Best Dog-Friendly Camping in Maryland
Assateague State Park Campground and Rocky Gap State Park Campground both maintain strict pet leash policies while offering diverse accommodation options for campers with animals. Dogs must be attended at all times and properly leashed at Assateague's oceanside sites, where horses roam freely throughout the camping areas. Rocky Gap's campsites tucked into wooded areas provide more shade and privacy for pets sensitive to heat, with many sites spacious enough for both RVs and tents. Green Ridge State Forest offers more primitive camping options for those seeking seclusion with their pets, featuring widely spaced sites where neighboring campers are neither visible nor audible. The campground bathhouses are regularly cleaned and well-maintained despite high visitor numbers, especially during peak summer months.
The 5.3-mile trail around Lake Habeeb at Rocky Gap provides excellent exercise opportunities for dogs, though pets are not permitted on some waterfall trails in Maryland state parks. Campgrounds near water bodies require extra vigilance with pets, as Assateague specifically restricts dogs from beach swimming areas, and rangers actively enforce these regulations. The C&O Canal towpath offers accessible walking paths for dog owners staying at Green Ridge State Forest or nearby campgrounds. Summer visitors should be prepared for significant fly populations at waterfront campgrounds, which can make outdoor relaxation with pets challenging. Wildlife encounters are common throughout Maryland's campgrounds, with wild horses at Assateague requiring special caution when camping with dogs.
