Dog-Friendly Camping near Port Deposit, MD

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    Elk Neck State Park Campground accommodates pets throughout its camping loops with both tent and RV sites. The park offers campsites on several loops including Elk, Wye, Chester, and Sassafras, with some sites featuring water views of the Chesapeake Bay. Each camping area includes fire rings, picnic tables, and access to clean bathrooms with hot showers. The campground maintains several pet-friendly cabins alongside traditional campsites, though specific pet rules apply to these accommodations. Bathhouses throughout the camping areas are consistently well-maintained and regularly cleaned by camp hosts. The campground store sells essentials including firewood, though campers report it's sometimes difficult to light when conditions are wet.

    Hiking trails throughout Elk Neck State Park welcome leashed dogs, with the Turkey Point Lighthouse trail being particularly popular for pet owners. The path to the lighthouse offers spectacular views of the Chesapeake Bay and is suitable for dogs of all sizes, though the parking area fills quickly on weekends. Several water access points allow dogs to cool off during summer months, though some swimming areas contain natural debris and seaweed. Nearby Susquehanna State Park also permits pets at its campsites with similar amenities including electric hookups and water access. The riverside location provides excellent opportunities for dogs to explore shorelines and woodland trails. Most camping areas enforce standard pet policies requiring dogs to remain leashed and attended at all times, with owners responsible for waste cleanup.

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    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Port Deposit (88)

      1. Elk Neck State Park Campground

      4.4(60)11mi from Port DepositRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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)."

      from $21 - $55 / night

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      2. Susquehanna State Park Campground

      4.1(25)3mi from Port DepositRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      from $21 - $50 / night

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      3. Lums Pond State Park Campground

      4.5(52)21mi from Port Deposit73 sitesRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "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."

      "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."

      from $22 - $40 / night

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      4. Jellystone Park™ Quarryville

      4.4(19)17mi from Port Deposit5 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "So we make sure to get close spots so we can walk. You can bring pets but we choose not to as we are not at the camp much. We do go fishing while we are here and my daughter loves this place"

      "We stayed here in November with beautiful weather which meant the large farm behind the campground was spraying manure over their fields. We could smell it."

      5. Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina

      3.9(8)12mi from Port DepositRVs

      "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."

      from $75 - $115 / night

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      6. Woodlands Camping Resort

      3.8(4)12mi from Port DepositRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "It’s a clean, well kept space, completely surrounded by state forest, very close to shore access along the rivers/bay, hiking/biking trails right out of the campground."

      7. Muddy Run Rec Park - PPL

      4.0(11)19mi from Port DepositRVs, Tents

      "The large lake is great for a day of kayaking and fishing with supplies readily available for rent at the boat dock store."

      "The observatory is open to public once a month, we recommend you plan your trip around this."

      8. Tucquan Park Family Campground

      4.3(12)21mi from Port DepositRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "There was a lot of space so walking our dogs was great. The smaller bathroom stalls are pretty small but got the job done. Playground and pool were both nice and clean. Wonderful place for a family."

      "Highly recommend staying here with lots of close hiking trails within driving distance."

      9. Susquehannock State Park Campground

      4.0(6)17mi from Port Deposit4 sitesTents, Cabins

      "The camping area is small but worth it. a short walk from the scenic overlooks and other hiking trails."

      "Some walk in tent sites. There are lots of long scenic hiking trails down to Deer creek and to the Susquehanna River."

      from $28 - $72 / night

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      10. Cecil County Permaculture

      5.0(1)11mi from Port Deposit1 siteRVs, Tents

      "Has outhouse, fire pit, running water on side of house near outhouse. An is a wonderful person. Good reception with T-Mobile!"

      from $10 - $16 / night

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Port Deposit, MD

    846 Reviews of 88 Port Deposit Campgrounds


    • L
      Aug. 6, 2018

      Lums Pond State Park Campground

      Very Dog Friendly

      Campground 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!

    • Kathy L.The Dyrt PRO User
      Sep. 3, 2021

      Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA

      Really nice

      We stayed here for a night in transit. Beautiful campground — lots of trees, pond, kids play equipment, dog park, etc. facilities all clean and whole place is well maintained. Easy late arrival. Good location - convenient but far enough off the highway. Would stay here again.

    • E
      Aug. 4, 2021

      Lums Pond State Park Campground

      Impromtu tent camping success!

      I 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.

    • D
      Jun. 5, 2023

      French Creek State Park Campground

      Weekend Trip To Reading

      My family and I stayed at French Creek State Park while attending an event in Reading. The park was clean and well maintained. We stayed in Loop A which had no camp host. The camp hosts were in loops B & C.  We had a full hook up site. The water and electric worked great! The campground was well patrolled by Rangers throughout our stay. The bathhouses appeared to be clean and maintained. The quiet time starts at 9pm and seemed to be followed by most campers. There are numerous hiking trails in the park that seemed to be well marked and maintained. The park is about 20- mins from Reading, and 10 mins from Birdsbroro. There are many stores and restaurants in the area for food and supplies if needed. We had good cellular service with both AT&T and T-Mobile. The one downside was that there was no off leash dog park. We had to take our dog to a dog park in Birdsbroro. We would stay at this park again.

    • C
      Aug. 23, 2018

      Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina

      RV Park surrounded by water!

      Our 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.

    • E
      Feb. 28, 2022

      Hershey Road Campground

      So shiny and new!

      Beautiful 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.

    • Mackenzie B.
      Aug. 4, 2018

      Group Camp — Ridley Creek State Park

      love it here

      well marked trails great for hiking. pet friendly! we love walking here with our dog. there are even a few great spots to get a small creek swim in! It also has a greag picnic area with grills.

    • Ellen B.
      May. 23, 2019

      Lums Pond State Park Campground

      Great place in the back yard

      We 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!

    • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
      Oct. 9, 2021

      Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA

      Best KOA I’ve been to

      This is unquestionably the best KOA I’ve been to. I usually do not like KOA, except when there are no alternatives. This one is way above average. Typically these places are all gravel and dust. This one has paved roads, grass and trees. There is a pond for fishing, too. The only complaint is that, like all KOAs, the sites are on top of each other. The neighbor’s sewer connection is right next to our picnic table! But, the sites are large enough for large RVs, they have 30/50 amp hookups and water & sewer. There are cabins and large tents you can rent. There is a playground, pavilion, laundry, and several shower/bathrooms. (The one near us didn’t have hot water. The office people said they were working on it.) There us also a large, grassy, fenced dog park which my 2 spaniels appreciated.


    Guide to Port Deposit

    Elk Neck State Park Campground provides full hookup sites with 20, 30, and 50 amp service, water, and sewer connections, even during late season camping in November. The North East loop features level, spacious sites with packed gravel surfaces that accommodate both back-in and pull-through configurations. Located near Turkey Point Vineyard, the campground offers easy access to the Susquehanna River region. Nearby attractions include the town of North East with shops and restaurants like Woodys famous crab house.

    What to do

    Explore Susquehanna River trails: At Susquehanna State Park Campground, hikers can access multiple riverside paths. "I went for a lovely 3 mile evening hike on the trail just down the hill behind the campsite. Scared a bunch of deer (ok they scared me!!) and checked out the giant old growth trees, hiked over a bridge and stream which was full of fish I could see," notes one visitor.

    Visit historic sites: The Susquehanna region contains several preserved historic areas. "There is a working, renovated mill and home at the river also," reports a camper who stayed at Susquehannock State Park. The park's trail system connects to these cultural landmarks through wooded terrain.

    Water activities: Boating and fishing opportunities abound at Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina where waterfront sites provide direct access. "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. The campground permits fishing directly from campsites and provides a fishing pier for added convenience.

    Wildlife viewing: The area supports diverse wildlife populations, particularly birds. At Muddy Run Rec Park, one reviewer notes, "My favorite evening activities (besides enjoying a campfire) are dusk deer-watching! There are hundreds of deer in this protected park." The park's 144 acres offer protected habitat for numerous species.

    What campers like

    Level, spacious sites: Campers frequently mention site quality as a highlight. At Lums Pond State Park Campground, visitors appreciate the recent upgrades. "In February, about 1/4 of the sites were occupied. It was very quiet. The sites are large and well spaced. Many are in full sun. The bathroom facilities and laundry are clean and modern," reports Adam and Suzanne B.

    Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses receive consistent praise. At Tucquan Park Family Campground, campers note "Clean bathhouses! Fun activities planned through the season." Similarly, Lums Pond features "separate, individual shower rooms" that make even bathroom-averse visitors comfortable.

    Family activities: Campgrounds near Port Deposit offer numerous recreational options. A reviewer at Susquehanna State Park writes, "Nice playground for the kids and plenty of park events to keep you busy. Took a nice hike out to the susquehanna and spent a few hours fishing in the pond. Lots of wildlife." Most parks provide scheduled activities for children throughout camping season.

    Fishing access: Multiple water bodies provide fishing opportunities. Muddy Run Rec Park offers "a large lake for a day of kayaking and fishing with supplies readily available for rent at the boat dock store." The location supports various fishing methods from shorelines and boats.

    What you should know

    Late-season water availability: Unlike some campgrounds that shut off water during colder months, Elk Neck State Park maintains services into late autumn. "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," notes Laure D., highlighting extended seasonal usage.

    Site selection strategies: At Tucquan Park Family Campground, site location significantly impacts experience. "The primitive sites are back in the woods which kept us nice and cool on hot July nights. The location also kept us fairly bug free," writes Christine L., though she cautions "The campground WiFi does not reach the primitive sites and I had 0 cell/GPS service on the entire premises."

    Hookup variations: Water and electrical hookup placements vary significantly across campgrounds. At Muddy Run, campers advise: "Bring 50 ft of hose for water hook up and an extension cord with a converter. The water hook ups are randomly placed, ours was 2 sites away."

    Road conditions: Some camping areas have challenging access roads. At Elk Neck State Park, "The road on the FHU loop is narrow and hilly. Our site was uphill and at a difficult angle," though the reviewer notes larger rigs still managed the terrain successfully.

    Tips for camping with families

    Pool options: Swimming facilities provide relief during summer months. At Tucquan Park Family Campground, visitors mention "a beautiful pool" that's "nice and clean to cool off on those hot camping days." Most family-oriented campgrounds maintain pools from late spring through early fall.

    Playground quality: Play areas vary significantly between locations. At Susquehannock State Park Campground, families enjoy "a short walk from the scenic overlooks and other hiking trails," making it easy to combine playground time with nature exploration. The camping area is compact but well-designed for families with young children.

    Pet policies: For campers traveling with dogs, most area campgrounds accommodate pets but with varying restrictions. Bar Harbor RV Park "seemed to stress pet restrictions both in the rules section of their registration packet and signage around the grounds," notes a visitor, though they add "no one really made an issue of walking your dog around the campground."

    Cell reception concerns: For families needing connectivity, service varies dramatically. One camper at Tucquan Park reports: "I camp there multiple times a year! It's dog and family friendly, close to resources, but far enough that it's quiet and feels remote! No cell signal in the campground so the family is forced to disconnect."

    Tips from RVers

    Seasonal camping flexibility: For RVers seeking year-round options, several campgrounds near Port Deposit maintain extended seasons. Lums Pond State Park offers full-hookup sites with 50-amp service even in winter. "In February, about 1/4 of the sites were occupied. It was very quiet," reports one winter camper.

    Site grading challenges: Uneven sites can present difficulties. At Muddy Run, "Sites in the 20's are tiny and hanging off a cliff," while a visitor at Tucquan Park notes "We were originally supposed to be in the woods — which FYI is far out of the way of the main activities, and also has a pretty steep incline. But the site was too uneven for our taste so we moved down in the main area."

    Pad surface variations: RVers recommend checking site surface details before booking. Elk Neck State Park features "level, spacious, spaced apart, with packed gravel surface" sites that accommodate larger rigs. The campground offers both back-in and pull-through options with reliable hookups.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Port Deposit, MD?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Port Deposit, MD is Elk Neck State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 60 reviews.

    What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Port Deposit, MD?

    TheDyrt.com has all 88 dog-friendly camping locations near Port Deposit, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.