Cherry Hill Park's designated dog walking areas and two off-leash dog parks provide ample space for pets to exercise near College Park, Maryland. The campground accommodates pets in all accommodation types including tents, RVs, cabins, and glamping units. Greenbelt Park Campground also welcomes pets with designated pet-friendly loops. Most campgrounds in the area maintain standard leash policies requiring dogs to be on leashes no longer than 6 feet when outside designated off-leash areas. Ramblin' Pines features a large dog park with agility equipment, while Little Bennett Campground offers pet-friendly cabins and yurts. Several campgrounds charge pet fees ranging from $3-12 per stay. The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring allows pets at their tent sites with picnic tables and trash receptacles. Bathrooms at most pet-friendly campgrounds remain clean and well-maintained.
Patapsco Valley State Park's pet loop provides a quieter camping experience removed from the main campground area, though campers should note the pet area has only portable toilets rather than full bathhouse facilities. A short hiking trail winds through wooded areas perfect for dog walking at Ramblin' Pines. Most campgrounds provide dog waste stations throughout the grounds, particularly along walking paths. Hollofield Area Campground enforces strict rules against bringing outside firewood and alcohol into the park, with exceptions for alcohol only inside RVs. The Washington DC/Capitol KOA offers a dog walking service for campers spending extended time exploring DC attractions. Seasonal campers report the dog parks at several campgrounds remain well-maintained year-round. Wildlife encounters are possible in the more wooded campgrounds, so keeping pets leashed and supervised is essential for their safety.
$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."
$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."
$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."
$30 - $70 / night
"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."
"We stay at Ramblin Pines because it is close to family and a good proximity to visiting Baltimore and Frederick."
$19 - $27 / 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."
"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"
$30 - $70 / 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."
"We did not take our dog this time with us but would seriously consider it next time."
"We had a site near the pool, outdoor chess set, jumping pillow and gaga ball pit. Our kids (9, 10 and 14) all had fun and made friends. The staff is exceptionally friendly and helpful."
$150 - $200 / night
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.
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.
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.
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.
RangerWhen we pulled the rangers where blocking traffic to the park. They said that the park was full. OMG they were right. No wonder Maryland is a hot spot for covid 19. After about an hour we were able to get to a camp site. Not the one I reserved. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful. After setting up we ventured out to the camp store that is located at the concessions near the packed beach of the lake. We didn't find anything that resembled camping items. So we decided to go mushroom 🍄 hunting. Wow we hit the jackpot. The showers were fairly close and clean. There were a lot of signs that pet prohibited 🚫 in the park. But the cedar loop did have 🐕 dogs. They are just not allowed in the rest of the park. We had good cell service and no reception on the tv
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
Camping options near Spencerville, Maryland sit within the Piedmont region at elevations between 200-400 feet, creating varied terrain for campers. The area experiences four distinct seasons with warm summers reaching 85-90°F and winter lows around 25-30°F. Fall camping is particularly popular with comfortable temperatures and colorful foliage displays throughout the region's mixed hardwood forests.
Trail exploration at Patapsco Valley: Patapsco Valley State Park offers extensive hiking with varied difficulty levels. "There are a lot of easy, but beautiful hikes," notes one visitor to the Hilton Area, which features "a massive playground, nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center." Trails connect to multiple recreation areas across the park's 32-mile stretch along the Patapsco River.
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds provide shoreline fishing access. At Ramblin' Pines, campers enjoy a stocked fishing pond on the premises. The campground also features "a barnyard with goats" that children can visit while adults fish, creating multi-generational activities at a single location.
Urban exploration: The proximity to major cities enables unique day trips. At Greenbelt Park Campground, visitors appreciate that "you can spend entire days at the always-free Smithsonian museums and still fall asleep in the woods." This campground offers convenient metro access for car-free urban adventures, making it ideal for visitors wanting to explore Washington DC without driving.
Outdoor recreation amenities: Beyond natural features, developed recreation options abound. Lake Fairfax Campground provides "a water park, paddle boats, playgrounds, trails, skate park, sports fields" all within walking distance of campsites. These amenities offer alternatives during inclement weather or for family members with different outdoor interests.
Spacious wooded sites: The region's forests create natural privacy at many campgrounds. Little Bennett Campground earns praise for "quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded sites with 50A service, water and sewer hookup." The campground's trail network is largely dog-friendly with leash requirements, making it suitable for pet excursions.
Wildlife encounters: Despite suburban locations, many campgrounds host surprising biodiversity. At Hollofield Area Campground, campers report, "We enjoyed hiking the trails directly from our campsite that led us down to the Patapsco River." Morning wildlife viewing opportunities include deer and various bird species visible from campsites.
Clean facilities: Consistently maintained bathhouses are a standout feature. Lake Fairfax earns "five stars for the restroom facilities. Bright, large, clean and very well maintained." This attention to cleanliness extends to common areas and playgrounds at most campgrounds, though weekend crowding can impact facility conditions.
Diverse accommodation options: Beyond traditional camping, Cherry Hill Park offers various lodging types. "There are some nice tenting sites under the trees and off by themselves for the true campers, and for the rest of us glampers there are hookups and lots to do," explains one reviewer, highlighting the range of experiences available at a single property.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance bookings, especially during peak seasons. Greenbelt Park Campground has transitioned to "NO CASH facility which means you CANNOT pay upon arrival so you will have to do so online." This policy is increasingly common throughout the region.
Campground layouts: Site placement affects privacy levels at many locations. At Hollofield Area Campground, "the inner circle has electric but no water or sewer. The outer circle is primitive." Understanding loop designations helps select appropriate sites for your camping style and equipment.
Seasonal considerations: Weather patterns significantly impact camping experiences. One Patapsco Valley visitor notes that "the mosquitoes were biting but could have been worse," highlighting the need for insect protection during warmer months. Fall and spring typically offer the most comfortable camping conditions with fewer pests.
Noise factors: Despite wooded settings, some ambient noise exists. At Greenbelt, "traffic can be heard but not seen," while at Hollofield, campers mention "the planes from the airport kept flying over, which made it hard to sleep." Site selection within loops can minimize these disturbances.
Adventure activities: Family-friendly facilities extend beyond basic playgrounds. At Washington DC/Capitol KOA, families appreciate that "We had a site near the pool, outdoor chess set, jumping pillow and gaga ball pit. Our kids (9, 10 and 14) all had fun and made friends." These structured activity areas keep children engaged between outdoor excursions.
Natural playground options: Several parks feature alternative play spaces. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area has "a 'natural' playground aka, large rocks and overturned trees. The kids loved it." These nature-based play zones provide unstructured exploration opportunities that complement traditional playground equipment.
Educational opportunities: Environmental education enhances family trips. The Hilton entrance to Patapsco "is perfect for keeping the kids entertained. There is a huge playground, sensory trail and nature discovery center at the entrance to the park." These resources often include weekend ranger programs during peak season.
Check age restrictions: Some facilities maintain specific age policies. Cherry Hill Park allows pets in all accommodation types, but at other campgrounds, there may be restrictions for pool access as one KOA visitor discovered: "I didnt like that non potty trained kids are not allowed to swim in their pool."
Hook-up variations: Electric service differs between campgrounds, with some offering full hookups. Little Bennett provides "D Loop for RVs, A, B, C&E are tents only" with "AT&T 5 MB/s w/o booster(1 bar), 8 MB/s with it(2 bars)." These technical details help RVers plan for connectivity and power needs.
Navigational challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult access points. For Hollofield Area, drivers should "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.)" Such restrictions can create significant detours if not anticipated.
Site leveling requirements: Terrain affects parking ease at many locations. At one campground, a reviewer noted they "were forced to greatly elevate front of trailer to level front-to-back" despite a "level side-to-side" site. Bringing adequate leveling equipment is essential for most area campgrounds.
Dump station locations: Not all pet friendly camping near Spencerville provides on-site dumping. Cherry Hill Park offers premium sites with full hookups, while others like Greenbelt have "a dump station and drinking water fill in loop C" with specific operational details: "The water fill was a little annoying in that there's a handle you have to hold down the whole time, but we used a rock to prop the handle down."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Spencerville, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Spencerville, MD is Cherry Hill Park with a 4.8-star rating from 42 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Spencerville, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 81 dog-friendly camping locations near Spencerville, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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