Rocky Gap State Park Campground's pet-friendly loops include Dogwood and Elm, where campers can bring their dogs to enjoy the outdoors. The campground features nine loops total with specific areas designated for pets. Dogs are allowed on the beach in a dedicated pet swimming area, making it one of the few parks in the region with water access for pets. Campers reference The Dyrt for top tips on camping near Bloomington, Maryland. Several loops have electric hookups suitable for RVs with pets, though alcohol must remain inside RVs or cabins at all times per park rules. New Germany State Park Campground also welcomes pets in its Hemlock loop, which is designed primarily for tent camping with one site offering electricity suitable for a teardrop camper.
The dog park at Hickory Hollow Campground receives consistently high ratings from visitors, with spacious, well-maintained facilities that allow pets to exercise off-leash. Pet owners should note that Western Maryland is bear country, requiring proper food storage and pet supervision. Most campgrounds enforce leash policies when pets are outside designated exercise areas. Deep Creek Lake State Park and Swallow Falls State Park both offer pet-friendly camping options, though at Swallow Falls dogs are only allowed within the campground boundaries during peak season (Memorial Day through Labor Day). Bathhouses at most locations are cleaned daily, with Rocky Gap's facilities noted as particularly well-maintained. For hikers with dogs, several trails connect directly to campgrounds, though pet policies on trails vary by park and season.
"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."
"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. ❤️🥰"
$21 - $65 / night
"Camp site(Tent camping) Camp site was pretty small and close to each other. The forest where the camp site was situated was beautiful."
"Ranger Review: Stream2Sea Shampoo & Bodywash and Leave-In Conditioner Campground Review:
Don’t let the name fool you, the campground is across the street from the lake and there are no lake"
$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."
$22 - $60 / night
"There's ame space between campsites and also sites that are close for friends and family to stay nearby. Hiking trails, fishing, basketball, hot showers, and a camp store with friendly staff."
"General: Smallish (68 sites) campground near Jennings Randolph Lake, which is not directly accessible from the campground (you need to drive there)."
$22 - $33 / night
"We did have a pet friendly site reserved but found out after we arrived that dogs are not allowed out of the campground."
"Thirdly, the campground was so close to the nature that we wanted to see. We went to see the falls and they were within walking distance from our campsite. Overall, it was an awesome place to camp."
$10 - $55 / night
"This is one of my favorite Western Maryland hideaways. The best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream. You can set up your camp chair and enjoy the creek sounds."
"You have to know what you're getting here - there ARE campsites with amenities, near water and bathrooms, but not all of them have the amenities. "
$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."
$10 - $30 / night
"Had my wedding 2022 at Jennings picnic area and then after that spent the whole weekend away from everyone and everything!"
$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."
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.
Savage River State Forest offers primitive camping in Western Maryland with tent sites that provide seclusion and privacy. The sites are positioned on paved roads throughout the forest, many with access to streams for natural cooling during summer months when temperatures remain moderate. Sites are equipped with fire rings and picnic tables but lack facilities such as showers or flush toilets.
Waterfall exploration: Multiple cascades at Swallow Falls State Park Campground include Maryland's highest waterfall at 53 feet. The trails connecting to the falls are family-friendly with clear signage. "The trails to the namesake falls are beautiful and very family-friendly, with lots of helpful signage. However, the parking lots and trailheads were PACKED on the weekend, so if you're a day tripper, get there early," reports one camper.
Cross-country skiing: Winter activities flourish in the area when snow blankets the terrain. "The trails are easy to medium and are open to cross country skiing in the winter months," notes a visitor to New Germany State Park Campground. The park maintains trails specifically groomed for winter sports and offers a warming hut by the lake.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes and streams provide fishing access throughout the region. The Savage River area offers numerous options as one visitor notes: "There are multiple boat ramps, and from one end of the reservoir to the other on a kayak is about 2 hours. Hiking options are endless although some are hard to spot. There are some shallow swimming holes that are nice when it's hot."
Stream-side sites: Camping directly beside running water ranks high among visitor preferences. At Big Run State Park, "beautiful campsite and loved the sound of the river as white noise!" notes one camper. Another mentions, "Used lot 73 for a 26ft hybrid camper. Fit perfectly! It was flat, large, clean and right by the creek. The kids loved playing in the water."
Secluded camping options: The Savage River State Forest offers unusually private campsites compared to typical campgrounds. "The sites are very spread out, and not very consistent in size/quality. We were able to nab site 112 and it was fantastic: lots of space, and privacy too," explains one visitor. Many sites are separated by substantial forest areas providing genuine wilderness feel.
Fall foliage viewing: Autumn transforms the Western Maryland forests with vibrant colors. "The fall foliage made everything even more beautiful. Apparently, the park is very popular amongst cross-country skiers in the winter, especially since they have full-service cabins and a warming hut by the lake," reports a camper describing the seasonal transformation.
Limited cell service: Connectivity is minimal throughout much of the camping area. At Middle Ridge Campground, "This campground is secluded, wooded, and not over crowded and the owners are very friendly." The remote nature means planning ahead for communication needs.
Wildlife awareness: Black bears frequent the Western Maryland forests. "We were told there were regular bear sightings and there were bear boxes at each site; we saw many deer but not a single bear, keeping our zero bear sightings record intact," reports a visitor. Bear-proof storage containers are provided at many sites.
Weather variability: Mountain elevations create weather conditions that can change rapidly. "The weather was crazy the one night I stayed! Thunderstorms turned to ice turned to snow which made the area even more beautiful!" notes one camper describing the unpredictable conditions even during normally moderate seasons.
Dog-specific swimming spots: Pet friendly camping near Bloomington, Maryland includes designated swimming areas for dogs at Rocky Gap State Park Campground. "We love that the campground has their own beach so it's not over crowded with the public. Near the beach there is a nice playground near shade for parents to watch," notes a visitor appreciating the family amenities.
Educational opportunities: Nature centers and ranger programs provide learning experiences. "For kids they have a small jungle gym and critter center. Overall a very nice family camping area," explains a visitor to New Germany State Park describing the educational facilities available.
Level camping surfaces: Families with young children appreciate flat, stable tent sites. "I gave it a 5 star for many reasons. First the campground is clean and made us feel like we were in a forest not just a campground. Secondly, the tent sites were completely level with no need to worry about rolling down a hill in my sleep," reports a camper at Swallow Falls State Park.
Limited hookup availability: For those seeking pet-friendly RV camping near Bloomington, electrical access varies widely between parks. "The campground map I saw, I believe, said 84 campsites in the park and only 6 electric (& water). Decent cell service although on the low side, bar wise," notes a camper at Swallow Falls State Park explaining the limited hookup options.
Site selection for larger rigs: Some parks have restrictions on RV length. At Jennings Randolph Lake, "All camper pads are paved, and most appeared to be level. They are of varying lengths with 53, 55, and 64-68 having the longest pads." Knowing specific site dimensions helps prevent arrival complications.
Access route considerations: Mountain roads can present challenges for larger vehicles. "We approached the campground from the southeast through the town of Keyser. DO NOT do this if you have a large RV. There are multiple signs saying that the road was not safe for large trucks; although our 18-foot camper van had no problems, the road was narrow, hilly, and winding."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Bloomington, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Bloomington, MD is Savage River State Forest with a 4.6-star rating from 18 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Bloomington, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 129 dog-friendly camping locations near Bloomington, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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