15 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Tent campgrounds near Baltimore offer a mix of state park and private options within day-trip distance of the city. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area provides tent sites in a wooded setting about 10 miles west of Baltimore, while Sandy Point State Park offers youth group tent camping on the Chesapeake Bay shoreline near Annapolis, approximately 30 miles from Baltimore's center.
Most tent sites at Patapsco Valley feature crushed stone pads that may present challenges for tent setup. Several reviewers note difficulties securing tents properly, recommending campers bring extra padding and alternative anchoring methods. The campground operates seasonally from April 1 to October 30, with each site including a fire pit, cooking grate, and picnic table. Bathroom facilities with hot showers are centrally located within the camping loop. Campers should note that outside firewood is prohibited to prevent harmful insects; it must be purchased on-site from camp hosts.
The tent camping experience at Patapsco benefits from proximity to extensive trail networks and natural features. The camping area consists of a single loop with sites positioned on rolling terrain—some campers recommend avoiding lower sites that collect water during rain. A small playground exists within the camping loop, while a larger playground and nature center are located near the park entrance. Tent campers have direct trail access to swimming holes and hiking paths. A visitor shared: "We found a small river and swimming hole at the bottom of the hill off to the side opposite the cabins/park." Despite being close to suburban areas, the campground maintains a surprisingly secluded feel, though some users report occasional noise from nearby cabins, particularly at night when porch lights remain on at unoccupied units.
"We had a site on the lower end of the loop and our site was hard to set up as we arrived during a storm and it was very wet even after the rain died down."
"There is a massive playground, nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center. There are a lot of easy, but beautiful hikes. The campground is on the smaller side."
from $20 - $51 / night
Check Availability"There are two main beaches and there are picnic tables all over the park. There’s a popular boat launch amd small marina/bait store.
Get there early on weekends and holidays.""There are wonderful views of the water and swimming at the beach, pavilions for social gatherings, showers and bathrooms that are kept pretty very clean, and room for backpacking, hiking, picnicking,"
from $6 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $150 - $200 / night
Check Availability"Very spartan but great location. Not much to do in the campground and some long timers there. Dirt cheap"
"Based on my stay 3 nights and what I read of Greenbelt Park (the other closeby to Washington campground) I would say this has to be much better and I will stay here again on a future visit."
from $12 - $45 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $22 - $100 / night
Check Availability"Potable water is available in several places on each loop. The bathhouses are rebuilt recently and are very nice. Some walk in tent sites."
"This is Organized Group Tenting Only."
from $28 - $72 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $40 - $45 / 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.
TravelerClose to washington as we could get. Could also park our skoolie bus which was nice and had plenty of close by shower with bathrooms. Keep in mind only one shower per restroom house. We stayed at a pretty slow season so it wasn’t bad. Would recommend if visiting DC! They also have a dump station and water fill up.
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.
GuideYou just can't beat a pennsylvania park. This one is not an exception. Nice clean restroom, plenty of room. Now, what cost a star. Yes, it rained like hell. When we broke camp and go dump. The dump station was overflowing with sewer. Go to the guard shack to tell them, and find another site. None there. Can I go to an unused full hookup to dump? No! I would have to pay for the site. Two hours later, we found a place to dump for $10.
ScoutSimple and friendly check in process. Clean and well-maintained site.
GuideSpent two nights while we saw the Avett Brothers play at Wolf Trap. Nice flat site with power. Campground was quiet and clean. The only negative is communication and signage. It took us a couple wrong turns to find our site and when we came back, after the concert around 11, the entrance gate was closed and we had to sneak in through the exit gate. Asked the next day and they said that is what campers do to access the park after 11pm.
GuideThis is a great camping spot. The sites aren’t too close together and the hosts are very friendly. The only reason I gave it four stars is because we are near a highway so you can hear cars throughout the night. But the crickets make up for it by being as loud as possible. With the fees, it cost $25 for a non-electric site and with access to showers after a long trek I was happy to pay.
RangerWe stayed at Little Bennett starting on Labor Day Monday and left before the weekend, so it is hard to say how this looks when the campground is full of life. They had quite a few activities for families and a pavilion capable of concerts and such, but there was minimal activity during our stay. My biggest complaint is that the gate code changed and we didn't get any notice--so after a long day and a dinner out near Baltimore (nearly an hour away), I had to call the police to get back to my camper. Otherwise, the campsite was relatively spacious and quiet. The bugs were a little rough. Lots of whitetail running around.
GuideIf you want to be near Annapolis, right on the Severn River...this is it. About 15 RV spots nestled in the woods...with full hook ups. A couple of primitive spots as well. Just a quick 5 min walk to the river...right across from the Academy. NEX, gas within 10 min walk, and 15 min drive to downtown Annapolis. Staff is always great here, and the park is clean....for a park on the woods.
Tent camping near Baltimore, Maryland offers varied options within an hour's drive from the city center. The region features rolling Piedmont terrain interspersed with river valleys and coastal areas along the Chesapeake Bay. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall provide milder camping conditions. Campsites can vary from fully developed loops with crushed stone pads to more primitive walk-in areas.
Explore river swimming spots: At Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area, multiple access points to water recreation exist beyond the developed swimming areas. One camper shared: "We found a small river and swimming hole at the bottom of the hill off to the side opposite the cabins/park."
Visit wildlife areas: The Chesapeake Bay shoreline at Sandy Point State Park Youth Group Camping provides opportunities for fossil hunting along the beaches. "My family and I have been coming to Sandy Point my entire life. It is a great little spot on the Chesapeake river. Our favorite thing to do is to fossil hunt for sharks teeth," notes one visitor.
Utilize nature education facilities: Several parks have interpretive resources for visitors. Patapsco Valley features "a massive playground, nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center. There are a lot of easy, but beautiful hikes."
Multiple park entrances: Patapsco Valley State Park spans a large area with varied terrain. A regular visitor explains: "Patapsco Valley offers 6 different entrances. Each one provides several different trail heads and experiences. For camping or just spending a day out on the trail with the kids we prefer the Hilton entrance."
Boat access camping: Hart-Miller Island State Park offers a unique boat-in camping experience from May 1 to September 30. This island camping destination requires personal watercraft to access and provides more solitude than road-accessible campgrounds closer to Baltimore.
Proximity to Baltimore attractions: Many campers appreciate the convenience of campgrounds like The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring, which allows groups to combine camping with aerial adventure courses. "Very convenient for before or after your time in the largest aerial challenge course in North America," notes one visitor.
Seasonal considerations: Jellyfish can impact swimming at bayside locations during peak summer. A regular visitor to Sandy Point advises: "August is the worst month to visit if you like the water. Jellyfish take over with a vengeance!"
Campsite positioning: At Patapsco Valley, site location within the camping loop matters. Sites on lower ground collect water during rain, and some areas experience more noise from cabin areas. During storms, runoff can be significant.
Capacity limitations: Starry Pond and other smaller campgrounds near Baltimore have limited sites and can fill quickly, especially on summer weekends. Some facilities like The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring only accommodate organized groups rather than individual campers.
Children's activities: The Hilton entrance of Patapsco Valley State Park is designed with families in mind. "The Hilton entrance of Patapsco Valley Park is perfect for keeping the kids entertained. There is a huge playground, sensory trail and nature discovery center at the entrance to the park."
Stroller accessibility: Trail systems vary in their suitability for young children. At Patapsco, a parent cautions: "Be aware that neither the hiking trails or playground are stroller friendly."
Youth group options: Marsden Tract Group Campsite provides organized camping facilities specifically for youth groups at competitive rates. A recent visitor commented: "Super simple and the best price... easy to find and very clean."
Military options: Active and retired military personnel can access the Military Park United States Naval Academy/Annapolis Naval Station Annapolis FamCamp, which offers affordable rates near Annapolis. A visitor notes: "Military campground. Very spartan but great location. Not much to do in the campground and some long timers there. Dirt cheap."
Electric hookup limitations: Most tent-focused campgrounds near Baltimore offer limited electric sites. At Patapsco Valley, electric hookups are available but campers should bring alternative anchoring methods since crushed stone pads make traditional tent stakes ineffective.
Check-in protocols: Some campgrounds strictly enforce check-in times. One camper at Patapsco Valley notes: "This was also the first time we have ever had to wait till exactly 3pm to check in. So if you arrive early expect to wait until 3."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Baltimore, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Baltimore, MD is Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area with a 4.1-star rating from 20 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Baltimore, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 15 tent camping locations near Baltimore, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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