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Patapsco Valley State Park campgrounds welcome pets throughout their developed camping areas, with both the Hilton Area and Hollofield Area providing designated pet-friendly sites. Tent campers, RV owners, and those seeking cabin accommodations can bring their four-legged companions while enjoying the park's extensive trail network. The camping loops feature clean facilities with hot showers and well-maintained restrooms that campers with pets appreciate during extended stays. Most sites include fire rings with grill grates and picnic tables situated on level crushed stone pads. Campers report seeing wildlife including deer in the mornings, making leash control essential for dog owners. No alcohol is permitted within the park boundaries, and outside firewood cannot be brought in due to harmful insect concerns.
Trails connecting directly to the campgrounds provide excellent walking opportunities for dogs and their owners. The Campground Connector Trail links to River Ridge Trail and offers approximately one mile of hiking to a playground, perfect for exercising pets before settling in for the evening. Susquehanna State Park Campground, about 25 miles northeast of Idlewylde, provides additional pet-friendly camping options with water access for dogs who enjoy swimming. The surrounding parkland's extensive trail system features moderate to difficult terrain with beautiful waterfalls and river views. During rainy periods, lower campsites can become quite wet, so pet owners should consider booking sites on higher ground to avoid muddy paws and damp sleeping quarters. Nearby stores and veterinary services are just minutes away, making these locations convenient for camping with dogs.
"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"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"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."
"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."
"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)."
from $21 - $55 / 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"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 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."
from $75 - $115 / night
Check Availability"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. "
from $20 - $195 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $21 - $50 / night
Check Availability
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!
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 campgrounds provide pet-friendly accommodations about 15 miles southwest of Idlewylde, Maryland. The region features forested camping areas with varying terrain at elevations ranging from 250 to 500 feet above sea level. Seasonal changes significantly impact camping conditions, with lower sites often experiencing standing water during spring rainfalls and dense humidity during summer months.
Trail running and mountain biking: Patapsco Valley State Park-Hollofield Area offers challenging terrain for outdoor enthusiasts. "There are parks on both sides of the river to explore and experience the trails. Be sure to bring/download maps," notes a camper who appreciates the 70 miles of multi-use trails available throughout the park.
Explore historic sites: Susquehanna State Park Campground features several historical points of interest. "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," shares one reviewer who discovered these educational opportunities.
Waterfront activities: Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina offers direct water access for fishing and boating. "Fishing piers, (I love to crab) catch them and steam them in my camper (a MD thing :-)" mentions one camper, highlighting the unique regional activities available within 25 miles of Idlewylde.
Spacious campsites: Elk Neck State Park Campground receives praise for its layout. "Sites were level, spacious, spaced apart, with packed gravel surface. Back in and pull through sites available," reports one camper who appreciated the privacy offered at this pet-friendly campground near Idlewylde.
Family-friendly amenities: Merry Meadows Recreation Farm offers extensive recreation options. "The resort is spacious, scattered throughout the woods. The RV sites are comfortable with all the amenities. And the customer service is impeccable," writes a visitor who enjoyed the wide range of activities.
Clean facilities: Many dog-friendly camping areas maintain high standards for bathhouses. "Bath house was immaculate; by far the cleanest I have ever seen in a campground. Must have been recently renovated," reports a camper at Susquehanna State Park, noting the importance of proper facilities when camping with pets.
Seasonal considerations: Winter camping options are limited around Idlewylde, with most state parks operating from April through October. "Finished the season at this state park in MD with full hook up (20, 30, and 50 amp, water and sewer) and the water was still on in November," notes a late-season visitor to Elk Neck State Park.
Reservation requirements: Hollofield Area Campground fills quickly during peak seasons. "The campground and park fill up on the weekends but are nearly empty during the week," advises a repeat visitor who planned accordingly.
Terrain challenges: Site conditions vary significantly throughout the region. "Our site was uphill and at a difficult angle. Plenty of bigger TTs and 5th wheels were camping," explains a visitor to Elk Neck State Park, highlighting the importance of understanding site limitations when bringing larger setups.
Playground access: Cherry Hill Park offers extensive recreation options. "For kids, the playground was fantastic, though, it was not shaded. It is also in the middle of the Acorn and Beechnut loop," shares a family camper at Susquehanna State Park, noting the importance of planning site selection around amenities.
Swimming options: Pools provide relief during hot summer months. "We didn't like that non potty trained kids are not allowed to swim in their pool. Luckily we only have a 9 month old currently that isn't potty trained so she didn't care if she was in the pool or not," cautions a family who visited Washington DC/Capitol KOA, highlighting potential restrictions at some facilities.
Year-round activities: Local parks offer seasonal programming. "Took a nice hike out to the susquehanna and spent a few hours fishing in the pond. Lots of wildlife," reports a family at Susquehanna State Park who found diverse activities for children regardless of season.
Hookup variations: Ramblin' Pines provides different levels of services. "There is only 20/30amp electricity and NO water or sewer- although there was a dump and a place to fill your water tank," explains an RVer at Hollofield Area Campground, noting the importance of understanding hookup limitations.
Site access considerations: Road conditions impact RV accessibility to many dog-friendly campgrounds near Idlewylde. "The road on the FHUnloop is narrow and hilly. Out site was uphill and at a difficult angle," cautions an RV owner about Elk Neck State Park, emphasizing the need to research approach routes.
Pet exercise areas: Dedicated spaces for dogs vary between campgrounds. "The pet exercise/walking area, but could use some sprucing up. However, no one really made an issue of walking your dog around the campground," notes a visitor to Bar Harbor RV Park, highlighting the practical considerations for dog owners when selecting sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Idlewylde, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Idlewylde, MD is Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area with a 4.1-star rating from 20 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Idlewylde, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 80 dog-friendly camping locations near Idlewylde, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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