6 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Cherry Hill Park's extensive dog-friendly grounds feature multiple pet waste stations and a large off-leash dog park where pets can socialize and exercise. This premium campground in College Park accommodates pets across all site types including tent camping areas, RV sites with full hookups, and pet-friendly cabins. Dogs must be leashed throughout the main campground areas. The camp store sells basic pet supplies, and staff can recommend nearby veterinary services if needed. The entire property remains well-maintained with ample space for dogs to enjoy daily walks. Sites are equipped with fire pits, grills, and picnic tables, though some campers note that sites are positioned relatively close together.
Greenbelt Park Campground and Washington DC Capitol KOA also welcome pets with similar leash requirements, making them solid dog-friendly camping options near Beltsville for those seeking alternatives. Pet owners appreciate the designated walking trails that loop around Cherry Hill Park's perimeter, offering convenient exercise opportunities without leaving the grounds. The campground's proximity to Washington DC makes it ideal for travelers with pets who want to alternate between city exploration and campground relaxation. During summer months, dogs should be monitored for heat exhaustion, particularly when using the walking trails. Most sites offer partial shade from mature trees, providing relief from direct sun. Cherry Hill's secure gated entrance provides additional peace of mind for campers with pets, especially those staying in the more remote tent camping sections of the property.
"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
"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 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."
"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
"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
"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
"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 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 this weekend
from $150 / 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.
Cherry Hill Park's strategic location provides pet owners with convenient access to Washington DC monuments while enjoying a gated, pet-friendly environment. The campground lies on gently rolling terrain at approximately 150 feet elevation with mature tree coverage creating varied shade patterns throughout the property. Many nearby parks operate year-round despite Maryland's seasonal temperature variations, with summer highs reaching 90°F and comfortable spring and fall camping conditions.
Disc golf courses nearby: Lake Fairfax Park offers an 18-hole disc golf course just a short drive from Beltsville. "Pohick Bay is my go-to weekend camping spot. Just a few miles outside DC, Pohick Bay is a hidden gem in the area. I'd recommend taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course," writes Rachel L. about Pohick Bay Campground.
Trail systems with water access: Patapsco Valley State Park features multiple river access points via well-marked trails. "There are a lot of easy, but beautiful hikes. The trails we have been on are all pretty moderate to hard but offer beautiful waterfalls and river views," notes Angel G. about Patapsco Valley State Park. The park's river access provides cooling options during summer months.
Urban exploration without driving: Access Washington DC monuments via public transportation from several dog-friendly campgrounds near Beltsville. "You can also ride the metro from University Park. Rides vary depending on how far you are going but on average I spent about $10 per day on METRO versus $20-$40 on parking in the district area," explains Crystal C. about Greenbelt Park Campground.
Well-maintained bathhouses: Campground cleanliness remains consistent throughout the region. "Five stars for the restroom facilities. Bright, large, clean and very well maintained," says Tana S. about Lake Fairfax Campground. Many campgrounds update their facilities regularly despite high seasonal usage.
Level RV pads: Hollofield Area Campground provides properly graded sites for easier setup. "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," notes Diana S. about her experience at Hollofield Area Campground.
Nature immersion despite urban proximity: Multiple reviewers mention the surprising quietness of campgrounds near major cities. "This is an urban oasis. Traffic can be heard but not seen. Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground," writes Becky about Greenbelt Park Campground. The region's forests create effective sound barriers against nearby highways.
Seasonal water park access: Several campgrounds offer water recreation during summer months. "We did not take our dog this time with us but would seriously consider it next time. They have a nice dog area for the dog to be able to run around and exercise which a lot of places we have been do not have a place for the dog to really exercise," explains Stephanie H. about Washington DC Capitol KOA.
Varying site privacy levels: Campsite spacing differs significantly between loops at the same campground. "If you get an area to back into it'll be more secluded, but the pull through spots offer no privacy," notes Elise M. about Washington DC Capitol KOA. Research specific loops when booking dog-friendly campgrounds near Beltsville.
Tree canopy impacts: Heavy tree coverage affects satellite reception but provides cooling shade. "There is no satellite coverage due to the heavy tree canopy. OTA TV was descent using an external omni antenna," reports Ray & Terri F. about Little Bennett Campground. Trees also create natural separation between sites at many parks.
Multiple playground options: Kid-friendly amenities extend beyond basic playgrounds at several parks. "There is a huge playground, sensory trail and nature discovery center at the entrance to the park. The nature center was closed when we visited, but the kids still enjoyed the sensory trail and playground," shares Angel G. about Patapsco Valley State Park.
Weekend programming: Scheduled activities provide structure for family camping trips. "They informed us that 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," Ben G. explains about Pohick Bay Campground.
Water recreation variety: Beyond swimming pools, many parks offer multiple water options. "We stopped at the DC KOA as a base to visit the Capitol. This is not a site for nature lovers but is perfect for kids. We had a site near the pool, outdoor chess set, jumping pillow and gaga ball pit," shares Liz F. about her family's experience.
Leveling considerations: Site topography varies significantly between campground loops. "Site#D69 level side-to-side but we were forced to greatly elevate front of trailer to level front-to-back," notes Napunani about Little Bennett Regional Park. Always bring extra leveling blocks when visiting dog-friendly campgrounds near Beltsville.
Utilities available: Electric service ranges from basic to full hookups. "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," explains Ray & Terri F. about Little Bennett Campground. Most RV loops accommodate larger units despite wooded settings.
Campground navigation: Some parks have challenging entry points for larger rigs. "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 Travyl Couple about Hollofield Area Campground. Research specific directions before arrival with larger RVs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Beltsville, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Beltsville, 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 Beltsville, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 76 dog-friendly camping locations near Beltsville, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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