Washington DC / Capitol KOA features a designated dog area where pets can run freely, a rarity among Maryland campgrounds near Gibson Island. This full-service campground welcomes pets at tent sites, RV spots with full hookups, and select cabin accommodations. Bay Shore Campground and Sandy Point State Park also accommodate pets with varying amenities. The sites remain fairly clean and safe for families with dogs, though some campers note the Capitol KOA's sites can be uneven with limited shade in certain areas. Pine Tree Associates Nudist Club permits dogs in their camping areas while offering access to swimming pools and other recreational facilities. Most locations enforce standard leash policies when pets are outside designated exercise areas.
Patapsco Valley State Park provides multiple pet-friendly trails accessible from its camping areas, making it convenient for dog owners seeking morning walks or longer hikes. Seasonal considerations affect pet camping experiences significantly, with several reviewers noting Sandy Point becomes extremely crowded during summer months, potentially stressful for dogs. The Eastern Neck Wildlife Sanctuary located just 7 minutes from Bay Shore Campground offers additional walking paths where leashed pets can explore natural surroundings. Camping with pets requires preparation for weather conditions, as summer heat can make tent camping uncomfortable at locations with limited shade. Most campgrounds provide water hookups essential for pet hydration, though additional portable water containers remain recommended for hiking and day trips with dogs.
"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."
$42 - $82 / night
"Because we went in the middle of the week, we had a lot of space to our self and open areas for our dog to play."
"We spent one morning walking the various trails at the Eastern Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, which is only 7 minutes away. Campground also close to the restaurants in Rock Hall for seafood. "
$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."
$20 / 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."
$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."
$21 - $70 / night
"Tuckahoe State Park is tucked away onto the Eastern Shore of Maryland, close to the Chesapeake Bay. It features every kind of camping you can imagine."
"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."
$30 - $55 / night
"My wife and I were trying to find an RV location near the Annapolis city dock for a boat show and found Pine Tree Associates."
"Camping fees include access to a large outdoor pool, an indoor pool and a hot tub. There is room for tenting and campers."
"Very spartan but great location. Not much to do in the campground and some long timers there. Dirt cheap"
$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."
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!
LegendCherry Hill Park was easy to find and get to basically right off I-95. This was our first time RVing into the WA DC area and we were concerned about traffic getting to the campground(CG). As we arrived, traffic was heavy on I-95 but manageable. Cherry Hill’s and our RV GPS directions were spot on getting us to the park. We were very impressed with this CG from the moment we entered. We picked up our package outside the office(no contact check-in) and went to premium site 93 with FHUs. Back-in was easy. The wifi was very good but the CG was only about a 1/4 full. Cherry Hill has many different ways to stay; cottages, cabins, yurts, glamping pods, premium and regular tent sites in addition to the RV sites. As we looked around we found that all of the sites, regardless of amenities, were spaced about the same. There are a few sites in the CG on the end that will give you a little more yard space like 97(need to be a competent backer), 402, and 1723. We got 2 bars each on Verizon and AT&T. The CG’s cable provided a large selection of channels and worked well. We were impressed with the main laundry facility due to the amount of large washers and dryers, very fair pricing and very clean. The two off leash dog parks(in the same area) were nice plus there’s a well maintained walking trail that goes around this very large CG’s perimeter. We really liked how there are trash receptacles and dog poopy bag dispensers nicely placed all over the CG. Though we didn’t use it, they even have a dog walker service so you can spend a lot of time exploring the DC area without worrying about your pups. About the only draw back was the road noise from the interstate and highway pretty much 24/7, but considering the area that is to be expected. Sites 13-38 and 1500 sites near the premium tent area are the farthest away from the road noise. We would definitely stay here again.
LegendOur 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.
GuideThis campground is perfect for a quiet visit to the Eastern shore town of Rock Hall as It sits conveniently between the village of Rock Hall and Eastern Neck sanctuary. The area reserved for RV campsites overlooks a bluff on the Chesapeake Bay….gorgeous. Because we went in the middle of the week, we had a lot of space to our self and open areas for our dog to play. Admittedly there isn’t a lot to do in the campground itself, even the bathrooms were closed down for Covid and only self contained RVs could camp.There is a small playground and a dog park, and a small pond for fishing. Sewer hook ups are not yet available but they are coming. Purchasing the WiFi access was a waste of money and our Verizon signal was very weak. The biggest attraction is the view over the Bay. So if you are looking for beautiful scenery and a cooling breeze this is a lovely and relaxing place. We met the owner who was very attentive to our needs and also helped us use the dump station as this was the maiden voyage with our new RV. The campground is clean and nicely landscaped. Be sure to go into the town of rock Hall for a seafood dinner at Waterman’s.
Campgrounds near Gibson Island provide access to diverse Maryland ecosystems including Chesapeake Bay wetlands and inland forests. Elevation across these areas rarely exceeds 100 feet, creating mostly level camping terrain with occasional gentle slopes. Many campsites feature crushed stone or gravel pads, with varying levels of shade depending on location.
Hiking and nature trails: Multiple trails accessible from Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area let you explore diverse terrain. "There are several hiking trails in this part of the park or you can drive to other parts for additional hiking," notes Rebecca C. The trails vary in difficulty with "some pretty cool Bridges, old houses, and a water fall" according to Anthony S., making them suitable for various experience levels.
Water activities: The region offers paddling opportunities for all skill levels. At Tuckahoe State Park, you'll find a "Canoe/kayak launch between sites 46 and 48. The walk to Tuckahoe Creek from the parking area is very short, and the creek leads to Tuckahoe Lake (no gasoline motors)," as Mary S. describes. The park also has fishing options but "No swimming" is permitted in the creek areas.
Historic sites: Explore local history within easy driving distance of campgrounds. One camper at Bay Shore Campground mentions: "We spent one morning walking the various trails at the Eastern Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, which is only 7 minutes away." The area combines natural beauty with historic structures—"There is a historic area in the park, with a working grist mill, mansion and other little buildings to view," shares Jen V.
Clean facilities: Cherry Hill Park maintains exceptionally clean amenities. Beth R. notes that "You get what you pay for. This campground has so much to offer" including "Swimming Pool, Hot tub" and "On-site camp store." Another camper, John A., confirms "Everything was extremely clean and well maintained."
Privacy levels: Sites at Greenbelt Park Campground offer good seclusion despite urban proximity. "There is plenty of space between camp site clusters. The park itself is safe, quiet, permitting some nice treks through the woods," shares one camper. Another notes the "sites are pretty close together but enough space to do your thing and lots of woods around for shade and hammocks."
Kid-friendly amenities: Many campgrounds cater specifically to families with younger children. One camper at Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area shares that "The Hilton entrance of Patapsco Valley Park is perfect for keeping the kids entertained. There is a huge playground, sensory trail and nature discovery center at the entrance to the park." Another mentions "the 'natural playground' aka, large rocks and overturned trees. The kids loved it."
Seasonal considerations: Summer crowds significantly impact campground experiences. At Sandy Point, multiple campers warn about peak season issues: "I don't know if there is a campground there, but it is packed full of people in the summer" and "This park is extremely crowded and very dirty during the summer season." Most recommend visiting in spring or fall when "The park was clean and it had knowledgable staff."
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds require advance booking, especially on weekends. At Washington DC / Capitol KOA, campers note how quickly sites fill. One review mentions "We had a nice stay overnight on our way north from Virginia," suggesting weekday availability, while weekend spots require planning. Most parks now use online reservation systems with no option for walk-up payment.
Site variability: Campsite quality varies significantly even within the same campground. A camper at Washington DC / Capitol KOA notes: "Camp site wasn't level at all. I was actually kind of worried that it would slide into the woods." At Hollofield Area, another camper advises: "If you're a tent camper and don't need electric, the sites on the outer loop were quite nice and private."
Playground access: Choose sites with easy access to play areas for children. At Hollofield Area Campground, one camper notes: "We were at site 430. It was a perfect spot tucked away from the others and a short walk to the restrooms... There's also another small park on the loop." The campground offers "a nice playground" though it "isn't within walking distance for little kids but it's a very short drive."
Water safety: When camping with children near water, select sites with appropriate swimming options. At Cherry Hill Park, one family appreciated the "splash pad, paved roads for scootering" and swimming pools. In contrast, at Sandy Point "The water is warm though, but the sand is brown and rough. It generally looks dirty," making it less ideal for young children.
Nature programs: Several campgrounds offer educational activities for children. At Tuckahoe State Park, "They have a really nice playground for kids (which is separate from the campground). You can rent kayaks, canoes and fishing gear." Another camper mentions seeing "a Bird Aviary that houses those that cannot be fully healed," providing educational opportunities.
Hookup availability: Hookup options vary significantly between campgrounds. At Bay Shore Campground, one RVer explains: "We had electric and water, there were several dump stations at the campground. They are still waiting for approval from the state for the septic." Another notes that most sites are "seasonal renters, except for the section we were in."
Leveling considerations: Many RV sites require significant leveling. A Washington DC / Capitol KOA camper shared: "Close to DC but they didn't let us know ahead of time that the shuttle wasn't working. That was super disappointing. Sites are close and need service. Sandy dirt covered." At Tuckahoe, another camper warned: "Some sites not level."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Gibson Island, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Gibson Island, MD is Washington DC / Capitol KOA with a 3.8-star rating from 16 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Gibson Island, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 63 dog-friendly camping locations near Gibson Island, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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