Cherry Hill Park in College Park welcomes pets with a well-maintained campground offering a variety of accommodation options including tent sites, RV spots, cabins, yurts, and glamping facilities. Washington DC/Capitol KOA in Millersville provides pet-friendly camping with full hookups, a convenient base for visiting the DC area with dogs. Both campgrounds feature clean facilities, picnic tables, and fire rings at most sites. Adventure Bound Washington DC in Lothian allows pets throughout their grounds with many sites offering full hookups including water, electric, and sewer connections. Many long-term residents with pets appreciate the clean bathroom facilities and showers while maintaining their campsites.
Pohick Bay Campground in Virginia and Greenbelt Park Campground both permit pets on leashes with varied terrain for dog walking. Most campsites require pets to remain leashed except in designated areas, with many campgrounds enforcing standard cleanup policies. Pine Tree Associates Nudist Club offers a unique camping experience that welcomes pets while also featuring both indoor and outdoor pools. Noise considerations should be noted at several locations, with early morning traffic reported at Adventure Bound and scheduled quiet hours at KOA locations. The DC/Capitol KOA particularly stands out for families with both children and pets, featuring a jumping pillow, playground, and basketball courts where campers can enjoy recreation while keeping pets nearby on site.
$20 / night
"The park is located away from the camping grounds. It has two play grounds, several picnic tables and a bathroom."
"If you are really looking for somewhere to feel far away from civilization and see some beautiful scenery, this probably isn't it."
$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."
"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."
"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"
$30 / night
"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."
$30 - $55 / night
"My wife and I were trying to find an RV location near the Annapolis city dock for a boat show and found Pine Tree Associates."
"Camping fees include access to a large outdoor pool, an indoor pool and a hot tub. There is room for tenting and campers."
$37 - $170 / night
"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."
$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."
"Very spartan but great location. Not much to do in the campground and some long timers there. Dirt cheap"
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.
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.
GuideIf 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
ScoutThese 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!
GuideThis 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.
ScoutThe park is located away from the camping grounds. It has two play grounds, several picnic tables and a bathroom. The bathroom is a average out door bathroom with no A.C. and the floor always seems to be wet, but I never had an issue with no toliet paper. The trails are maintained. You could tell there was even some work in progress spots. Wish there were some doggie bag stations just for the trash can. The trail comes close to the road enough times that it could be a great add for a visitor who brings pets and staff would not have to hike in to hike out a bag of garbage.
LegendWe stay at Ramblin Pines because it is close to family and a good proximity to visiting Baltimore and Frederick. The campground is quite large with lots of seasonal sites but there are some transient spaces that can accommodate big-rigs. In addition to RV sites, there are tent sites and cabins.
We stayed in one of the transient sites (#FR14) across from the RV storage lot. It was a long gravel back-in with 50-amp FHU. The water hook-up is in a pit so it doesn’t freeze so look under the cover. It can be a bit difficult to reach and you have to get on the ground to hook-up. Based on the location of the spigot, we were not able to attach our water filter (we drank the tap water anyway and it was good). The electric worked fine and were able to reach the sewer with our 20’ hose. The view out of our front window was of the storage lot which was not the most scenic. However, parking in the FR row is the easiest place for big-rigs to park since some roads in the park are tight and hard to navigate with the trees and with the two-way traffic.
There are lots of amenities and it seems some people come here for the activities and things to do. It is a destination for many campers. They have lots of themed events, the most popular being the entire month of October celebrating like Halloween. They set up a haunted walk through the woods, have pumpkin carving, trick or treating, a costume contest, haunted hayride, and site decoration contest every weekend. If you want to camp on the weekends– book early because we found it very difficult to get a reservation during October and you have to pay in full and there are no refunds for cancellations. Other weekends have live music, bingo, hayrides, cornhole tournaments, crafts, and more. Basically, there is something every weekend.
Huge fishing pond, shuffleboard, horseshoes, large dog park with agility, game room, playgrounds, jump pillow, heated swimming pool, and exercise room (which was decent but didn’t have a television to occupy your time), 18-hole mini golf. A short but nice hiking trail winds through the woods and is nice for walking dogs. There is a large covered pavilion with picnic tables for big gatherings. There is free Wi-Fi but it doesn’t reach sites in the back of the campground. Wi-Fi is great if you are near the office/store. The camp store is fairly large with some food/beverage items, t-shirts, large amount of RV supplies, and misc. other items. There is a coffee maker with free coffee.
Greenbelt Park Campground maintains 174 wooded campsites within a 1,100-acre forest just 12 miles from Washington DC. The terrain features gentle slopes with deciduous forest cover, keeping summer temperatures 3-5 degrees cooler than surrounding urban areas. Sites require online reservations through Recreation.gov with no cash accepted on arrival.
Hiking through urban forest: Greenbelt Park offers multiple hiking trails where wildlife sightings are common. "There are lots of trails but are across and through hunting areas. They are also muddy from the rain," notes one visitor at Cedarville State Forest. For more extensive trails, "the American Discovery Trail (ADT) passes through the park," according to a Becky at Greenbelt Campground.
Disc golf courses: The 18-hole course at Pohick Bay Campground is popular with weekend visitors. "I'd recommend taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course," suggests Rachel L., while another camper mentions "plenty of playgrounds and trails nearby to keep the family busy."
Swimming options: Several campgrounds feature pools for summer recreation. "This campground has so much to offer... Swimming Pool, Hot tub," writes Beth R. about Cherry Hill Park. At Pine Tree Associates Nudist Club, "camping fees include access to a large outdoor pool, an indoor pool and a hot tub," making it a unique option for those comfortable with clothing-optional recreation.
Metro access to DC: Campers appreciate the proximity to public transportation. "Take the METRO if you are going into the District. There are two stations very close to camp (Greenbelt and University Park)... Rides vary depending on how far you are going but on average I spent about $10 per day on METRO versus $20-$40 on parking," shares Crystal C. at Greenbelt Park Campground.
Clean facilities: "The bathhouses are ok, happy to have free showers with hot running water. Faucets allow you to control the temperature and there's continuous running water," notes Laura M. at Greenbelt Park. Similarly at Cedarville State Forest, "Restrooms were clean, closed daily for cleaning between 1 pm - 3 pm."
Nature experiences close to urban areas: The contrast between urban proximity and natural surroundings stands out. "This is an urban oasis. Traffic can be heard but not seen. Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground," observes Becky at Greenbelt Park. Another camper adds, "This park is safe, quiet, permitting some nice treks through the woods."
Seasonal challenges: Insect activity varies by location and season. "LOTS and LOTS of ticks. I got one, but my wife and dog got about a dozen each. Just bring tweezers," warns Ben J. about Cedarville State Forest. Mosquitoes can also be problematic at some campgrounds.
Campground restrictions: Many parks have specific rules that differ from private campgrounds. "No hanging things from trees. Even if you love a hammock you cannot hang them at this park on the trees," advises Crystal C. at Greenbelt Park. Similarly, "park service forbade tying lines or straps to the trees at the time of our visit," reports Timothy C.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking. "This is a NO CASH facility which means you CANNOT pay upon arrival so you will have to do so online," explains a Greenbelt Park visitor. At Cherry Hill Park, "just can't beat it. Proximity to DC and surrounding areas can't be beat. Uber, Lyft, bus, shuttle."
Playground access: Multiple dog-friendly campgrounds near Hardesty provide play areas for children. At Patapsco Valley State Park, "The Hilton entrance of Patapsco Valley Park is perfect for keeping the kids entertained. There is a huge playground, sensory trail and nature discovery center at the entrance to the park," writes Angel G.
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer ranger programs and nature activities. "There are monthly programs at the campfire circle that I sometimes attend even when not camping here," says Becky about Greenbelt Park. Sean M. adds that Patapsco Valley has "a nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center."
Convenient day trips: The central location makes exploring the region easy. "We saw a snake, alligator snapping turtle, and rabbits, before we even reached the gates," notes Ben J. about Cedarville State Forest. For Cherry Hill Park visitors, "We took the train from Union station to Penn station. Saw the nationals, the orioles."
Site selection and access: RV sites vary significantly in size and levelness. At Washington DC / Capitol KOA, "If you get an area to back into it'll be more secluded, but the pull through spots offer no privacy," advises Elise M. Another camper notes, "Camp site wasn't level at all. I was actually kind of worried that it would slide into the woods."
Utility access: Water and electric hookups differ between campgrounds. At Adventure Bound Washington DC, "Full hookups at most sites. Staff very friendly." While at Cedarville State Forest, a visitor mentions, "30 amp electric. No issues there. Lots of trails but in June at least the ticks were waaaay too plentiful."
Dump station considerations: Some campgrounds have unusual setups. At Cedarville State Forest, "There's a new dump station, but the hose has an anti-freeze up in the air with a pull cord valve. This means every time you pull to turn the water on, you get a shower," explains Ben J. For larger rigs, Pohick Bay sites are noted as "not all sites are level (half)."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Hardesty, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Hardesty, MD is Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park with a 4.2-star rating from 32 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Hardesty, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 71 dog-friendly camping locations near Hardesty, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
