Owens Creek Campground allows pets throughout its 50 campsites in Catoctin Mountain Park, featuring mulched tent pads, fire rings, and picnic tables in a densely wooded setting. Cunningham Falls State Park also welcomes pets at both its Houck and Manor areas, with the Manor area specifically permitting alcohol while most other campgrounds in the region prohibit it. Campground users report having good experiences with their dogs at these locations, noting that while sites can be close to one another, the shaded forest canopy provides privacy between campsites. Both locations offer electric hookups, showers, and toilets with varying seasonal availability—typically operating from April through October. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Williamsport extends pet-friendly policies to its tent sites, RV spaces, cabins, and yurts.
Several hiking trails accessible directly from Owens Creek Campground accommodate dogs on leashes, with the creek itself running alongside many campsites though typically described as more of a brook than a substantial waterway. The trails throughout Catoctin Mountain Park provide excellent opportunities for exercising pets, with Wolf Rock and Chimney Rock being particularly popular destinations. Bathhouses remain well-maintained and clean, though the outdoor appearance sometimes contrasts with the clean interiors. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, with the majority closing for winter by late October or early November. Pet owners should note that campsite spacing varies considerably, with outer rim sites typically offering more room and privacy for active dogs.
$23 - $29 / night
"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!"
$30 / night
"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."
$21 - $65 / night
"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."
$23 - $29 / night
"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."
$99 - $471 / night
"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."
$20 - $92 / night
"We stayed in the Chinquapin West side due to the restrictions of dogs. Not that I don't love dogs! It's just that it can get loud sometimes."
"Stayed here two nights while visiting Gettysburg (short 20mi drive between the two). Stayed on Chinquapin Hill, each site has picnic table and fire ring and good space for camp."
"This KOA has a few 'petting zoo' animals and a quaint little diner! The folks here are very kind and we do wish we could have stayed a little longer to explore the beautiful surroundings."
"Bathrooms: 1/5 Sites:1/5
Pools: 0/5
Beach: 0/5
Waterfrontness: 0/5
Closeness to other sites: 1/5 you are up each other's buttcracks
Dog rating: 3/5 everything's dog friendly but also you're"
"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."
"In addition to that, there is a bounce pad, shuffle board, horseshoes, chess, over-sized jenga, playground, dog park, gem mining, basketball, bikes, wood, propane, etc. and they pick up trash daily right"
"Friendly staff and bonus that it’s pet friendly. Watch out for falling black walnuts in October. We heard them hitting ours and other rigs during our three day stay."
"I always appreciate the near solitude experience of this campground as 90% of the sites are RV sites, that are kept away from the tenting area."
$18 - $50 / night
"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."
"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."
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.
TravelerClean well kept family owned campground. Located a few miles off 81, in the country surrounded by beautiful views. It’s a mix campground of seasonal campers and short term campers. Very family oriented. Very nice off leash fenced dog park.
LegendThis 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.
ScoutOverall 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.
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.
RangerGreat 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.
ScoutThis 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.
Camping options near Smithsburg, Maryland provide access to the Catoctin Mountain range with elevations reaching 1,900 feet. The area experiences distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 85°F and winter lows frequently below freezing. Most pet friendly camping facilities operate from April through October, with limited year-round options available in the surrounding region.
**Hike the Appalachian Trail: Access points near Greenbrier State Park let you connect with the iconic trail. "Hike from visitor center to AT is steep and rocky," notes Butch B. about Greenbrier State Park Campground.
**Explore Civil War history: The campgrounds provide convenient bases for visiting nearby battlefields. "The park is located next to Camp David where the POTUS used to go for vacations," explains Tom C. from Cunningham Falls State Park, adding that it's "only 1 hr away from DC."
**Try mountain biking: The Frederick watershed trails outside Gambrill State Park offer challenging terrain. "Right outside the park is the Frederick watershed where many locals take advantage of the trails for mountain biking," shares Melissa C. from Gambrill State Park Campground.
**Waterfront campsites: Select sites at multiple parks feature water access. "The site was in good condition... We stayed in site 68, to the left when you enter the campground," describes Jen V. at Gettysburg Battlefield KOA, noting the site was "very spacious, beautifully landscaped and wooded."
**Wildlife viewing: The forested settings support diverse animal species. "Visit in May and the forest will be filled with songbirds. If you are lucky, you may see foxes and bears along with the standard woodland creatures," mentions Melissa C. about Gambrill State Park.
**Family activities: Many campgrounds offer dedicated children's entertainment. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, Mary shares, "We recent went camping for the first time at Jellystone in Maryland. 5 of our 6 kids came with us... The kids were never bored and had so much fun. Us, as adults, were also never bored."
**Seasonal water restrictions: Some parks limit water activities during certain times. At Greenbrier State Park, Beth C. notes "The only downsides are how crowded it can get peak season, and they don't allow dogs in the lake at all. That's annoying when you camp in summer heat with your dog."
**Campsite privacy varies significantly: Site exposure differs widely across campgrounds. "The whole water/elec section was a bit further from the bath house than we usually like to be with little kids, but not a deal-breaker of a walk by any means," reports Jen V. about Gettysburg Battlefield KOA.
**Road noise at certain sites: Traffic can be heard at some campgrounds. At Caledonia State Park Campground, Kyle J. mentions, "Campground was very busy, nearly every site was booked. Sites are very close to each other, there's no privacy, and you can hear everyone and everything."
**Look for dedicated kid-friendly activities: Several campgrounds offer specialized programs. "During peak season, there are nature programs going on," shares Regina C. about Cunningham Falls State Park.
**Check shower facilities before booking: Bathroom quality varies between parks. At Owens Creek Campground, Shari F. states, "Nice campground. Stayed at campsite #33. Liked the lot as the tent pad was set back a good way from the road, but the fire ring was awkwardly close to the neighboring campsite."
**Consider water features for hot days: Lakes and streams provide natural cooling. "There are a few spots to get away and do some fishing. The beach was too crowded for my liking," Raymond H. explains about Cunningham Falls State Park, highlighting the value of water access during summer months.
**Check site specifications carefully: Some campgrounds have limited space for larger vehicles. "We stayed in the Bear Branch Loop of the William Houch Camping Area... Our friends had a rather large trailer (30 ft) and it 'just fit' on site 13," reports M J. about Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park.
**Consider hookup options: Electric availability varies between sites. "Big site but hard to get into. There are a couple of pull thru sites that are much easier. Friendly staff. Lots of trees," says Bill B. about Gettysburg Battlefield KOA.
**Plan for seasonal closures: Most campgrounds in the region operate on limited schedules. "This is a beautiful park with a lake, beach, and swimming area... but they are just not open on weekends this time of year," Michelle shares about Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, highlighting the importance of checking operating dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Smithsburg, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Smithsburg, MD is Greenbrier State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED with a 4.4-star rating from 41 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Smithsburg, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 113 dog-friendly camping locations near Smithsburg, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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