Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Williamsport offers pet-friendly camping options just 10 miles from Fairplay, Maryland. The campground accommodates pets at its tent sites, RV sites, and select cabins, with spacious pull-through sites featuring full hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings. The family-oriented resort maintains level campsites on crushed stone pads surrounded by grass. The campground's roads are well-maintained with crushed stone surfaces. Tent campers can set up on gravel areas with no hookups, and rangers deliver firewood directly to campsites for convenience.
Several pet-friendly campgrounds in the region maintain specific dog policies while offering diverse outdoor experiences. Harpers Ferry/Civil War Battlefields KOA welcomes pets at its drive-in and walk-in sites, accommodating tent campers, RV travelers, and those staying in pet-friendly cabins. Both Cunningham Falls State Park locations—Houck Area and Manor Area—permit pets while offering electricity, water hookups, and sanitary dump stations. The state park grounds provide showers, toilets, picnic tables, and trash facilities from April through October. Antietam Creek Campground in Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park offers a more primitive experience for pets and owners, with tent-only sites accessible by boat, hiking, or walking. The campground provides basic amenities including toilets and picnic tables but lacks water hookups, electric hookups, and trash facilities.
$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!"
$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."
$40 - $80 / night
"This 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."
"We set up camp at Harpers Ferry/Civil War Battlefields KOA Holiday as our launchpad to visit the historic sites in and around Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and Frederick, Maryland. "
"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"
$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."
"If you would like to do some exploring, then you can walk the trail right next to the campground into the historical town of Harper's Ferry (If you’re facing the river then the trail is to the right of"
"Harper's Ferry is a little town in WV nestled right next to the Potomac River. It's also a convenient halfwayish point on the Appalachian Trail."
$10 / night
"All the sites are very open and run along the multi-use trail. People are constantly walking, running, and biking by."
"Pretty standard campground—the perks are it’s location to nearby attractions and the river/creek. It depends on what you’re looking for—easy camping and proximity to Antietam and Harper’s? Golden."
$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."
$10 - $20 / night
"There is no privacy from adjacent campsites, but you are on the Potomac in sites 1 - 7.
Price 2023: $10 w interagency pass Usage during visit: Light during the week. 40% full on weekends.""We stayed at campsite 1 which had nice views of the river and a pretty good distance from neighbors. Closest site to the drop toilet and day use area portapots (very clean!)."
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.
TravelerWe began our membership here this June. it has a great atmosphere on the banks of the Shenandoah River. There are activities every weekend like concerts and group activities. Staff is very friendly and helpful. The facilities are clean and very convenient. Pet friendly; two dog parks.
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.
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.
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.
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.
ScoutGreat location in Western Maryland. 10 min ride to Cumberland (larger town) 5 min ride to small town of Flintstone. Lots of well marked trails that range from beginner to advanced. Lake holds opportunity for numerous activities from swimming, fishing, kayaking, paddle board, and canoeing. No motorized boats which can be a good thing sometimes. The lake even has areas for pets to swim! Campground has tent sites, cabins, camper sites and group sites. All loops have bath houses with showers. Several loops have sites with electric hook ups and pets friendly loops as well. Casino and golf course located on the opposite side of the lake if you wish to visit them while camping.
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 Fairplay, Maryland sit within the Appalachian foothills, where elevations range from 400-800 feet and the climate features warm summers and cold winters. The area's proximity to both the Potomac River and Antietam National Battlefield makes it particularly popular during fall when temperatures average 50-70°F and campgrounds often reach capacity on weekends.
Hiking to viewpoints: Catoctin Mountain Park's trails connect to the Appalachian Trail for challenging terrain. "The hike from visitor center to AT is steep and rocky," notes Butch B. about Greenbrier State Park Campground.
Historical exploration: Visit Antietam Battlefield or Harpers Ferry, just 30 minutes from most campgrounds. "Harper's Ferry is a cute little historic town and the hiking is amazing, being right on the Appalachian Trail," according to Erin S. at Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA.
Water activities: The Potomac River offers swimming, fishing, and paddling. "You can go swimming right from your campsite," mentions Robin W. about Harpers Ferry Campground, with sites directly along the river.
Mountain biking: The region features rocky east-coast terrain suitable for experienced riders. Jonathan B. notes Greenbrier State Park offers "some tough, rocky east-coast mountain biking, all without leaving the park."
Natural swimming areas: Lake beaches provide summer recreation options. "This is a beautiful park with a lake, beach, and swimming area. Fishing is allowed," shares Beth C. about Greenbrier State Park Campground.
Campsite privacy: Many campers appreciate secluded sites amid dense forest. "The sites are very cool and wooded with a lot of privacy," writes Ashleigh M. about Owens Creek Campground.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses are frequently mentioned in positive reviews. "The bath houses & sites are always clean, camp hosts are friendly and park rangers are present and helpful," says Katie H. about Greenbrier State Park.
River access: Sites near water are consistently rated highest. "McCoys Ferry: River Sites. O & C Canal close," notes Roger W. at McCoys Ferry Campground, adding "Sites are right on the river. There is no privacy from adjacent campsites, but you are on the Potomac in sites 1-7."
Campground crowding: Busy summer weekends can impact experience. "The only downsides are how crowded it can get peak season," warns Beth C. about Greenbrier. Similarly, Jim L. notes, "When we pulled the rangers where blocking traffic to the park. They said that the park was full."
Train noise: Campgrounds near train tracks experience disruption. At Harpers Ferry Campground, Sherri C. warns, "The trains that come through here almost hourly range from quick commuter MARC or Amtrak trains to long freight trains."
Limited cell coverage: Service varies significantly by location. "Cell service in the area for both AT&T and Verizon was poor. I do not know if this was due to the terrain or lack of towers," reports Dave B. about Harpers Ferry Civil War Battlefields KOA.
Primitive facilities: Some campgrounds lack modern amenities. At Antietam Creek Campground, Kevin D. notes, "Pit toilet was not very clean and there are no trash cans so folks had taken to leaving their trash in the bathroom."
Family-friendly activities: Several campgrounds offer organized programs for children. At Hagerstown / Antietam Battlefield KOA, Misty C. shares, "Activities for the kids, diner with a great breakfast selection and subs and pizza for dinner... At Halloween they have a great haunted house."
Pet-friendly hiking: Many trails accommodate dogs, though restrictions exist. "The only downsides are... they dont allow dogs in the lake at all. That's annoying when you camp in summer heay with your dog," mentions Beth C. about Greenbrier State Park.
Water features: Smaller children enjoy designated swimming areas. "The kids were never bored and had so much fun," says Mary about Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Williamsport MD, mentioning "the splash park" where her three-year-old "loved it."
Accessible trails: Several parks offer hikes suitable for young children. "The 3-yo had no issues on the trails," reports Buck P. about Houck - Cunningham Falls State Park.
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven terrain. Matt S. warns about Harpers Ferry/Civil War Battlefields KOA: "Our Pull-thru FHU Patio site(#199) had a serious slope. It was impossible to level my 45' motorhome without elevating the front wheels dangerously in the air."
Road access considerations: Several campgrounds have narrow entrance roads. Nancy O. notes about McCoys Ferry Campground: "The road to the campground can be off-putting in the dark, but it was pretty easy to find. The tunnel you pass under is train tracks."
Limited hookups: Many sites offer electric but lack sewer connections. "Campsite doesn't have a dump station so we went to the Cunningham falls site to dump after leaving and they let us dump no problem," advises Chelsea B. about Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park.
Campsite surface types: RV pads vary widely across the region. David S. notes about Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, "Roads are all crushed stone and the sites are concrete pads or what appeared to be very level crushed stone sites with grass."
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Fairplay, MD is Greenbrier State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED with a 4.4-star rating from 41 reviews.
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