Rocky Gap State Park Campground offers well-maintained pet-friendly sites across multiple camping loops. Pets are allowed in designated camping areas including tent sites, RV spots, and select cabins. The campground features spacious sites with plenty of room for camping equipment and pet areas, with many campers noting the ample shade provided by the surrounding forest. Leashed pets are permitted throughout most of the park, though they are restricted from the swimming beaches and certain buildings. All sites in the Fir loop are particularly popular with pet owners due to their proximity to walking paths and the bathhouse. The park's trail system provides excellent opportunities for dog walking, with the lakeside trail offering a 5.3-mile route around Lake Habeeb. Local campgrounds are searchable through The Dyrt's listings.
Nearby Cumberland MD Campgrounds offers alternative pet-friendly accommodations with varying site layouts. The grassy open camping area provides views of the Potomac River and direct access to the C&O Canal Trail, making it ideal for daily dog walks. Green Ridge State Forest and Savage River State Forest also welcome pets with more primitive camping options for those seeking a natural experience. Pet owners should note that summer temperatures can reach the high 80s, requiring extra water and shade considerations for animals. Wildlife is abundant in the area, necessitating proper leash control on trails. The campground beach areas are generally not suitable for pets, though many water access points along hiking trails provide opportunities for dogs to cool off. Bathhouses are regularly cleaned and well-maintained, an important consideration for longer stays with pets.
$23 - $29 / night
"Great location in Western Maryland. 10 min ride to Cumberland (larger town) 5 min ride to small town of Flintstone. Lots of well marked trails that range from beginner to advanced."
"Rocky gap is one of my favorite parks to camp in Maryland! It is right along a great lake, where you can swim, fish, kayak or just lay about. The camp store is well stocked and the staff is friendly."
$35 / night
"Jesse is the owners dog and she will come out for scratching and pets. You get the feeling that you are welcome there. Amazing views and very enjoyable."
"Me and a small group of friends stayed here for a weekend and we had a blast it was so peaceful we where right next to the river and had some great trails too hike on."
$10 / night
"All are roadside, but plenty are tucked away so you feel alone in the woods. You can occupy a site as long as you register at the parks main office. $10/night."
"We arrived on a Friday around 6 and found every campsite full. We ended up at an overflow site. Get there early if at all possible!"
$58 - $70 / night
"We had a very positive experience at Hidden Springs. We stayed 4 nights, the first two were very quiet at the campground."
"I stayed at a primitive campsite with my dog and we found a site right on a beautiful stream."
"This was a beautiful state forest, with two state parks sort of bordering it (Big Run & New Germany). The roads were all paved which was nice."
$20 - $110 / night
"Shawnee State Park is a very large campground (319 campsites with mixed electric and non-electric, some pet friendly, some not) about 10 minutes off highway 76 and 20 minutes from the Flight 93 National"
"Was pleased by the quiet despite size of campground and proximity to highway. Sites not overly large or private. Has wood vending machine at entrance for firewood."
$18 - $117 / night
"New Germany State Park is situated in Garrett County Maryland. The park has a small lake, a few trails, and two camping loops."
"There are two loops- one pet friendly, one not. The larger ( not pet friendly) loop is nearer the lake."
$10 - $20 / night
"We have three children who absolutely loved petting and feeding Mules and Donkeys! The pool is a nice amenity unfortunately the weather wasn't swimming weather when we were there."
"It’s peaceful and has lots of hiking trails! They are a dog friendly campground and the owners are so kind. Thank you for providing a safe, quiet space to camp. ❤️🥰"
$34 - $74 / night
"It’s a quiet spot to relax away from all the fast paced noise of city life. Campground is clean and the spots are nice. Might be a little closer than other places, but I wouldn’t let that deter you!"
"Lots to do, friendly staff and easy access to c.o. canal"
GuideOne of the best campgrounds I have stayed at so far the pond is nice and has a 1/2 mile walking path around it with trees and beaches to stop and sit dog park is big and has a place for small or large dogs there is 3 play grounds all different and all well kept
GuideNew Germany State Park is situated in Garrett County Maryland. The park has a small lake, a few trails, and two camping loops. The Hemlock loop- the only loop that allows pets, is smaller and is mostly made for tent camping, though one site has electricity, but only big enough for a teardrop camper. There is a bathroom with a hot shower. The problems with the Hemlock loop is the proximity to the other campers. Our neighbors were loud, their kids were louder and their dog was ear- splitting loud. The tent pads are varied in size with sites 52, 53 and 57 being just big enough for a large tent and not much else. Every site has a large picnic table ( that is impressively hard to move) and a fire ring. Some sites are not very level, not not as much that your rolling out of bed in your sleep. There is water, but just at the bathroom area. This makes sense since the loop itself is very small. Deer are dense in these parts, and bears frequent the area. Summer temps usually do not get as nice 85max most of the summer. There is also cross country skiing in the winter. Despite the smaller sites, the Hemlock loop is frequently full, as is the non pet loop, which can accommodate larger tents and RV’s., but no pets.
GuideThis campground checks all our boxes. Beautiful scenery, quiet location, spacious campsites, full RV hookups, well-placed fire rings, dog park, nice large bathhouses, polite staff, and Wi-Fi that works.
This is located about an hour away from my home, so we plan on making this our go-to for quick camping getaways throughout the year.
Highly recommended. Definitely worth checking out.
GuidePreface: if your main objective is activities for children, you have come to the right place. This place is loud and full of kids.
We booked a site but chose not to pay to select which one. All the pictures looked great! We ended up on a grassy hill in the back. The spot was so unlevel there were 19 inches between my bottom step and the ground. This site was the same price as level ones closer to activities.
Also bathrooms were outdated. They had older residential toilets that plugged constantly. The day we left 2 of the 3 in our nearest bathroom were out of order.
Aside from all the above, the Dog Park is awesome. It’s the size of a real, normal dog park. The ice cream on site is also a nice perk.
RangerThis may be the first campground I give a 10 out of 10! All the amenities your could want, it's clean, sites are leveled, it's maintained beautifully, there are cows in the distance, fully stocked store, friendly staff. Laundry, bathrooms, fairly spacious sites, a pool, dog park. Very, very nice.
ScoutGreat location in Western Maryland. 10 min ride to Cumberland (larger town) 5 min ride to small town of Flintstone. Lots of well marked trails that range from beginner to advanced. Lake holds opportunity for numerous activities from swimming, fishing, kayaking, paddle board, and canoeing. No motorized boats which can be a good thing sometimes. The lake even has areas for pets to swim! Campground has tent sites, cabins, camper sites and group sites. All loops have bath houses with showers. Several loops have sites with electric hook ups and pets friendly loops as well. Casino and golf course located on the opposite side of the lake if you wish to visit them while camping.
RangerRocky gap is one of my favorite parks to camp in Maryland! It is right along a great lake, where you can swim, fish, kayak or just lay about. The camp store is well stocked and the staff is friendly. We always stay on Dogwood loop, and the camp hosts are there if you need them, but otherwise leave you be to enjoy your stay.
My only complaint is the sounds from the highway. You can hear the trucks go by, and that does take away from the experience a bit.
We just got our tent this year, so we have always stayed in one of the cabins, when camping here. The rest of the sites are rather separated though, and a great camping experience. I'm attaching several photos from our years of camping at Rocky Gap,, in cabin 104 Dogwood.
We usually stay on Dogwood Loop, which has a nice, direct path from one of the sites down to the beach area. I would say that it is about a 1/4-1/3 mile walk from the loop to the beach/playground area. That said, when going to the beach to swim, we took our car. However, for a trip to the playground or just for a nice walk, the path is great.
The beach area here is, by far, my favorite in the area. I've been to Greenbrier and Herrington Manor, and the beach area at RGSP is, in my opinion, superior. There is a roped off area for swimming, an area for dogs and an area for fishing. You can rent kayaks, paddle boards & canoes for about $5-10 an hour (depending on the type) and going out on the lake is a great way to spend the day! The water is incredibly clean and the best part, is that the 'day use' area for the general public is seperate. So, when you go to the beach at Rocky Gap, it is just other campers. This keeps the beach clean, quiet and not crowded.
There is also a roughly 5 mile loop trail the goes around the lake, and starts and finishes near the camp store. I have not done this hike, but often see runners and hikers coming in and out and have heard it is fantastic. There is also a small trail that comes off of the dogwood loop, across from the camp host's site. My small dog and I have done about 1/2 mile of it- it is rocky, but beautiful.
My son was 6 when we came here last and he was able to ride his bike around the dogwood loop just fine. It is a little hilly, but not too much and I've also enjoyed running the loops in years past.
I've been to 6 Maryland campgrounds this year, and I have to say that Rocky Gap has, by far, the best bathhouse. The women's room has 2-3 very updated shower stalls, roughly 5 bathroom stalls and is always clean. Outside of the bathhouse, is a dish washing station with hot water and a garbage disposal.
You can purchase bundles of firewood for $5 at the campstore and ice is around $3. They also don't have trash dumps on the loops, and you take your trash to the main trash area near the camp store.
GuideWe chose this campground for its proximity to home with the chance to swim in the lake.
The camping did not disappoint. We always try to book “outside” loop sites so we don’t have “back neighbors” but none near the lake were available, so we took our chances on an “inside” site in E loop. It was great, smallish, but plenty of vegetation to make it feel private. (Some poison ivy around the edges, though.) The pull-in sites in general seem a bit small (space for our two 4-person tents and that’s it), but are well shaded and separated from neighbors by small patches of woods or bushes. The pull-through sites in our loop were more exposed to the road, but had a bit more space.
There was some noise from the interstate. There were surprisingly few mosquitoes. The bathhouse was clean, but showers were not very warm.
The swimming was unfortunately disappointing. The roped-off swimming area was 3 feet deep at the most. Warm water in August, nice for kids to splash around, but not really good for actual swimming. Bonus for dog people: pets allowed on the beach and in the lake.
During COVID-19, the bathrooms/bathhouses at the beach area are closed; porta-johns only.
We rented paddle boards and a canoe one afternoon and paddled around to one of the lake inlets, which was actually deep and had a good swim. But this is technically not allowed.
If you feel okay about rule-breaking and have water-safe family members (and no pets), I would absolutely choose a site in I loop close to the lake. The sites in E loop closest to the lake are actually up a fairly steep hill from the lake path.
Hiking trails were nice. My kids especially liked the rock scramble-ish up and down the stream gorge on Evitt’s Mountain trail.
TravelerI was the only tenter at the time of my stay; had the whole place to myself. The sites are spread far apart and wooded. Table and fire rings are at each site. They have a brand new bath house which was spotless and a well kept dog park for the furs. If desired, there is a group campsite and the use of a pavilion too. The camp store if beautiful and has everything in it should you forget something. I’ll definitely be back.
Camping near Ellerslie, Maryland ranges from primitive forest sites to full-service campgrounds along the Potomac River. Located in Allegany County at approximately 850 feet elevation, the area experiences summer temperatures reaching the high 80s during day while cooling to the 60s at night. Winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that can drop to the teens with occasional snowfall, particularly in higher elevation sites within the surrounding state forests.
Hike the Lake Habeeb Trail: The 5-mile trail around Lake Habeeb offers varied terrain and scenic lake views. "The 5 mile hike around Lake Habeeb is enjoyable. Great way to see all sides of the park. Across the lake from the campground is a casino and resort," notes Jeff H. from Rocky Gap State Park Campground.
Fish at multiple locations: Fishing opportunities range from stocked ponds to natural rivers. "Sites along 15 mile creek are the ones that usually go first," explains a reviewer about Green Ridge State Forest's popular fishing areas. The forest contains both "great fishing at the Potomac River and both 15 mile and Flintstone creeks."
Paddle the lakes and rivers: Rentals available at several locations for water recreation. At Savage River State Forest, "the creek had some pools deep enough to sit in and get fairly wet," while Rocky Gap offers "a lot of paddle boards and canoes for rent."
Visit historic sites: The C&O Canal Trail connects to numerous historic structures. "A fantastic museum is near that 1 3/4 mile point. The National Park Visitor Center is there as well which is very informative," shares Roger W. about walking from Cumberland MD Campgrounds.
Spacious wooded sites: Many campgrounds offer ample room between sites. "Can't believe how much space is between each site. You're close enough to see other campers but far enough away to feel you have you own sections of woods," reports Jeff H. about Rocky Gap State Park.
Mountain climate: Higher elevation means cooler temperatures than surrounding regions. At New Germany State Park Campground, "it's a small park nestled in a little pristine valley that feels like you are in another world! You are surrounded by old growth hemlock, miles of trails, and a good lake."
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk offer best animal sighting opportunities. "We saw no wildlife until we left the site in the morning and saw some deer on the road. Though we did have a spectacular firefly display at night," notes Veronica S. about camping in Savage River State Forest.
Proximity to towns: Easy access to supplies while maintaining natural setting. "From our campsite, we could not see or hear the next closest campsite, in fact, I'm not exactly sure where it even was," writes a reviewer about Green Ridge, while noting "the closest store is 30 minutes away."
Cell service varies dramatically: Most primitive sites have no reception. At Green Ridge State Forest, campers report "on Verizon, you can find phone service in a few of the campsites," while at New Germany State Park "there is NO cell coverage, so bring your conversation starters or a book."
Weather fluctuations: Mountain locations can see rapid temperature changes. "The weather was crazy the one night I stayed! Thunderstorms turned to ice turned to snow which made the area even more beautiful!" notes Michele F. about camping at New Germany State Park.
Site selection matters: Research specific sites before booking. "If you're looking for a rugged, isolated forest. It has 100 primitive drive-up campsites... and countless more 'overflow' sites with a fire ring if it happens to be full when you arrive," explains Andrew M. about Green Ridge State Forest.
Road conditions: Many campground access roads require higher clearance vehicles. "Remember a good portion of the campsites are reached by notoriously thin and rough roads," warns a reviewer about Green Ridge. Another adds, "some of the back roads are pretty rough so you'll ideally want a car with decent clearance."
Select dog-friendly loops carefully: Not all pet-friendly campsites offer the same amenities. At New Germany State Park "the Hemlock loop- the only loop that allows pets, is smaller and is mostly made for tent camping, though one site has electricity, but only big enough for a teardrop camper."
Find natural water features: Kids appreciate accessible water play areas. At Hillcrest River Kampground one camper reports "we had a great stay! Peak fall foliage and view was spectacular!" with easy access to both the "Potomac River and C & O Canal Trail."
Consider bathroom proximity: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. "The bathhouse was kept very clean, even though the campground was full," notes Kimberly H. about Rocky Gap. Contrast with Spring Gap where "chemical toilets - clean" are the only option according to one reviewer.
Plan for wildlife education: Many campgrounds have nature centers or wildlife viewing. "For kids they have a small jungle gym and critter center. Overall a very nice family camping area," explains a reviewer about New Germany State Park.
Size restrictions apply: Many forest roads have width and length limitations. At Shawnee State Park Campground, "we heeded the advice of other reviewers warning that many sites were not level and did not reserve ahead of time... Most of the non-electric sites were decidedly not level but many of the FHU and electric sites were fairly level."
Full hookup limitations: Research utility availability before arrival. At Hidden Springs Campground, one camper notes "many E/W only sites but all sites are nice and fairly level, well maintained!" while another mentions "the shower/bath house is very nice, clean, well lit, and central to all sites."
Be prepared for uneven terrain: Leveling blocks are essential at many sites. At Little Orleans Campground, one RVer shared "our site P1 is a full hook up pull through but it's really unlevel. We ran out of blocks trying to level on this site and were still off a bit."
Consider seasonal variations: Different times offer distinct advantages. "Green Ridge is best earlier and later in the year. It's less crowded," notes one camper, while another suggests the summer months at New Germany State Park are ideal for families due to the "small lake...perfect for swimming."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Ellerslie, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Ellerslie, MD is Rocky Gap State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 54 reviews.
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