Dog-Friendly Camping near Middletown, MD

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    Gambrill State Park Campground's pet-friendly sites offer tent, RV, and cabin accommodations with electricity available at select locations. Dogs must be kept on leashes no longer than 6 feet at all times while in the park. The campground features spacious, shaded sites that provide privacy for campers with pets, with site #16 offering the most seclusion from other campers. Bathrooms and shower facilities are clean and well-maintained, making longer stays with pets comfortable. Harpers Ferry/Civil War Battlefields KOA and Brunswick Family Campground also welcome pets with dedicated areas for dog walking. Campers report that the Rock Run camping area provides excellent access to trails suitable for leashed dogs, with water spigots conveniently located near several campsites.

    The surrounding trail system offers numerous options for hiking with dogs, including connections to the Appalachian Trail at nearby Greenbrier State Park. Dogs are permitted on all hiking trails except the white trail, which is reserved for hikers only. Mountain biking and horseback riding are allowed on most paths, creating diverse recreation options for visitors with pets. Campers should be prepared for possible wildlife encounters including foxes and, rarely, bears in the area. The Frederick watershed adjacent to Gambrill provides additional dog-friendly trails popular with locals. Nearby Frederick and Middletown offer veterinary services, pet supply stores, and pet-friendly dining options within a short drive. Sites in the park's loops feature fire rings and picnic tables, with most providing enough space for vehicles and pet enclosures.

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    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Middletown (117)

      1. Greenbrier State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

      4.4(42)8mi from MiddletownRVs, Tents

      "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!"

      from $23 - $29 / night

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      2. Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA

      3.6(41)15mi from MiddletownRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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. "

      from $40 - $80 / night

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      3. Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park

      4.2(24)12mi from MiddletownRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      from $23 - $29 / night

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      4. Gambrill State Park Campground

      4.3(14)3mi from MiddletownRVs, Tents, 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."

      "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."

      from $18 - $50 / night

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      5. Houck - Cunningham Falls State Park

      4.6(24)13mi from MiddletownRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      from $21 - $65 / night

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      6. Owens Creek Campground — Catoctin Mountain Park

      4.2(29)16mi from Middletown51 sitesRVs, Tents

      "Our campsite was quiet with the creek right behind us and had lots of privacy. This place is a great campground to go during summer as it's tucked in the mountains with lots of tree coverage."

      "My only complaint is that the fire ring is a little too close to the main road. This is true for most of the sites. However the tent pad was set back in the woods and it was very peaceful."

      from $30 / night

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      7. Harpers Ferry Campground - River Riders

      3.7(24)15mi from MiddletownRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      8. Brunswick Family Campground

      4.1(13)10mi from MiddletownRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      from $10 - $90 / night

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      9. Jellystone Park™ Williamsport

      4.3(24)17mi from Middletown5 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      from $99 - $471 / night

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      10. Antietam Creek Campground — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

      3.8(11)11mi from Middletown20 sitesTents

      "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."

      from $20 / night

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Middletown, MD

    1116 Reviews of 117 Middletown Campgrounds


    • barb C.
      Aug. 6, 2022

      Gettysburg / Battlefield KOA

      Amazing campground!

      We 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.

    • L
      Sep. 1, 2018

      North Fork Resort

      Love this place!

      We 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.

    • JThe Dyrt PRO User
      Sep. 9, 2025

      Artillery Ridge Campground

      Great location and friendly staff

      We 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.

    • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
      Sep. 30, 2021

      Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA

      Very convenient to National Park

      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. 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.

    • J
      Jun. 26, 2022

      Brunswick Family Campground

      Great but only a few things I noticed

      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. Also the pool and dog park isn’t on site you have to leave to go to it.

    • singinajf@aol.com
      May. 26, 2021

      Ramblin' Pines

      Quiet Spot

      The 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.

    • Regina C.
      Jun. 12, 2018

      Jellystone Park™ Williamsport

      Great for families

      Great 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.

    • P
      May. 18, 2018

      Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground

      Favorite state park campground

      This campground is far enough away from home but at the same time close enough for a weekend camping trip. Nice level spots for RVs. A pet area as well as a non-pet area. A lake with a beach, as well as being close to the AT. Close to Gettysburg as well.

    • Linda B.
      Jul. 7, 2019

      Cherry Hill Park

      Actually a 10!!!

      This 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.


    Guide to Middletown

    Gambrill State Park offers terrain varying from 600 to 1,600 feet in elevation within Maryland's scenic Catoctin Mountains. The park's campground provides electric hookups at select sites, making it convenient for campers with pets to maintain temperature control equipment during summer months. The Rock Run camping area connects directly to a network of multi-use trails suitable for hikers with leashed dogs.

    What to do

    Fishing in stocked ponds: At Cunningham Falls State Park, visitors can fish in Hunting Creek Lake without needing a special license. "A friend and I chose this campground because of it's right-on-the-river sites and it's close proximity to the tubing we'd be doing on the Shenandoah River," reports one Harpers Ferry camper.

    Hike to viewpoints: The hiking near Middletown varies from easy walks to more challenging terrain. "The trail to the falls is an easy six mile loop to and from the falls," notes one Cunningham Falls visitor. For more adventurous hikers, "Hike from visitor center to AT is steep and rocky," according to a Greenbrier State Park camper.

    Water activities: Multiple parks in the region offer water-based recreation. "The Shanandoah is just as beautiful. The showers could use a good cleaning but they are typical Campground showers perfect for the campground life," writes a camper at Brunswick Family Campground, highlighting the river access.

    What campers like

    River access: Pet owners appreciate sites with quick water access at Brunswick Family Campground, where "the Shanandoah river parallels the campground. The river is beautifully clean clear and cool." This provides a refreshing spot for both pets and their owners during summer months.

    Privacy between sites: Many campers value secluded spots when traveling with pets. At Gambrill State Park Campground, "I believe we got the most secluded site (site 16, and thank you to the other reviewer for the heads up) but still very exposed to neighbors and roads," notes one camper, indicating some privacy is possible.

    Clean facilities: When staying multiple nights with pets, clean bathhouses make a difference. "Bathhouse was simple, but effective with steamy, hot water! People were good about keeping their space in this COVID era," shares a Gambrill State Park camper, noting the maintained facilities.

    What you should know

    Seasonal closures: Always verify facility availability before arriving. "We were so excited to come to Cunningham Falls State Park for the first time. It was a short drive from home and heard great things about the park," reports a camper who then discovered limited facilities open during their visit.

    Train noise: Several campgrounds in the area have nearby train tracks. At Harpers Ferry Campground, "There is a train going through day and night. For me it's a minor inconvenience and my daughter, who even as a baby, slept through it. Do bring ear plugs if you're a light sleeper." This affects pets sensitive to noise.

    Limited connectivity: Cell service varies significantly. At Owens Creek Campground, a camper notes that with "no service at all with T-Mobile," communication can be challenging, which matters when traveling with pets that might need veterinary care.

    Tips for camping with families

    Water features for dogs and kids: Greenbrier State Park Campground offers both humans and pets water activities, though with restrictions. "This is a beautiful park with a lake, beach, and swimming area. Fishing is allowed. The only downsides are how crowded it can get peak season, and they dont allow dogs in the lake at all."

    Wildlife awareness: Prepare children and pets for possible encounters. "There is a store open all day, with all essentials. Situated next to the river so half of the sites have river views," reports a Brunswick Family Campground visitor, where riverside locations may increase wildlife sightings.

    Accessible trails: Find trails suitable for both children and pets. "We were able to set up our tent maybe five feet from the creek so we could hear it babble when we went to sleep," notes one Gambrill State Park camper, highlighting the accessible natural features.

    Tips from RVers

    Site dimensions: At Harpers Ferry/Civil War Battlefields KOA, RVers should note: "Heads up, big rig owners! Our Pull-thru FHU Patio site(#199) had a serious slope. It was impossible to level my 45' motorhome without elevating the front wheels dangerously in the air." This matters for RVers traveling with pets that need climate control.

    Electric service considerations: The type of electrical hookup varies between parks. Gambrill State Park offers 30-amp service at select sites, which supports air conditioning for pet comfort during summer months.

    Proximity to veterinary services: When camping with pets in RVs near Middletown, Brunswick Family Campground provides relatively close access to towns with veterinary care. "Close to Harpers Ferry and tubing," notes one camper, indicating the proximity to services.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Middletown, MD?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Middletown, MD is Greenbrier State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED with a 4.4-star rating from 42 reviews.

    What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Middletown, MD?

    TheDyrt.com has all 117 dog-friendly camping locations near Middletown, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.