Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area welcomes campers with pets across its various accommodation options, including tent sites, RV spaces, and cabins. The park maintains clean facilities with hot showers and well-maintained grounds that pet owners appreciate. Sites include fire rings with grill grates and picnic tables, creating comfortable spaces for campers and their four-legged companions. Pets must remain leashed throughout the campground and hiking trails. ['The campground features a small playground near the camp host at the entrance to the camp loop, allowing families with dogs to enjoy both pet time and playtime.'] Hollofield Area Campground also accommodates pets with electric hookups and access to sanitary dump stations. Both campgrounds operate seasonally from April to October, with Patapsco Valley offering particularly beautiful fall foliage for dog walks in October.
Several hiking trails connect directly to both campgrounds, providing excellent dog walking opportunities with varying difficulty levels. The Campground Connector Trail from Patapsco Valley leads to River Ridge Trail and eventually a playground about one mile away. Trails through the wooded areas require proper navigation as some campers report getting lost when relying solely on trail blazes. The park's proximity to Baltimore makes it ideal for city dwellers seeking a quick outdoor escape with their pets. After heavy rains, lower elevation campsites can become very wet, so pet owners should consider booking sites on higher ground to avoid muddy paws. The park's location offers the convenience of nearby stores and restaurants within a 5-minute drive, ensuring campers can easily restock pet supplies if needed. The bathhouse facilities are kept clean but described as older and basic.
$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
"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."
"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."
$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. "
$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."
$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."
$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."
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.
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.
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!
Campgrounds near Lutherville Timonium, Maryland sit within the Piedmont region, characterized by rolling hills and elevations averaging 400-500 feet. The area experiences distinct seasonal changes with warm, humid summers that can reach 90°F and mild spring and fall temperatures ideal for camping. Local sites typically feature hardwood forests with oak, hickory and maple trees that provide natural shade during summer camping seasons.
Hiking the trail network: At Patapsco Valley State Park, trails connect directly to camping areas with varying difficulty levels. "This park has a wide range of activities for kids. The hike I did was not very long but was well worth it. 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."
Boating and fishing: At Elk Neck State Park Campground, campers can access multiple water recreation options. "We saw bald eagles and great blue heron. The site was well maintained and very clean. Bathrooms were clean with showers and wash stations. Great views of the bay and beaches."
Swimming and splash areas: Ramblin' Pines offers water recreation even for families with small children. "This is a small gem of a state park campground, one of only two is the massive Patapsco Valley State Park. It's a bit odd getting here through a suburban neighborhood, but the Hilton area is great. There is a massive playground, nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center."
Well-maintained bathrooms: Codorus State Park Campground receives praise for its facilities. "Paved sites, modern, clean bathrooms. A great way to get away for a few days!" Campers with pets particularly appreciate these clean facilities when managing their animals' needs.
Seasonal activities: Fall camping offers special attractions for pet owners. "We absolutely loved this campground!! Very short drive in to Baltimore- around 30 minutes. Getting in to the park was a little difficult. We missed the entrance and had to turn around. Friends who were camping with us had the same problem. Nice playground for the kids. Some nice scenic areas- great for pictures."
Private wooded sites: Susquehanna State Park Campground offers secluded options. "Site was very shaded, and probably the most secluded feel of anywhere we've camped. Camping pad was nice and level, although the driveway was slightly sloped. One of our bunk ends extended beyond the pad into the woods, which was just fine by me."
Reservation planning: Popular weekends fill quickly at pet friendly camping near Lutherville Timonium, Maryland. "We totally loved our camping trip here! I was a little apprehensive because I read so many disappointing reviews about pretty much everything. Neither of us found anything that was so terrible in the rules and truthfully, if more campgrounds had them and enforced them, it would be nice for all."
Weather considerations: After storms, some campsites become problematic. "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."
Site selection strategy: For pet owners, choosing the right site makes a difference. "There are some nice sites that are a little more isolated and give a feel of being alone in the woods that I would love to claim in the future. The bathroom was okay but ran out of toilet paper, so be sure to bring your own!"
Adventure playgrounds: Merry Meadows Recreation Farm offers unique play options beyond standard equipment. "As you can tell by the title I've been coming to Mary Meadows for a very long time as a child I came with my grandparents they had a full-time spot in the chipmunk area. I recently spent three days over the Fourth of July holiday. This campground has lots to offer they have upgraded any of the activities such as miniature golf and the pool area looks great."
Nature programs: Some parks offer educational experiences for children. "We have stayed at both the Hilton location of PSP as well as this one. We preferred the Hilton spot, with kids. However, this location is also great. The sites feel private, the camp hosts are lovely and they provide good firewood (instead of those preset bundles)."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children enjoy animal sightings at local parks. "We saw bald eagles and great blue heron. The site was well maintained and very clean. Bathrooms were clean with showers and wash stations. Great views of the bay and beaches. Very well stocked camp store."
Hookup locations: At Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina, positioning matters. "The daily waterfront sites are pricy but right on the water with great views. Some of the trailer sites are a tough back in but worth the trouble. WiFi is good washrooms are modern and adequate. Sites are paved, pretty level and just a bit close."
Winter camping considerations: Some parks remain open year-round but require preparation. "Weekend was cold but the park was pretty full. 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. They do fill up propane but there's a Tractor Supply about 20min away that will also fill them."
Site grading and access: Pay attention to approach routes when bringing an RV. "This is part of a super large park that runs 32 miles along the Patapsco River. It has 8 recreation areas and we stayed at the Hollofield Area in April. 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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Lutherville Timonium, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Lutherville Timonium, 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 Lutherville Timonium, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 88 dog-friendly camping locations near Lutherville Timonium, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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