85 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Cherry Hill Park accommodates pets at all camping sites with multiple designated pet walking areas throughout the grounds. Dogs must remain on leash at all times, with two off-leash dog parks where pets can run freely. Premium tent sites, RV spots with full hookups, and pet-friendly cabins provide options for campers with animals. Many sites feature level pads with brick patios and ample space for pets. The campground enforces proper pet waste disposal with conveniently placed receptacles and poopy bag dispensers throughout the property. Basic tent sites near highways can be noisy for sensitive pets, while premium sites offer a quieter environment with more shade.
Patapsco Valley State Park's Hollofield and Hilton Areas welcome pets at both tent and RV sites, with pets allowed in select cabins. Trails throughout the park provide excellent pet exercise opportunities with water access in certain areas. Greenbelt Park Campground permits pets at both drive-in and walk-in sites, though facilities are more limited than larger commercial campgrounds. The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring allows pets at their group tent sites, providing a convenient option for visitors with dogs exploring the aerial challenge course. Most campgrounds in the area implement standard pet policies including leash requirements, waste cleanup expectations, and limitations on barking during quiet hours. Several parks provide walking paths around their perimeter specifically designed for exercising pets in a controlled environment.
"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."
from $999 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $20 - $51 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $30 - $70 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $19 - $27 / night
Check Availability"Quiet woods in Maryland about 30 or 40 miles north of DC. Tenting, and RV spots partial to full service. Just of hiway 270. pricey ($66/night) for a state park, but nice."
"PROS Very nice small Montgomery County Park
No reservation fee to make on-line reservations
Reserved 137 days prior to arriving
Entrance gate required entry code Instructed by staff via gate phone"
"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."
"A lot to do: mountain bike trails (horses and walking, too); wooded hikes with water along the trails (great for dogs in the summer heat), skateboard park, BMX park, Water Park near the campground, fishing"
"We set up our tent in the far side of the campground close to the lake ( site 27). It is slightly slant but still comfortable in the tent. Bathrooms are close by and kept clean."
from $30 - $70 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $150 - $200 / night
Check Availability
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.
LegendThis place is right outside the gate of Harpers Ferry NP. We walked to the shuttle bus stop. It is a very large KOA, and was almost empty when we visited in September. The original site the gave us had a large rut and washed out spot, so we could not get level. I checked in the office and the reassigned another space that was much better. Full hook ups, nice clean shower and bathrooms, playground, pool, large dog park.
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.
ScoutOverall great camp ground only thing I noticed is at some of the RV sites the hook ups are in crazy spots some are In the neighboring sites area so you have to drag extensions around them. Also the pool and dog park isn’t on site you have to leave to go to it.
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!
RangerWhen we pulled the rangers where blocking traffic to the park. They said that the park was full. OMG they were right. No wonder Maryland is a hot spot for covid 19. After about an hour we were able to get to a camp site. Not the one I reserved. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful. After setting up we ventured out to the camp store that is located at the concessions near the packed beach of the lake. We didn't find anything that resembled camping items. So we decided to go mushroom 🍄 hunting. Wow we hit the jackpot. The showers were fairly close and clean. There were a lot of signs that pet prohibited 🚫 in the park. But the cedar loop did have 🐕 dogs. They are just not allowed in the rest of the park. We had good cell service and no reception on the tv
Campsites near Highland, Maryland occupy the rolling Piedmont region at elevations between 300-600 feet, creating a mix of wooded settings and riverside terrain. The area receives approximately 44 inches of annual rainfall with summer highs reaching 90°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. Most campgrounds operate from April through October with limited winter availability.
Hiking and biking trails: Patapsco Valley State Park offers 70+ miles of multi-use trails for hiking and biking directly accessible from campsites. "We really loved road biking to the nearby H Mart to have fun shopping and browsing their unique selection. You can also bike/drive to nearby Ellicott city which has a charming downtown area," reports one camper at Hollofield Area Campground.
Water activities: Multiple swimming and fishing options exist throughout the region, particularly along the Patapsco River. "You can swim in this river. Fishing looked like fun too but we didn't have time," notes a visitor to Patapsco Valley State Park. Another camper at Lake Fairfax mentions "paddle boats" among the available activities.
Urban exploration: Many campgrounds serve as convenient bases for DC tourism. At Cherry Hill Park, "we took the metro from Union station to Penn station. Saw the nationals, the orioles. So fun," shares Jennifer H. Another camper adds, "They have a bus stop for metro service to the city, but we took the 20 minute drive."
Secluded sites: Despite proximity to urban areas, several campgrounds maintain wooded privacy. At Greenbelt Park Campground, "Traffic can be heard but not seen. Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground," reports one reviewer. Another mentions it's "a quiet spot in a semi-urban area" with "plenty of space between camp site clusters."
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness receives consistent praise across reviews. Lake Fairfax earns "five stars for the restroom facilities. Bright, large, clean and very well maintained," according to Tana S. Similarly, at Ramblin' Pines, sites are described as "nice large sites with friendly staff" and "clean, nice people, and nice sites."
Kid-friendly amenities: Family activities abound at many locations. Cherry Hill Park offers "mini golf, two pools, arcade, 24 hour laundry, a store and office open early and late, splash pad, paved roads for scootering." Lake Fairfax provides "a water park, paddle boats, playgrounds, trails, skate park, sports fields."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially on weekends. At Little Bennett Campground, there's "no reservation fee to make on-line reservations" but "out-of-state campers pay higher camping fee than Maryland residents, $66/night" with "no senior or veteran discount."
Site characteristics: Terrain and site quality vary significantly across campgrounds. Greenbelt has sites that "vary in levelness, some are fairly level and some are on a mini hill. Driveways are all very narrow." At Lake Fairfax, "sites are largely in more of a meadow and not many are very wooded. Our site, 41, was level and nicely spaced from other sites but many tent sites were not level at all."
Seasonal operations: Operating schedules differ between parks. Patapsco Valley State Park operates from "April 1 to October 30" while others like Ramblin' Pines remain open "all year." Weather impacts can affect operations, as one camper noted finding Hollofield Area "closed and the gates locked" during an off-season arrival.
Playgrounds and activity areas: Multiple campgrounds feature dedicated children's areas. At Lake Fairfax Campground, "there's a water park, paddle boats, playgrounds, trails, skate park, sports fields," making it "great for families." Patapsco Valley State Park's Hilton Area has "a huge playground, sensory trail, nature play space, and a small nature center."
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer learning experiences for children. "They run very few ranger programs," notes one Patapsco Valley camper, but many locations provide nature centers and interpretive trails. At Greenbelt Park, "there are monthly programs at the campfire circle that I sometimes attend even when not camping here."
Budget considerations: Costs vary significantly across campgrounds. Little Bennett is described as "expensive for a state park," while Greenbelt Park is "not free but very reasonable considering the area." Cherry Hill Park is "a little steep, but with all the amenities you get, it is well worth it."
Hookup availability: Electric-only sites are common in state parks while private campgrounds offer full hookups. Hollofield Area has "only 20/30amp electricity and NO water or sewer—although there was a dump and a place to fill your water tank." Little Bennett offers sites with "50A service, water and sewer hookup."
Navigational challenges: Several locations have specific approach requirements. For Hollofield Area, "APPROACH THIS PARK ONLY FROM THE WEST IF YOUR VEHICLE IS OVER 11 FEET HIGH (There is a 11' bridge coming east bound into this park)." At Greenbelt, a camper advises "the sites are pretty close together but enough space to do your thing."
Pet accommodations: Numerous options exist for pet-friendly camping near Highland, Maryland. The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring welcomes pets at their group sites, offering "a very convenient" option for visitors with dogs. Greenbelt Park features "lots of woods around" where pets can enjoy shaded walks on hot days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Highland, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Highland, MD is Cherry Hill Park with a 4.8-star rating from 42 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Highland, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 85 dog-friendly camping locations near Highland, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
