J
John S.
Scout
ScoutRamblin' Pines
Weak WiFi
For $90 per night the WiFi should work better. Didn’t connect at all. Had to use the antenna pointed East to get local Baltimore news.
Camping near Fort Washington, MD
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Fort Washington, Maryland offers a mix of established campgrounds and recreation areas within reasonable driving distance of Washington, DC. Cherry Hill Park in nearby College Park provides full-service camping with tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and even glamping options, earning high ratings from visitors. Other notable mixed-use campgrounds include Greenbelt Park Campground, Louise F. Cosca Regional Park, and Cedarville State Forest, all located within 30 minutes of Fort Washington. These developed campgrounds serve as convenient bases for exploring both the natural surroundings and the Washington metropolitan area.
Many campgrounds in the region maintain year-round or extended seasonal operations, though some like Cedarville State Forest operate primarily from April to October. "This campground is about 25 sites. Only 5 sites have electric but all 25 sites have water hookup," noted one camper at Louise F. Cosca Regional Park. Access to most developed campgrounds is straightforward with paved roads, though visitors should be aware of certain height restrictions, such as the 11-foot bridge height limit when approaching Patapsco Valley State Park from the east. Weather considerations include humid summers and occasional heavy rainfall that can affect camping conditions, particularly at sites with limited drainage.
The proximity to Washington DC represents a significant advantage for these campground options. Campers frequently mention the convenience of using local campgrounds as affordable alternatives to city accommodations while sightseeing. One visitor observed, "It is a pretty nice, bare bones NPS campground. If you are looking for somewhere to feel far away from civilization and see some beautiful scenery, this probably isn't it." Many campgrounds feature wooded settings that provide shade and privacy despite being near urban areas. Aircraft noise appears in several reviews due to the region's proximity to military installations and major airports. Amenities vary considerably between locations, with some offering modern facilities including showers, electric hookups, and camp stores, while others maintain a more rustic atmosphere with basic services.
Best Campgrounds near Fort Washington (94)
1. Pohick Bay Campground
"We have been camping here for nearly 20 years. Each military tour brought us back to this area so Pohick became our second home. Our kids kayak now older but used to walk the trails as little kids."
"We enjoyed sitting around the campfire at night and walking the dogs down to the water. We were right next to a hiking trail that went down to the water and a beach area."
from $37 - $170 / night
Check Availability2. Cherry Hill Park
"Metrorail is about 6 miles from campground, near University of Maryland."
"Great camping amenities, soft cushioned sites, with power and water close by. DO NOT GET BASIC TENT SITES AS THEY ARE NEXT TO HIGHWAYS AND VERY NOISY!!! Premium tent sites would be a better choice."
from $999 / night
Check Availability3. Cedarville State Forest
"We picked up the camping registration outside the office at the entrance, no need to speak with anyone. Then we just drove down to our campsite in the family camping loop."
"Forested campground with fairly lengthy but level (and thus beginner friendly) hiking just a short distance away from Washington, DC."
from $30 / night
Check Availability4. Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park
"If you are really looking for somewhere to feel far away from civilization and see some beautiful scenery, this probably isn't it."
"The campsite is superb with walking trails, wildlife and the occasional overflying US Presidential Helicopter. Easily accessible from close by freeways, and charmingly peaceful"
from $20 / night
Check Availability5. Burke Lake Park Campground
"We stayed Burke lake campground for one night last week. It was very peaceful place. The whole camp ground was very clean and well kept."
"This was my second time going Burke Lake and it was just as enjoyable as the first."
6. Oak Ridge Campground — Prince William Forest Park
"Showers are in loop B, which is a 5-7 minute walk. During holiday weekends the sites closest to the shower facilities are fully booked and have less privacy."
"The Oak Ridge campgrounds at Prince William Forest Park are a lovely little campground just outside Washington DC. The sites were large, the facilities are clean and the staff friendly and helpful."
from $26 / night
Check Availability7. Louise F. Cosca Regional Park
"Site 24 and 25 are very close together but the other sites are at a distance however, 6 of the 25 sites are unleveled so tent camping is probably the only option."
"Close to town but far enough to enjoy yourself. Bathrooms are clean and have decent showers."
from $10 - $45 / night
Check Availability8. Bull Run Regional Park
"History buffs will like to explore the park surrounding the campground. Fun little water park within walking distance of all campsites that was great for kids."
"We booked site 136 due to proximity of the playground (traveling with a 5 & 10 yr old). The site was great except the weird parking stops on every site but the pull throughs."
from $43 - $100 / night
Check Availability9. Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp
"Good site, secure location, decent facilities with solid WiFi. Pier within walking distance. Good location, tho our site wasn't fully level, so bring plenty of leveling blocks."
"It is very clean and there are many amenities close by. The base outdoor recreation center has equipment to rent such as kayaks and canoes to explore the Potomac river."
from $55 / night
Check Availability10. Lake Fairfax Campground
"We set up our tent in the far side of the campground close to the lake ( site 27). It is slightly slant but still comfortable in the tent. Bathrooms are close by and kept clean."
"For tent camping I would suggests sites 30,33 or 35 these are tucked along the tree line. The bathroom facilities were the cleanest I have seen in a campground."
from $30 - $70 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 14 min from Washington, DC
- 48 min from Baltimore, MD
- 56 min from Lexington Park, MD
- 1 hr 24 min from Winchester, VA
Recent Camping Photos near Fort Washington, MD
194 Photos of 94 Fort Washington Campgrounds
Tye S.
Louise F. Cosca Regional Park
New D.
Pohick Bay Campground
Justin G.
Cedarville State Forest
Laure D.
Smallwood State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED THROUGH JULY 2023
Glen W.
Burke Lake Park Campground
Kristy R.
Adventure Bound Washington DC
Becky
Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park
Emerson K.
Marsden Tract Group Campsite — George Washington Memorial Parkway
Chrystal P.
Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Artemis A.
Cherry Hill Park
Candice N.
Lacy Oasis Campground
Jason F.
Lake Fairfax Campground
Recent Reviews near Fort Washington, MD
587 Reviews of 94 Fort Washington Campgrounds
- hheather B.Scout
Cherry Hill Park
Like a resort
This camp ground is like a resort with 2 pools mini golf splash pad and many other amenities
- H
Holly B.
GuideCherry Hill Park
My All Time Favorite…so far
This park is top notch. The grounds are immaculate. The staff is friendly and helpful. They have a lovely gift shop. We were in the 400 sites and it was nice and shady. Though you are close to highways I don’t recall hearing and noise. I love that they have shuttles to DC., walking trails and a large dog park. This is my all time favorite park so far and I need to go back.
Jeremy G.
TravelerJoint Base Andrews Military FamCamp
Could be a great campground but......
There are some good things about this Famcamp. It's like a diamond in the rough. If the military would spend some time and money on it, it could be a great campground. One of the greatest points about this campground is its location. You are so close to downtown D.C.! Every RV site (as far as I saw) was a level concrete pad. All sites, except for tent sites, have full electricity. Most sites have sewer and water. Sites 12-18 should be mainly used for the smaller travel trailers. I had an interesting time getting my 35' 5th wheel into the site. Even though I got my RV into the site, I don't have much room for my truck. My site has a picnic table, fire pit, and a grill. Everything is rusted beyond repair. My grill was filled with cigarette butts and my fire pit had trash in it. There is some shade. My site has two trees at the front of the pad on both sides of the RV. My bedroom stays nice and cold and I have a good view for my Starlink in the rear. The sites are close to each other, but there is some space. The good thing is that we are surrounded by the golf course. You don't get much noise from the base, because of the location, and because the FamCamp is surrounded by trees. You can hear the busy road outside the fence but I don't hear it much inside the RV. Every once in a while you'll hear an aircraft... but this is an air base, it's expected. We were told the community laundry was not working and to use the base laundry mat. Finally, one of the best parts about the campground, is the lady at outdoor rec that is in charge of the Famcamp. She is very nice and helpful. She will try to assist you with anything you need from directions to useful tips.
- AAimee K.Traveler
Washington DC / Capitol KOA
Good location
Nice campground, maintained very well and clean. Laundry room and Propane fill on site so that was nice. RV Site was fairly level and easy to get into. Some sites are a bit close together and not long enough to keep your tow vehicle hooked up. A bit inconvenient if you’re only there for 1 night.
Matt S.
LegendBay Shore Campground
What stands out about this campground? The view!
We spent a week at Bay Shore Campground to explore Rock Hall, the Chesapeake Bay, and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. What stands out about this campground? The view!
For me, this is a 4-star campground because of the view and nice staff, but not 5-stars because of the sloped site packed in with the neighbors and no sewer connection.
THINGS I LIKED:
— Great view from our site of the Chesapeake Bay— especially for sunset each evening
— Friendly staff
— Nearby Rock Hall, Chestertown, and Eastern Neck Island Wildlife Refuge
— They offered a promo to pay for 6 nights, and the 7th was free
THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH:
— Our site(Site B) had an amazing view of Chesapeake Bay, but the slope made it difficult to get even close to level— even with my front jacks fully extended. I had to buy additional leveling blocks from the camp store(at twice the price of Amazon) just so we didn’t feel like walking uphill to walk around our motorhome. I admit, I am spoiled but really appreciate the campgrounds that level their sites. I think it could be done in a few hours with a rented front loader at a couple nights’ cost.
— Our site(Site B) was tight. The neighbor’s awning was just inches from our motorhome. I understand the need for any business to maximize revenue, but this was unpleasantly close.
— There are no sewer hookups at the sites. They do have a couple of dump stations for your way out and provide a pump-out service once per week at$40 a pop. They were nice enough to pump me out a second time since I stayed 7 nights. Again, I know I’m spoiled, but a sewer connection is a necessity when you’re staying 8 days.
WOULD WE COME BACK?
Sure thing, but we’d stay at a different site.
- ccara S.Scout
Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area
Hilton area
Thought the campsites were extremely close together. There were A LOT of kids and no quiet hours. Good for families. Not good for a camping camping experience.
- FFredrick K.Traveler
Marble Quarry Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Great place to get some peace and quiet
If youre looking for fun and people, go to the south campground. But if youre looking for true quiet and have a tent, check out the dispersed campsites. Good shower and bathroom setup that i bet would fare well in a tornado, its got that solid storm shelter feel. Next to a quiet airport, plenty of free firewood to gather
John M.GuideMatoaka Beach Cottages
Fantastic location with winderful hosts
Private campground with cabins and tent sites. Tent sites are first come, first service so call ahead to ensure the space is available. The host family was very nice and easy to work with and talk to. Fire pits were at tent sites and past the office was beach access into Chesapeake Bay. There are trash bins and porta potty’s on sight that are all maintained and kept clean. Beautiful sights and plenty to do in the area with DC being roughly an 40-60 minutes away.
Guide to Fort Washington
Camping near Fort Washington, Maryland offers access to several woodland campgrounds with proximity to both natural areas and urban amenities. The region experiences humid summers with temperatures regularly reaching into the 90s from June through August, while spring and fall provide milder camping conditions. Most campgrounds in the area are situated within 30 minutes of Fort Washington, creating convenient bases for both outdoor recreation and day trips to Washington DC.
What to do
Disc golf adventures: Pohick Bay Campground in nearby Lorton, Virginia features an 18-hole disc golf course popular with campers. "Pohick Bay is my go-to weekend camping spot. Just a few miles outside DC, Pohick Bay is a hidden gem in the area. I'd recommend taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course," notes Rachel L.
Trail exploration: The woodland areas around Fort Washington provide numerous hiking opportunities with varying terrain. "Nice camping spot close to DC with hiking nearby," mentions Perry A. from Pohick Bay. Many trails connect campgrounds to nearby natural areas, allowing for day hikes without driving.
Waterfront activities: Several campgrounds offer water access for fishing or boating. At Cherry Hill Park, campers can plan water-based day trips. The park's proximity to DC allows for a combination of urban and outdoor activities, with one visitor noting, "Proximity to DC and surrounding areas can't be beat. Uber, Lyft, bus, shuttle. It takes about a half hour to get downtown to the monuments."
What campers like
Proximity to Washington DC: The ability to camp affordably while visiting the capital is consistently mentioned in reviews. "If you're in Northern VA close to DC this is a great quick getaway camp site," writes one camper about Lake Fairfax Campground. Campers appreciate the contrast between urban sightseeing and natural camping settings.
Clean facilities: Many campers highlight the well-maintained bathhouses and shower facilities. At Oak Ridge Campground in Prince William Forest Park, visitors noted, "This campground has great space and super clean bathrooms with marble tile."
Diverse recreational options: The variety of activities available at many campgrounds receives positive feedback. "Great regional park with lots to do - trails, biking, boating. Sites are spacious and decently level (depends on the site I'm sure). Plenty of playgrounds and trails nearby to keep the family busy," notes Kristen M. about Pohick Bay.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the Fort Washington area require advance reservations, especially during peak season. "This is not a gated campground so anyone can come through and have a tour. Park Police patrol the campground 2 times a day," explains a camper at Louise F. Cosca Regional Park, which requires online reservations.
Wildlife considerations: Ticks and mosquitoes can be problematic in the warmer months. "LOTS and LOTS of ticks. I got one, but my wife and dog got about a dozen each. Just bring tweezers," warns one camper about Cedarville State Forest.
Noise factors: Due to the proximity to urban areas, airports, and military facilities, noise can be a factor at some campgrounds. "There is a shooting range near by so can be kind of noisy or at least it was the night we were here," mentions a visitor to Bull Run Regional Park.
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Bull Run Regional Park offers family-friendly water features. "Our family stayed here in a cabin on a long weekend trip to DC. This campground was full of stuff to do and we didn't even get to do a lot of it... The campground had a climbing wall on one afternoon. There are miles of trails and my gkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt."
Organized activities: Many campgrounds offer scheduled family events, particularly on weekends. "They gave us a great intro to the park as we were first timers. They informed us that they had a scavenger hunt for the kids going all weekend, they had an outdoor movie scheduled for Friday night, a campfire story time scheduled for Saturday night and crafts scheduled for Sunday morning," shares Ben G. about his family's experience at Pohick Bay.
Transportation planning: Consider using public transportation when visiting DC with children. "We took the 20 minute drive. They have a nice looking pool area, but it was too cold. The shop was cute and staff nice. Sites were pretty level," mentions Joe R. about Cherry Hill Park, which offers metro access to Washington DC.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger RVs. "Check out your site before booking, some sites are steep but spacious," advises ben S. about Louise F. Cosca Regional Park. Many RV sites in the region have water hookups but limited electrical options.
Leveling requirements: Several campgrounds have uneven sites that may require additional equipment. "The outer loop campsites are easily more level than the center loop. If leveling perfectly is a concern you may want to call ahead and ask before committing to the inner loop," recommends a visitor to Lake Fairfax Campground.
Hookup availability: Electric and water hookups vary widely between campgrounds. A camper at Louise F. Cosca Regional Park notes, "Only 5 sites have electric but all 25 sites have water hookup." RVers should confirm specific site amenities when making reservations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Fort Washington, MD?
Which is the most popular campground near Fort Washington, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Fort Washington, MD is Pohick Bay Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 37 reviews.
What parks are near Fort Washington, MD?
What parks are near Fort Washington, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Fort Washington, MD that allow camping, notably Fort Washington Park and George Washington Memorial Parkway.
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