Joe C.
Guide
GuideGoose Creek Recreation Area
Secluded
Part of Patuxent River Naval Air Station. Pretty remote. Rained while we where there and the ground was very saturate so the puddles where quite large.
Dog-Friendly Camping near Patuxent River, MD
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Cedarville State Forest's pet-friendly campsites accommodate both tent and RV camping from April to October, with sites featuring picnic tables, fire rings, and electric hookups in the inner loop. Dogs must remain leashed throughout the campground and on hiking trails. Adventure Bound Washington DC in Lothian and Endeavor Point in southern Maryland also welcome pets, with the latter offering waterfront sites where dogs can accompany their owners for fishing and crabbing off the pier. The campground trails at Cedarville often harbor ticks, so proper preventative treatment for pets is essential before arrival. Lacy Oasis Campground provides a more secluded experience with six pet-friendly sites nestled in a tranquil setting.
Multiple hiking trails wind through Cedarville State Forest where leashed dogs can explore alongside their owners, with special caution needed for ticks especially during summer months. Westmoreland State Park Campground across the Potomac in Virginia offers additional pet-friendly options including cabins and yurts, with full hookup sites and extensive water access. Campground bathhouses throughout the region provide clean facilities, though availability varies seasonally. Most campgrounds in the area enforce standard pet policies requiring proof of current vaccinations, waste cleanup, and leash control. The Final-Lee Here property features forested trails leading to a peaceful creek where dogs can cool off, while also offering additional recreation including a small zip line for children and kayak rentals.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Patuxent River (70)
1. Cedarville State Forest
"Forested campground with fairly lengthy but level (and thus beginner friendly) hiking just a short distance away from Washington, DC."
"We picked up the camping registration outside the office at the entrance, no need to speak with anyone. Then we just drove down to our campsite in the family camping loop."
from $30 / night
Check Availability2. Endeavor Point
from $55 - $95 / night
Check Availability3. Westmoreland State Park Campground
"The site was pretty big, laid with gravel and pebbles, and edged with wooden curbs."
"Relaxing, fishing was nice and we loved walking the trails with the dogs."
from $27 - $134 / night
Check Availability4. Calvert Cliffs State Park Youth Group Camping
"It is a very nice walk about 2 miles to the beach where you can hunt for fossils. The beach has gotten smaller over the years however the trail has gotten much better."
"Also right off the parking lot is a little fishing pond which leads you to the main trail to get down to the beach which is about a mile - a mile and 1/2."
5. Final-Lee Here
"CAMPGROUND REVIEW: Nestled within the beautiful greenery of Huntingtown, Maryland, this campground offers heart, scenery, and access to numerous adventures."
from $40 / night
Check Availability6. Lacy Oasis Campground
"Whether you are an adult or a child, this place will have a positive effect on you. The owners are involved and designed this space with the visitors pleasure in mind."
from $90 - $190 / night
Check Availability7. Pohick Bay Campground
"We enjoyed sitting around the campfire at night and walking the dogs down to the water. We were right next to a hiking trail that went down to the water and a beach area."
"This is a pet friendly campground. There's a lot to do out at the whole park, and its worth exploring (we just didn't have time). I'm sure its so pretty out near the water."
from $37 - $170 / night
Check Availability8. Adventure Bound Washington DC
"We had a fantastic time our 1st time at #AdventureBoundCampingResort in Lothian, Maryland."
"This place is a good place to stay, the laundry room & showers are handy, the pool is large, & it's a 40 minute drive to the capital & the Smithsonian Mall or a 25 minute drive to the closest"
9. Solomons Navy Recreation Area
10. Cherry Hill Park
"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
Drive Time
- 36 min from Lexington Park, MD
- 49 min from Washington, DC
- 1 hr 7 min from Baltimore, MD
- 2 hrs 14 min from Salisbury, MD
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Patuxent River, MD
50 Photos of 70 Patuxent River Campgrounds
Charity B.
The Oasis at Lake Serenity
Charity B.
Charity’s Hope Family Farm Resort
Francisco A.
1 Acre campground, 50 amp, and Kayak launch
Caralee B.
Louise F. Cosca Regional Park
RL
Westmoreland State Park Campground
Daniel F.
Dennis Point Marina and Campground
Ariel F.
Thousand Trails Harbor View
Caitlin A.
Smallwood State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED THROUGH JULY 2023
Katia G.
Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp
Sonyia W.
Pohick Bay Campground
Tara S.
Point Lookout State Park - Temporarily Closed
Mallory H.
Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park
Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Patuxent River, MD
505 Reviews of 70 Patuxent River Campgrounds
- RRoger M.
TravelerFredericksburg-Washington DC KOA
Family friendly
Nice size spots. Lake on site. Playground for kids. Fun bike rentals. Lots of dog walks and a dog park. Camp store has a little bit of everything.
- Linda B.
RangerCherry 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.
Kindra W.GuidePoint Lookout State Park - Temporarily Closed
5 stars! Beautiful, clean, magical
Magical stay at Point Lookout — New Tulip Loop (Full Hook‑Up) and I’m already planning a return. The whole park feels peaceful and safe, the staff were genuinely friendly and helpful, and our site is clean and well‑maintained. The loop’s energy felt magical — quiet, restorative, and tucked into the trees so it felt private but not isolated. Full hookups were convenient and reliable; the site layout is roomy and pet‑friendly, with an easy walk to a beautiful dog beach so our pup had a blast. We walked to stunning beaches and spent afternoons watching water and sky at the tip of the peninsula — spectacular views where the Potomac meets the Chesapeake. The park’s Civil War history and lighthouse added fascinating, walkable sites to explore between beach time, giving the stay both recreation and depth. Clean facilities, helpful staff at the park office, and well-marked trails made everything low‑stress and enjoyable. If you want a peaceful, historic, pet‑friendly Class A spot with full hookups and gorgeous nearby beaches, Tulip Loop at Point Lookout is five stars from me.
Megan K.GuidePrince William Forest RV Campground — Prince William Forest Park
Great spot with hookups by PW park
If you, like me, hate making reservations over the phone, it was worth it! Quick, simple, painless process.
Restrooms/showers: very clean, spacious, centrally located. My spot was in the back row and I didn't mind the walk
Lots: lots are really staggered/ set back from each other so feels like you have more space. Average lot size in general, but the set back feels like you have more space. It wasn't crowded either way, especially given on a weekend
Small pool
Wifi: don't plan on being able to have work zoom calls or really much on it for that matter
Cell service: I can confirm Verizon and Google fi have great service. I would imagine any other carrier would work just as well.
Area: the surrounding area is really bikeable
Hookups: I had a 30amp hookup with no issues. They also have up to 50amp full hookups. All of them looked well maintained.
Staff: super friendly; great check in experience They have a dog park but didn't get a chance to check it out.
Overall: great experience, would recommend
MickandKarla W.
LegendCherry Hill Park
Impressive Campground
Cherry 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.
Heather H.GuidePoint Lookout State Park - Temporarily Closed
Beautiful campground
Beautiful campground. We were in Tulip loop with full hookups. Very private large sites. Wooded with tall pines. The stars were amazing! Could see the Milky Way and every star in the sky no light pollution. Nice beaches and pet beach for our dogs.
Caitlin A.
ScoutSmallwood State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED THROUGH JULY 2023
Private sites with water views nearby
These campground is a great find. The sites are well spaced, and while on the smaller side they’re very private with woods between each one. Bathrooms were clean and well stocked. The other campers were all respectful and observed pet policy and quiet hours. I have a reactive dog and he did well here! We’ll be back!
- CCindyGuide
Bay Shore Campground
Nice place with awesome view
This campground is perfect for a quiet visit to the Eastern shore town of Rock Hall as It sits conveniently between the village of Rock Hall and Eastern Neck sanctuary. The area reserved for RV campsites overlooks a bluff on the Chesapeake Bay….gorgeous. Because we went in the middle of the week, we had a lot of space to our self and open areas for our dog to play. Admittedly there isn’t a lot to do in the campground itself, even the bathrooms were closed down for Covid and only self contained RVs could camp.There is a small playground and a dog park, and a small pond for fishing. Sewer hook ups are not yet available but they are coming. Purchasing the WiFi access was a waste of money and our Verizon signal was very weak. The biggest attraction is the view over the Bay. So if you are looking for beautiful scenery and a cooling breeze this is a lovely and relaxing place. We met the owner who was very attentive to our needs and also helped us use the dump station as this was the maiden voyage with our new RV. The campground is clean and nicely landscaped. Be sure to go into the town of rock Hall for a seafood dinner at Waterman’s.
Guide to Patuxent River
Camping near Patuxent River offers diverse options within Maryland's Coastal Plain, where elevations rarely exceed 100 feet and the climate brings humid summers with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Most campgrounds in this area remain open April through October, with a few year-round options for campers seeking off-season accommodations when temperatures average 35-50°F in winter months.
What to do
Fossil hunting on beaches: Calvert Cliffs State Park provides unique opportunities for finding prehistoric shark teeth and fossils along its shoreline. "It's a very nice walk about 2 miles to the beach where you can hunt for fossils. The beach has gotten smaller over the years however the trail has gotten much better," writes Anthony S.
Kayaking local waterways: Final-Lee Here offers kayak and canoe rentals for exploring nearby Kings Landing Park. "We kayaked the river and creek through beautiful marshlands where we saw caterpillars walk on water, a heron and bald eagles soaring above, turtles, a cove where thousands of tadpoles were amidst metamorphosis scampering through and atop the water," notes one visitor.
Fishing and crabbing: Endeavor Point provides waterfront access for anglers. "The pier was perfect to fish or crab off of and the beach had great views of the sunrise," shares Ally S. The campground sits directly on the water with multiple access points.
What campers like
Proximity to Washington DC: Many campgrounds serve as convenient baselines for exploring the capital. "Pohick Bay is my go-to weekend camping spot. Just a few miles outside DC, Pohick Bay is a hidden gem in the area. I'd recommend taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course," says Rachel L.
Cleanliness of facilities: Campers frequently mention the well-maintained bathrooms and showers. At Westmoreland State Park Campground, "Bathrooms don't look like much from the outside, but the inside is very nice. Clean, hot water, and good water pressure," according to visitor reviews.
Wildlife viewing: The area's forests and waterways support diverse wildlife. "Saw a snake, alligator snapping turtle, and rabbits, before we even reached the gates," notes Ben J. about his experience at one local campground, highlighting the abundance of wildlife even near developed areas.
What you should know
Tick prevention is essential: Multiple reviewers warn about tick exposure throughout the region. "LOTS and LOTS of ticks. I got one, but my wife and dog got about a dozen each. Just bring tweezers," advises one camper. Another notes, "I've never left this park without at least one tick."
Weather considerations: Summer thunderstorms can develop quickly. "We set up camp and ate dinner only to be hit by a tornado watch in the area. I spent most of the trip adjusting the water proofing so we stayed dry," shares Justin G. about his experience at Cedarville State Forest.
Reservation timing: Popular sites fill quickly, especially during summer weekends. "The camping loop is small and is shared by tent and RV. The trails are maintained well," explains a regular visitor, noting the limited availability due to the compact size of many local campgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities: Several dog-friendly campgrounds near Patuxent River offer specific facilities for children. "This state park is one of the best in VA. With access to the Potomac River, beaches, shark tooth island (!), what seems like endless beautiful hiking trails and the cleanest camp grounds I have ever seen," writes Katie T.
Consider heat and humidity with young children: Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity. "We have AT&T and had two bars pretty consistently. We would stay here again," notes a visitor who appreciated having reliable cell service during hot weather.
Check for scheduled activities: Lacy Oasis Campground organizes events for young visitors. "My agency took about 25 children there last week and they did not want to leave, neither did I. The rates are very economical for what is being provided on the space," writes Terrance D., highlighting the family-friendly atmosphere.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: Look for end-of-row sites at more developed campgrounds. "Look at the park map and try to get a site at the end of a row. The sites are pretty close together but on the ends at least you only have a neighbor on one side," advises Scott C. at Cherry Hill Park.
Access challenges: Several pet-friendly campsites have limitations for larger rigs. "Site 6 was good but not for larger rigs. We have a pop up and had to navigate around a tree that would have been very difficult for larger rigs. Site 5 or 7 wouldn't have that problem," shares one reviewer.
Hookup availability varies: While some sites offer full hookups, many have more limited options. "Each site had picnic table, fire ring, and pretty level parking spot," mentions a camper, noting the basic amenities available at most sites in the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly
campsite near Patuxent River, MD?
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Patuxent River, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Patuxent River, MD is Cedarville State Forest with a 3.8-star rating from 17 reviews.
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dog-friendly camping near
Patuxent River, MD?
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Patuxent River, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 70 dog-friendly camping locations near Patuxent River, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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