Merry Meadows Recreation Farm provides pet-friendly camping options just outside Freeland, Maryland, with accommodations including tent sites, RV spots, cabins, glamping spaces, and yurts. The campground features spacious sites with fire rings, picnic tables, and full hookups for RVs including water, electric, sewer connections, and a sanitary dump station. Dogs are welcome throughout most of the property, though some areas may have restrictions. The bathrooms and shower facilities are generally well-maintained, though water pressure in showers can sometimes be low. Nearby Codorus State Park Campground also accepts pets with clean facilities and dedicated pet camping areas. Sites at both locations are nicely spaced with varying levels of privacy and shade. Local campgrounds are searchable through The Dyrt's listings.
Camping with dogs in the Freeland area offers various outdoor recreational opportunities. Merry Meadows features numerous activities including miniature golf, a swimming pool, and playground facilities that families with pets can enjoy while staying at the campground. Codorus State Park provides access to a beautiful lake where pets can accompany owners around the shoreline, though swimming restrictions may apply. The park offers places to launch boats and kayaks for water recreation. Most campsites throughout the area require pets to be leashed at all times, and owners should bring waste bags as amenities vary by location. Campers note that weekday visits often mean fewer crowds and more relaxed atmospheres for pets, while weekend stays typically feature more scheduled activities. Weather conditions can change rapidly in this region, so proper shelter for pets is essential when planning extended stays.
$20 - $195 / night
"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. "
"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."
$20 - $90 / night
"I liked the dish washing sinks outside of the shower houses. The site was nice with the tent pad backing up to the trees."
"Our site was in the pet loop and was set back off the road a good amount which kept a lot of the road noise down. It was very large and Iffered gIId trees fIr strIngIng up tarps and hammocks."
"Pet friendly!"
"Just down the road about a mile or so was the Indian Steps Museum which is owned by York Conservation Society."
"Pet friendly and very lush with greenery."
"Covered bridges and road side shopping are close by. Enjoyed river tubing which is close by to this campground. Music bingo on Saturday night was so much fun. Owners are very nice and helpful."
"There was a lot of space so walking our dogs was great. The smaller bathroom stalls are pretty small but got the job done. Playground and pool were both nice and clean. Wonderful place for a family."
"Highly recommend staying here with lots of close hiking trails within driving distance."
$21 - $50 / 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."
"We 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."
"Kids loved being able to see them and get close and even pet them! This campground is minutes from town and is practically on the battlefield."
"We were surprised to find this nice little spot next to the creek right outside of town. There’s a spot right next to it but was unoccupied while we were there so we were all alone."
"The bathroom near the pool left a little something to be desired. It wasn’t filthy but also wasn’t sparking clean. It was great being close to the battlefield."
"We were there around Halloween and they had decorated the park so nicely. The sounds of the farm animals all around was fun and amusing for us."
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.
GuideBeautiful campground. Very recently renovated. Very spacious and quiet.
Great little store stocked with everything you need.
Very close to Hersheypark.
Nicest miniature golf course I’ve ever seen at a RV park. Same can be said for the swimming pool, absolutely beautiful. Great little dog park as well.
They have a very nice schedule of monthly events. They had a few food trucks and fruit/vegetable vendors come to the RV park during our stay.
Would stay again.
ScoutThis campground is far enough away from home but at the same time close enough for a weekend camping trip. Nice level spots for RVs. A pet area as well as a non-pet area. A lake with a beach, as well as being close to the AT. Close to Gettysburg as well.
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!
Cabin camping near Freeland, Maryland offers access to several state and private campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. The area sits in the rolling hills of northern Maryland and southern Pennsylvania, with elevations between 400-800 feet. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F with moderate humidity, while spring and fall bring cooler temperatures and occasional rainfall.
Hiking trails: Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground features an 8.5-mile Lakeside Trail that circles the park's lake. "I took an early morning hike on the 8.5 mile Lakeside Trail that goes around the lake and it was really awesome to see the lake from all different angles," notes Danielle V.
Fishing spots: The Susquehanna River provides excellent fishing opportunities at Otter Creek Campground. "The river is only a short walk from the campground which is directly across the street at Otter Creek Picnic Area where there are private and public boat docks. You could easily fish from anywhere along the riverside," reports Jen R.
Water recreation: Multiple parks offer swimming and boating options. "The large beach area in the QR day use area is one of the nicest I've ever seen at a PA state park, with tons of picnic tables with grills, a playground, a volleyball court, and a special fence solution to keep the stupid geese out of the water in the swimming area," writes Danielle V. about Gifford Pinchot.
Horseback riding: Several campgrounds cater to equestrian camping. "If you are into horses, this is the place for you!" comments MJ B. about Artillery Ridge Campground.
Privacy at primitive sites: Pequea Creek Campground offers secluded spots. "We had a huge spot on the end and hardly saw the other campers. Dog friendly. Office staff were very helpful," writes Danielle C.
Clean facilities: Bathhouses receive consistent positive reviews. "Paved sites, modern, clean bathrooms," notes Mike C. about Codorus State Park Campground.
Family activities: Many campgrounds offer recreational options. "We have visited 5x this year. Wooded sites, open sites, tent sites. All great!" shares Amy R. about Merry Meadows Recreation Farm.
Natural water features: Creeks and lakes are available at multiple locations. "Nice campground. Very clean facilities. We typically stay in the primitive tent loop which is right on the lake," Catherine H. mentions about Codorus State Park.
Site types vary widely: From wooded to open field settings. "There are a wide variety of sites so finding one that you like should not be difficult, there are some in wide-open park-like settings, and some that are treed," explains J K. about Codorus State Park.
Seasonal differences: Weather impacts facilities. "Sites at Muddy Run were kind of small. Bring 50 ft of hose for water hook up and an extension cord with a converter. The water hook ups are randomly placed, ours was 2 sites away," advises Chris G.
Reservation timing: Popular dog friendly campgrounds near Freeland book quickly. "Advance reservations are a must — this place books up fast!" warns Wendy W. about Merry Meadows.
Road conditions: Some access roads need maintenance. "I realize that the private entrance road is long to maintain but patching some of the holes, clearing debris from the dump site deck, and wiping down the bathrooms would have netted a 5th star," notes J W. about Pequea Creek.
Look for pet-friendly playgrounds: Many campgrounds accommodate families with dogs. "We totally loved our camping trip here! The grounds are nice and shaded, and you don't feel crowded," shares Sharon L. about Merry Meadows.
Check for water activities: Swimming areas are popular for families with kids. "We took our 3 yo camping for the first time here. He had so much fun. It was clean campground located in a State Park. Easy walk to the lake with a small beach," reports Julie Y. about Gifford Pinchot.
Consider proximity to attractions: Some campgrounds offer easy access to historical sites. "The campground is only a mile and a half from town which was awesome and direct access to battlefield trails right there," notes Peter K. about Artillery Ridge.
Review scheduled activities: Many parks offer organized events. "We stayed here over Easter and they had plenty of activities for kids and adults. Easter egg hunts for kids, adult scavenger hunts for alcohol. Wonderful experience for the whole family," explains Melissa E. about Merry Meadows.
Check hook-up locations: Water and electric access points vary by site. "The campsites have comfortable with all the amenities," mentions Mary H. about Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm.
Ask about site leveling: Some locations have uneven grounds. "We had site 114. It has water access and is right next to a small man made beach and playground. Bathrooms were in good shape. Sites were of ample size and well spaced," shares SkywaystoHighways.com Y. about Gifford Pinchot.
Consider dump station access: Not all pet-friendly campsites have full hookups. "We chose a non-sewage site, the loop is quiet and large and they have the honey wagon 3x a week (free sewage dump service)," notes Kasey M. about Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm.
Site selection for shade: RV sites vary in tree cover. "The primitive sites are back in the woods which kept us nice and cool on hot July nights. The location also kept us fairly bug free," advises christine L. about Tucquan Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Freeland, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Freeland, MD is Codorus State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 40 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Freeland, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 116 dog-friendly camping locations near Freeland, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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