Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Denton, MD

Campground sites are nice and spacious, bathrooms are good, and there’s plenty to do for everyone. We hiked the 7.5mile lake trail with our two pups. It was beautiful and along the way there were opportunities to kayak/sup, beach it, or even play on a ropes course. We always travel with our dogs and this place has the BEST dog park. Big open space with access to lots of water play. We definitely recommend this spot!

We do Lums Pond at least twice a year if we can get reservations.

Sites are big and all were redone in the last few years with concrete pads, 30 amp service and full sewer. There are some equestrian and tent sites as well.

Lots of boating (electric motors only) and kayaking on the pond and a decent amount of hiking. There’s an off leash dog park, equestrian center and boat ramp. Book early because it fills up fast!

I was able to book my site the day before the trip. The site itself was set back some, and felt secluded while still being near the parking area.

Walk to bathrooms and camp store was on the longer side. Firewood was $5 a bundle, but the register wasn't working and they could only take cash.

The hiking in the immediate area was beautiful, lots of fun trails and wildlife. Fishing, kayaking, zip lining, tons of great activities.

The firepits have grates over one half, so campfire cooking is a breeze. Cook up and use the provided picnic table for an easy dinner set up.

The park itself is very dog friendly and most sites had dogs. There is also an off leash dog park at Lum's pond and dog water dishes outside the camp store.

The showers and bathrooms were incredibly well kept with hot water and stocked supplies. If you didn't feel like walking so far, the tents had a spiget with running water near the parking areas.

Reception for Verizon was spotty, t mobile was pretty great. Wish there was an ATM on site though I don't think the cash only situation is a normal one for this campground.

All in all an amazing trip, and I'll be back as soon as possible.

This is our favorite campground! It is close enough to ocean city we can enjoy the beach daily but far enough to relax in the woods! This campground is the small sister campground to frontier town. They have a free shuttle bus to provide transportation to assateaque island, frontier town, and ocean city. Campers here are eligible for discounts at frontier town as well! We tent camp but there are RV sites and cabins as well. There is an arcade, camp store, heated pool, playground, dog park, and mini golfing! The main pavilion has rentals for recreational equipment at no extra cost (hula hoops, balls, etc.) There are also themed weekends and scheduled activities throughout the week! The bathhouses are cleaned many times a day and the showers are spacious enough. The staff here is friendly and welcoming. Each tent site is far enough away from the other that you feel spread out and private. This is definitely a place I recommend to friends and family.

Accessible and pet friendly. Great trails and great staff

Our GPS wanted to take us to the main park entrance on Howell School Rd versus Red Lion Rd to the campground entrance on the other side of the pond. The gate and store were not open so we went directly to back-in site 26 with FHUs. Our reservation sheet and vehicle pass were on the post when we arrived. Back-in was okay with having to swing our F-450 and 39’ 5th wheel into the grass between sites across the street. Utilities were smartly placed at the middle of the pad. We had 2 to 3 bars on Verizon and 2 bars on AT&T. However, we had trouble with AT&T maintaining internet on our Weingard Connect. The CG is in two loops. Sites 1-30 make up the first loop and that is where most of the larger rigs camped. A rough estimate(double check site size online) is that sites 12- 18 will take larger rigs up to around 45’ but you’ll need to park your tow vehicle or toad angled in front of your rig. Our site was long enough for our 39’ fifth wheel but we had to park our truck at an angle as well. The second loop does have larger sites but is mainly suited for small rigs to include a tent area. Both loops have a large grass field in the middle that the sites back up to, which is great for playing outside games and without many trees so you could use satellite from almost all the sites. From a spaciousness point of view, the best site in the CG is 17, but it is near the walking trail. The shower house also contains a small laundry with 3 washers and 4 dryers that are reasonably priced, although one washer was out of service at the time. However, there was not a change machine. You could purchase firewood from one of the on duty camp hosts. A short drive from the campground to another Lum’s Pond State Park area there’s a really cool dog park where you can walk the dogs off leash down trails and with open play areas along the pond. One of the best features of this off-leash area is how secluded it is away from the main road. Supposedly this is known as a haunted campground, although we didn't see or hear anything out of the ordinary. If in the area, we would stay here again.

We had a great time at this Campground. The facilities are clean and well maintained and all of the staff was very accommodating.

We loved riding the bus to the water park (which is free) but we chose to drive to Assateague because they only drop off and pick up at the visitors center and the distance from there to the beach was a little far. Plus there was so many fun places to see on the island that we would not have done if we didn't drive ourselves, crabfishing and clamdigging can be done on the bay side, but it's a little far to walk with small children.

The campground has enough to keep you busy and most of it was surprisingly free. There are pedal boats and canoes that you can take out on the lake, which you can also fish in. My son had the most fun with just a solo cup scooping up minnows, tadpoles and these crazy jumping shrimp (which startled the hell out of me when he proudly brought the cup over for me to inspect his catch lol). There is a nice pool and a very nice mini golf course that we played almost every night because it was a fun thing to do after dark and before bed. The daytime activities for kids were fun as well and my son even "set the alarm" so he wouldn't miss out on tie dyeing a t-shirt. They also have a variety of sporting goods to borrow at the store, horseshoes, basketballs, and whiffle ball sets to name a few. The playgrounds were nice and they also have a small skateboard\BMX ramp area, as well as a very cute dog park with their own playground equipment.

As with any campground store, things are a bit pricey but I was surprised to find out that their price on a container of Old Bay seasoning was actually cheaper than the crab shack where we bought a bushel of crabs for dinner. I had intended to stop at a dollar general but forgot and decided to check the camp store before going back out and they were a few dollars cheaper than the crab shack and even though I don't know how much it would have been at a different store, I was happy to not have to go anywhere else. Ice is also comparible to Walmart or other convenience stores. However, if you intend to have a campfire, find a cheaper place along the road because you're going to pay about $1.25 per log at the camp store.

Overall, we had a great time at this campground and the rates were very reasonable compared to other places nearby. We would love to camp on Assateague someday but, like Burning Man, you have to be prepared to camp on sand in full sun and put up with wild animals raiding your camp looking for food, lol. Someday maybe, but I would definitely be interested in coming back to Fort Whaley!

We camped here in early spring and it makes for a peaceful mini break.Not too easy finding the inner camping loops, but the rangers were very helpful when we checked in. Electrical hook ups and mini cabins meant for lots of RVs and not as much privacy as I had hoped for, so pick your campsite wisely. Mini cabin D is pet friendly but one of the few. Bathrooms were pretty clean, although perpetually wet floors throughout. Nice washing station for doing dishes, which was a major plus. Not too buggy for the early warmth of the season, but watch out for those ticks. Nice hiking and fishing as well. Didn't see much wildlife, but the stargazing was lovely. One bundle of wood wasn't enough to make dinner, so be mindful of the 9pm cut off for firewood, if you're planning on a camp breakfast before 7am. Overall made for a memorable anniversary. Would definitely come again.

We enjoyed our stay there. It is a brand new campground so the place is immaculate. The staff is friendly, the campground and their beach were clean and in order, the pool was awesome and the band at the pool each day was a nice touch. At night time the pool is lit up with different lights, the pool nearest the swim up bar is heated and the live band plays till about 10 pm. There is also a café for coffee and icecream, The Jackspot restaurant for vittles, a gym, a playground, a beach and a fenced in playground for your pets, it has an security arm that activates once you swipe through to enter the campground and you can wear wrist bands that have an RDIF. Once you load money on them, you do not have to carry your wallet around. The only thing we didn't like were the showers. Push button showers with two small children are not fun at all. The location is very close to Rehoboth Beach and Ocean City.

Trap Pond is wonderful, we camp there a lot. It's great for kayaking and canoeing, freshwater fishing, birding, biking and hiking. There are miles of well maintained trails for bicycles, and free bike rentals from the campground bike shed. There are also loads of well marked water trails, one of which leads to a really nice cypress swamp with active beaver dam. Pontoon boat tours and kayak and canoe rentals are available for a reasonable fee. There is a nice play area for children in the campground that's just been upgraded, and a larger one across the pond in the public area. A lovely nature center is available for visiting during the day at no charge. It's fairly quiet and great for families and children.

Campsites are wooded and well kept, with fire rings and picnic tables at each, and there are a range of scheduled activities for all ages from free to a small fee. Staff and volunteer hosts are friendly and courteous, and there is a camp store and laundry facilities. Bath houses, while a bit dated, are kept clean and neat. Pets are welcome. Cabins and Yurts are available, (And adorable).

We were able to get a yurt as a walk up after the office closed thanks to the help of a kind staff member. The yurt was cozy and had a waterfront view of the pond. They fit up to 5 people and are air conditioned, but you’ll need your own sheets, pillow, & blankets! The campground was well kept with some trails, views of the pond all around, a small play ground, several bath houses, and an activity spot with cornhole and ladder ball set up. Pets are allowed except in the cabins and yurts.

If you like privacy the cabins and yurts provide plenty of it, and they do offer secluded island tent spots as well. The Reginald spots were a bit open and close to gether but they had electric and non electric available. There were canoe and kayak rentals for $10 an hour. Overall a fun place for the family. The only reason I gave it a 4 outta 5 is the fact that the bathrooms and showers were a bit dirty but other than that it was a great stay!!!

We have stayed here twice and will stay here again later this summer; it is the closest campground to our home.  The campground is operated by Calvert County Parks.  Alcohol and pets are prohibited in the day-use area... but are allowed in the campground, so don't let the signs scare you when you first enter.  The reason for the 3-star rating is as follows... I had to mark it down for the loose-sandy sites; yes, I know it is a beach but they really need to firm-up the actual RV parking spots.  Some are worse than others, but it can be a challenge leveling and stabilizers can't get a firm footing, be sure to have some wood or other platform for your stabilizers.  Also, there us no dump statin and the pump-out option is only offered a couple days per week.  Finally, there is no camp store although Breezy Point Market is just a mile or so away.  Okay... none of that should be a deal breaker... the sites are backed right to the Chesapeake Bay and the view and access are priceless.  The day-use folks are not allowed on the camping side of the beach... so, there's plenty of beach space and water space for campers.

Cape Henlopen is wonderful and really, really large. Bring the bicycles, helmets are required. We love it here, there is so much to do. There are miles upon miles of walking and biking trails. There are nice play facilities for kids, loads of water and beach access. Great fishing, with a large open pier complete with well stocked, well informed and reasonably priced tackle shop on the pier. Nice bathroom facilities available there as well.

There is a fantastic nature center (FREE) complete with touch tanks and knowledgeable park staff. Free bike rentals are available, some with baby seats and trailers. As a former military installation, there are lots of military historical items and sites. Underground bunkers and batteries and such. There's a wonderful observation tower built on top of one of these that affords beautiful 360 degree views and photo opportunities. There are also old observation towers, one of which you can climb to the top of.

Lots and lots of wildlife and nature photography to be had here.

Campsites can be a bit tight, and the measurements online are real. Fire rings and picnic tables are available on sites. There's a camp store as well. We've stayed both on sites and in one of the really nice cabins. The cabins are great for families, but do not allow pets.

There are two sides to this campground, North of the Indian River Inlet and South. The North side is newer, smaller, and generally less crowded. Sites are also larger on the North Side. The park is well maintained, with water and sewer hookups. Clean, well maintained bath houses. Loads of activities and programs for adults and children, from free to a reasonable fee. There's walkover beach access on both sides, with restroom facilities available. You're not going to get any closer to the beach without actually camping on it. There is a small camp store on the South side, and a bait and tackle shop in the marina on the North. Nice playground facilities for kids on both sides. We love it here, and camp there a lot since we're local. There are nice lighted bike / walking paths over the bridge to get from one side to the other that offer great views. There's a wonderful nature trail at the back side of the marina called Burton's Island Nature Trail. Pets are welcome.

The drawbacks are these. There are no fire rings on campsites. Sites are not wooded, there is zero shade and it gets HOT in the high summer. Lots of fishing here. There will be fishermen on the beach, and also along the inlet wall at all hours. It gets windy here, especially during any sort of weather event. Sturdy tents can survive. We've seen people lose awnings and EZ-ups galore if they're not mindful of wind and weather. All in all, it's the most affordable way to vacation at the beach, and can be awesome if you're well prepared, but miserable if you're not.

This is a small state park with two loops, one with and one without electric hookups. Sites have fire rings and picnic tables. There is a dump station available. Sites are level, in a loop around the bath house. There are also a few cabins available to rent. There's a small $1 surcharge for out of state campers.

For kids, there’s a simple swingset in the loop and a larger, newer playground. Firewood available.

Martinak and Tuckahoe are sister parks, about 20 minutes apart. Tuckahoe offers a number of additional activities, including disc golf, mountain biking, fishing, swimming, and boating(canoe/kayak rentals available). If you’re looking to learn and explore with your kids, there is an extensive junior ranger program.

August 1, 2021, the boat ramp will close for a year; that will likely diminish the appeal of this park for those who want to get out on the river for fishing or boating. When open, there is a network of river trails accessible from the park. There’s a boat launch in nearby West Denton or also at Tuckahoe and a few other nearby spots.

Denton is also your destination if you've forgotten anything.

Site Details: We stayed on site#19 in Loop B(the electric loop). Our site was large, very level, and surrounded by pine and hardwood trees. All sites in this loop were fairly spread out, with ample tree separation between each one. I don’t think there was a bad site in the loop. 

Facilities/Overall Park: The loop had a wonderful, heated bath house which was centrally located and a very short walk from our site. It looked to be recently built(or renovated), and was impeccably clean with very nice-looking showers(which we didn’t use this time). However, there were only 3 stalls and 2 showers, so I imagine the lines could get pretty long during peak season. There was also a nice outdoor dishwashing sink on the exterior of the bath house. 

The park itself is rather small, but very pretty and(mostly) peaceful. It’s set on the Choptank River and Watts Creek, with a great amphitheatre and walking trails with beautiful water views. There is also a nature center(which was closed for the season), as well as several pavilions and playgrounds scattered throughout the park. The pavilions were in definite need of a facelift, and the playgrounds were older but decent. 

While the park was very quiet and enjoyable during the day, unfortunately I couldn’t say the same for nighttime and early morning. The first night, we were awoken several times by the very loud firehouse siren from the neighboring town of Denton. It sounded like one of those older air raid-type sirens, with a really loud, jarring windup. My husband looked it up the next day, and discovered that Denton does in fact use that old fashioned alarm system to signal any type of emergency. In addition, we heard very loud gunshots from nearby goose hunters right at sunrise. So, you may luck out if you camp outside of hunting season and there are no overnight emergencies during your stay.:) 

Martinak is a sister park to the larger Tuckahoe State Park(about 10-15 minutes down the road), and the two parks share and co-host many events between both facilities, mostly during peak season. Upon check-in, the(extremely friendly) rangers handed us a map and calendar of events for both parks. 

Surrounding Area/Attractions: The small town of Denton is about 5 minutes outside the park, with a Walmart, a few chain and standalone restaurants, plenty of gas stations, and most modern conveniences. St. Michael’s, a very quaint and popular tourist destination, is about 45 minutes away. 

Overall, while this a very pretty park with nicely wooded and spaced-out sites, we prefer the neighboring Tuckahoe SP for its slightly better trails, nicer day-use area with newer playground, and(most importantly) lack of midnight sirens.

What I like about Tuckahoe St. Park is that the Electric loop has larger back in sites on both sides ot the drive loop. The bath house is located in the center of the loop. A separate adjoining loop has a small playground. Sites are 30 amp only (no sewer, no water at each site). Water stations are located around the drive loop. Most sites are shady. Recommend checking the reservation system first.

The park is located on Lake Tuckahoe, but camping area is not adjacent to the lake. he lake is great for fishing, canoeing and kayaking.

Grocery/shopping and other amenities are 4 mi. to Ridgley, MD or 9 mi. to Denton, MD.

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