Merry Meadows Recreation Farm accommodates pets in a variety of camping options including tent sites, RV spaces, cabins, glamping setups, and yurts. Most campsites feature picnic tables, fire rings, and access to clean restroom facilities with showers. The pet policy requires dogs to be leashed throughout the property except in designated areas, with owners responsible for waste cleanup. Campground reviews indicate the sites are generally private and spacious, providing ample room for pets to settle comfortably while maintaining distance from neighboring campers. ['Campground data and reviews near Cockeysville, Maryland is regularly updated on The Dyrt.'] Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area and Hollofield Area Campground also welcome pets with similar leash requirements and offer access to numerous hiking trails where dogs can explore alongside their owners.
Hollofield Area Campground's non-electric sites provide better spacing and privacy for camping with pets compared to the electric sites which tend to be clustered closer together near the bath houses. The extensive trail system throughout Patapsco Valley creates numerous opportunities for dog-friendly hiking, though the paths from the campground to the river involve steep terrain that may challenge some pets. Several campgrounds in the region maintain seasonal operation schedules, with many open from early April through late October. During summer months, pet owners should ensure adequate shade and water for their animals, particularly at more exposed campsites. Most facilities provide pet waste stations throughout their grounds, though bringing supplies from home remains advisable. Quiet hours are strictly enforced at most locations to prevent excessive barking disturbances.
"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."
$20 - $51 / night
"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."
$19 - $27 / night
"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."
$20 - $195 / night
"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. "
$30 - $70 / night
"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."
$21 - $55 / night
"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)."
$21 - $50 / night
"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."
$70 - $90 / night
"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."
$999 / night
"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."
$20 - $90 / night
"I liked the dish washing sinks outside of the shower houses. The site was nice with the tent pad backing up to the trees."
"Our site was in the pet loop and was set back off the road a good amount which kept a lot of the road noise down. It was very large and Iffered gIId trees fIr strIngIng up tarps and hammocks."
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.
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.
GuideBeautiful campground. Very recently renovated. Very spacious and quiet.
Great little store stocked with everything you need.
Very close to Hersheypark.
Nicest miniature golf course I’ve ever seen at a RV park. Same can be said for the swimming pool, absolutely beautiful. Great little dog park as well.
They have a very nice schedule of monthly events. They had a few food trucks and fruit/vegetable vendors come to the RV park during our stay.
Would stay again.
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.
Near Cockeysville, Maryland, camping options extend across the Patapsco Valley watershed at elevations ranging from 250-650 feet. This region experiences humid summers with average highs reaching 87°F, while spring and fall offer milder temperatures between 55-75°F. Most campgrounds in the area are situated within hardwood forests featuring oak, maple, and poplar trees.
Hike to waterfalls: Patapsco Valley State Park offers trail access from campgrounds to the river. "There are some great sites that are a little more isolated and give a feel of being alone in the woods that I would love to claim in the future," notes a camper at Susquehanna State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple waterfront locations provide fishing access with varying catch types. "We drove to the public boat launch and rented a pontoon to take on the water. It was blue skies and 85 degrees out and the water felt great," shares a visitor to Codorus State Park Campground.
Seasonal events: Special holiday programs occur at several parks. "We stayed here this past Easter and they had plenty of activities for kids and adults. Easter egg hunts for kids, adult scavenger hunts for alcohol," mentions a camper at Merry Meadows Recreation Farm.
Nature exploration: Wildlife viewing opportunities exist throughout the region. "We saw bald eagles and great blue heron," reports a visitor to Elk Neck State Park Campground.
Private wooded sites: Many campgrounds offer secluded spots under tree cover. "The site was very shaded, and probably the most secluded feel of anywhere we've camped. Camping pad was nice and level, although the driveway was slightly sloped," writes a camper at Susquehanna State Park Campground.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers are consistently mentioned. "Bath house was immaculate; by far the cleanest I have ever seen in a campground. Must have been recently renovated," notes another Susquehanna visitor.
Water access: Proximity to rivers, lakes, and swimming areas is highly valued. "You can bring your own boat (gas allowed) or rent one from their marina. There is no swimming allowed in the lake but there is a pool located at the park, there is no extra cost to use the pool if you are at the campground," explains a camper at Codorus State Park.
Kid-friendly amenities: Playgrounds and activity areas keep children entertained. "The resort is spacious, scattered throughout the woods. The RV sites are comfortable with all the amenities. And the customer service is impeccable," shares a visitor to Merry Meadows Recreation Farm.
Seasonal operations: Many area campgrounds close during winter months. "Several campgrounds in the region maintain seasonal operation schedules, with many open from early April through late October," according to Hollofield Area Campground information.
Varied site quality: Not all sites offer the same level of privacy or amenities. "Being just barely off the beaten path, I wasn't expecting all too much from the one night stay over planned heading from New Jersey to Shenandoah in Virginia. I was surprised at the quiet, understated beauty of the forestry around the perfectly level campsite," writes a visitor to Hollofield Area Campground.
Terrain challenges: Some campsites require navigating uneven ground. "The trails we have been on are all pretty moderate to hard but offer beautiful waterfalls and river views. This definitely is a park that takes a while to explore all of it," explains a camper at Patapsco Valley State Park.
Alcohol regulations: State parks prohibit alcohol, while private campgrounds often allow it. "Remember: no alcohol or firewood can be brought into the park. Firewood can only be purchased on site due to harmful insects," notes a visitor to Patapsco Valley State Park.
Look for nature programs: Educational activities enhance kids' camping experience. "There is a huge playground, sensory trail and nature discovery center at the entrance to the park. The nature center was closed when we visited, but the kids still enjoyed the sensory trail and playground," shares a visitor to Patapsco Valley State Park.
Consider cabin options: Cabins provide comfort for families new to camping. "We stayed in one of the cabins, which had 2 beds and a bunk bed, sink and toilet, refrigerator, microwave, dining table and sofa. There was also a front porch with picnic table and fire pit," notes a visitor to Merry Meadows Recreation Farm.
Choose campgrounds with beaches: Water access keeps kids entertained. "We camped at site #3, it had a nice huge concrete pad and fire ring. We set-up our new tree tent behind the actual campsite and it worked perfectly," reports a camper at Susquehanna State Park.
Check playground locations: Some loops offer better access to play areas. "Our site was a level full hook up. The road on the FHUnloop is narrow and hilly. Our site was uphill and at a difficult angle," explains a camper at Elk Neck State Park.
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. "There is only 20/30amp electricity and NO water or sewer- although there was a dump and a place to fill your water tank," mentions an RV camper at Hollofield Area Campground.
Site layout considerations: RV sites vary in accessibility and levelness. "Paved sites, modern, clean bathrooms," notes a visitor to Codorus State Park Campground.
Electric options: Power connections vary by campground. "Full hookup but we're told to turn off and unhook water the night it dropped below freezing. They do fill up propane but there's a Tractor Supply about 20min away that will also fill them," writes a camper at Ramblin' Pines.
Dog friendly campgrounds near Cockeysville: Most campgrounds allow pets with restrictions. "Nice small campsite in MD not too far from DC. One negative was that when it rains it really flushes through the grounds," notes a Hollofield visitor who traveled with pets.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Cockeysville, MD is Merry Meadows Recreation Farm with a 4-star rating from 19 reviews.
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