Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area welcomes pets at its 12 basic campsites and six mini-cabins near Elkridge. The campground maintains a standard leash policy while offering various accommodation options including tent sites and electricity-equipped cabins. Cherry Hill Park and Hollofield Area Campground provide additional pet-friendly camping options with electric hookups and larger RV sites that accommodate traveling dog owners. Hiking trails throughout Patapsco Valley State Park offer excellent dog walking opportunities, though pets must remain leashed at all times while exploring. The campgrounds feature clean, well-maintained facilities with shower access and trash disposal services. Several reviewers note the campground's family-friendly atmosphere with convenient playgrounds that create pleasant surroundings for both pets and their owners.
Washington DC/Capitol KOA in Millersville offers comprehensive pet amenities for RV travelers with dogs, including water hookups, trash service, and designated pet areas. The nearby trails in Patapsco Valley provide excellent exercise options for leashed pets, with some connecting paths stretching several miles through wooded terrain. Campers report seeing wildlife including deer in early mornings, requiring proper pet management during walks. Little Bennett Campground and Ramblin' Pines also maintain pet-friendly policies with full hookup options for RV camping with dogs. Most campgrounds in the region require advance reservations, particularly during peak season from April through October. Firewood can be purchased directly from camp hosts for evening campfires, with convenient delivery service available at some locations to accommodate campers traveling with pets.
$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 - $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."
$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."
$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."
"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."
$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."
$30 - $55 / night
"My wife and I were trying to find an RV location near the Annapolis city dock for a boat show and found Pine Tree Associates."
"Camping fees include access to a large outdoor pool, an indoor pool and a hot tub. There is room for tenting and campers."
"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"
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.
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.
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.
GuideThe sites are very well maintained. Not a fan of kids running around through sites. The Elderberry and Deer Spring loops are no pets, but I’d like to see a no kids policy too. Kidding! In all seriousness, it’s very quiet and really can’t complain. Very well maintained. My only issue is the $9 firewood and the sites being far away from the lake and no trails connected to the campgrounds. Must drive to get to anything worth seeing.
GuideThis campground is perfect for a quiet visit to the Eastern shore town of Rock Hall as It sits conveniently between the village of Rock Hall and Eastern Neck sanctuary. The area reserved for RV campsites overlooks a bluff on the Chesapeake Bay….gorgeous. Because we went in the middle of the week, we had a lot of space to our self and open areas for our dog to play. Admittedly there isn’t a lot to do in the campground itself, even the bathrooms were closed down for Covid and only self contained RVs could camp.There is a small playground and a dog park, and a small pond for fishing. Sewer hook ups are not yet available but they are coming. Purchasing the WiFi access was a waste of money and our Verizon signal was very weak. The biggest attraction is the view over the Bay. So if you are looking for beautiful scenery and a cooling breeze this is a lovely and relaxing place. We met the owner who was very attentive to our needs and also helped us use the dump station as this was the maiden voyage with our new RV. The campground is clean and nicely landscaped. Be sure to go into the town of rock Hall for a seafood dinner at Waterman’s.
GuideNeeded a place for 13 weeks near Baltimore. This was the only place available. Could be nice,but... Most expensive site we've ever had, plus had to pay electric at almost double electric company rates. Had to allow others to drive through our site, plus had to drive through someone elses to get to ours. Completely unkept. Filthy laundry room. Half the toilets and showers out of order. Took about a month just to put up out of order signs on washer and dryer that at least 3 people brought to their attention. Won't allow you to receive mail or packages and claim it is a county rule. Just tell people you don't want to mess with their mail. Any time the power even flickered due to wind or rain (which was frequently) it would take about 8 hours for wifi to come back up. Had to walk up the hill to get any cell service. Got a call because we had Memorial Day flowers outside. We're told we couldn't have them in a pot and Needed to plant them in the ground. Was told water was shut off for routine sanitization, then noticed small signs behind restroom and at dog park about e. coli being in the well. Tried to give away firewood when leaving, but the guy didn't want it on his site because he might fail his site inspection. Using pressure regulator messes with the well pump and makes it pulsate. Their answer is don't use a regulator. Since we went 5 days over 3 months our going away gift was to be put on a daily rate of $76 so it cost almost $400 for the last few days. Every other place we've stayed just continues you at the same rate. "Oh, we can't do that," was the response. There is more, but I'll stop now. Would not stay here again.
Elkridge camping options include a variety of sites within 25 miles, from wooded tent sites to full-hookup RV spots. Fall camping offers daytime temperatures averaging 65-75°F with cooler nights, while summer humidity often reaches above 80%. Most campgrounds in this region sit within Maryland's Piedmont region with gently rolling terrain at elevations between 300-500 feet.
Hiking accessibility: Patapsco Valley State Park offers 70 miles of hiking trails directly accessible from campsite loops. "We enjoyed hiking the trails directly from our campsite that led us down to the Patapsco River. There is a lot of history associated with the River and the area. You can even swim in this river," notes one Hollofield Area Campground visitor.
Nature exploration: The Sensory Trail at Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area provides a unique experience for younger campers. "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," reports a camping family.
Water activities: Visitors can kayak on sections of the Patapsco River from multiple park access points. "Roland Lake in Baltimore County is a great place to kayak on the Patapsco River. Tons of wildlife, facilities, and amenities for you and your family," states a park visitor, noting the clean facilities and knowledgeable staff.
Privacy between sites: Little Bennett Campground provides substantial vegetation between campsites. "Lots of vegetation between sites providing privacy from neighbors. Site#D69 shady. Very quiet campground," mentions a reviewer who appreciated the Little Bennett Campground layout.
Urban accessibility: Greenbelt Park offers an unexpected natural experience despite its urban location. "There is plenty of space between camp site clusters. The park itself is safe, quiet, permitting some nice treks through the woods. The other great thing about it that you can spend entire days at the always-free Smithsonian museums and still fall asleep in the woods," explains a Greenbelt Park Campground visitor.
Variety of terrain: The trails at Patapsco Valley State Park span multiple difficulty levels. "Patapsco Valley offers 6 different entrances. Each one provides several different trail heads and experiences. The trails we have been on are all pretty moderate to hard but offer beautiful waterfalls and river views," shares a repeat visitor who found the park's size required multiple visits to explore fully.
Site accessibility: Some campgrounds have specific approach requirements for larger vehicles. "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 a visitor about Hollofield Area Campground.
Seasonal considerations: Waterfront areas like Sandy Point become extremely crowded during peak season. "Extremely over crowded in the summer. The park closes daily very early as it hits capacity. The best times to go are winter, spring, and fall," advises a Sandy Point State Park visitor.
Tent pad limitations: Some campgrounds restrict where you can place tents. "The crushed stone at the sites isn't comfortable for tents, and they won't let you pitch it on the ground, so bring extra pads and alternative ways to secure the tent to the ground," notes a Patapsco Valley visitor about the Hilton Area campground.
Playground facilities: Ramblin' Pines offers extensive activity options for children. "Nice large sites with friendly staff. Lots of free activities for children and it's close to home," mentions a Ramblin' Pines regular who frequents the campground for its family-friendly atmosphere.
Natural play areas: Some campgrounds feature non-traditional play spaces. "There is a 'natural' playground in the loop, and then if you drive down further to the park entrance, there is a large playground for the kids. I've attached photos from the 'natural playground' aka, large rocks and overturned trees. The kids loved it," describes a parent who camped at Hollofield Area.
Entertainment options: Cherry Hill Park provides numerous amenities to keep children occupied. "You get what you pay for. This campground has so much to offer. We loved it. Pros: 50 amp hook-up, Water, Sewer, Playground, Mini Golf, Swimming Pool, Hot tub, Basketball court, Snack bar on site, Nightly hayride," lists a satisfied visitor to the dog friendly campgrounds near Elkridge.
Site layout considerations: When selecting a site at Cherry Hill Park, consider location carefully. "Look at the park map and try to get a site at the end of a row. The sites are pretty close together but on the ends at least you only have a neighbor on one side," suggests an experienced camper at Cherry Hill Park, one of the most accessible pet-friendly campgrounds in the Elkridge region.
Utility limitations: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. "There is only 20/30amp electricity and NO water or sewer- although there was a dump and a place to fill your water tank. No washer or dryers," notes a Little Bennett Campground visitor, providing essential information for self-contained camping.
Weather preparedness: Rain can significantly impact lower campsite areas. "One negative was that 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 and it was very wet even after the rain died down," shares a Patapsco Valley camper, recommending higher elevation sites when rain is forecast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Elkridge, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Elkridge, 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 Elkridge, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 66 dog-friendly camping locations near Elkridge, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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