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Patapsco Valley State Park's pet-friendly campgrounds provide dedicated camping areas for visitors with dogs. The Hollofield Area Campground offers clean, well-maintained sites where pets are permitted, with a specific pet loop area for overflow and those camping with animals. This separated area ensures dog owners have appropriate space, though campers should note it only has portable toilets rather than full bathroom facilities. Both Hollofield and Hilton Area campgrounds accommodate tent camping, RVs, and cabins where pets are allowed. Cherry Hill Park near College Park and Ramblin' Pines in Woodbine also welcome pets with various accommodation options including tent sites, RV spots, cabins, and glamping facilities. Sites at most locations include fire rings with grill grates and picnic tables, though some campgrounds enforce strict rules against bringing outside firewood.
Hiking trails accessible directly from campsites provide excellent exercise opportunities for dogs visiting Patapsco Valley State Park. The River Ridge Trail and connecting paths allow campers to explore with their pets while maintaining appropriate leash control. Merry Meadows Recreation Farm and Washington DC/Capitol KOA offer additional pet-friendly options with full hookups for RVs and various accommodation types. Campers report the primitive camping sites tend to provide more privacy and space between neighbors compared to electric sites, making them preferable for those with active dogs. During summer months, the Patapsco River provides cooling water access for pets, though owners should be aware of swift currents after heavy rainfall. Most campgrounds enforce standard pet policies requiring dogs to be leashed at all times, cleaned up after, and not left unattended at campsites. Sites often fill completely on weekends, so advance reservations are recommended when camping with pets.
"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
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"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."
from $30 - $70 / night
Check Availability"Our dog was welcomed. Will definitely be going back. This was our first trip with our camper ever and everyone was helpful"
"It was a VERY dark walk to get to the bathhouse for showers. And the fire pit had no grill, so we ended up having to use the stoves of some RV camping friends for meals."
"We got a spot for two nights in the pet area. We were shaded by trees, but the spots weren’t very private. Bathroom facilities are nice."
"The open field pet friendly sites are also large but provide no shade and it gets hot! You can feel the difference between these sites and the interior loop sites. "
from $20 - $195 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $999 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"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)."
from $21 - $55 / night
Check Availability"Our site was really good and I love that it had it's own access to the bathrooms. Quite a few of the inner loop sites do. If you're a tent camper Acorn has some very private and secluded sites."
"The campsites are separated more widely than many other parks in Maryland (Cunningham Falls, Ft. Frederick, Pt. Lookout), and are quite secluded in comparison."
from $21 - $50 / night
Check Availability
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.
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.
ScoutThe rangers were nice and the campground hosts were sweet. I liked the dish washing sinks outside of the shower houses. The site was nice with the tent pad backing up to the trees. I would rather sleep in a tent any night over a motel room but this time was different. Due to my father passing, me and my daughter stayed there 3 nights. I will be back another time to actually enjoy the lake and being between Lancaster and Gettysburg makes both places easy to access. Next time I will be getting a site away from the group area. It was nice that the pet area is separate from those of us who don't have pets or want quiet from dogs barking. Some of the groups can get rather loud especially when there are a bunch of teens. It was nice that the pet area is separate from those of us who don't have pets or want quiet from dogs barking.
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.
ScoutSmaller campground, but big on amenities!
Staff was friendly, attentive and the Campground is extremely well-cared for. Sites vary in sizes and are well-defined. They have a great camp store and their mini-golf was just remodeled and a lot of fun to play. In addition to that, there is a bounce pad, shuffle board, horseshoes, chess, over-sized jenga, playground, dog park, gem mining, basketball, bikes, wood, propane, etc. and they pick up trash daily right at your site. All of this in a beautiful wooded spot near Gettysburg.
I highly recommend!
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
Nestled between Patapsco Valley State Park and several other natural areas, Stevenson offers campers access to both wooded riverside sites and full-service campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. The region sits at elevations between 200-500 feet, creating varied terrain for hiking and camping experiences throughout the area. Summer temperatures average 85°F with high humidity, while spring and fall provide milder conditions with daytime temperatures in the 60s-70s.
Hiking through historic areas: At Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area, trails connect to interesting historical sites. "There is a massive playground, nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center. There are a lot of easy, but beautiful hikes," notes Sean M. The park offers a mix of terrain suitable for beginners and experienced hikers.
Fishing opportunities: Several parks offer accessible fishing spots within walking distance of campsites. "Merry Meadows has lots to offer they have upgraded any of the activities such as miniature golf and the pool area looks great," shares Brian S. about Merry Meadows Recreation Farm. Local waters contain bass, trout and catfish depending on the season.
Water activities: Spend time paddling or swimming during summer months. "The lake is beautiful and the trail around the lake is nice," mentions Dawn T. about Codorus State Park. Many campers bring their own kayaks or canoes, though rentals are available at several locations during peak season.
Proximity to urban areas with natural setting: Campers appreciate being close to cities while still enjoying wooded campsites. "This is part of a super large park that runs 32 miles along the Patapsco River. Beautiful park with 70 miles of hiking/biking/multi use trails," states Travyl Couple about Hollofield Area Campground.
Accessibility for overnight stays: Many sites work well for quick weekend trips. "Being just barely off the beaten path, I wasn't expecting all too much from the one night stay over planned heading from New Jersey to Shenandoah in Virginia. I was surprised at the quiet, understated beauty of the forestry around the perfectly level campsite," shares Diana S. about her experience at Hollofield Area.
Diverse camping options: The area offers everything from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV spots. "Quaint with many on-site amenities. We love this home away from home," writes Michelle E. about Ramblin' Pines. Most campgrounds provide fire rings, picnic tables and access to water within reasonable walking distance.
Weather considerations: The region experiences significant seasonal changes. "We arrived at site 430. It was a perfect spot tucked away from the others and a short walk to the restrooms. You can purchase firewood from the camp hosts nearby as well," notes Andrea S. about Hollofield Area. Summer storms can develop quickly, so proper tent setup is essential.
Reservation requirements: Most popular sites fill quickly, especially on weekends. "Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground. Living nearby but storing my popup camper elsewhere, I often park my camper here for a few days while I pack it for a trip," explains Becky about Greenbelt Park Campground. Booking 2-3 months in advance is recommended for summer weekends.
Campground amenities vary significantly: Research bathroom and shower facilities before booking. "Bath house was clean and camp hosts are very friendly. Campsites are fairly close together but not right on top of each other," states Michelle H. about Hollofield Area. Some loops have more modern facilities than others, even within the same park.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature excellent play areas for children. "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," shares Angel G. about Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area.
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with organized programs. "They have a nice area for kids (pool, playground, jumping pillow, basketball courts, giant chess, etc). If you get an area to back into it'll be more secluded, but the pull through spots offer no privacy," explains Elise M. about Washington DC/Capitol KOA.
Pet-friendly loop selection: When bringing dogs and children, certain loops work better than others. "We have stayed at both the Hilton location of PSP as well as this one. We preferred the Hilton spot, with kids," notes Jennifer S. about Hollofield Area. These designated pet areas typically have more space between sites and better access to trails.
Site selection for larger rigs: Carefully review site dimensions before booking. "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. about Elk Neck State Park Campground.
Hookup availability: Full-service sites require advance planning. "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," shares Laure D. about Elk Neck State Park. Many campgrounds turn off water services during winter months.
Navigation challenges: Some campgrounds have narrow access roads. "The inner circle has electric but no water or sewer. The outer circle is primitive. There is a dump station," explains Rebecca C. about Hollofield Area. First-time visitors with larger rigs should arrive during daylight hours to navigate unfamiliar campground roads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Stevenson, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Stevenson, MD is Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area with a 4.1-star rating from 20 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Stevenson, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 93 dog-friendly camping locations near Stevenson, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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