Brunswick Family Campground accommodates tent camping, RVs, cabins, and glamping options with pets along the Potomac River. Dogs are welcome throughout the property with standard leash requirements, though sites can be crowded during peak season. The campground features riverfront sites with easy water access for dogs who enjoy swimming, and most sites include fire pits and picnic tables. Harpers Ferry/Civil War Battlefields KOA also permits pets, offering spacious deluxe patio sites that provide more room for families camping with dogs. Reviews note the KOA's sites are somewhat unlevel and close together, but the campground maintains pet-friendly cabins set back in wooded areas for more privacy.
Dog owners at Brunswick have direct access to the C&O Canal towpath for miles of leashed walking and hiking opportunities in either direction. The nearby Harpers Ferry National Historical Park trails, including Maryland Heights, provide excellent 4-5 mile hiking routes suitable for active dogs. Some sites at Brunswick share water and electric hookups, requiring extensions to reach neighboring sites. Both campgrounds experience high weekend occupancy during summer and fall seasons, with October featuring special Halloween festivities at the KOA that are particularly popular with families bringing pets. The proximity to historic Harpers Ferry (approximately 6 miles from Brunswick) offers additional dog-friendly exploration opportunities, though parking in town can be challenging.
$40 - $80 / night
"This 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."
"We set up camp at Harpers Ferry/Civil War Battlefields KOA Holiday as our launchpad to visit the historic sites in and around Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and Frederick, Maryland. "
"If you would like to do some exploring, then you can walk the trail right next to the campground into the historical town of Harper's Ferry (If you’re facing the river then the trail is to the right of"
"Harper's Ferry is a little town in WV nestled right next to the Potomac River. It's also a convenient halfwayish point on the Appalachian Trail."
$23 - $29 / night
"There are four loops; two with no hookups and no pets allowed, one with no hookups that allow pets and one with electric sites that allow pets."
"My partner and our two dogs loved this campground! We were in the dogwood loop. Positives
* Big, immaculately groomed tent pads
* Mostly tent campers!"
$10 - $90 / night
"Overall 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."
"Picked this location because it is close to our home in Silver Spring, MD but far enough to make us feel like we were leaving town."
$10 / night
"All the sites are very open and run along the multi-use trail. People are constantly walking, running, and biking by."
"Pretty standard campground—the perks are it’s location to nearby attractions and the river/creek. It depends on what you’re looking for—easy camping and proximity to Antietam and Harper’s? Golden."
$18 - $50 / night
"It is located in Frederick, about an hour outside of Baltimore and Washington D.C. Though the campground is small, each site looks pretty unique. It offers tent sites, electric sites, and 4 cabins."
"The site was very level, nicely shaded, and positioned a short distance from the bath house. There was also a water spigot located right at the entrance of the site."
$99 - $471 / night
"Playgrounds, dog park, canteen, mini golf, jumping pillow, laser tag, pedal cars, gem mining are just some of the amenities. Very pricey during peak season."
"They also have a playground, petting farm, pedal cars, and sunflower fields."
"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"
$23 - $29 / night
"Deer Spring Loop is near the top of the mountain. This is not a pet friendly loop.
Site 112 is level, mostly shaded, backs up to the woods and has electric.
The site is between two cabins."
"This site is at the very top of the loop so it has a great cozy vibe and is spaced well away from other sites. The only downside is that the bathhouse is a walk downhill and then a walk back uphill."
$21 - $65 / night
"Not a fan of kids running around through sites. The Elderberry and Deer Spring loops are no pets, but I’d like to see a no kids policy too. Kidding!"
"Nestled away in the Catoctin Mountains, it lands further away from Camp David, so the likelihood of it being negatively affected during dignitary or presidential visits is slim."
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.
TravelerWe began our membership here this June. it has a great atmosphere on the banks of the Shenandoah River. There are activities every weekend like concerts and group activities. Staff is very friendly and helpful. The facilities are clean and very convenient. Pet friendly; two dog parks.
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.
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.
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.
RangerGreat campground for families. Large water park that goes to 3 ft. Playgrounds, dog park, canteen, mini golf, jumping pillow, laser tag, pedal cars, gem mining are just some of the amenities. Very pricey during peak season. We did the camp & store at about $50/night.
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!
Knoxville, Maryland sits in the shadow of South Mountain at 367 feet elevation where the Potomac River forms a boundary between Maryland and Virginia. The area experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures averaging 87°F in July and August, while winter lows can drop to 22°F in January. Campers can access over 3,000 acres of state and federal parkland within a 15-mile radius, creating numerous options for outdoor exploration year-round.
Waterfront activities on the Potomac River: Brunswick Family Campground offers direct river access with boat launch facilities. "Great location right next the river. Easy to walk into the river or tube down it. Lots of different activities for kids and plenty of space at each site to make your home away from home," shares Nicholas S., who especially enjoyed the water access.
Hiking the Appalachian Trail sections: Greenbrier State Park connects to the AT with challenging terrain. "Hike from visitor center to AT is steep and rocky," notes Butch B., highlighting the physical demands of this connection trail. The park offers trails ranging from beginner-friendly loops to more challenging uphill hikes.
Historical exploration at Antietam: Antietam Creek Campground provides a base for exploring nearby Civil War sites. "The proximity to historic Harpers Ferry (approximately 6 miles from the campsite) offers additional exploration opportunities, though parking can be challenging," one camper observed. "Small campground with a pit toilet right on the Potomac river picnic table and fire ring with a few nice trees throughout the camp area," Kevin D. explains about the minimalist camping experience.
River views with train atmosphere: The combination of waterfront and passing trains creates a unique camping experience. "The river view was nice, but we were packed in with our neighbors like sardines and no shade," Robin explains about Brunswick Family Campground, providing a balanced perspective on the waterfront sites.
Clean facilities at state parks: Cunningham Falls State Park maintains well-kept facilities. "This campground is fantastic! Great sites and clean facilities!!" comments Ella P., emphasizing the overall maintenance of the park. "My family and I have been coming here every year since I was young and it is my absolute favorite place to camp," adds Amanda W.
Privacy between sites: Many campers value separation between campsites. "We stayed at site D72 for 4 days. The sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup," shares Ray & Terri F. about Little Bennett Campground, highlighting the privacy factor that's important for many campers.
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Facility quality differs significantly between campgrounds. "Bathhouse had no hot water and was filthy. Guest services was non existent," reported Amy about Jellystone Park, contrasting sharply with positive reviews at state parks.
Train noise impacts some campgrounds: Several riverside campgrounds sit near active rail lines. "The river views were amazing, but face the other way and you're looking at a 15 or so foot CSX rail line berm. The trains that come through here almost hourly range from quick commuter MARC or Amtrak trains to long freight trains," explains Sherri C. about Harpers Ferry Campground, noting the trade-off between scenic views and noise.
Seasonal crowds at water features: Swimming areas become extremely crowded during summer weekends. "The beach area at the lake is PACKED every weekend with day trippers - we avoided it since we are careful due to COVID," Sarah K. noted about Greenbrier State Park, highlighting the need to plan water activities strategically.
Water recreation options: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park offers extensive water features. "A little hard to find, no major/large signs to tell you where to turn into the park. The entrance comes up quick and could easily be passed," notes Phibao T., providing helpful arrival information. "We recent went camping for the first time at Jellystone in Maryland. 5 of our 6 kids came with us, so we knew we needed to find a camping ground more geared kids," shares Mary.
Halloween festivities: October brings special family activities at many campgrounds. "This campground is very close to DC and lots of shopping and Clarksburg upscale outlets," notes Regina C. about Little Bennett, highlighting its strategic location for combining outdoor activities with shopping options for families.
Kid-friendly hiking trails: Choose appropriate trails based on child age and ability. "The 3-yo had no issues on the trails. The volunteer staff were awesome and extremely helpful," explains Buck P. about Cunningham Falls State Park, providing reassurance for families with young children considering hiking options.
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require significant leveling equipment. "Heads up, big rig owners! Our Pull-thru FHU Patio site had a serious slope. It was impossible to level my 45' motorhome without elevating the front wheels dangerously in the air," warns Matt S. about Harpers Ferry/Civil War Battlefields KOA, highlighting an important consideration for larger RVs.
Electric hookup sharing: At certain dog friendly campgrounds near Knoxville, utility connections may require extensions. "Many sites share a power pole and water faucet, but they are well situated," explains Dale Y. about Brunswick Family Campground, noting this space-saving design feature that RVers should prepare for.
Low season availability: Off-peak camping offers more availability and quieter experiences. "It was August 1st and the bugs were minimal and there is a visitor station and aviary but I wasn't able to see them," shares Ellen C. about Cunningham Falls State Park, highlighting the benefits of late summer camping with fewer insects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Knoxville, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Knoxville, MD is Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA with a 3.7-star rating from 39 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Knoxville, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 113 dog-friendly camping locations near Knoxville, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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