Hollofield Area Campground in Patapsco Valley State Park permits pets in a dedicated pet loop area separated from the main campground. While electric hookups are available at many sites, pet owners should note that the pet section only offers a portable toilet rather than full bathroom facilities. Campsites throughout the park feature fire rings with grill grates, picnic tables, and access to firewood for purchase from camp hosts. The campground accommodates both tent and RV camping with sites that provide reasonable privacy despite their proximity to suburban areas. Pet owners staying in RVs should be aware of the dump station's basic design, which some campers have found inadequate. The bathhouse facilities, while clean and maintained, are outdated and can become crowded during peak season. Camping photos and user guides for Brooklandville, Maryland are available on The Dyrt.
Trails accessible directly from campsites provide excellent walking opportunities for dogs and their owners, with paths leading down to the Patapsco River where pets can cool off during summer months. The campground's wooded setting creates a secluded feel despite being minutes from I-95 and nearby neighborhoods. Pet owners appreciate the camp hosts who sell firewood for $5 per milk crate and even provide carts to transport it to campsites. Most sites in the pet-friendly areas are reasonably level, requiring minimal adjustment for setup. Wildlife sightings, including deer in the mornings, enhance the camping experience. The proximity to Baltimore makes these pet-friendly campgrounds convenient bases for exploring the city while still enjoying outdoor recreation with dogs. Gates separate the camping areas from main park sections, reducing disruption from day visitors.
$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."
$19 - $27 / night
"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."
"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."
"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."
$30 - $70 / night
"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."
"We stay at Ramblin Pines because it is close to family and a good proximity to visiting Baltimore and Frederick."
$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. "
$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."
"We did not take our dog this time with us but would seriously consider it next time."
"We had a site near the pool, outdoor chess set, jumping pillow and gaga ball pit. Our kids (9, 10 and 14) all had fun and made friends. The staff is exceptionally friendly and helpful."
$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)."
$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."
$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."
GuideWe stayed for 10 days in a rustic cabin. Campground is well organized and clean. Tons of activities and even a hiking path. Pet friendly with small dog park. We had civil war soldiers drilling and staying the weekend we were there. Bathrooms are super clean.
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.
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.
ScoutSmaller campground, but big on amenities!
Staff was friendly, attentive and the Campground is extremely well-cared for. Sites vary in sizes and are well-defined. They have a great camp store and their mini-golf was just remodeled and a lot of fun to play. In addition to that, there is a bounce pad, shuffle board, horseshoes, chess, over-sized jenga, playground, dog park, gem mining, basketball, bikes, wood, propane, etc. and they pick up trash daily right at your site. All of this in a beautiful wooded spot near Gettysburg.
I highly recommend!
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.
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.
Patapsco Valley State Park and surrounding campgrounds offer several pet-friendly camping options near Brooklandville, Maryland. Located in the Piedmont plateau region at elevations ranging from 100-300 feet, this area experiences warm, humid summers and mild winters with annual rainfall of around 45 inches. The terrain consists primarily of rolling hills with mixed hardwood forests dominated by oak, hickory and maple trees.
River activities: 4-mile access at Susquehanna State Park: The Patapsco isn't the only river worth visiting when camping near Brooklandville. At Susquehanna State Park Campground, trails lead directly to the Susquehanna River. "We hiked back to the campground from here, which was a nice easy-to-moderate trail. The beginning was pretty rough for me, since I was wearing my infant son while navigating an uphill trail, but it quickly evened out," notes Jennifer V.
Historic exploration: 19th century buildings: Combine outdoor recreation with history education 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. The views of the river are really nice from here," shares Jen V.
Urban excursions: 30-minute drive to Baltimore: When you need a break from nature, the proximity to urban areas is convenient. At Ramblin' Pines, campers appreciate the location: "They even allowed us to store the camper while we took a cruise out of Baltimore!" notes Jason L. The campground serves as an excellent base for day trips.
Natural playgrounds: rock formations and fallen trees: Parents appreciate creative play spaces that engage children with nature. At Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area, Jennifer S. mentions: "I've attached photos from the 'natural playground' aka, large rocks and overturned trees. The kids loved it."
Camp host service: convenient firewood delivery: Good camp hosts enhance the experience with helpful services. At Hollofield Area, one camper mentions: "The camp hosts are lovely and they provide good firewood (instead of those preset bundles)." This personal touch makes a difference for campers without transportation.
Diverse terrain: trails for all skill levels: The varied landscape offers hiking options for everyone. "The trail was well marked but there was some confusion at one point on where we were suppose to go. Luckily I had an app that kept me on trail. There are some pretty cool Bridges, old houses, and a water fall. I recommend this to any beginner hikers," writes Anthony S. about Patapsco Valley State Park.
Weather considerations: summer storms cause runoff: Be prepared for the impact of rain on your campsite. At Patapsco Valley State Park, Alexandra T. shares: "Nice small campsite in MD not too far from DC. One negative was that when it rains it really flushes through the grounds. We had a site on the lower end of the loop and our site was hard to set up as we arrived during a storm and it was very wet even after the rain died down."
Wildlife awareness: falling trees after storms: Storms can create hazards beyond water. "Another negative was after the storm for the next few days we heard trees falling nearby. Where we were hiking," warns Alexandra T. Always check surroundings after storms and report hazards to rangers.
Limited showers: plan accordingly: Some campgrounds have minimal shower facilities that can become congested. At Codorus State Park Campground, one camper notes about the bathhouses: "The bathhouses are ok, happy to have free showers with hot running water. Faucets allow you to control the temperature and there's continuous running water (no button to push). There's only one large shower per bath house."
Plan for playgrounds: multiple options at different areas: Patapsco Valley offers several play areas for children. "For kids, the playground was fantastic, though, it was not shaded. It is also in the middle of the Acorn and Beechnut loop," explains Jennifer S. Consider proximity to these areas when selecting your site.
Educational opportunities: nature centers with programs: At Patapsco Valley State Park, families appreciate the learning opportunities: "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," shares Angel G.
Easy biking routes: flat campground roads for beginners: Parents of young cyclists will appreciate the terrain. One camper notes: "The camp road was minimally hilly and would be safe and easy for little kids to ride their bikes, unlike some of the campgrounds that have pretty decent hills." This makes for a safer experience with children.
Site selection: choose spots away from noise: For pet owners with RVs staying near Brooklandville, strategic site selection matters. At Greenbelt Park Campground, an RVer advises: "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."
Leveling challenges: many sites require adjustment: Prepare for uneven terrain when setting up. "Most sites in the primitive tent loop which is right on the lake... are secluded/set back enough to be private," notes Catherine H. about Codorus State Park. Bring leveling blocks even for seemingly flat sites.
Plan for water fill stations: varying accessibility: Know where to find water when dry camping. Laura M. from Greenbelt Park shares: "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." Simple solutions like this save time and frustration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Brooklandville, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Brooklandville, MD is Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area with a 4.2-star rating from 19 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Brooklandville, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 89 dog-friendly camping locations near Brooklandville, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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