Elk Neck State Park Campground accommodates pets in tent sites, RV spots, and cabins with designated pet-friendly loops. The Northeast Loop specifically caters to campers with dogs, offering electrical hookups alongside pet amenities. Patapsco Valley State Park maintains a separate pet loop area for overflow camping, though this section lacks a proper bathhouse and provides only portable toilets. Ramblin' Pines features a large dog park with agility equipment and a short hiking trail winding through woods that works well for dog walking. Cherry Hill Park provides comprehensive pet services including dog walking options for campers spending extended time exploring nearby attractions. Bathrooms remain consistently clean across most campgrounds, with accessible pet waste stations strategically placed throughout the grounds. The Dyrt provides user ratings for locations near Perry Hall, Maryland.
Lums Pond State Park Campground, located within driving distance of Perry Hall, offers an exceptional off-leash dog park where pets can enjoy water play in a secluded area away from main roads. The park features concrete pads with full hookups including 30-amp service and sewer connections. Codorus State Park Campground maintains pet-friendly sites in an open field area, though these lack shade and can become noticeably hot during summer months. Most campgrounds enforce standard leash policies outside designated off-leash areas, with typical rules requiring pets to be attended at all times. Wildlife encounters remain a consideration when camping with pets in Maryland's wooded areas, particularly at Susquehanna State Park and Patapsco Valley where trails provide ample opportunities for nature exploration. Seasonal campers at several locations report friendly atmospheres for regular pet visitors.
$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."
$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)."
$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."
$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."
$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."
"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."
"We did not take our dog this time with us but would seriously consider it next time."
"The location worked for my trip but not sure it’s that convenient to DC."
$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. "
$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."
$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."
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.
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.
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.
GuideWe do Lums Pond at least twice a year if we can get reservations.
Sites are big and all were redone in the last few years with concrete pads, 30 amp service and full sewer. There are some equestrian and tent sites as well.
Lots of boating (electric motors only) and kayaking on the pond and a decent amount of hiking. There’s an off leash dog park, equestrian center and boat ramp. Book early because it fills up fast!
LegendCherry 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.
LegendOur GPS wanted to take us to the main park entrance on Howell School Rd versus Red Lion Rd to the campground entrance on the other side of the pond. The gate and store were not open so we went directly to back-in site 26 with FHUs. Our reservation sheet and vehicle pass were on the post when we arrived. Back-in was okay with having to swing our F-450 and 39’ 5th wheel into the grass between sites across the street. Utilities were smartly placed at the middle of the pad. We had 2 to 3 bars on Verizon and 2 bars on AT&T. However, we had trouble with AT&T maintaining internet on our Weingard Connect. The CG is in two loops. Sites 1-30 make up the first loop and that is where most of the larger rigs camped. A rough estimate(double check site size online) is that sites 12- 18 will take larger rigs up to around 45’ but you’ll need to park your tow vehicle or toad angled in front of your rig. Our site was long enough for our 39’ fifth wheel but we had to park our truck at an angle as well. The second loop does have larger sites but is mainly suited for small rigs to include a tent area. Both loops have a large grass field in the middle that the sites back up to, which is great for playing outside games and without many trees so you could use satellite from almost all the sites. From a spaciousness point of view, the best site in the CG is 17, but it is near the walking trail. The shower house also contains a small laundry with 3 washers and 4 dryers that are reasonably priced, although one washer was out of service at the time. However, there was not a change machine. You could purchase firewood from one of the on duty camp hosts. A short drive from the campground to another Lum’s Pond State Park area there’s a really cool dog park where you can walk the dogs off leash down trails and with open play areas along the pond. One of the best features of this off-leash area is how secluded it is away from the main road. Supposedly this is known as a haunted campground, although we didn't see or hear anything out of the ordinary. If in the area, we would stay here again.
Dispersed camping opportunities exist within 40 miles of Perry Hall, Maryland, with most sites located in the rolling hills of the western and northern regions. The area experiences four distinct seasons with humid summers reaching 85-90°F and moderate winters averaging 35-40°F. Perry Hall's proximity to the Chesapeake Bay watershed affects camping conditions, particularly during spring when trails and campsites can remain muddy for extended periods after rainfall.
Hiking to historical landmarks: At Susquehanna State Park Campground, trails lead to preserved structures from Maryland's industrial past. "The views of the river are really nice from here. There is a historic area in the park, with a working grist mill, mansion and other little buildings to view," notes Jen V., who appreciated the park's historical offerings.
Mountain biking access: Patapsco Valley State Park-Hollofield Area offers multiple trail systems for bikers of all skill levels. A camper explained, "Beautiful park with 70 miles of hiking/biking/multi use trails. There are parks on both sides of the river to explore and experience the trails. Be sure to bring/download maps."
Fishing options: Several parks near Perry Hall maintain stocked fishing ponds open to campers with valid Maryland fishing licenses. "We enjoyed hiking back to the campground from here, which was a nice easy-to-moderate trail. The beginning was pretty rough for me, since I was wearing my infant son while navigating an uphill trail, but it quickly evened out," shares a Susquehanna State Park visitor who discovered fish-filled streams during their hike.
Full hookup options: Elk Neck State Park Campground provides comprehensive services year-round. "Finished the season at this state park in MD with full hook up (20, 30, and 50 amp, water and sewer) and the water was still on in November. Bathhouses were open with hot water," reports Laure D., highlighting the extended season amenities.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high standards of cleanliness. "Bath house was immaculate; by far the cleanest I have ever seen in a campground. Must have been recently renovated," remarks a reviewer at Susquehanna State Park.
Water access: Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina offers prime water access sites. "Camped here at the end of summer, really loved it. Had our kayaks with us and the water wasn't but a few steps away. Some sites you are right on the waters edge," writes Janet P., highlighting the convenience for water enthusiasts.
Reservation timing: Most campgrounds near Perry Hall fill quickly, especially during summer weekends. "We stayed in site 2 of the Beechnut Loop. I had chosen this site, based on two factors: 1. It was available and 2. It was close to the playground. Unfortunately, it was most likely available because it was overrun with roots and rocks (no pad for the tent)," cautions Jennifer S. about Susquehanna State Park.
Weather considerations: The region experiences significant seasonal changes affecting camping comfort. "Our specific site was supposed to have a tent pad but there wasnt a spot cleared for our tent and we had to move the heavy picnic table so we weren't putting up our tent on top of the fire ring. We also had to use a paper plate to rake as many rocks and gravel from the site," reports a camper about challenging site conditions.
Site variations: Quality of sites can vary significantly within the same campground. "The sites are close but there were all sizes of RVs there, even large class A. Many sites are on the water. No swimming in the Bush River but you can fish from the pier or right from your site," explains a Bar Harbor RV Park visitor.
Playground proximity: Ramblin' Pines offers multiple play areas for different age groups. "The place was nice, lots for kids to do, plenty if shaded spots! Nice pool... they even allowed us to store the camper while we took a cruise out of Baltimore!" shares Jason L., highlighting the family-friendly amenities.
Natural play spaces: Some parks incorporate nature-based play areas. "There is a 'natural' playground in the loop, and then if you drive down further to the park entrance, there is a large playground for the kids. I've attached photos from the 'natural playground' aka, large rocks and overturned trees. The kids loved it," notes Jennifer S. about Patapsco Valley's creative approach to play spaces.
Activity scheduling: Weekend organized activities often require pre-registration. "They have a nice area for kids (pool, playground, jumping pillow, basketball courts, giant chess, etc). If you get an area to back into it'll be more secluded, but the pull through spots offer no privacy," advises Elise M. who stayed at Washington DC/Capitol KOA.
Site selection strategies: Choose sites carefully based on size and privacy needs. "The site we originally picked was advertised as 'partially shaded' but when we got there we found one small tree per site in a grass field. But on the way in we noticed there are lots of wooded sites, and asked to move," shares Sarah L. about Codorus State Park Campground.
Seasonal availability: Winter camping options remain available at select parks. "Tight spots but very big and clean park. Great for camping if u want to go into Washington DC," notes Amy B. about Cherry Hill Park, which stays open year-round for pet-friendly camping near Perry Hall.
Hookup variations: Water and electrical services vary by loop within parks. "In the full hook up loop pay close attention to the lengths specified. The actual pads are fairly level but some of the driveways to them are very sloped. Long rigs will have issues in a few of the sites," warns David G. about Elk Neck State Park's layout challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Perry Hall, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Perry Hall, MD is Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area with a 4.2-star rating from 19 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Perry Hall, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 74 dog-friendly camping locations near Perry Hall, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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