8 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Greenbelt Park Campground's pet-friendly sites welcome campers with dogs throughout its four camping loops near Fairmount Heights, offering one of the most accessible dog-friendly campgrounds in the Washington DC metro area. The campground maintains a strict leash policy, requiring pets to be under physical control at all times while exploring the park's wooded setting. Each campsite includes a fire ring and picnic table with adequate space for tent camping or smaller RVs under 35 feet. The campground is notably clean with well-maintained facilities including bathrooms and showers. Most sites have significant tree cover providing natural shade for pets during warmer months, though this makes the area prone to ticks and chiggers requiring careful pet inspection after hikes.
Hiking trails throughout Greenbelt Park offer pet owners multiple options for exercise with their dogs, including a five-mile perimeter trail that winds through deciduous forest. The trails are well-maintained with moderate terrain suitable for most dogs, though owners should apply bug repellent and check pets carefully for ticks afterward. The park's location provides a surprising urban oasis just minutes from Washington DC, making it an excellent base camp for travelers with pets exploring the capital region. Wildlife encounters are common within the park boundaries, with deer frequently spotted during morning and evening walks. The campground's affordable $20 nightly rate makes it significantly more economical than other pet-friendly accommodations in the metropolitan area, though visitors should note the absence of electrical hookups and the need to keep pets continuously leashed.
"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
"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
"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 $37 - $170 / 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."
from $30 / 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."
"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
"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"
"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."
from $10 - $45 / night
"Based 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."
from $12 - $45 / night
"We stayed Burke lake campground for one night last week. It was very peaceful place. The whole camp ground was very clean and well kept."
"This was my second time going Burke Lake and it was just as enjoyable as the first."
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.
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.
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.
Campsites near Fairmount Heights provide access to waterways, woodland trails, and diverse terrain within 30 miles of Washington DC. The region has primarily deciduous forest with elevations ranging from 80 to 400 feet above sea level. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 85°F and frequent afternoon thunderstorms from June through August.
Waterpark access: At Pohick Bay Campground, families can enjoy the adjacent Pirate's Cove waterpark for cooling off after hiking. "Pirate's Cove waterpark is definitely a highlight in summer," notes Anne K., who visited in fall when the colors were changing.
Metro access to monuments: Use Greenbelt Park Campground as a budget-friendly base for DC sightseeing. "The green line takes you to the National Mall. The train ride from the Greenbelt station to the national mall is about 30 min. Get off at the Archives station to be in the center of all the sites," advises Laura M.
Disc golf course: Several nearby parks offer disc golf, with Pohick Bay providing an 18-hole course. Rachel L. calls it her "go-to weekend camping spot" and recommends "taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course."
Boating options: Multiple campgrounds offer water access for various watercraft. Pohick Bay features "boating in summer from kayaks to motorboats" while many other nearby parks have rental facilities for exploring local waterways during warm months.
Affordable alternative to hotels: Camping provides substantial savings when visiting DC. "[Greenbelt Park Campground] is not free but very reasonable considering the area. 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," writes one camper.
Spacious sites: Louise F. Cosca Regional Park offers generously sized campsites with varying amenities. "Check out your site before booking, some sites are steep but spacious. Close to town but far enough to enjoy yourself," advises Ben S., who notes that bathrooms are clean with decent showers.
Wildlife viewing: Many campers report regular wildlife sightings, particularly at dawn and dusk. "Eagles everywhere! Large clean sites. Great staff!" exclaims Kathie M. about Burke Lake Park Campground, highlighting the surprisingly rich bird habitat in this suburban setting.
Clean facilities: Most campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses and common areas. At Louise F. Cosca Regional Park, "the bathrooms are clean, their are 2 stalls and 1 shower, cleaned daily by park rangers," according to Tye S., who stayed recently.
Tick prevention essential: Ticks are prevalent throughout the region, particularly in warmer months. "Lots and LOTS of ticks. I got one, but my wife and dog got about a dozen each. Just bring tweezers," warns Ben J. about Cedarville State Forest.
Security varies by campground: Some parks have regular patrols while others have minimal oversight. At Louise F. Cosca Regional Park, "Park Police patrol the campground 2 times a day," notes a reviewer, but adds "this is not a gated campground so anyone can come through and have a tour."
Wildlife precautions: Take proper food storage measures, especially at night. "Raccoons run wild at night flipping trash can lids on your campsite hunting for food. Use repel spray to keep the raccoons off your site," advises a regular camper at Cosca Regional Park.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking through Recreation.gov or specific park websites. Louise F. Cosca Regional Park has "no registration on site it's online only" through pgparksdirect.com, according to Tye S.
Kid-friendly amenities: Cherry Hill Park offers extensive facilities for children. "They have a lot to offer... Playground, Mini Golf, Swimming Pool, Hot tub, Basketball court, Snack bar on site, Nightly hayride," raves Beth R., making it ideal for families wanting structured activities.
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer ranger programs and nature activities. Burke Lake Park has seasonal events for children - one visitor noted 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."
Playground proximity: Choose sites near play areas when camping with young children. At Burke Lake Park, one camper mentioned, "We got a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse," making it convenient for families with small children needing frequent bathroom breaks.
Swimming options: Several dog-friendly campgrounds near Fairmount Heights feature swimming facilities. "Lake Fairfax Campground has a lot to do: mountain bike trails, wooded hikes with water along the trails (great for dogs in the summer heat), skateboard park, BMX park, Water Park near the campground, fishing, & canoeing," writes Amy B.
Site selection: Many campgrounds have limited level sites for larger rigs. At Greenbelt Campground, "Loop A is for organized groups/youth/scouts, Loop B is for tents and RVs under 30 ft, Loop C is for tents, and Loop D is for tents and RVs under 35 ft. No hookups at any of the sites," explains Laura M.
Hookup availability: Verify which utilities are available before booking. At Louise F. Cosca Regional Park, "Only 5 sites have electric (2, 5, 18, 24, 25) but all 25 sites have water hookup," according to a frequent camper.
Dump station locations: Not all parks offer on-site dump stations, requiring planning. At Greenbelt Park, "There's a dump station and drinking water fill in loop C. The water fill was a little annoying in that there's a handle you have to hold down the whole time, but we used a rock to prop the handle down," shares one RVer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Fairmount Heights, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Fairmount Heights, 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 Fairmount Heights, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 67 dog-friendly camping locations near Fairmount Heights, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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