Wye Island Natural Resources Management Area's pet-friendly grounds include hiking trails and picnic facilities where dogs can join visitors year-round. The 2,800-acre natural area in Queenstown allows leashed pets throughout designated camping areas and trails. Nearby, Tuckahoe State Park Campground accommodates pets at select campsites and pet-friendly cabins with advance reservations. Most campgrounds in the region require pets to remain on leashes no longer than 6 feet, with owners responsible for waste cleanup. Bay Shore Campground (formerly Ellendale) welcomes pets with water and electric hookups at waterfront sites overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. Campground bathrooms are generally clean and well-maintained, though some sites warn that bugs can become quite bad during summer months at certain locations.
Hiking trails throughout Tuckahoe State Park offer excellent opportunities for dog walking, with multiple well-marked paths winding through wooded areas and along the lake shoreline. The park's Lake Trail provides a scenic 20-minute walk suitable for pets of all sizes, connecting to the day-use area with picnic facilities. Eastern Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, just 7 minutes from Bay Shore Campground, features several dog-friendly trails for morning walks. Dog owners should pack extra water during summer visits as drinking stations are limited on trails. Seasonal considerations include checking for ticks after hiking, particularly in wooded areas. The Washington DC/Capitol KOA in nearby Millersville offers dedicated pet exercise areas and accepts pets in select cabin accommodations, providing a convenient option for travelers with dogs heading to the Eastern Shore.
$21 - $70 / night
"Tuckahoe State Park is tucked away onto the Eastern Shore of Maryland, close to the Chesapeake Bay. It features every kind of camping you can imagine."
"Mini cabin D is pet friendly but one of the few. Bathrooms were pretty clean, although perpetually wet floors throughout. Nice washing station for doing dishes, which was a major plus."
$18 - $77 / night
"The park is pet friendly. The ranger was very vigilant and friendly. We met new friends and even attended a concert at their pavilion 🥰"
"Though I live in Texas now, Maryland will always be home for me. Whenever I get the chance to head back, I almost make sure to check out some of the local fishing spots."
$42 - $82 / night
"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."
"We spent one morning walking the various trails at the Eastern Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, which is only 7 minutes away. Campground also close to the restaurants in Rock Hall for seafood. "
$12 / night
"I would LOVE this area to be opened for public primitive camping, but I do not see this occurring in the near future."
$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)."
"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."
"Very spartan but great location. Not much to do in the campground and some long timers there. Dirt cheap"
$49 - $57 / night
"They do have restrictions on dog breeds per their insurance guidelines; some sewer sites available; they do have rules and they are followed but they make for an enjoyable time; also have church services"
$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."
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.
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.
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.
GuideAccessible and pet friendly. Great trails and great staff
Camping options around Queenstown, Maryland offer access to the Chesapeake Bay watershed with its mix of forest and tidal marshlands. The area sits at near sea level elevation with warm, humid summers where temperatures average 85-90°F and mild winters rarely dropping below freezing. Most campgrounds in this region operate seasonally from March through November, with limited year-round options.
Kayaking on Tuckahoe Creek: Tuckahoe State Park Campground provides direct water access between sites 46 and 48 with a short walk to the creek. "The walk to Tuckahoe Creek from the parking area is very short, and the creek leads to Tuckahoe Lake (no gasoline motors) with more of the creek on the other side of the lake," notes reviewer Mary S.
Fishing and wildlife viewing: Martinak State Park Campground offers excellent fishing opportunities along its waterfront. "Great for kids and kayaks. We had a great time with our 3 little ones. They have lots of easily walked trails. Bath houses are kept clean," reports Bill F., who appreciated the multiple playgrounds throughout the park.
Visiting Eastern Neck Wildlife Sanctuary: Located just minutes from Bay Shore Campground (formerly Ellendale), this sanctuary offers excellent hiking opportunities. "We spent one morning walking the various trails at the Eastern Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, which is only 7 minutes away. Campground also close to the restaurants in Rock Hall for seafood," writes Helen O.
Disc golf and archery: Beyond hiking and water activities, Tuckahoe State Park features more specialized outdoor recreation. As one visitor notes, the park offers "Disc golf" and an "Archery range" among its amenities, providing alternatives to standard camping activities.
Spacious, private sites: Martinak State Park receives praise for its layout and facilities. "We stayed one night in a small cabin. It was cosy and warm on a cold night for fall. The cabins are clean and tidy and the campground is well run," writes Andrew M., who appreciated the well-maintained trails with "views of and access to the river."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention bathroom cleanliness as a highlight at Tuckahoe State Park Campground. "The bathroom/ showers are the cleanest I've ever seen, especially since we stayed in the hottest time of the year," notes Bill G., who uses the park as "a way station while camping our way up and down the Bay."
Waterfront views: Bay Shore Campground offers prime Chesapeake Bay views that campers consistently praise. "If you enjoy beautiful sunsets, seeing bald eagles every day, having a nice breeze, not too buggy, well kept campground this is the place to go," writes Lisa V., highlighting the natural attractions.
Commercial-sized dish washing station: A practical feature at Tuckahoe State Park earns special mention from campers with RVs without full hookups. "I LOVE the commercial-sized washing sink for your dishes, since you don't have full hookups its a BIG deal," writes Kasey M., who also appreciated the wooded sites that "makes you feel a little more secluded from any neighbors."
Limited hookups: While water and electric are available at most sites, many campgrounds in the region lack sewer hookups. At Bay Shore Campground, "Sewer is not there yet, but they have portables just in case you need to remove some instead of moving the entire camper," explains Lisa V.
Seasonal considerations: Area campgrounds typically operate from March through November, with limited year-round options. "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. about nearby Elk Neck State Park.
Site selection matters: When booking at Martinak State Park Campground, note that "It's small and the sites are quite close together," according to Andrew M. Consider requesting specific sites if privacy is important.
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds in the area have spotty connectivity. At Tuckahoe State Park, some campers report the benefit of being disconnected: "No cell signal in the campground so the family is forced to disconnect," writes Megan S. about nearby Elk Neck State Park.
Playground access: For families with young children, Martinak State Park Campground offers excellent facilities. "They have quite a few playgrounds throughout the park, which was a major plus for us," writes Bill F., noting the easily walked trails suitable for little ones.
Nature programs: Washington DC/Capitol KOA in nearby Millersville offers structured activities for children. "They have a nice area for kids (pool, playground, jumping pillow, basketball courts, giant chess, etc)," notes Elise M., making it a good option for families looking for more organized recreation.
Kid-friendly water access: Finding safe water entry points matters for families. Tuckahoe State Park provides options for children of various ages. "There is a creek behind our site, playgrounds, hiking trails, and boat rentals available within a short walk," describes Regina C., who found the park "quaint and very quiet" despite being fully booked.
Dog exercise areas: For families camping with dogs near Queenstown, several campgrounds provide dedicated pet areas. At Washington DC/Capitol KOA, "They have a nice dog area for the dog to be able to run around and exercise which a lot of places we have been do not have a place for the dog to really exercise," notes Stephanie H.
Site leveling challenges: Susquehanna State Park Campground requires careful site selection for larger rigs. "Camping pad was nice and level, although the driveway was slightly sloped. One of our bunk ends extended beyond the pad into the woods, which was just fine by me," reports Jen V.
Power reliability: During summer storms, power outages can occur at some campgrounds. One camper at Tuckahoe State Park reported, "We lost power during a rain storm," as one of the few negatives during their stay.
Site dimensions: Pay attention to published site sizes when booking. At Elk Neck State Park Campground, "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," advises David G.
Dog-friendly cabin options: For RVers traveling with pets to dog friendly campgrounds near Queenstown, several parks offer pet-accommodating cabins. Washington DC/Capitol KOA accepts pets in select cabin accommodations, providing alternatives when RVing isn't an option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Queenstown, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Queenstown, MD is Tuckahoe State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 31 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Queenstown, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 65 dog-friendly camping locations near Queenstown, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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