Cunningham Falls State Park's Manor Area welcomes pets at all campsites with spacious, well-separated sites offering privacy for campers and their animals. The park maintains 30 pet-friendly sites including tent spaces, RV hookups, and cabins that accommodate dogs throughout the camping season from April through October. Leashed pets must be attended at all times on the campground premises. The sites feature level, gravel pads with surrounding wooded areas ideal for walking dogs. Most sites include electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings where pets can relax alongside their owners. Bathhouses remain open during the main season but convert to portable facilities during winter camping when pets are still welcome. The campground stays relatively quiet despite proximity to Route 15, providing a peaceful environment for noise-sensitive animals.
The park's trail system offers multiple pet-friendly hiking options including access to the Catoctin Furnace trail approximately 15 minutes from the camping loop. Dogs must remain on leash while hiking to the falls or exploring the lakeshore areas. The Manor Area provides more seclusion and fewer crowds than the busier Houck Area, creating a more comfortable experience for reactive dogs or pets that need space from other campers. Pet owners should be prepared for encounters with wildlife and pack sufficient water for dogs, especially during summer months when temperatures rise. Nearby amenities include Pryor's Orchard where travelers can purchase fresh produce before setting up camp. The accessible location just off Route 15 allows for quick trips to nearby towns for emergency veterinary services or pet supplies if needed, though carrying essentials is recommended as the campground maintains limited store hours.
$23 - $29 / night
"Deer Spring Loop is near the top of the mountain. This is not a pet friendly loop.
Site 112 is level, mostly shaded, backs up to the woods and has electric.
The site is between two cabins."
"This site is at the very top of the loop so it has a great cozy vibe and is spaced well away from other sites. The only downside is that the bathhouse is a walk downhill and then a walk back uphill."
$21 - $65 / night
"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!"
"Nestled away in the Catoctin Mountains, it lands further away from Camp David, so the likelihood of it being negatively affected during dignitary or presidential visits is slim."
$30 / night
"Our campsite was quiet with the creek right behind us and had lots of privacy. This place is a great campground to go during summer as it's tucked in the mountains with lots of tree coverage."
"My only complaint is that the fire ring is a little too close to the main road. This is true for most of the sites. However the tent pad was set back in the woods and it was very peaceful."
$23 - $29 / night
"There are four loops; two with no hookups and no pets allowed, one with no hookups that allow pets and one with electric sites that allow pets."
"My partner and our two dogs loved this campground! We were in the dogwood loop. Positives
* Big, immaculately groomed tent pads
* Mostly tent campers!"
$18 - $50 / night
"It is located in Frederick, about an hour outside of Baltimore and Washington D.C. Though the campground is small, each site looks pretty unique. It offers tent sites, electric sites, and 4 cabins."
"The site was very level, nicely shaded, and positioned a short distance from the bath house. There was also a water spigot located right at the entrance of the site."
"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."
"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."
"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"
"Friendly staff and bonus that it’s pet friendly. Watch out for falling black walnuts in October. We heard them hitting ours and other rigs during our three day stay."
"I always appreciate the near solitude experience of this campground as 90% of the sites are RV sites, that are kept away from the tenting area."
"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"
$21 - $29 / night
"Nice little spot near Thurmont Maryland. Good playground for the kids."
"The Lower Falls Trail is short but great for younger kids and we saw lots of dogs which was lovely. Next time we’ll plan to check out the lake which looked pretty great."
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.
TravelerClean well kept family owned campground. Located a few miles off 81, in the country surrounded by beautiful views. It’s a mix campground of seasonal campers and short term campers. Very family oriented. Very nice off leash fenced dog park.
LegendThis place is right outside the gate of Harpers Ferry NP. We walked to the shuttle bus stop. It is a very large KOA, and was almost empty when we visited in September. The original site the gave us had a large rut and washed out spot, so we could not get level. I checked in the office and the reassigned another space that was much better. Full hook ups, nice clean shower and bathrooms, playground, pool, large dog park.
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.
RangerGreat campground for families. Large water park that goes to 3 ft. Playgrounds, dog park, canteen, mini golf, jumping pillow, laser tag, pedal cars, gem mining are just some of the amenities. Very pricey during peak season. We did the camp & store at about $50/night.
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.
Cunningham Falls State Park offers camping options near Woodsboro, Maryland with two separate camping areas, each featuring distinct experiences. The William Houck Area includes multiple camping loops that wind their way up the mountain with varying elevations ranging from 800-1100 feet. During spring, temperatures typically range from 40-70°F with frequent rainfall that creates muddy conditions on some trails and tent pads.
Hiking on Catoctin Mountain trails: At Owens Creek Campground, campers access over 26 miles of trails in the surrounding Catoctin Mountain Park. "During our trail hike, we located a trail map further up the mountain at The Poplar Grove group campsite information board. The trail we used is marked multi-use, and by plentiful hoofprints, appeared to be used mostly by equestrians," notes Dave V.
Fishing opportunities: The 43-acre Hunting Creek Lake at Cunningham Falls State Park Houck Area provides fishing throughout the camping season. Raymond H. shares that "There are a few spots to get away and do some fishing. The beach was too crowded for my liking."
Historic site exploration: When staying at Gettysburg Campground, campers can explore Civil War history just minutes away. "We'd go again. The site was well looked after with camp hosts that seemed very attentive and thoughtful. Good rangers who showed up to help when needed," writes Andrew M. about nearby Greenbrier State Park, which offers similar access to historical trails.
Private, wooded tent sites: The tent camping area at Greenbrier State Park Campground features well-maintained, shaded sites. Sarah K. notes, "Big, immaculately groomed tent pads. Mostly tent campers! Almost all sites were nice and shaded. Clean bathrooms with free showers were close by."
Spacious, separated campsites: Gettysburg Battlefield KOA receives praise for its natural setting. Wendy W. comments, "What impressed me most about this CG was the landscaping and use of natural surroundings. There are tons of really nice boulders everywhere, bordering each site and most of the fire rings. The grounds are also very green and wooded, so it really does feel like a natural, rustic setting."
Well-maintained facilities: Campers appreciate the upkeep at Owens Creek Campground. "Great campground, clean bathrooms, friendly hosts. Beautiful Park!" says Brittany M., while Matthew K. adds, "We quickly found our spot and set up camp. After setting up camp, we went for a walk along the creek and played in the water."
Limited cell service: At Catoctin Mountain sites, connectivity varies widely. Jim L. reports at Greenbrier State Park, "We had good cell service and no reception on the tv," while Dave V. notes at Owens Creek, "Big positive...cell phone service!"
Road noise concerns: Some camping areas experience traffic noise from nearby highways. A visitor to Cunningham Falls State Park Manor Area observed, "We naively followed the direction against bringing our own firewood. Once fire was going, we could appreciate the site's natural setting albeit near the highway."
Weather impacts: Rain can significantly affect camping conditions. Chris F. shares about Gambrill State Park, "Sites offer almost no seclusion or oneness with nature. I believe we got the most secluded site (site 16, and thank you to the other reviewer for the heads up) but still very exposed to neighbors and roads."
Kid-friendly amenities: Little Bennett Campground offers specialized activities for children. Georgia H. shares, "This is a good regional campground with activities for kids on special days. Took our grand daughter there for her first camping trip and she loved the bouncing strawberry and the hikes. She was 3 or 4 at the time."
Playgrounds and recreation: Cunningham Falls State Park provides family-centered facilities. Patrick W. notes about the Manor Area, "Nice little spot near Thurmont Maryland. Good playground for the kids," while Regina C. mentions at Houck Area, "The 'A loop' is paved so it's great for bike riding."
Educational opportunities: Families can learn about local history and nature. Kate S. shares about Cunningham Falls State Park Manor Area, "The Lower Falls Trail is short but great for younger kids and we saw lots of dogs which was lovely. Next time we'll plan to check out the lake which looked pretty great."
Site selection for large rigs: Artillery Ridge Campground accommodates larger RVs but requires planning. Sean M. advises, "The grounds are nice and shaded, and you don't feel crowded. The only issue is there is a lot of construction at the moment. No pool, no mini golf, and a lot of sites are closed."
Hookup availability: For pet friendly camping near Woodsboro, Maryland, electric service varies between campgrounds. Ray & Terri F. recommend Little Bennett Campground: "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."
Leveling considerations: RVers should prepare for uneven terrain. Aaron C. shares about Cunningham Falls State Park Manor Area, "This was a nice campground. Lots of foliage and sites were well spaced. It's the smaller Maner area of Cunningham Falls right off Route 15. We stayed in a travel trailer with no hookups at our site. Some sites offer electric."
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Woodsboro, MD is Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park with a 4.2-star rating from 24 reviews.
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