Many state parks have areas where pets are permitted. Pets are generally permitted in undeveloped park lands outside of the public day use areas. They must be leashed and under the immediate control of the pet owner. Many state parks allow pets in certain areas of the campground as well.
Pets are prohibited in some areas for several reasons -- safety, environmental and visitor comfort. Please contact individual areas if you have any questions. There is a telephone number for the area at the bottom of each park web page, or you can call 1-800-830-3974.
Service animals are permitted throughout the parks, forests and WMAs.
- Big Run State Park - Pets on a leash are allowed in all areas of the park.
- Cedarville State Forest - Pets are permitted in the forest and in the family campground.
- Cunningham Falls State Park - Pets are prohibited in the Houck Area (picnic areas, lake area and campgrounds) and at the Falls.
Pets on a leash are permitted in the campground only of the Manor Area and at neighboring Catoctin Mountain National Park.
- Deep Creek Lake State Park - Pets on a leash are permitted on hiking trails and in the campground only. Pets are not permitted at the waterfront area or in the day use area of the park. Pets cannot be left unattended.
- Elk Neck State Park - Pets are allowed at three camping areas (one area has full hook-ups). Pets on a leash may only be taken from the campsite to park store and back. Pets on a leash are permitted on 3 of the 5 trails. Pets are prohibited in the day use area of the park including the beach area.
- Fair Hill NRMA - Pets on a leash are usually permitted throughout the entire NRMA; however, some events prohibit pets in the area. Call ahead for a schedule of events.
- Ft. Frederick State Park - Pets on a leash are allowed in all areas of the park EXCEPT the picnic and historic areas (including the fort and CCC Museum).
- Gambrill State Park - Pets on a leash are permitted on all trails.
- Garrett State Forest - Pets are allowed in all areas of the forest. No leash is required as long as pets are under control of the owner.
- Green Ridge State Forest - Pets on a leash are permitted in all areas of the forest.
- Greenwell State Park - Pets on a leash are permitted in all areas of the park.
- Gunpowder Falls State Park - Pets are prohibited at the Hammerman Area. Pets are permitted in other areas of the park, but they must be leashed at all times.
- Herrington Manor State Park - Pets on a leash are permitted on all trails and the day use area EXCEPT from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Pets are not permitted in or around the cabins at any time.
- Janes Island State Park - Pets are permitted in the designated pet campsites in B Loop and C Loop, as well as the grassy areas adjacent to the sites. Pets are prohibited in all others areas of the park.
- Patapsco Valley State Park - Pets are prohibited in the Avalon, Orange Grove, Glen Artney, Hilton, Hollofield, Pickall and McKeldin day use areas,
as well as the Hilton campground. Visitors with pets may use the Hollofield campground. Pets are welcome throughout the remainder of the park including trails, but they must be leashed at all times.
- Patuxent River State Park - Pets on a leash are permitted in all areas of the park.
- Pocomoke River State Park - Pets on a leash are permitted at Milburn Landing Area campground. Pets are prohibited in the Shad Landing area.
- Point Lookout State Park - Pets on a leash are allowed in all areas of Malone Circle, Tulip Loop, Green's Point Loop, Hoffman's Loop, and on the paved portion
of the causeway and on the beach (north of the causeway) to the entrance of Tanner's Creek. Pets are prohibited in all other day use areas and trails, including the beach and picnic area.
- Potomac State Forest - Pets are allowed in all areas of the forest. No leash is required as long as pets are under control of the owner.
- Rocks State Park - Pets on a leash are permitted on the hiking trails.
- Rocky Gap State Park - Pets on a leash are allowed in Ash, Birch, Chestnut and Dogwood camp loops, as well as the family group site. Pets are not permitted in or around the campground restrooms at any time. Pets are prohibited in and around the aviary, playgrounds, beaches, shelters and inside state facilities.
Leashed pets are permitted in the day use area EXCEPT from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Leashed pets are permitted on all trails and the amphitheater.
- St. Mary's River State Park - Pets on a leash are permitted in all areas of the park.
- Savage River State Forest - Pets are permitted in all areas of the forest but must be under control of the owner at all times.
- Susquehanna State Park - Pets on a leash are allowed in all areas of the park except for the picnic areas, historic area and cabins.
- Swallow Falls State Park - Pets on a leash are permitted in the camping area. Pets on a leash are permitted on all trails and the day use area EXCEPT from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
- Tuckahoe State Park - Pets on a leash are allowed in the family camping area and most of the park, except the lake area.
Below is the law regarding pet restrictions as set out in the Code of Maryland Regulations (08.07.06.17).
Pets
A. Developed Areas
(1) Except for guide service dogs, pets of any kind are not allowed in a picnic area, cabin area, camping area, or other restricted area of a state park.
(2) The Service reserves the right to designate pet areas in a state park. In these areas pets shall be on a leash with a maximum length of 6 feet.
B. Undeveloped Areas. Pets are permitted on a leash with a maximum length of 10 feet.
Questions, comments, and suggestions can be directed to Maryland DNR.
Photograph by: Jennifer Cline