bound Washington DC. However, Pohick Bay offers varied options where "not all sites are level (half)" according to a regular visitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Chesapeake Beach, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Chesapeake Beach, 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 Chesapeake Beach, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 76 dog-friendly camping locations near Chesapeake Beach, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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