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Antietam Creek Campground welcomes pets throughout its riverside sites along the Potomac River. Dogs must be leashed at all times while exploring this National Historical Park campground, where tent sites include fire rings, picnic tables, and grills. Harpers Ferry Campground, also pet-friendly, offers a broader range of accommodation options including tent sites, cabins, RV spots with hookups, glamping, and yurts. Mulehalla provides spacious tent camping with sites spaced far apart, ideal for campers with larger or more active dogs. Brunswick Family Campground, located approximately 15 miles from Shepherdstown, allows pets at tent, RV, and cabin sites, with water and electric hookups available. Each campground maintains different pet waste policies—most require owners to pack out all pet waste rather than providing dedicated disposal stations. The bathrooms at Antietam Creek can become unsanitary during busy periods, so campers with pets may want to bring portable facilities.
Several hiking options exist for campers with dogs. The C&O Canal towpath runs directly alongside Antietam Creek Campground, providing miles of flat, pet-friendly trail for walking or running. Campers frequently mention enjoying riverside walks with their dogs, though privacy between campsites is minimal as they're arranged along an open field. Harpers Ferry offers a 1.5-mile trail from the campground directly into the historic town, where leashed pets are welcome in outdoor areas. Water access for dogs varies by location—Harpers Ferry Campground provides direct river access where pets can swim from campsites. During summer months, the Potomac River offers cooling relief for dogs, though owners should watch for strong currents. Wildlife encounters are possible throughout these campgrounds, particularly at sites closer to wooded areas, so keeping pets secured is essential for their safety and local wildlife protection.
"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
Check Availability"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!"
from $23 - $29 / night
Check Availability"This hike takes you well above the town settled in West Virginia. While some points are pretty steep don’t let this deter you from completing it. The trail is well maintained, marked, and exciting."
"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."
"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
Check Availability"The campsites are located along the Potomac River and between the C&O Canal. Flat campsites, Fire rings & pubic well. Very affordable. One can walk to Shepherdstown, WV for some fun."
"All the sites are very open and run along the multi-use trail. People are constantly walking, running, and biking by."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Bathrooms: 1/5 Sites:1/5
Pools: 0/5
Beach: 0/5
Waterfrontness: 0/5
Closeness to other sites: 1/5 you are up each other's buttcracks
Dog rating: 3/5 everything's dog friendly but also you're"
"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."
"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."
from $10 - $90 / night
Check Availability"There is no privacy from adjacent campsites, but you are on the Potomac in sites 1 - 7.
Price 2023: $10 w interagency pass Usage during visit: Light during the week. 40% full on weekends.""We stayed at campsite 1 which had nice views of the river and a pretty good distance from neighbors. Closest site to the drop toilet and day use area portapots (very clean!)."
from $20 - $40 / night
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"Clean, great location to I81, friendly! I would stay here again."
from $35 - $43 / night
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.
TravelerWe began our membership here this June. it has a great atmosphere on the banks of the Shenandoah River. There are activities every weekend like concerts and group activities. Staff is very friendly and helpful. The facilities are clean and very convenient. Pet friendly; two dog parks.
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.
LegendWe 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.
We paid$114/night(average per night, including fees and taxes) for Site# 94. A bit pricey considering a lack of elbow room, but it’s a great location and everything is well-kept.
THINGS I LIKED:
Location, Location, Location! Close proximity to plenty of historic and tourist places to visit. The Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Visitor Center is literally next door. Harpers Ferry Lower Town and Bolivar Heights are a few minutes by car(or shuttle from the Visitor Center). Frederick and Antietam are each barely 30-minutes by car. Gettysburg, Baltimore, and DC are about an hour’s drive.
Clean and level gravel site with well-maintained utility hook-ups.
Great campground store filled with food, drinks, camp supplies, souvenirs, and essentials you may need while away from home.
Friendly staff in the office& store.
The whole park is quiet and well-maintained.
THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH:
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. The nice staff kindly moved us to a FHU site without the patio and furniture. And refunded the difference in price for the lesser site. Thanks for providing the move but ‘premium’ sites should be somewhat level, am I right?
Get cozy, the sites are quite small and tightly packed together.
A $3 per night“Pet Fee” for our small, mostly-indoor dog felt a bit like nickel-and-diming. I realize it only amounted to an extra$12, but he didn’t need any extra gravel.
WOULD WE COME BACK?
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.
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.
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.
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.
Riverside camping options abound within 15 miles of Shepherdstown, West Virginia, where the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers meet in the eastern panhandle. The region features rolling hills with elevations ranging from 400-800 feet, creating moderate terrain suitable for campers of all experience levels. Most campgrounds in this area remain open from April through October, with summer temperatures averaging 80-90°F during day and 60-70°F at night.
Water activities on the Potomac River: At Harpers Ferry Campground, campers can enjoy direct river access. "Such a beautiful place. As well as the people," notes Carrie R. The campground offers tubing, rafting, and fishing opportunities right from your site.
Historical exploration: Visit Civil War battlefields and historic sites within short driving distance. One camper at Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA highlighted this benefit: "Location, Location, Location! Close proximity to plenty of historic and tourist places to visit. The Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Visitor Center is literally next door."
Biking on rail trails: The Western Maryland Rail Trail runs alongside McCoys Ferry Campground, providing easy access for cyclists. "The Western Maryland Rail Trail runs rite along the campground so if you like bike riding, take advantage," reports Adeline M. The trail connects to other regional bike paths, offering miles of relatively flat riding.
Fishing options: Multiple campgrounds offer fishing access for those seeking to catch smallmouth bass, catfish, and other freshwater species. Brunswick Family Campground provides a boat ramp and dock specifically for anglers, with one visitor noting it's "situated next to the river so half of the sites have river views."
Easy access to historic towns: Many campers appreciate the proximity to Harpers Ferry, Shepherdstown, and other historic sites. At Brunswick Family Campground, "Harpers Ferry is only 6 miles away on the trail," according to Susan K., making it a convenient base for exploration without driving.
Riverfront camping: Sites directly on the water rank consistently high in reviews. At McCoys Ferry, "All sites are basically waterfront, nice quiet campground with water access and a boat ramp," writes Adeline M. These riverside locations offer both scenery and recreation opportunities.
Natural swimming spots: The Potomac River provides natural swimming areas at several campgrounds. One camper at Harpers Ferry Campground enjoyed that "you can go swimming right from your campsite!" This feature is particularly valuable during hot summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 85°F.
Hiking trail connections: The C&O Canal towpath connects multiple campgrounds, allowing for extended hiking without needing to drive. As Susan K. describes Brunswick Family Campground: "Situated on the C&O canal, so you could walk or bike for miles in either direction for hours!"
Trains pass nearby most campgrounds: CSX railway lines parallel the Potomac River, affecting several campgrounds with noise. At Antietam Creek Campground, campers should expect periodic train noise, though many find it adds to the experience rather than detracts from it.
Campground facilities vary widely: Some locations offer full amenities while others are quite basic. At Greenbrier State Park, "Each site is a well groomed crushed gravel pad with a picnic table and fire ring, and ample room to set up a tent or two," according to Jonathan B., while McCoys Ferry has only porta-potties.
Weather and river conditions fluctuate: Flash flooding can affect riverside campgrounds. One McCoys Ferry visitor warned: "Be cautious of the water level because the week before we came the entire campground was under water making the sites smell of swamp and very muddy."
Reservations essential during peak season: Most dog-friendly campgrounds near Shepherdstown fill quickly from May through September, especially on weekends. Sites with river views book fastest, sometimes months in advance.
Water play options: Greenbrier State Park Campground offers swimming in a designated lake area. One visitor noted, "This is a beautiful park with a lake, beach, and swimming area. Fishing is allowed. There are lots of hiking trails."
Kid-friendly activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park specializes in family entertainment with organized events. "We recent went camping for the first time at Jellystone in Maryland. 5 of our 6 kids came with us, so we knew we needed to find a camping ground more geared kids. Jellystone was amazing in every way possible," shares Mary.
Spacious sites for play: Look for campgrounds with room for children to explore safely. At Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA, "There is a store open all day, with all essentials. Situated next to the river so half of the sites have river views. Nice boat loading ramp and dock for fishing."
Educational opportunities: Many campgrounds are near historical sites that offer junior ranger programs. Combine camping with learning experiences at nearby Harpers Ferry National Historical Park or Antietam National Battlefield, both within 15 minutes of several campgrounds.
Site selection for big rigs: At Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA, be selective about sites if you have a large RV. One camper warned: "Heads up, big rig owners! Our Pull-thru FHU Patio site had a serious slope. It was impossible to level my 45' motorhome without elevating the front wheels dangerously in the air."
Electric hookup options: Gambrill State Park Campground offers limited electric sites (specifically sites 12 and 13). As one camper mentioned, "12/13 were electric sites and water access for the area was right in front of 13. Our friends had a rather large trailer (30 ft) and it 'just fit' on site 13."
Low clearance warnings: Some campgrounds have tunnel access with height restrictions. McCoys Ferry Campground requires passing through a tunnel that may be challenging for taller vehicles: "There is a low tunnel to get to the site. My promaster with 6" fan fit ok."
Limited dump facilities: Many dog-friendly campgrounds near Shepherdstown lack on-site dump stations, requiring planning for longer stays. Check in advance or prepare to visit external dumping locations in nearby Martinsburg or Hagerstown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Shepherdstown, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Shepherdstown, WV is Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA with a 3.6-star rating from 41 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Shepherdstown, WV?
TheDyrt.com has all 117 dog-friendly camping locations near Shepherdstown, WV, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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