8 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Cherry Hill Park's designated dog exercise areas provide plenty of space for pets to stretch their legs at one of the most popular pet-friendly campgrounds near Silver Spring, MD. This campground features clean, well-maintained off-leash zones with waste stations strategically placed throughout the property. Most sites accommodate up to two pets per reservation with no additional fee. The entire park is remarkably clean, making it comfortable for both pets and their owners. Full hookup RV sites, pet-friendly cabins, yurts, and tent camping areas are available, all within a short distance of walking trails. The campground's layout includes multiple paths for dog walking with convenient access to pet waste disposal stations.
Bull Run Regional Park and Greenbelt Park Campground also welcome pets with designated walking areas. Leash requirements are enforced throughout most camping areas, with pets needing to be attended at all times. The walking trail at Cherry Hill circles the perimeter of the campground, providing an excellent route for daily dog exercise. Many campsites offer shade trees and grassy areas suitable for pets. During summer months, the proximity to water features allows dogs to cool off, though swimming policies vary by location. Campground stores typically stock basic pet supplies in case of forgotten items. Multiple reviewers note the exceptional cleanliness of pet areas and the friendly atmosphere toward dogs of all sizes. Local veterinary services are available within 15 minutes of most campgrounds, providing peace of mind for pet owners during their stay.
"Though you are close to highways I don’t recall hearing and noise. I love that they have shuttles to DC., walking trails and a large dog park."
"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. "
Available next weekend
from $999 / 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."
Available next weekend
from $20 / night
"A lot to do: mountain bike trails (horses and walking, too); wooded hikes with water along the trails (great for dogs in the summer heat), skateboard park, BMX park, Water Park near the campground, fishing"
"We set up our tent in the far side of the campground close to the lake ( site 27). It is slightly slant but still comfortable in the tent. Bathrooms are close by and kept clean."
from $30 - $70 / 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."
Available next weekend
from $37 - $170 / night
"Quiet woods in Maryland about 30 or 40 miles north of DC. Tenting, and RV spots partial to full service. Just of hiway 270. pricey ($66/night) for a state park, but nice."
"PROS Very nice small Montgomery County Park
No reservation fee to make on-line reservations
Reserved 137 days prior to arriving
Entrance gate required entry code Instructed by staff via gate phone"
"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."
"Portable water and dumping station located at the camp store. We stayed at site 146 on the first caul-de-sac off the first loop just another site away from the bath house (which was pretty clean)."
"There's plenty of room around the camper, and although there are other campsites and cabins nearby, the trees provide a lot of separation."
Available next weekend
from $43 - $100 / night
"We stayed Burke lake campground for one night last week. It was very peaceful place. The whole camp ground was very clean and well kept."
"This was my second time going Burke Lake and it was just as enjoyable as the first."
"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."
from $20 - $51 / night
"Pet friendly. Very quiet. I only gave it 4 stars because the camp sites are too close together. Fire pits were well designed, bathrooms were relatively clean."
"It may be close to suburbia (a neighborhood right through the trees) and convenient to major highways (literal minutes to I95), but you will feel like you are truly secluded in the woods."
from $19 - $27 / night
TravelerClose to washington as we could get. Could also park our skoolie bus which was nice and had plenty of close by shower with bathrooms. Keep in mind only one shower per restroom house. We stayed at a pretty slow season so it wasn’t bad. Would recommend if visiting DC! They also have a dump station and water fill up.
ScoutWe stayed in site #133 with our 34'10" travel trailer/toy hauler. Overall, we really like the site. It's spacious, fairly level, heavily wooded, and feels surprisingly private. There's plenty of room around the camper, and although there are other campsites and cabins nearby, the trees provide a lot of separation. We had a nice large area for our chairs, fire pit, picnic table, and dogs. The biggest thing to know about #133 is the approach. We were instructed to pass the site, go around the loop, and then make a left turn into it. With our nearly 35' trailer, that would have required an extremely tight, almost 90-degree turn between the trees, and we did not feel we could safely make it. There is actually visible damage on one of the trees at the entrance, so it appears others may have had difficulty with the turn as well. Instead, we approached from the opposite direction and positioned the camper with our doors facing the main campsite area. That put the water and electric hookups on the opposite side, but our hoses and cord were long enough to run underneath the camper and reach without a problem. Once we figured that out, the site worked very well for us. I initially thought we probably wouldn't choose #133 again because of the awkward setup, but after spending the weekend here, I would. Now that we know how to approach and position our trailer, it really is a nice site. If you're bringing a longer travel trailer, just be prepared to do a little maneuvering and make sure your water hose and electrical cord have enough length if you decide to orient your camper the way we did.
ScoutSimple and friendly check in process. Clean and well-maintained site.
GuideSpent two nights while we saw the Avett Brothers play at Wolf Trap. Nice flat site with power. Campground was quiet and clean. The only negative is communication and signage. It took us a couple wrong turns to find our site and when we came back, after the concert around 11, the entrance gate was closed and we had to sneak in through the exit gate. Asked the next day and they said that is what campers do to access the park after 11pm.
ScoutThis is are first camping adventure in are new travel trailer. Camp ground is quiet and well maintained. Bath rooms and shower facilities are fantastic.
GuidePrimitive feel with full hookups. I have a 22' trailer, and it fits fine. I hope you like trains. Plenty of them go by.
GuideThis is a great camping spot. The sites aren’t too close together and the hosts are very friendly. The only reason I gave it four stars is because we are near a highway so you can hear cars throughout the night. But the crickets make up for it by being as loud as possible. With the fees, it cost $25 for a non-electric site and with access to showers after a long trek I was happy to pay.
RangerWe stayed at Redemption Springs to get relatively close to Baltimore without bringing our 30ft travel trailer into the city. Seth and the other gentlemen I spoke with were all extremely accommodating. Enjoyed learning about their approach to restorative farming and purchasing a variety of treats at the farm store. Beef, pork, chicken, seasonings, baked goods, and more. We booked on Hipcamp and recommend following his driving instructions. Our rig fit fine by tuhe main barn and they kept an eye on us going in and out to make sure we didn't have issues making any of the turns. Lots of farm life!
RangerWe stayed at Little Bennett starting on Labor Day Monday and left before the weekend, so it is hard to say how this looks when the campground is full of life. They had quite a few activities for families and a pavilion capable of concerts and such, but there was minimal activity during our stay. My biggest complaint is that the gate code changed and we didn't get any notice--so after a long day and a dinner out near Baltimore (nearly an hour away), I had to call the police to get back to my camper. Otherwise, the campsite was relatively spacious and quiet. The bugs were a little rough. Lots of whitetail running around.
Campgrounds near Silver Spring provide tent and RV camping options within 30 miles of the city. The region maintains moderate temperatures year-round, with summer highs rarely exceeding 90°F, creating comfortable conditions for outdoor activities. The area's rolling Piedmont topography features elevation changes between 300-500 feet, offering varied terrain for hiking while maintaining accessibility.
Hiking trail networks: At Patapsco Valley State Park, campers can explore 70 miles of hiking and biking trails. "There are a lot of easy, but beautiful hikes," according to one visitor who appreciated the park's natural features and accessibility.
Water activities: The Lake Fairfax Campground offers fishing, paddleboating, and a water park within 45 minutes of Silver Spring. "There's a water park, paddle boats, playgrounds, trails, skate park, sports fields, and the bathrooms are the nicest I've ever seen," reports one camper who visited with family.
Historical exploration: Many campgrounds provide access to significant historical sites. One visitor to Patapsco Valley noted: "You can even swim in this river. Fishing looked like fun too but we didn't have time. There is a lot of history associated with the River and the area."
Accessible urban retreats: Greenbelt Park Campground offers an escape without long travel times. "This is an urban oasis. Traffic can be heard but not seen. Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground," notes one regular visitor who appreciates the convenience.
Varied campsite options: Sites range from basic tent camping to full RV hookups. At Little Bennett Campground, "The sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup. D Loop is for RVs, A, B, C& E are tents only."
Nature encounters: Despite proximity to urban areas, wildlife viewing opportunities abound. One camper at Greenbelt Park observed: "Every morning birds and squirrels" contribute to "the overall feeling of the outdoor space."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds near Silver Spring require advance booking. Greenbelt Park Campground specifically mentions: "Reserve online - this is a NO CASH facility which means you CANNOT pay upon arrival so you will have to do so online."
Weather preparedness: Sudden rainstorms can affect camping conditions. One camper at Patapsco Valley State Park-Hollofield Area noted: "When it rains it really flushes through the grounds. We had a site on the lower end of the loop and our site was hard to set up as we arrived during a storm."
Public transportation access: For those wanting to visit DC, Bull Run Regional Park provides convenient metro access. A visitor to Greenbelt shared: "The METRO (only about 10 minutes with traffic)" makes city visits straightforward without the hassle of finding urban parking.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature extensive play areas for children. At Little Bennett, visitors praise the facilities: "A bit pricey, but has a full hookup loop. Other loops are tent only. Wonderful bath house. Lots of stuff to do."
Educational opportunities: Many parks offer ranger programs and nature activities. "They had a scavenger hunt for the kids going all weekend, they had an outdoor movie scheduled for Friday night, a campfire story time scheduled for Saturday night and crafts scheduled for Sunday morning," reports one parent who camped at Pohick Bay Campground.
Multi-generational activities: Look for campgrounds with activities for various age groups. "We were hoping to count on this park for quick weekend getaways, since it's only about 15 miles from us," mentioned a local camper about Patapsco Valley State Park-Hollofield Area, highlighting its convenience for families wanting minimal travel time.
Site leveling considerations: Some campgrounds have uneven sites requiring preparation. At Bull Run Regional Park, one RVer noted: "Our site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level."
Hookup availability: Verify utility connections before booking. A visitor to Hollofield Area Campground shared: "The inner circle has electric but no water or sewer. The outer circle is primitive. There is a dump station."
Big rig accessibility: Larger RVs should check access restrictions. "APPROACH THIS PARK ONLY FROM THE WEST IF YOUR VEHICLE IS OVER 11 FEET HIGH. (There is a 11' bridge coming east bound into this park.)" warns an RVer about Patapsco Valley, providing crucial information for those with taller vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Silver Spring, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Silver Spring, MD is Cherry Hill Park with a 4.8-star rating from 44 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Silver Spring, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 77 dog-friendly camping locations near Silver Spring, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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