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Best Dog-Friendly Camping in Maryland

1,327 Reviews

Maryland is known for its sun-drenched shores, fishing and boating; camping in and around the Chesapeake Bay delivers on those promises. But Maryland packs a remarkable variety of other adventure options too, including rugged mountains in the north and west and the pastoral hills of Central Maryland. As a plus, the thrills and relaxation provided by camping in Maryland are all within easy access of historic towns and the big cities of Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

Maryland’s beaches have long been a popular family vacation destination. Not far from the bustling Ocean City, campers can find restful fishing and swimming and beautiful ocean sunrises on Assateague Island, a 37-mile strip of sand and marsh where wild horses roam. Find dozens more options for waterfront camping in Maryland on the Eastern Shore in the tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay. Generations of watermen there have harvested blue crabs, oysters, clams, rockfish and their towns retain their red-bricked charm.

Another popular way to see Maryland is to bike or walk parts of old towpath for the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. The 184.5 miles of easy, shaded trail follows the Potomac River, passing through dozens of historic lockhouses, the breathtaking Great Falls, and historic towns like Harper’s Ferry to connect Washington, D.C. to Cumberland, Maryland. Campers can find sites every few miles.

Mountain lovers can also find camping in Maryland along the remnants of the greater Appalachian range. These sites offer easy access to viewpoints and waterfalls, including the tallest in the state, the 78-foot Cunningham Falls. Sugarloaf Mountain is a small peak south of Frederick, Maryland with a Civil War history that now offers far-reaching vistas on the surrounding vineyards and forests to hikers, rock climbers and campers. Find more options for camping in Maryland’s mountains or beaches on The Dyrt.

Map showing campgrounds in MarylandExplore the Map

Best Dog-Friendly Sites in Maryland (142)

    1. Assateague State Park Campground

    61 Reviews
    Berlin, MD
    Website
    +1 (410) 641-2120

    $28 - $39 / night

    "Pristine beach and easy access to Bay. The state park has immaculate bathhouses. The mosquitos are no joke. Bring your grill Some loops are pet friendly."

    "There is an outdoor shower and sink as well as several paths to the beach. The beach is beautiful and clean."

    2. Elk Neck State Park Campground

    60 Reviews
    Perryville, MD
    Website
    +1 (410) 287-5333

    $21 - $55 / 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)."

    3. Bayside Assateague Campground — Assateague Island National Seashore

    55 Reviews
    Girdletree, MD
    Website
    +1 (410) 641-3030

    $40 - $80 / night

    "I couldn't even start a campfire because the firepit was downwind and very close to my car and tent, and I didn't want them to go up in flames."

    "Beach: The campsites are right behind the dunes from the beach, it’s a perfect spot and so convenient for spending the day on the beach but being able to run back to your site for supplies/bathroom etc"

    4. Rocky Gap State Park Campground

    52 Reviews
    Flintstone, MD
    Website
    +1 (301) 722-1480

    $23 - $29 / night

    "Rocky gap is one of my favorite parks to camp in Maryland! It is right along a great lake, where you can swim, fish, kayak or just lay about. The camp store is well stocked and the staff is friendly."

    "Great location in Western Maryland. 10 min ride to Cumberland (larger town) 5 min ride to small town of Flintstone. Lots of well marked trails that range from beginner to advanced."

    5. Cherry Hill Park

    42 Reviews
    Beltsville, MD
    Website
    +1 (301) 937-7116

    $282 - $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."

    6. Greenbrier State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

    41 Reviews
    Boonsboro, MD
    Website
    +1 (888) 432-2267

    $23 - $29 / night

    "My partner and our two dogs loved this campground! We were in the dogwood loop.

    Positives

    * Big, immaculately groomed tent pads

    * Mostly tent campers!"

    "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."

    7. Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground

    39 Reviews
    Berlin, MD
    Website
    +1 (410) 641-1441

    $40 / night

    "Wild horses, wide, clean stretches of beach, safe surroundings, close to town. This is the best beach camping in all of Maryland."

    "Do not feed or pet the horses!"

    8. Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park

    32 Reviews
    Greenbelt, MD
    Website
    +1 (301) 344-3948

    $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."

    9. Tuckahoe State Park Campground

    30 Reviews
    Ridgely, MD
    Website
    +1 (410) 820-1668

    $21 - $70 / night

    "Tuckahoe State Park is tucked away onto the Eastern Shore of Maryland, close to the Chesapeake Bay. It features every kind of camping you can imagine."

    "Mini cabin D is pet friendly but one of the few. Bathrooms were pretty clean, although perpetually wet floors throughout. Nice washing station for doing dishes, which was a major plus."

    10. Green Ridge State Forest

    29 Reviews
    Little Orleans, MD
    Website
    +1 (301) 478-3124

    $10 / night

    "All are roadside, but plenty are tucked away so you feel alone in the woods. You can occupy a site as long as you register at the parks main office. $10/night."

    "We arrived on a Friday around 6 and found every campsite full. We ended up at an overflow site. Get there early if at all possible!"

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Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos in Maryland

156 Photos of 142 Maryland Campgrounds

Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews in Maryland

1327 Reviews of 142 Maryland Campgrounds

  • Julie F.
    Sep. 14, 2020

    Sun Outdoors Ocean City

    Love this place

    What a great visit are having. Beautiful location with lots of space for everyone. Great beach and tiki bar. Pools for the family and very pet friendly. We stayed in the ‘big rig’ site within Club Castaway right on the water as we have a 40ft rig. Amenities are clean, staff friendly and helpful. Our dog, Daisy, loved the beach and the dog park and socialization w her pooch friends. Will be back.

  • Bill G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 9, 2021

    New Germany State Park Campground

    A crowded car camping experience

    New Germany State Park is situated in Garrett County Maryland. The park has a small lake, a few trails, and two camping loops. The Hemlock loop- the only loop that allows pets, is smaller and is mostly made for tent camping, though one site has electricity, but only big enough for a teardrop camper. There is a bathroom with a hot shower. The problems with the Hemlock loop is the proximity to the other campers. Our neighbors were loud, their kids were louder and their dog was ear- splitting loud. The tent pads are varied in size with sites 52, 53 and 57 being just big enough for a large tent and not much else. Every site has a large picnic table ( that is impressively hard to move) and a fire ring. Some sites are not very level, not not as much that your rolling out of bed in your sleep. There is water, but just at the bathroom area. This makes sense since the loop itself is very small. Deer are dense in these parts, and bears frequent the area. Summer temps usually do not get as nice 85max most of the summer. There is also cross country skiing in the winter. Despite the smaller sites, the Hemlock loop is frequently full, as is the non pet loop, which can accommodate larger tents and RV’s., but no pets.

  • Stuart H.
    May. 5, 2023

    Shad Landing Campground

    In 40 years of camping, this is the best campground!

    Beautiful camping spot with all the amenities. Loops with electric or no electric, Pet-friendly loops and non-pet friendly loops. I have been camping there off and on for 40 years first as a kid and now with my family. I love to go there every year at all seasons of the year. The best campground I've ever found in Maryland. Close proximity to both Ocean City and Assateague Island.

  • Jennifer S.
    Sep. 18, 2017

    Rocky Gap State Park Campground

    We LOVE this park! Perfect family get away.

    Rocky gap is one of my favorite parks to camp in Maryland! It is right along a great lake, where you can swim, fish, kayak or just lay about. The camp store is well stocked and the staff is friendly. We always stay on Dogwood loop, and the camp hosts are there if you need them, but otherwise leave you be to enjoy your stay.

    My only complaint is the sounds from the highway. You can hear the trucks go by, and that does take away from the experience a bit.

    We just got our tent this year, so we have always stayed in one of the cabins, when camping here. The rest of the sites are rather separated though, and a great camping experience. I'm attaching several photos from our years of camping at Rocky Gap,, in cabin 104 Dogwood.

    We usually stay on Dogwood Loop, which has a nice, direct path from one of the sites down to the beach area. I would say that it is about a 1/4-1/3 mile walk from the loop to the beach/playground area. That said, when going to the beach to swim, we took our car. However, for a trip to the playground or just for a nice walk, the path is great.

    The beach area here is, by far, my favorite in the area. I've been to Greenbrier and Herrington Manor, and the beach area at RGSP is, in my opinion, superior. There is a roped off area for swimming, an area for dogs and an area for fishing. You can rent kayaks, paddle boards & canoes for about $5-10 an hour (depending on the type) and going out on the lake is a great way to spend the day! The water is incredibly clean and the best part, is that the 'day use' area for the general public is seperate. So, when you go to the beach at Rocky Gap, it is just other campers. This keeps the beach clean, quiet and not crowded.

    There is also a roughly 5 mile loop trail the goes around the lake, and starts and finishes near the camp store. I have not done this hike, but often see runners and hikers coming in and out and have heard it is fantastic. There is also a small trail that comes off of the dogwood loop, across from the camp host's site. My small dog and I have done about 1/2 mile of it- it is rocky, but beautiful.

    My son was 6 when we came here last and he was able to ride his bike around the dogwood loop just fine. It is a little hilly, but not too much and I've also enjoyed running the loops in years past.

    I've been to 6 Maryland campgrounds this year, and I have to say that Rocky Gap has, by far, the best bathhouse. The women's room has 2-3 very updated shower stalls, roughly 5 bathroom stalls and is always clean. Outside of the bathhouse, is a dish washing station with hot water and a garbage disposal.

    You can purchase bundles of firewood for $5 at the campstore and ice is around $3. They also don't have trash dumps on the loops, and you take your trash to the main trash area near the camp store.

  • J
    Sep. 23, 2018

    Rocky Gap State Park Campground

    Great family campground. Lots to do for hikers, bikers, and family.

    Great location in Western Maryland. 10 min ride to Cumberland (larger town) 5 min ride to small town of Flintstone. Lots of well marked trails that range from beginner to advanced. Lake holds opportunity for numerous activities from swimming, fishing, kayaking, paddle board, and canoeing. No motorized boats which can be a good thing sometimes. The lake even has areas for pets to swim! Campground has tent sites, cabins, camper sites and group sites. All loops have bath houses with showers. Several loops have sites with electric hook ups and pets friendly loops as well. Casino and golf course located on the opposite side of the lake if you wish to visit them while camping.

  • singinajf@aol.com
    May. 26, 2021

    Ramblin' Pines

    Quiet Spot

    The 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.

  • J
    Jun. 26, 2022

    Brunswick Family Campground

    Great but only a few things I noticed

    Overall 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.

  • J
    May. 22, 2018

    Rocky Gap State Park Campground

    Great place to car camp

    Very nice campground. Beautiful lake and from our lakeside sites we could put our kayaks in right from the campsite, maybe 20 yards away into a sheltered cove. The weather was horrid while we were there but woke up Sunday morning to pack up and the sun was out, the true beauty of this campground was awesome. Paved roads and compacted gravel tent pads. Sites are both spacious and a good distance apart. Bath house was reasonably clean and had two showers each with a lockable door and small changing room attached. Each loop has one bathhouse and it is situated in the center of the loop. You are supposed to walk or bike to it as the only road into it has a do not enter sign and is for employee vehicles only. Maryland has a “can't bring your own firewood” policy that they say is because they don’t want pests brought in from outside but seems to be more of a money grab to me. Firewood is $5 per bundle at the camp store and we easily went through three or four bundles per night. There is a Walmart about 10 miles away in Lavale MD for anything you might need. There is also a no pets policy, at least in the loop we were in, which we loved because nothing spoils a good camping trip like a dog that barks the entire time you are camping. Policy says alcohol is prohibited but we are well behaved and drank beers at the campsite without hassle. Despite the rain, we had a great time and were very happy with our first trip to Rocky Gap. We will definitely be back before the season is over, hopefully with better weather.

  • C
    Aug. 23, 2018

    Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina

    RV Park surrounded by water!

    Our 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.

Guide to Maryland

Maryland offers a variety of pet-friendly camping options, allowing you to enjoy the great outdoors with your furry companions. From scenic beaches to serene forests, there’s something for every pet owner.

Tips for camping with dogs near Assateague Island

Pet-friendly campgrounds include Elk Neck State Park

Dog owners appreciate the amenities at Cherry Hill Park

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find tent camping sites in Maryland that allow dogs?

New Germany State Park Campground offers tent camping in their Hemlock loop, which is specifically designated as pet-friendly. This loop is primarily designed for tent campers, though one site does offer electricity. For coastal camping with pets, Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground allows dogs in designated areas. Many Maryland state parks have specific pet-friendly loops, so be sure to check when making reservations as pet policies vary by location.

What are the pet policies at Maryland state parks like Greenbrier?

Maryland state parks typically designate specific camping loops as pet-friendly. At Shad Landing Campground in Pocomoke River State Park, there are clearly marked pet-friendly and non-pet-friendly loops. Similarly, at most Maryland state parks, pets must be kept on leashes no longer than 6 feet at all times, and owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets. While Greenbrier State Park is temporarily closed, the pet policies when operational are consistent with other Maryland state parks, requiring pets to stay in designated areas only and not allowing them on beaches or in buildings.

What are the best pet-friendly campgrounds in Maryland?

Ramblin' Pines stands out with its dedicated dog park in a peaceful, wooded setting. Campers praise the clean facilities and friendly atmosphere. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Williamsport MD is another excellent option featuring a dog park alongside numerous family-friendly amenities like a water park, playgrounds, mini golf, and more. Both campgrounds offer a balance of pet-friendly features and general camping amenities that make them popular choices for campers traveling with four-legged companions.

Are there pet-friendly campgrounds with electric hookups in Maryland?

Sun Outdoors Ocean City offers full hookup sites with electricity in a pet-friendly environment. The campground features spacious sites that can accommodate large rigs up to 40 feet, making it ideal for RV campers with pets. Rocky Gap State Park Campground also provides electric hookups in select loops, with beautiful lakeside sites where pets are permitted. Many campers enjoy staying in the Dogwood loop which is known for being accommodating to pets while providing necessary amenities.

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