Susquehanna State Park Campground's 90 sites accept leashed pets in both tent and RV camping areas, with most campsites featuring electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings. Nearby Elk Neck State Park Campground also welcomes dogs in all standard sites and select cabins, requiring owners to maintain control of their pets at all times. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area provides pet-friendly camping options with convenient access to numerous hiking trails where dogs can explore on 6-foot leashes. Sites at Susquehanna often fill quickly during summer weekends, with campers appreciating the spacious, shaded tent pads and proximity to pet exercise areas. The bathhouses are clean but occasionally run out of supplies during peak periods. Park staff enforce quiet hours consistently, creating a peaceful environment for camping families with pets. Campground data and reviews near Fork, Maryland is regularly updated on The Dyrt.
The extensive trail system throughout Susquehanna State Park provides excellent dog walking opportunities with varied terrain suitable for all fitness levels. Dogs particularly enjoy the Green Trail which, despite being marked "very difficult," proves manageable for families with children and pets. Sites in both the Acorn and Beechnut loops offer good proximity to the bathhouse, with some featuring direct paths for easy access when walking dogs at night. Campers report spotting abundant wildlife including deer during trail walks, so keeping dogs leashed is essential for both pet and wildlife safety. The park's location near the Susquehanna River allows for fishing opportunities, though swimming areas for dogs are limited. Pet owners should note that while firewood is available at the camp store via honor system after hours, the quality can be inconsistent, with some campers reporting wet wood that was difficult to burn.
$21 - $55 / night
"Accessible and pet friendly. Great trails and great staff"
"Our go to State Park for camping as it is pretty close to home. Standard State Park with all the amenities you need. We are tent campers/ non electric (no pets/ no kids)."
$21 - $50 / night
"Our site was really good and I love that it had it's own access to the bathrooms. Quite a few of the inner loop sites do. If you're a tent camper Acorn has some very private and secluded sites."
"The campsites are separated more widely than many other parks in Maryland (Cunningham Falls, Ft. Frederick, Pt. Lookout), and are quite secluded in comparison."
$70 - $90 / night
"The campground seemed to stress pet restrictions both in the rules section of their registration packet and signage around the grounds."
"This is close to us so it was an easy trip. Full hookup but we’re told to turn off and unhook water the night it dropped below freezing."
$20 - $51 / night
"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."
"Our dog was welcomed. Will definitely be going back. This was our first trip with our camper ever and everyone was helpful"
"It was a VERY dark walk to get to the bathhouse for showers. And the fire pit had no grill, so we ended up having to use the stoves of some RV camping friends for meals."
$19 - $27 / night
"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."
$20 - $195 / night
"We got a spot for two nights in the pet area. We were shaded by trees, but the spots weren’t very private. Bathroom facilities are nice."
"The open field pet friendly sites are also large but provide no shade and it gets hot! You can feel the difference between these sites and the interior loop sites. "
$17 - $32 / night
"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."
"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."
"There was a lot of space so walking our dogs was great. The smaller bathroom stalls are pretty small but got the job done. Playground and pool were both nice and clean. Wonderful place for a family."
"Highly recommend staying here with lots of close hiking trails within driving distance."
$999 / night
"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. "
"As we looked around we found that all of the sites, regardless of amenities, were spaced about the same."
GuideWe have a motorhome with no additional vehicle and two dogs, and this site couldn’t have been more perfect for us. A dog park, walking distance to most everything we wanted to see. The national park is mostly dog friendly. My husband caught a fish first day in the pond behind our site. The staff was super friendly and welcoming.
ScoutThe rangers were nice and the campground hosts were sweet. I liked the dish washing sinks outside of the shower houses. The site was nice with the tent pad backing up to the trees. I would rather sleep in a tent any night over a motel room but this time was different. Due to my father passing, me and my daughter stayed there 3 nights. I will be back another time to actually enjoy the lake and being between Lancaster and Gettysburg makes both places easy to access. Next time I will be getting a site away from the group area. It was nice that the pet area is separate from those of us who don't have pets or want quiet from dogs barking. Some of the groups can get rather loud especially when there are a bunch of teens. It was nice that the pet area is separate from those of us who don't have pets or want quiet from dogs barking.
TravelerCampground 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!
GuideI 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.
TravelerThe staff and seasonal campers are all very friendly. The bathrooms are incredibly clean. We love all the games there are to play and the dog park is our favorite spot. Overall, it's peaceful and quiet in a nice, wooded setting.
TravelerOur first visit (March 2018) was just prior to peak season (lower rates) and we had a site literally 10 ft. from the water! Full hook ups and sites were a little close, but nice. There seemed to be a lot of long term/permanent residents, but most sites along the waterfront remained open. The campground seemed to stress pet restrictions both in the rules section of their registration packet and signage around the grounds. There was a pet exercise/walking area, but could use some sprucing up. However, no one really made an issue of walking your dog around the campground and as the weekend came around, more and more dogs were around.
You have to drive through a residential neighborhood to reach Bar Harbor, so big rigs take care/caution. Would like to try Bar Harbor again sometime.
RangerThis is a campers dream site. Everything you can think of is offered here. You have to check their website to see all. This is the closest site to Washington DC. 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. Pets are pampered here. Even dog walking service available.
GuideWe 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!
ScoutNice quiet campground. A little pricey and strict for vistors, they need to leave by 10 and can’t bring their pets. We always camp over the holiday weeks or weekends depending on my where we stay and our out of state children come visit and sometimes stay with us but not here because we did not realize their pets were not allowed! Otherwise it has several pet parks for your own pets, several pet trails, there are people trails, mini golf, playground activities, a shuttle to hershey park & things to do nearby.
Susquehanna State Park offers several pet-friendly camping options within a 20-mile radius of Fork, Maryland. The area sits at the confluence of the Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay, creating diverse ecosystems for exploration with elevations ranging from near sea level to about 300 feet. Weather conditions vary seasonally, with summer temperatures averaging 80-85°F during peak camping months and frequent afternoon thunderstorms.
**Fishing opportunities: Near Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina, you can fish directly from your campsite. "Fish from your chair. Kayak rentals, boat slips... Close to all types of stores, civilization, 7-11, a nice seafood store to get crabs or fish if you didn't catch any," notes Lisa T.
**Trail exploration: The extensive network at Patapsco Valley spans multiple areas. "Patapsco Valley offers 6 different entrances. Each one provides several different trail heads and experiences... The trails we have been on are all pretty moderate to hard but offer beautiful waterfalls and river views," explains Angel G.
**Water recreation: Lake activities at Codorus State Park include boating with various rental options. "You can bring your own boat (gas allowed) or rent one from their marina. There is no swimming allowed in the lake but there is a pool located at the park, there is no extra cost to use the pool if you are at the campground," says Catherine H.
**Historical sites: Visit the working grist mill at Susquehanna State Park. "There is a historic area in the park, with a working grist mill, mansion and other little buildings to view. Not really my thing, but was pretty neat," writes Jen V.
**Spacious sites: Lums Pond State Park Campground features recently upgraded facilities. "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," mentions Ellen B.
**Wildlife viewing: Many campers appreciate the natural encounters. "We scared a bunch of deer (ok they scared me!!) and checked out the giant old growth trees, hiked over a bridge and stream which was full of fish I could see!" shares Anne L. about her Susquehanna State Park experience.
**Clean bathrooms: Patapsco Valley State Park-Hollofield Area maintains good facilities. "Bath house was old, small, and not exceptionally clean, but adequate for our needs. There is also a dishwashing room with a deep double sink," notes Jen V.
**Natural features: Many campsites offer unique environmental elements. "Nice wooded sites, open sites, tent sites. All great!" remarks Amy R. about Merry Meadows Recreation Farm.
**Reservation timing: For popular camping destinations, plan ahead. "Book early because it fills up fast!" advises Ellen B. about Lums Pond State Park Campground.
**Firewood quality: Some campgrounds have inconsistent wood supplies. "We bought their firewood for $5/crate and it was really wet. It was challenging to get a fire going, which was frustrating," reports E K.
**Site selection strategy: At Elk Neck State Park Campground, location matters. "In the full hook up loop pay close attention to the lengths specified. The actual pads are fairly level but some of the driveways to them are very sloped. Long rigs will have issues in a few of the sites," cautions David G.
**Tent pad availability: Not all sites have dedicated tent spaces. "I docked a star because I'd say about half- maybe more- don't have pads. I didn't get a chance to check out the Acorn Loop, other than a quick drive by," Jennifer S. notes about Susquehanna State Park.
**Playground access: Tucquan Park Family Campground offers excellent play areas. "Our 3 young kids enjoyed the playground the most — there were lots of fun things for the kids on the playground. There was also a nice pond — it looked pretty full of fish," shares melissa.
**Natural play spaces: Some parks feature unique play environments. "There is a huge playground, sensory trail, nature play space, and a small nature center. There are a lot of easy, but beautiful hikes," explains Sean M. about Patapsco Valley.
**Accommodations for kids: When choosing campsites with children, consider location. "This meant there wasn't any foot traffic from people wanting to shower or use the restrooms. Easy access to the utility sink for dishes, too!" E K. shares about their Susquehanna State Park experience.
**Activity planning: Schedule around peak times. "This campground features an amazing playground, a pond, a beautiful pool, a rec room, a wonderful hiking trail, and a basket ball court," christine L. mentions about Tucquan Park Family Campground.
**Hookup logistics: At Cherry Hill Park, premium sites provide full amenities. "The site was perfectly level with a fire ring, grill, picnic table and table with three chairs. I wish there was a little bit more room in between the campers for privacy but it did not hurt our stay," Jonathan B. explains.
**Site positioning: Corner locations offer advantages. "We had a corner site and had plenty of room. We met a whole bunch of very nice people and would definitely go back," Jennifer R. notes about Tucquan Park Family Campground.
**Dump station access: Consider tanks when planning. "There is only 20/30amp electricity and NO water or sewer- although there was a dump and a place to fill your water tank," advises Travyl Couple at Patapsco Valley State Park-Hollofield Area.
**Pet-friendly areas: For those seeking pet friendly camping near Fork, Maryland, note specific restrictions. "Many sites are on the water. No swimming in the Bush River but you can fish from the pier or right from your site," Laure D. mentions about Bar Harbor RV Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Fork, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Fork, MD is Elk Neck State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 60 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Fork, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 79 dog-friendly camping locations near Fork, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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