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Cherry Hill Park features full hookup sites for RVs, tent camping areas, and pet-friendly cabins within a gated property near College Park. Dogs are welcome throughout the campground with standard leash requirements, and the park maintains clean grounds with multiple waste disposal stations. The campground offers premium sites with brick patios and patio furniture that accommodate campers traveling with pets. Facilities include two swimming pools, clean restrooms, showers, and laundry services, though pets are not permitted in these common areas. Sites are level with fire rings and picnic tables, providing comfortable spaces for pets and their owners despite the relatively close spacing between campsites.
Campers with dogs appreciate Cherry Hill Park's convenient location for accessing Washington DC while keeping pets comfortable at their campsite. The campground provides well-maintained walking areas throughout the property where pets can exercise. Some road noise from nearby I-95 affects certain areas of the campground, so requesting sites away from the highway is advisable for pets sensitive to noise. Several dog-friendly trails exist in the broader region, including Greenbelt Park located approximately 15 minutes away. The campground's security features create a safe environment for walking dogs, even in evening hours. While the primary draw is DC access, the park itself offers sufficient pet-friendly amenities for comfortable stays with animals during city explorations.
"Full hookup, huge gated property, relatively close to D.C., pool, hot tub and sauna! They also offer shuttles services to D.C."
"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."
from $999 / night
Check Availability"If you are really looking for somewhere to feel far away from civilization and see some beautiful scenery, this probably isn't it."
"The park is located away from the camping grounds. It has two play grounds, several picnic tables and a bathroom."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"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."
"A lot to do: mountain bike trails (horses and walking, too); wooded hikes with water along the trails (great for dogs in the summer heat), skateboard park, BMX park, Water Park near the campground, fishing"
"We set up our tent in the far side of the campground close to the lake ( site 27). It is slightly slant but still comfortable in the tent. Bathrooms are close by and kept clean."
from $30 - $70 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $37 - $170 / night
Check Availability"Camp site(Tent camping)
The camp site is what it is, just a camp site :) It's one of the bigger state parks surrounded by forest in MD.""Another negative was after the storm for the next few days we heard trees falling nearby."
from $20 - $51 / night
Check Availability"Pet friendly. Very quiet. I only gave it 4 stars because the camp sites are too close together. Fire pits were well designed, bathrooms were relatively clean."
"It may be close to suburbia (a neighborhood right through the trees) and convenient to major highways (literal minutes to I95), but you will feel like you are truly secluded in the woods."
from $19 - $27 / night
Check Availability"Quiet woods in Maryland about 30 or 40 miles north of DC. Tenting, and RV spots partial to full service. Just of hiway 270. pricey ($66/night) for a state park, but nice."
"PROS Very nice small Montgomery County Park
No reservation fee to make on-line reservations
Reserved 137 days prior to arriving
Entrance gate required entry code Instructed by staff via gate phone"
"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"
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.
ScoutThis is are first camping adventure in are new travel trailer. Camp ground is quiet and well maintained. Bath rooms and shower facilities are fantastic.
GuidePrimitive feel with full hookups. I have a 22' trailer, and it fits fine. I hope you like trains. Plenty of them go by.
GuideThis is a great camping spot. The sites aren’t too close together and the hosts are very friendly. The only reason I gave it four stars is because we are near a highway so you can hear cars throughout the night. But the crickets make up for it by being as loud as possible. With the fees, it cost $25 for a non-electric site and with access to showers after a long trek I was happy to pay.
RangerWe stayed at Redemption Springs to get relatively close to Baltimore without bringing our 30ft travel trailer into the city. Seth and the other gentlemen I spoke with were all extremely accommodating. Enjoyed learning about their approach to restorative farming and purchasing a variety of treats at the farm store. Beef, pork, chicken, seasonings, baked goods, and more. We booked on Hipcamp and recommend following his driving instructions. Our rig fit fine by tuhe main barn and they kept an eye on us going in and out to make sure we didn't have issues making any of the turns. Lots of farm life!
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.
Patapsco Valley State Park offers several camping areas within 30 miles of College Park, making it a convenient pet-friendly destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The region sits at elevations ranging from 100-300 feet with a humid subtropical climate that includes hot summers and mild winters. Camping conditions vary significantly between urban-adjacent sites with full amenities and more remote locations with primitive facilities.
Mountain biking on maintained trails: At Lake Fairfax Campground, campers can access excellent biking opportunities. "A lot to do: mountain bike trails (horses and walking, too); wooded hikes with water along the trails (great for dogs in the summer heat), skateboard park, BMX park," notes reviewer Amy B.
Explore historical sites: Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area offers history alongside natural features. "There are lots of pretty cool Bridges, old houses, and a water fall. I recommend this to any beginner hikers," says Anthony S., who appreciates the well-marked trails despite occasional navigation confusion.
Kayaking and canoeing: Water activities are popular at several parks in the region. "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," mentions Anthony S., highlighting the clean conditions and knowledgeable staff.
Public transportation access: At Greenbelt Park Campground, campers appreciate the easy access to Washington DC. "There are two stations very close to camp (Greenbelt and University Park). Rides vary depending on how far you are going but on average I spent about $10 per day on METRO versus $20-$40 on parking in the district," shares Crystal C.
Natural settings within urban areas: Many campers value finding secluded spots close to city amenities. "This is an urban oasis. Traffic can be heard but not seen. Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground," explains Becky, adding that "Rangers keep a close eye on things, and there are monthly programs at the campfire circle."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The region offers surprising wildlife encounters despite urban proximity. "Every morning birds and squirrels" are present at Hollofield Area Campground according to Diana S., while at Pohick Bay Campground, Kathie M. notes there are "Eagles everywhere!"
Tent pad restrictions: At some parks, hammock camping is restricted. At Greenbelt Park Campground, Timothy C. points out that "park service forbade tying lines or straps to the trees at the time of our visit (Autumn 2024), so if you favor hammock camping or deploying tarps/ridgelines, plan accordingly."
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven sites. "Sites were pretty level but a bit small, with a short driveway," notes Jen V. about Hollofield Area Campground, while at Lake Fairfax, Erin W. observed "many tent sites were not level at all. Many tents were on a full slant."
Traffic noise factors: Highway proximity affects sleep quality at some locations. At Washington DC Capitol KOA, Joe R. advises visitors to "Be weary of decent highway noise, but easily drowned out with the AC," while at Adventure Bound Washington DC, Cynthia D. noted "Nearby road was very busy with a lot of traffic noise especially early in the morning."
Water parks and splash pads: Pohick Bay Regional Park offers aquatic attractions for children. "They informed us that they had a scavenger hunt for the kids going all weekend, they had an outdoor movie scheduled for Friday night, a campfire story time scheduled for Saturday night and crafts scheduled for Sunday morning," shares Ben G., adding that "This was music to our ears as we camp with our 3 and 1 year old."
Natural play spaces: Several parks feature creative play areas beyond traditional playgrounds. At Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area, Jennifer S. described "a 'natural' playground in the loop... aka, large rocks and overturned trees. The kids loved it."
Family-focused activities: Scheduled events keep children engaged at many campgrounds. At Ramblin Pines, facilities include "a pool, jump pillow, mini golf, fishing pond, barnyard with goats, and multiple playgrounds," according to Sean M., who appreciates the shade from numerous trees throughout the property.
Site selection for privacy: At Little Bennett Campground, RVers recommend specific loops for better separation. "The sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup. D Loop is for RVs, A, B, C & E are tents only," advises Ray & Terri F., who measured internet speeds of "AT&T 5 MB/s w/o booster(1 bar), 8 MB/s with it(2 bars)."
Leveling requirements: RVers should prepare for significant leveling at some sites. At Little Bennett Campground, one reviewer noted "Site#D69 level side-to-side but we were forced to greatly elevate front of trailer to level front-to-back."
Dump station locations: Facilities for waste disposal are inconsistently located across regional campgrounds. At Hollofield Area Campground, "Water fill & Dump Station on the beach side of the bathhouse," notes Corey B., while at Little Bennett, a reviewer pointed out "No toilet/shower facility in FHU loop so had to hike to facilities in Loops B & E."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near College Park, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near College Park, MD is Cherry Hill Park with a 4.8-star rating from 44 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near College Park, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 72 dog-friendly camping locations near College Park, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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