105 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping in Bel Air, Maryland concentrates around several state parks and private campgrounds within 30 miles of the city center. Elk Neck State Park Campground, located approximately 20 miles northeast near North East, Maryland, and Susquehanna State Park Campground in nearby Havre de Grace offer year-round and seasonal camping respectively. Both accommodate tents, RVs, and cabins with varying levels of amenities. Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina in Abingdon provides waterfront sites with full hookups, while Camp Ramblewood in Darlington offers more basic accommodations in a more rustic setting.
Many campgrounds in the region require advance reservations, particularly during the busy summer season from May through September. Sites with electric hookups and water access tend to fill quickly, especially on holiday weekends. Full hookup sites for RVs are common but limited at state parks compared to private facilities. "The campground is in a good location to Lancaster and other quaint Amish towns like Bird-In-Hand, Paradise, and Intercourse," noted one visitor about a nearby facility, highlighting the strategic location for exploring the broader region. Access roads are generally well-maintained, though some state park campgrounds have narrower, winding roads that may challenge larger RVs. Cell coverage is reliable throughout most of the region, with stronger signals at campgrounds closer to the I-95 corridor.
Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews from visitors to the area, particularly at Elk Neck and Susquehanna State Parks where sites near the water provide scenic views and recreational opportunities. Several campers mention the proximity to hiking trails as a major benefit, with Patapsco Valley State Park offering over 70 miles of multi-use trails. A camper at Susquehanna noted, "The campsites are separated more widely than many other parks in Maryland, and are quite secluded in comparison." Noise levels vary significantly, with sites farther from highways providing a more peaceful experience. Most campgrounds in the region offer a mix of wooded and open sites, with shade being an important consideration during hot summer months. Private campgrounds typically provide more amenities such as swimming pools, camp stores, and organized activities, while state parks emphasize natural settings and access to water recreation.
"The campsites are separated more widely than many other parks in Maryland (Cunningham Falls, Ft. Frederick, Pt. Lookout), and are quite secluded in comparison."
"I was a walk-up with no reservation and since it was a weekday the ranger gave me a great rundown of the best spots in the camp and let me drive through to check them out before going back with my decision"
from $21 - $50 / night
Check Availability"I didn't notice it when I was in my tent, but I did as I was walking around.
The campground is well-wooded, offering reasonable privacy given the space constraints. ""Surrounding area
There are lots of tails for hiking in walking distance and also a playground for kids."
from $21 - $55 / night
Check Availability"This is close to us so it was an easy trip. Full hookup but we’re told to turn off and unhook water the night it dropped below freezing."
"Had our kayaks with us and the water wasn’t but a few steps away. Some sites you are right on the waters edge."
from $75 - $115 / night
Check Availability"It was a VERY dark walk to get to the bathhouse for showers. And the fire pit had no grill, so we ended up having to use the stoves of some RV camping friends for meals."
"Large campground with some good trails. Will definitely return!"
"Near an Ape Adventure park, hike around lake, and any shopping or restaurants you might want are close by. It rained heavy so we didn’t get out much but walk around camp loop is nice and flat."
"The camp loop is a nice walk but there are also trails. They were pretty muddy when we were there. Site 35 was quite spacious as were many of them."
from $29 - $51 / night
Check Availability"Centrally located laundry facilities and airconditioned bath house. Playground, boat launch, beach volleyball court, disk golf, basketball court, and outdoor pool all within walking distance."
"We stayed here in November with beautiful weather which meant the large farm behind the campground was spraying manure over their fields. We could smell it."
"The site was covered and it was cool around 4:30pm when the sun went behind the trees. It didn’t look like all sites had that much cover so be careful."
"Highly recommend staying here with lots of close hiking trails within driving distance."
"There was a lot of space so walking our dogs was great. The smaller bathroom stalls are pretty small but got the job done. Playground and pool were both nice and clean. Wonderful place for a family."
"The large lake is great for a day of kayaking and fishing with supplies readily available for rent at the boat dock store."
"The observatory is open to public once a month, we recommend you plan your trip around this."
"Tried to check this one out as I live nearby but it’s for group rentals only. It does provide amenities such as a pool and is close to hiking."
from $76 / night
GuideMary & her crew run a great campground. Full hookup. Slow schedule during the week-camp store & pool mainly. Saturdays always have activities planned from bingo to quarter auctions, picnics & music. Each Saturday is different. Clean grounds. Nice playgrounds. Kiddie pool & nice size pool from 3-5’ deep. 2 cabins also available.
TravelerThe owner is kind and knowledgeable a lot of live in / snowbirds . Some are very kind but some of the live in’s are crude .
TravelerOne of our favorite places. Very well kept. No bathhouse so bring your own. A lot of shady sites. Great views of Chesapeake bay. Flat roads in the area for cycling.
GuideA beautiful, well maintained park with lots to do, great bathroom facilities and extremely nice people. The electric sites aren't all together, so you don't have RV's lined up but maybe annoying for folks who are tent camping. Avoid the locations in the mid-30's by the dumpster, both staff and campers start shaking the lid around 6:30. Between 5 AM and noon staff were driving big trucks and ATV's around with loud reverse horns, and slamming the fire pit grills, which they store sideways. Overall I had a really wonderful time, but that's largely down to good sound reduction inside the van. Almost zero cell service. I was able to get a couple of text messages in and out, but seemed to be a fluke.
ScoutThis campsite was amazing for our first tent camping experience. The park was a godsend for keeping our toddler occupied and we felt very safe overall. While the beach is pretty, be careful about the water condition. We were warned before entering and informed of the risks. They were very clear on the condition of the water that day which was a yellow, slight risk. But normally it should be okay. We would definitely camp here again.
ScoutFor $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.
ScoutThis camp ground is like a resort with 2 pools mini golf splash pad and many other amenities
GuideThis 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.
LegendPros- Pool is sparkling clear and new. Mini golf is awesome. Nice people, nice store.
Cons- further from Hershey Park than ideal, lots of seasonal campers leaving for work before dawn in loud trucks, not much privacy, some road noise.
Camping options near Bel Air, Maryland range from secluded nature experiences to family-friendly destinations within a 40-mile radius. The region sits at elevations between 300-500 feet above sea level with humid summers averaging 85°F and mild spring/fall temperatures in the 60-70°F range. Most campsites near Bel Air require advance planning during peak season from late May through early September, when temperatures and humidity can make primitive sites challenging without shade.
Hiking at Rock State Park: Located close to Camp Ramblewood in Darlington, Rock State Park offers stunning scenery. "I recommend Rock State Park and the hike to the King and Queen seat, a rock outcropping with stunning scenery," notes a camper familiar with the area.
Water recreation at Susquehanna River: The nearby waterways provide excellent boating and fishing opportunities. A camper at Pequea Creek Campground mentioned, "We enjoyed the birds singing in the mornings and welcomed grandkids' visit for splashing and floating in Pequea Creek."
Disc golf course: Active campers can enjoy disc golf at Muddy Run Rec Park. A visitor mentioned, "They have added some new features such as the wonderful water park as well as a very well laid out and up kept disc golf course."
Amish country exploration: The region provides access to authentic Amish communities. One camper staying in Lancaster County shared, "Close to shopping if needed. 25 mins from dt Lancaster which we visited as well."
Private waterfront sites: Many campers value the water views and direct access. At Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina, a camper noted, "The daily waterfront sites are pricy but right on the water with great views. Some of the trailer sites are a tough back in but worth the trouble."
Modern bathroom facilities: Clean, updated facilities make a big difference. A visitor to Lums Pond State Park Campground commented, "The bath house was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease."
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting provides opportunities to see diverse wildlife. "We saw bald eagles and great blue heron," reported one camper from Elk Neck State Park.
Spacious sites: Campers appreciate room to spread out. "Sites are large and well spaced. Many are in full sun," noted a visitor at Lums Pond State Park Campground.
Reservation timing: Most campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. A regular at Lums Pond State Park Campground advised, "Book early because it fills up fast!"
Weather considerations: The region experiences distinct seasonal changes. One visitor to Elk Neck State Park Campground mentioned, "Finished the season at this state park in MD with full hook up (20, 30, and 50 amp, water and sewer) and the water was still on in November. Bathhouses were open with hot water."
Utility connections: The placement of hookups varies significantly between sites. A camper at Bar Harbor RV Park noted, "Water hookup access was on the ground. It was raining and the area was saturated with no where to drain."
Cell service variations: Connectivity can be limited in some areas. One visitor mentioned, "No cell signal in the campground so the family is forced to disconnect. I absolutely love it!"
Water activities for kids: Multiple campgrounds offer water-based fun. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Quarryville, a family reported, "The water park is super fun for adults and kids. The entire campground is clean and very well maintained."
Playground accessibility: Consider proximity to play areas when booking. A parent staying at Elk Neck State Park advised, "This campground is very family friendly. We saw so many children running around having a great time! They have fairly many camp sites with an amazing view."
Educational opportunities: Some campgrounds offer learning experiences. "There is a historic area in the park, with a working grist mill, mansion and other little buildings to view," noted a visitor to Susquehanna State Park.
Family-oriented events: Scheduled activities can enhance your stay. A visitor to Merry Meadows Recreation Farm shared, "We stayed here this past Easter and they had plenty of activities for kids and adults. Easter egg hunts for kids, adult scavenger hunts for alcohol."
Site selection strategy: Choose your site based on specific needs. At Pequea Creek Campground, a camper noted, "Lori was great with booking process... We had site 54 which was nice and private. Site had fire ring, picnic table, water and electric."
Hookup preparations: Bring extra equipment for utilities. One RVer warned, "Bring 50 ft of hose for water hook up and an extension cord with a converter. The water hook ups are randomly placed, ours was 2 sites away."
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging approaches. A visitor to Bar Harbor RV Park cautioned, "You have to drive through a residential neighborhood to reach Bar Harbor, so big rigs take care/caution."
Seasonal availability: Check operating schedules before planning. "In the full hook up loop pay close attention to the lengths specified. The actual pads are fairly level but some of the driveways to them are very sloped," advised an RV camper at Elk Neck State Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Bel Air, MD?
Several excellent campgrounds are located within driving distance of Bel Air. Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina offers full hookups and is close enough for an easy weekend trip. For a natural setting with extensive trails, Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area provides a forested retreat with 70+ miles of hiking and biking trails. Other top options include Hollofield Area Campground with secluded sites, Elk Neck State Park for waterfront camping, and Codorus State Park just across the Pennsylvania border. These campgrounds offer varying levels of amenities from basic tent sites to full RV hookups, with most requiring reservations, especially during peak season.
How much does camping cost near Bel Air, Maryland?
Camping costs near Bel Air vary by amenity level and campground type. At Hollofield Area Campground, state park sites typically range from $20-30 per night for basic tent sites. Private campgrounds like Cherry Hill Park charge higher rates, generally $45-75 for full-hookup RV sites. Most campgrounds offer both electric and non-electric options, with electricity adding $5-10 to nightly rates. Maryland state parks often have a two-tier pricing system with Maryland residents paying less than out-of-state visitors. Many campgrounds also charge additional fees for premium sites, extra vehicles, or holiday weekends. Reservation fees typically run $5-10 per booking, and most campgrounds require at least a one-night deposit when reserving.
What amenities are available at Tuckahoe campground near Bel Air?
Tuckahoe State Park Campground offers diverse camping options including tent sites, RV spots, and youth group areas. The campground features both electric and non-electric loops, with some sites backing up to small creeks. Clean bathrooms and shower facilities are available and well-maintained. Water access is a highlight, with a lake for kayaking and fishing. The park boasts extensive trail systems for hiking and biking through the Eastern Shore landscape. Campers can purchase firewood from camp hosts, and each site includes a fire pit with cooking grate (though height may vary by site). For families, the quiet atmosphere makes it particularly suitable for camping with children. The park's location on Maryland's Eastern Shore provides a peaceful setting while still being accessible from the Bel Air area.
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