Merry Meadows Recreation Farm accommodates pets with multiple camping options, including tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping facilities. Dogs must be leashed at all times throughout the grounds, with waste disposal stations located near the bathhouse and playground areas. Patapsco Valley State Park's Hollofield Area Campground also welcomes pets at their tent and RV sites, offering electric hookups and picnic tables at each pet-friendly location. Some campers appreciate Merry Meadows for its spacious sites that provide enough room for pets to relax comfortably. Both locations maintain clean facilities with regular maintenance, though seasonal campers note that weekends tend to be busier with families and their pets.
Several hiking trails connect directly from Hollofield Campground to the larger Patapsco Valley trail system, offering excellent opportunities for dog walking along wooded paths. During summer months, the shaded sites at Merry Meadows provide natural cooling for pets, while their central field area serves as an unofficial gathering spot for campers with dogs. Elk Neck State Park Campground, located within driving distance, features waterfront access where leashed dogs can enjoy shoreline areas. All campgrounds enforce quiet hours starting at 10 PM, when barking must be controlled to respect neighboring campers. Local veterinary services can be found in nearby Freeland and Cockeysville, approximately 15 minutes from most camping areas, with emergency pet care available in Towson for after-hours needs.
"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 - $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. "
$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."
$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."
$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)."
$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."
$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."
$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."
$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."
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.
Pet friendly camping options near Phoenix, Maryland cover a diverse terrain of wooded hills and river valleys with elevations ranging from 300 to 600 feet. The region's humid subtropical climate creates distinct camping seasons, with summer temperatures averaging 85°F and high humidity levels that affect both humans and pets. Most campgrounds in this area maintain trails connecting to larger systems, offering excellent dog walking opportunities.
Hiking with dogs: At Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area, trails accommodate various skill levels and connect directly to larger trail systems. "Great little park with an amazing playground. Bathhouse was kept clean and the camp host was a great guy," notes one camper, while another mentions "You can also gain access to the Patapsco River by traveling down into the river valley along the Forest Glen Trail."
Water activities: Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina provides immediate water access for kayaking with your pet. "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," shares a visitor. The park offers fishing opportunities directly from your campsite.
Holiday celebrations: Special seasonal events at Merry Meadows Recreation Farm include pet-friendly activities. "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. Wonderful experience for the whole family," reports one camper who enjoyed the festive atmosphere.
Spacious campsites: Susquehanna State Park Campground offers generous sites that accommodate pets comfortably. "The campground was fantastic. The campstore is small (like literally the size of a closet) but had some main essentials. They also sell ice and firewood at the campstore AND there is an honor system with it available to you after the campstore hours," mentions one visitor.
Natural cooling: The forest canopy at many campgrounds provides essential shade during summer months. A visitor to Merry Meadows notes, "Many of the RV sites are wooded which makes it nice," while another camper shared, "We have visited 5x this year. Wooded sites, open sites, tent sites. All great!"
Swimming options: While dogs aren't allowed in swimming areas, several campgrounds maintain pet-friendly shoreline access. At Susquehanna State Park, "You can also bike/drive to nearby Ellicott city which has a charming downtown area" for additional pet-friendly exploration options.
Pet restriction enforcement: Each campground maintains different pet policies, particularly during busy periods. One camper at Hollofield Area Campground reports, "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."
Seasonal considerations: Spring and fall provide the most comfortable camping conditions for pets. "We were at site 430. It was a perfect spot tucked away from the others and a short walk to the restrooms. You can purchase firewood from the camp hosts nearby as well," notes a Hollofield visitor regarding their fall camping experience.
Bathhouse availability: Bathhouse locations affect how easily you can clean up after hiking with pets. A Susquehanna visitor explains, "We loved that our site had a path directly to the bathhouse. This meant there wasn't any foot traffic from people wanting to shower or use the restrooms. Easy access to the utility sink for dishes, too!"
Choose sites near facilities: For camping with pets and children, proximity to bathrooms matters. At Codorus State Park Campground, "Nice campground. Very clean facilities. We typically stay in the primitive tent loop which is right on the lake. It can get a little busy on the weekends since there is a boat lauch at the end of the primitive lane, but some of the sites are secluded/set back enough to be private."
Look for natural play spaces: Several campgrounds feature natural areas where children and leashed pets can explore. "Nice campground. The bath house was clean. Not a lot to do at the park. The lake is beautiful and the trail around the lake is nice. Staff was friendly," mentions a Codorus visitor.
Time visits strategically: Weekdays offer quieter experiences for families with pets. A Hollofield camper advises, "The campground and park fill up on the weekends but are nearly empty during the week. There are several hiking trails in this part of the park or you can drive to other parts for additional hiking."
Check pet-friendly hookup sites: Multiple campgrounds offer full-hookup sites that accommodate pets. At Susquehanna, "Just camped here for the first time. Stayed 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."
Space between sites: RVers with pets appreciate separation between campsites. One camper at Codorus notes, "We camped at Codorus State Park for the first time a few years ago while out east. We really love this Campground! There is a wide variety of sites so finding one that you like should not be difficult, there are some in wide-open park-like settings, and some that are treed."
Consider site position: Corner sites often provide more room for pets to relax on leash. "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," shares a Codorus visitor who found the right site configuration for their needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Phoenix, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Phoenix, MD is Merry Meadows Recreation Farm with a 4-star rating from 19 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Phoenix, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 97 dog-friendly camping locations near Phoenix, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
