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Savage River State Forest campgrounds offer primitive camping with multiple pet-friendly sites located along streams and wooded areas. Sites include fire rings and picnic tables, with many positioned across from the creek in areas deep enough for dogs to cool off during summer months. Pets must remain leashed throughout the forest campgrounds, and waste must be properly disposed of in designated receptacles. Sites are exceptionally spread out along paved roads, creating a dispersed camping feel while maintaining accessibility. Visitors use The Dyrt to find real feedback on camping near Lonaconing, Maryland. New Germany State Park Campground provides a dedicated pet-friendly camping loop called Hemlock Loop, though sites tend to be smaller and suitable primarily for tent camping or small trailers. Both locations maintain clean facilities with Savage River offering a more rustic experience without drinking water or electric hookups.
Dog-friendly trails throughout the region connect these campgrounds to larger recreation networks. Savage River's paths follow the waterways with significant space between campsites, minimizing pet interactions with neighboring campers. The forest setting creates excellent firefly viewing opportunities during summer evenings when walking pets. New Germany's Hemlock Loop provides bathroom access with warm showers, though reviewers note the considerable walk from some sites to reach facilities during nighttime bathroom breaks with pets. Wildlife encounters are common in both areas, with deer frequently spotted near roads and campsites. Both locations experience limited or no cell service, making it essential to research veterinary services in nearby Grantsville or Frostburg before arrival. Mosquitoes and gnats are prevalent, especially near water features, requiring appropriate pet protection during peak seasons.
"I stayed at a primitive campsite with my dog and we found a site right on a beautiful stream."
"This was a beautiful state forest, with two state parks sort of bordering it (Big Run & New Germany). The roads were all paved which was nice."
"Great location in Western Maryland. 10 min ride to Cumberland (larger town) 5 min ride to small town of Flintstone. Lots of well marked trails that range from beginner to advanced."
"Rocky gap is one of my favorite parks to camp in Maryland! It is right along a great lake, where you can swim, fish, kayak or just lay about. The camp store is well stocked and the staff is friendly."
from $23 - $29 / night
Check Availability"New Germany State Park is situated in Garrett County Maryland. The park has a small lake, a few trails, and two camping loops."
"It was quieter than Deep Creek with shaded good sized camp sites in the Hemlock loop where pets are allowed."
from $18 - $117 / night
Check Availability"As soon as we stepped out of our motorhome it felt like we could relax. You could hear the birds tweeting and see squirrels playing and even butterflies dancing in the sunlight."
"We have three children who absolutely loved petting and feeding Mules and Donkeys! The pool is a nice amenity unfortunately the weather wasn't swimming weather when we were there."
"Jesse is the owners dog and she will come out for scratching and pets. You get the feeling that you are welcome there. Amazing views and very enjoyable."
"Me and a small group of friends stayed here for a weekend and we had a blast it was so peaceful we where right next to the river and had some great trails too hike on."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"This is one of my favorite Western Maryland hideaways. The best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream. You can set up your camp chair and enjoy the creek sounds."
"You have to know what you're getting here - there ARE campsites with amenities, near water and bathrooms, but not all of them have the amenities. "
from $10 - $55 / night
Check Availability"Camp site(Tent camping) Camp site was pretty small and close to each other. The forest where the camp site was situated was beautiful."
"Lots of touristy things around the lake, then you drive by lots of vacation homes on the lakeshore and then you pull into the camp and you feel like you are miles away from all that stuff."
from $21 - $65 / night
Check Availability"There's ame space between campsites and also sites that are close for friends and family to stay nearby. Hiking trails, fishing, basketball, hot showers, and a camp store with friendly staff."
"General: Smallish (68 sites) campground near Jennings Randolph Lake, which is not directly accessible from the campground (you need to drive there)."
from $22 - $60 / night
Check Availability"We did have a pet friendly site reserved but found out after we arrived that dogs are not allowed out of the campground."
"Thirdly, the campground was so close to the nature that we wanted to see. We went to see the falls and they were within walking distance from our campsite. Overall, it was an awesome place to camp."
from $22 - $33 / night
Check Availability"This camp was laid out very well and had plenty of maps and trails, as well as daily activities. They have a small amphitheater with easy access, a dump and recycling area."
"Aside from the rock water slide, which is burned into the kid's memories, there's great, easy hiking trails and a pet-friendly campsite."
from $20 - $54 / night
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GuideOne of the best campgrounds I have stayed at so far the pond is nice and has a 1/2 mile walking path around it with trees and beaches to stop and sit dog park is big and has a place for small or large dogs there is 3 play grounds all different and all well kept
GuideNew Germany State Park is situated in Garrett County Maryland. The park has a small lake, a few trails, and two camping loops. The Hemlock loop- the only loop that allows pets, is smaller and is mostly made for tent camping, though one site has electricity, but only big enough for a teardrop camper. There is a bathroom with a hot shower. The problems with the Hemlock loop is the proximity to the other campers. Our neighbors were loud, their kids were louder and their dog was ear- splitting loud. The tent pads are varied in size with sites 52, 53 and 57 being just big enough for a large tent and not much else. Every site has a large picnic table ( that is impressively hard to move) and a fire ring. Some sites are not very level, not not as much that your rolling out of bed in your sleep. There is water, but just at the bathroom area. This makes sense since the loop itself is very small. Deer are dense in these parts, and bears frequent the area. Summer temps usually do not get as nice 85max most of the summer. There is also cross country skiing in the winter. Despite the smaller sites, the Hemlock loop is frequently full, as is the non pet loop, which can accommodate larger tents and RV’s., but no pets.
GuideThis campground checks all our boxes. Beautiful scenery, quiet location, spacious campsites, full RV hookups, well-placed fire rings, dog park, nice large bathhouses, polite staff, and Wi-Fi that works.
This is located about an hour away from my home, so we plan on making this our go-to for quick camping getaways throughout the year.
Highly recommended. Definitely worth checking out.
GuidePreface: if your main objective is activities for children, you have come to the right place. This place is loud and full of kids.
We booked a site but chose not to pay to select which one. All the pictures looked great! We ended up on a grassy hill in the back. The spot was so unlevel there were 19 inches between my bottom step and the ground. This site was the same price as level ones closer to activities.
Also bathrooms were outdated. They had older residential toilets that plugged constantly. The day we left 2 of the 3 in our nearest bathroom were out of order.
Aside from all the above, the Dog Park is awesome. It’s the size of a real, normal dog park. The ice cream on site is also a nice perk.
RangerThis may be the first campground I give a 10 out of 10! All the amenities your could want, it's clean, sites are leveled, it's maintained beautifully, there are cows in the distance, fully stocked store, friendly staff. Laundry, bathrooms, fairly spacious sites, a pool, dog park. Very, very nice.
ScoutGreat location in Western Maryland. 10 min ride to Cumberland (larger town) 5 min ride to small town of Flintstone. Lots of well marked trails that range from beginner to advanced. Lake holds opportunity for numerous activities from swimming, fishing, kayaking, paddle board, and canoeing. No motorized boats which can be a good thing sometimes. The lake even has areas for pets to swim! Campground has tent sites, cabins, camper sites and group sites. All loops have bath houses with showers. Several loops have sites with electric hook ups and pets friendly loops as well. Casino and golf course located on the opposite side of the lake if you wish to visit them while camping.
RangerRocky gap is one of my favorite parks to camp in Maryland! It is right along a great lake, where you can swim, fish, kayak or just lay about. The camp store is well stocked and the staff is friendly. We always stay on Dogwood loop, and the camp hosts are there if you need them, but otherwise leave you be to enjoy your stay.
My only complaint is the sounds from the highway. You can hear the trucks go by, and that does take away from the experience a bit.
We just got our tent this year, so we have always stayed in one of the cabins, when camping here. The rest of the sites are rather separated though, and a great camping experience. I'm attaching several photos from our years of camping at Rocky Gap,, in cabin 104 Dogwood.
We usually stay on Dogwood Loop, which has a nice, direct path from one of the sites down to the beach area. I would say that it is about a 1/4-1/3 mile walk from the loop to the beach/playground area. That said, when going to the beach to swim, we took our car. However, for a trip to the playground or just for a nice walk, the path is great.
The beach area here is, by far, my favorite in the area. I've been to Greenbrier and Herrington Manor, and the beach area at RGSP is, in my opinion, superior. There is a roped off area for swimming, an area for dogs and an area for fishing. You can rent kayaks, paddle boards & canoes for about $5-10 an hour (depending on the type) and going out on the lake is a great way to spend the day! The water is incredibly clean and the best part, is that the 'day use' area for the general public is seperate. So, when you go to the beach at Rocky Gap, it is just other campers. This keeps the beach clean, quiet and not crowded.
There is also a roughly 5 mile loop trail the goes around the lake, and starts and finishes near the camp store. I have not done this hike, but often see runners and hikers coming in and out and have heard it is fantastic. There is also a small trail that comes off of the dogwood loop, across from the camp host's site. My small dog and I have done about 1/2 mile of it- it is rocky, but beautiful.
My son was 6 when we came here last and he was able to ride his bike around the dogwood loop just fine. It is a little hilly, but not too much and I've also enjoyed running the loops in years past.
I've been to 6 Maryland campgrounds this year, and I have to say that Rocky Gap has, by far, the best bathhouse. The women's room has 2-3 very updated shower stalls, roughly 5 bathroom stalls and is always clean. Outside of the bathhouse, is a dish washing station with hot water and a garbage disposal.
You can purchase bundles of firewood for $5 at the campstore and ice is around $3. They also don't have trash dumps on the loops, and you take your trash to the main trash area near the camp store.
TravelerI was the only tenter at the time of my stay; had the whole place to myself. The sites are spread far apart and wooded. Table and fire rings are at each site. They have a brand new bath house which was spotless and a well kept dog park for the furs. If desired, there is a group campsite and the use of a pavilion too. The camp store if beautiful and has everything in it should you forget something. I’ll definitely be back.
GuideWe chose this campground for its proximity to home with the chance to swim in the lake.
The camping did not disappoint. We always try to book “outside” loop sites so we don’t have “back neighbors” but none near the lake were available, so we took our chances on an “inside” site in E loop. It was great, smallish, but plenty of vegetation to make it feel private. (Some poison ivy around the edges, though.) The pull-in sites in general seem a bit small (space for our two 4-person tents and that’s it), but are well shaded and separated from neighbors by small patches of woods or bushes. The pull-through sites in our loop were more exposed to the road, but had a bit more space.
There was some noise from the interstate. There were surprisingly few mosquitoes. The bathhouse was clean, but showers were not very warm.
The swimming was unfortunately disappointing. The roped-off swimming area was 3 feet deep at the most. Warm water in August, nice for kids to splash around, but not really good for actual swimming. Bonus for dog people: pets allowed on the beach and in the lake.
During COVID-19, the bathrooms/bathhouses at the beach area are closed; porta-johns only.
We rented paddle boards and a canoe one afternoon and paddled around to one of the lake inlets, which was actually deep and had a good swim. But this is technically not allowed.
If you feel okay about rule-breaking and have water-safe family members (and no pets), I would absolutely choose a site in I loop close to the lake. The sites in E loop closest to the lake are actually up a fairly steep hill from the lake path.
Hiking trails were nice. My kids especially liked the rock scramble-ish up and down the stream gorge on Evitt’s Mountain trail.
Western Maryland's mountain region surrounding Lonaconing sits at elevations between 1,500-2,500 feet, creating cooler summer temperatures than nearby urban areas. Campgrounds in this region offer primitive to full-service options with varying levels of cell service coverage. Most campsites maintain a 10 PM to 6 AM quiet hours policy across public and private facilities.
Hiking trails for dogs: At New Germany State Park Campground, trails are well-maintained and clearly marked. "The trails are easy to medium and are open to cross country skiing in the winter months," notes Bill G. The park features about "15 or so miles of trails" with interconnected pathways through wooded mountains.
Fishing spots: Big Run State Park Campground offers stream fishing opportunities right from some campsites. "Stream was incredible and lively with trout and crayfish," writes Nathan S. Many sites are positioned along waterways, giving anglers direct access without needing to travel far from camp.
Swimming areas: Multiple locations offer water access during summer months. At Rocky Gap State Park, "The campground beach is fun. There is a 5 mile trail that goes all around the lake. Lots of lake to paddle," according to Marcandpatti B. The park maintains dedicated swimming areas with lifeguard supervision during peak season.
Spacious, private sites: Deep Creek Lake State Park Campground receives praise for site layout. "Can't believe how much space is between each site. You're close enough to see other campers but far enough away to feel you have you own sections of woods," notes Jeff H. Many sites include bear-proof storage containers at each location.
Cooler temperatures: The mountain elevation creates more comfortable camping conditions during summer months. At Swallow Falls State Park Campground, "the sites are well maintained although some are close together with not a lot of privacy," according to Michele F. The park stays "at least 10 degrees cooler" than surrounding lower elevations.
Wildlife viewing: Nighttime displays add to the camping experience. "We were lucky enough to witness a spectacular light show put up by thousands of fireflies at night," writes Simon S. about Deep Creek Lake. Early morning and evening hours provide opportunities to spot deer and other wildlife near most camping areas.
Limited cell service: Prepare for disconnection at most campgrounds. At Middle Ridge Campground, "Starlink was sketchy at best, Verizon had one bar and slightly usable, ATT was best with a couple of bars and ok speeds," reports Stephen H. Download maps and information before arrival.
Bathroom facilities vary: Some locations offer modern facilities while others provide minimal options. At Big Run, "Pit toilets were a nice long walk or a short drive away and not the worst I've seen," notes Aakansha J. New Germany offers "a bathroom with a hot shower" in their pet-friendly loop.
Weather preparedness: Mountain weather can change rapidly, especially in spring and fall. "The weather was crazy the one night I stayed! Thunderstorms turned to ice turned to snow which made the area even more beautiful!" shares Michele F. Pack appropriate clothing and gear for unexpected conditions.
Water recreation options: Several parks offer kid-friendly swimming areas. "The swim area leaves a brown residual stain in your swimwear and on your person. A simple shower won't get the stuff off your skin you will have to scrub multiple times to get clean," warns Kim M. about New Germany State Park. Consider bringing extra towels and soap for after-swim cleanup.
Playground access: CUMBERLAND MD. CAMPGROUNDS. 1 & 2 provides family-friendly amenities. "We have three children who absolutely loved petting and feeding Mules and Donkeys!" shares Kayla M. about a nearby campground. Check campground maps for playground locations relative to your site when booking.
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer ranger programs during summer months. "There was movie night on Saturday night and a ranger talk on Saturday morning," reports Lee D. These programs typically run from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends at larger state parks.
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require extra equipment for setting up. "Despite the smaller sites, the Hemlock loop is frequently full, as is the non pet loop, which can accommodate larger tents and RV's, but no pets," explains Bill G. about New Germany State Park's dog friendly campgrounds near Lonaconing.
Limited hookups: Many state forest campsites lack full hookups. "Water pressure was just a bit weak and used our water tank and pump during our stay. Best we could get for water pressure out of the hose was 25-20 psi. No issues with power or sewer," notes Stephen H. Arrive with full water tanks when possible.
Road access considerations: Mountain roads can present challenges for larger vehicles. "Road to access the campground was good with some tight turns up the hill the last couple of miles. The campground itself is gravel roads that were pretty tight gettin in and out of and fairly steep with trees on all sides," cautions Stephen H. Research route restrictions before arrival, especially for vehicles over 30 feet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Lonaconing, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Lonaconing, MD is Savage River State Forest with a 4.6-star rating from 18 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 126 dog-friendly camping locations near Lonaconing, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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