11 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Harpers Ferry Campground sits directly along the Potomac River with pet-friendly tent sites, RV spots, cabins, and yurts where dogs can accompany campers at no additional fee. Dogs must remain on leash throughout the campground, including when walking to the water access points. Brunswick Family Campground, located nearby in Maryland, offers similar accommodations with designated pet waste stations along the camping loop. Both facilities maintain clean bathroom facilities accessible to pet owners, though several reviewers noted the importance of keeping dogs close during busy summer weekends when the campgrounds host tubing and zipline adventures. Multiple tent sites at Harpers Ferry are positioned with direct river views where many campers report their dogs enjoy swimming during warmer months.
The C&O Canal towpath adjacent to Harpers Ferry Campground provides an accessible 1.5-mile trail into town that accommodates leashed dogs without restriction. The Maryland Heights Trail, a popular 4-5 mile uphill hike that offers stunning views of Harpers Ferry, particularly during autumn, allows dogs but requires they remain leashed at all times due to steep terrain and wildlife presence. Campers should be prepared for temperature extremes when camping with pets—summer temperatures frequently reach 90°F, making morning exercise safest for dogs. The nearby KOA campground enforces quiet hours beginning at 10 PM, which includes restrictions on excessive barking. Campers staying multiple nights recommend requesting sites in the upper 100 loop area, slightly farther from the railroad tracks that run behind the lower riverfront sites to minimize noise disturbance for pets sensitive to loud sounds.
"We set up camp at Harpers Ferry/Civil War Battlefields KOA Holiday as our launchpad to visit the historic sites in and around Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and Frederick, Maryland. "
"This 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."
from $40 - $80 / night
"Harper's Ferry is a little town in WV nestled right next to the Potomac River. It's also a convenient halfwayish point on the Appalachian Trail."
"The hike that leads to the lookout about harpers ferry was fantastic. This hike takes you well above the town settled in West Virginia."
"We also didn't make it down to the lake. Easy check in and out and they sold us wood at check in. Close to the AT and only about an hour from Harper's Ferry where we spent the day."
"We hiked from Harper's Ferry to Pen Mar on the AT and used this fabulous campground as a base station the entire 5 days. "
from $23 - $29 / night
"Picked this location because it is close to our home in Silver Spring, MD but far enough to make us feel like we were leaving town."
"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."
from $10 - $90 / night
"All the sites are very open and run along the multi-use trail. People are constantly walking, running, and biking by."
"Pretty standard campground—the perks are it’s location to nearby attractions and the river/creek. It depends on what you’re looking for—easy camping and proximity to Antietam and Harper’s? Golden."
Available next weekend
from $20 / night
"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."
"They also have a playground, petting farm, pedal cars, and sunflower fields."
from $99 - $471 / 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."
from $18 - $50 / night
"Pets are allowed. The fireflies at night along the creek were so relaxing"
"This KOA has a few 'petting zoo' animals and a quaint little diner! The folks here are very kind and we do wish we could have stayed a little longer to explore the beautiful surroundings."
from $45 - $75 / 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."
from $23 - $29 / night
GuideGreat campsite. Fire pit, picnic table, swimming pool ( not open), miniature golf course, laundromat, bathrooms, showers, dump station, gathering areas for groups, playground, and even a horse area and stalls for horses. Dog friendly. Staff was very helpful and curious.
TravelerGreat spot! Water taps appear to be turned off for winter. Flushing toilets. Waterfall hike nearby!
GuideQuite the dump and almost no one around to talk to. There is a bathroom with running water, flushing toilets, and a shower. But it is cramped and not attractive. Most of the sites are right underneath the freeway, and very noisy. Primitive sites away from the road noise are nothing more than a wide area of the dirt road.
GuideWhere we were camping had blown up their dump station. Artillery Ridge helped us out. $10. to dump. If we come to camp in Gettysburg, it will be hear.
TravelerRoad in was without any major wash outs so I drove in pulling my overlanding trailer in 2WD. Plenty of campsites which allowed everyone here to space out easily. Lots of cut up fallen trees around which made collecting firewood simple.
ScoutWas looking for a last-minute getaway on a busy weekend, and they seemed the best option. I've always associated private campgrounds with crowding and sites on top of each other. I couldn't have been more wrong about The Cove. There is more wooded space between sites than in many National Parks.
Some sections are best accessed via 4WD, which I think is a great way to keep things from getting too crowded.
Such a huge diversity of types of sites, from lakeside to wooded, to open fields. They have something for everyone.
The bathrooms are ok. Other than the shower area and the reception, most toilets are pit toilets. If you want to be walking distance to showers, make sure to book sites near them. For most sites, it's going to be a hike or a drive.
And on top of that, they have a beach for the kids, boat rentals, and a range.
This was our first visit, but we will definitely be coming back.
GuideThis pet friendly campground in Caledonia State Park is .8 miles from the larger Chinquapin campground (no pets), ranger station and swimming pool. Our site #171 was level, paved, full hook ups and next to modern clean bathrooms with flush toilets, warm showers and outside dish washing sinks. Many available sites with and without services on a Sunday in October. There were a good number of friendly, tidy, long term campers with large wall tents. (They allow 21 day stays after Labor Day)
Scout15 free relatively level sites for smaller rigs and tent camping. Fire rings , picnic tables and some have lantern posts. There are 2 somewhat clean pit toilets.
ScoutBeautiful area. Very primitive, which is great. Roads were fairly decent to the campsite. Didn't stay near the water and no mountain view but still nice. Had a nice trail into the woods.
Dispersed camping options near Harpers Ferry sit at the junction of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah River, with elevations ranging from 240 to 1,600 feet. The area receives approximately 40 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush forest conditions ideal for spring and fall camping when temperatures average 65-75°F during the day. Train tracks run along many riverside campsites, affecting the camping experience with regular noise throughout the night.
Hiking the Maryland Heights Trail: The 4-5 mile trail accessible from Harpers Ferry Campground - River Riders offers challenging terrain with stunning views. "We were very pleased with the facilities at this campground... Could walk right out of the tent and meet up with the AT," notes Elinor, who visited in August 2020.
River activities: At Brunswick Family Campground, campers can enjoy tubing, fishing, and kayaking directly from their sites. "The Shanandoah is just as beautiful... There is an amazing playground for the kids," reports Brian S., who made two trips to this dog friendly campground near Harpers Ferry in 2021.
Historic exploration: The Antietam Battlefield is just a short drive from camp. "This is a beautiful park with lots of hiking trails. The sites are nice and level. It's very wooded and sites are spread out so you get plenty of privacy," says Cassia M. about nearby camping options.
Riverside camping: Many visitors appreciate sites positioned directly on the water. "I found this campground to be very nice... 100 yards from here campsite may be a little more for further out but the Shanandoah river parallels the campground. The river is beautifully clean, clear and cool," explains Brian S. about his stay at Brunswick.
Trail connections: The C&O Canal towpath provides extended biking and hiking opportunities. "Also situated on the C&O canal, so you could walk or bike for miles in either direction for hours! Harpers Ferry is only 6 miles away on the trail," mentions Susan K. in her review of Antietam Creek Campground.
Pet-friendly atmosphere: Most campgrounds welcome four-legged campers. "My partner and our two dogs loved this campground! We were in the dogwood loop... Big, immaculately groomed tent pads... Clean bathrooms with free showers were close by," reports Sarah K. about dog friendly camping at Greenbrier State Park in August 2020.
Train noise: CSX rail lines run near many riverside campgrounds. "You are directly next to train tracks but being from the city, this noise doesn't bother my husband or me," notes Robin W. about Harpers Ferry Campground - River Riders. Expect trains throughout the night at most river locations.
Site spacing: Many campgrounds pack sites closely together. "We had a pull through campsite, but on the camp side it was all dirt and grass that look like it hadn't been mowed in over two weeks," reports John B. about his KOA stay in July 2025.
Seasonal crowds: Summer brings heavy day-use traffic to swimming areas. "The beach by the lake is PACKED every weekend with day trippers - we avoided it since we are careful due to COVID," notes Sarah K. about Greenbrier State Park. Plan to arrive early for parking if you want lake access.
Water features: Look for campsites with swimming access for hot days. "This campground has tons of nice cabins and tent sites, all in wooded surroundings. There is a small creek to play in and a nice little hiking trail within the campground. Has a great water park, playground and bounce pad feature," recommends Beth C. about Jellystone Park Williamsport.
Educational opportunities: Civil War historic sites provide learning experiences. "About an hour northwest of Washington, DC, Greenbrier State Park is a great choice for car camping... In addition to camping, Greenbrier offers a swimming beach, kayak/canoe rentals, and some tough, rocky east-coast mountain biking, all without leaving the park," explains Jonathan B.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. "Great location right next the river. Easy to walk into the river or tube down it. Lots of different activities for kids and plenty of space at each site to make your home away from home," says Nicholas S. about his family stay at Brunswick Family Campground.
Site limitations: Large rigs face challenges at many campgrounds. "Heads up, big rig owners! Our Pull-thru FHU Patio site(#199) had a serious slope. It was impossible to level my 45' motorhome without elevating the front wheels dangerously in the air," warns Matt S. about his stay at Harpers Ferry/Civil War Battlefields KOA Holiday in May 2025.
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer dump facilities. "The septic system is the quest I've seen at any campground, basically just a hole flush to the ground with a loose cap on it," reports Thomas B. about Hagerstown/Antietam Battlefield KOA in April 2020.
Narrow access roads: Campground entrances can be challenging to navigate. "The roads were very narrow and winding. We did fine with the pup, but can't imagine trying to navigate a large motorhome through there," notes Jen V. about her camping experience in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Harpers Ferry, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Harpers Ferry, WV is Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA with a 3.5-star rating from 44 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Harpers Ferry, WV?
TheDyrt.com has all 109 dog-friendly camping locations near Harpers Ferry, WV, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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