4 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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
"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
"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
"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."
"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 this weekend
from $999 / night
"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."
Available this weekend
from $20 / night
"We stayed at Redemption Springs to get relatively close to Baltimore without bringing our 30ft travel trailer into the city."
from $49 / 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)."
from $21 - $55 / night
"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
GuideGreat campsite. Fire pit, picnic table, swimming pool ( not open), miniature golf course, laundromat, bathrooms, showers, dump station, gathering areas for groups, playground, and even a horse area and stalls for horses. Dog friendly. Staff was very helpful and curious.
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.
GuideWe booked two nights mid October not realizing that it's duck hunting season and that hunting is allowed RIGHT by the campground - with kids everywhere. We were jolted out of sleep at 5 am by gun fire right near our site. It kept up for the next hour. In addition, the bathrooms, although clean are in poor condition. Peeling paint everywhere with bare concrete in the showers. For such a pretty site, we had a miserable stay. We left after one night.
GuideWhere we were camping had blown up their dump station. Artillery Ridge helped us out. $10. to dump. If we come to camp in Gettysburg, it will be hear.
GuideYou just can't beat a pennsylvania park. This one is not an exception. Nice clean restroom, plenty of room. Now, what cost a star. Yes, it rained like hell. When we broke camp and go dump. The dump station was overflowing with sewer. Go to the guard shack to tell them, and find another site. None there. Can I go to an unused full hookup to dump? No! I would have to pay for the site. Two hours later, we found a place to dump for $10.
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.
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!
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 88 dog-friendly camping locations near Stevenson, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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