Private campgrounds near Riverdale, Maryland offer yurt camping experiences with varying levels of amenities and access to outdoor activities. Located in the Piedmont region where forests meet urban development, this area features moderate elevation changes with mild temperatures from spring through fall. Winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that can drop below freezing with occasional snowfall between December and February.
What to do
Disc golf course access: Pohick Bay Regional Park features an 18-hole disc golf course that's 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.
Hiking network: Susquehanna State Park offers multiple trail options for day hikes. "I went for a lovely 3 mile evening hike on the trail just down the hill behind the campsite. Scared a bunch of deer and checked out the giant old growth trees, hiked over a bridge and stream which was full of fish I could see! Turned around after I got to the Susquehanna itself," says Anne L.
Water activities: At Martinak State Park, campers can enjoy riverside recreation. "Campsites and bathrooms are clean. Beautiful waterfront great for kayaking and water sports. No real hiking trails. Overall small quiet campground," writes Laura M.
What campers like
Proximity to Washington DC: Washington DC/Capitol KOA serves as a convenient base for visiting national monuments. "It was centrally located between Annapolis, Baltimore, and DC. This trip we spent most of our time in DC and only went to Annapolis one night. But there is a ton to do around the cities with or without kids," reports Stephanie H.
Secluded forest camping: Tuckahoe State Park offers a more remote experience despite being relatively close to urban areas. "Quiet state park with limited cell reception. Truly off the map camping. Heavily wooden. Electric loop with central bathhouse. Clean with dishwashing station," notes Regina C.
Family-friendly amenities: Ramblin' Pines campground provides numerous recreational options. "The place was nice, lots for kids to do, plenty of shaded spots! Nice pool... they even allowed us to store the camper while we took a cruise out of Baltimore!" explains Jason L.
What you should know
Winter camping options: While most campgrounds close seasonally, some remain open year-round. "Stayed here for 2w while visiting friends in Alexandria. Took me 25-30m to get there so you are far away from bustle of city but not so far that going in to enjoy breakfast or the sights is a feat. Nice and quiet here during winter more so during week than weekends," says Josh J. about winter stays at Pohick Bay.
Cash requirements: Some campgrounds have specific payment policies. At Merry Meadows Recreation Farm, "One of the complaints was they work on cash. Yeah, I knows it's not popular because most of us live in a plastic dominated world. I read it in advance and I just made sure we had some with us," explains Sharon L.
Yurt availability: Yurt camping near Riverdale is limited and requires advance booking. "They have a nice area for kids (pool, playground, jumping pillow, basketball courts, giant chess, etc). If you get an area to back into it'll be more secluded, but the pull through spots offer no privacy," notes Elise M. about the Washington DC/Capitol KOA's accommodation options.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Little Bennett Campground offers play areas, though site selection matters. "For kids, the playground was fantastic, though, it was not shaded. It is also in the middle of the Acorn and Beechnut loop. This is great if you want to be away from the playground, as you can book one of the sites further off and not have kids running about," advises Jennifer S.
Seasonal programming: Many campgrounds offer structured activities during peak season. "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," mentions Ben G. about Pohick Bay's offerings.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer chances to see local fauna. "Beautiful campground located near the National Harbor. Eagles everywhere! Large clean sites. Great staff!" shares Kathie M. about her experience at Pohick Bay Regional Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection guidance: At Cherry Hill Park, RV sites vary in quality and privacy. "Look at the park map and try to get a site at the end of a row. The sites are pretty close together but on the ends at least you only have a neighbor on one side," recommends Scott C.
Leveling challenges: Be prepared with leveling equipment at some campgrounds. "Site#D69 level side-to-side but we were forced to greatly elevate front of trailer to level front-to-back. Site#D69 gravel parking pad," notes an RVer at Little Bennett Campground.
Utility reliability concerns: Power outages can occur at wooded campgrounds. "Trees falling on Park power lines caused power outage for hours," reports an RVer about Little Bennett, while another camper at Merry Meadows notes: "Power outage at a lot of the campground Friday night due to a tree down on the power lines. My section kept power, so I was happy."
