The Washington D.C. metro area surrounding Beltsville, Maryland sits at approximately 150 feet above sea level in the Atlantic Coastal Plain. Weather varies seasonally with humid summers reaching the 90s and winter temperatures occasionally dropping below freezing. Military personnel can access specialized camping options at several bases within driving distance of Beltsville, while civilian campers find a mix of county, state, and private RV parks offering varied terrain.
What to do
Potomac River fishing: Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp provides access to fishing opportunities from their pier. "This campground is abord Fort Belvoir, an US Army base in Northern, VA. 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. There is a pier out into the river to fish on," notes Jack R.
Historical exploration: Prince William Forest RV Campground offers convenient access to Civil War sites. One camper mentioned, "Prince William Forest National Park is accessible for awesome day hikes. Civil War National Parks nearby. DC just up the road. National Marine Corp Museum just around corner."
Water recreation: Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina offers waterfront campsites with boating access. "Camped here at the end of summer, really loved it. Had our kayaks with us and the water wasn't but a few steps away. Some sites you are right on the waters edge," shares Janet P. The park also features boat slips and kayak rentals.
Mountain biking: Lake Fairfax Campground provides trail access for cyclists. "A lot to do: mountain bike trails (horses and walking, too); wooded hikes with water along the trails (great for dogs in the summer heat), skateboard park, BMX park, Water Park near the campground, fishing, & canoeing)," states Amy B. The campground is popular with cycling groups who camp and ride during their stay.
What campers like
Natural surroundings in urban areas: Greenbelt Park Campground offers a forest setting despite proximity to urban areas. "There is plenty of space between camp site clusters. The park itself is safe, quiet, permitting some nice treks through the woods. It is not free but very reasonable considering the area. The other great thing about it that you can spend entire days at the always-free Smithsonian museums and still fall asleep in the woods," a camper reports.
Waterfront camping: Many sites at Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina face the water directly. As one camper describes, "Beautiful water front sites and good location right off 95. We are here visiting family for the holidays and it's serving us well. I will say you can tell most people are long term residents. Only the front section is available for nightly booking. Cute little dock, fishing from your campsite if waterfront and an area to put in small boats or kayaks."
Recreation amenities: Cherry Hill Park offers extensive on-site activities. "Playground, Mini Golf, Swimming Pool, Hot tub, Basketball court, Snack bar on site, Nightly hayride, Gated, On-site camp store, On-site bus shuttle," lists Beth R. in her review. The facilities remain well-maintained and provide entertainment options without leaving the campground.
Clean facilities: Bull Run Regional Park receives praise for its bathhouse facilities. "We tent camped there with 2 other families memorial day weekend. It rained the entire time but we still had a blast. The best review I can give us of the bathrooms. They're with staying again alone. Locking doors, individual stalls. Hot dog. Best camping showers I've ever had," explains Yvonne B.
What you should know
Transportation options: Greenbelt Park provides access to Washington D.C. via public transit. "There's normally a walking path from the campground to the metro station that takes you into DC (the green line takes you to the National Mall), but as of Oct 2023 the bridge is out due to a storm... So what we did, since we don't have a tow car, and just have our 26ft motorhome, is we packed up and drove to the Greenbelt station about 5 miles away, parked there for the day, and took the green line into town," explains Laura M.
Military access restrictions: Several campgrounds near Beltsville require military credentials. Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp requires appropriate ID. A camper reports, "Spent several nights here while visiting Washington DC. You need military credentials. Handy to the DC Metro Transit system. Nice views of river."
Seasonal limitations: Lake Fairfax Campground operates from March 22 to September 7, closing during fall and winter months. The campground offers electric hookups with 50-amp service, though sites lack individual water connections. Facilities include a dump station and water fill located on the beach side of the bathhouse.
Train noise: Harpers Ferry Campground experiences regular train traffic. "A friend and I chose this campground because of it's right-on-the-river sites... When we arrived we noticed that the campsites are one on top of the other in a row along the access road and the river. There is no separate between the sites... The river views were amazing, but face the other way and you're looking at a 15 or so foot CSX rail line berm. The trains that come through here almost hourly range from quick commuter MARC or Amtrak trains to long freight trains."
Tips for camping with families
Water park access: Lake Fairfax Campground includes a water park for summer visits. As one camper described, "Weekend trip. Stayed for two nights with another family. They brought their travel trailer and our pop-up... We enjoyed the water park immensely. Ten of us in total with kids ranging from 18 months old to 13 years old. Everyone enjoyed the water park and the time we spent there. Additional fee for access to the water park."
Organized activities: Bull Run Regional Park schedules family events throughout camping season. "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. We stayed in a cabin for 2 nights and had a great time. The campground had a climbing wall on one afternoon. There are miles of trails and my gkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt. You even get a prize when you finish."
Camping near attractions: Cherry Hill Park provides direct access to Washington D.C. attractions. "This was a great stop to take the kids to visit the city. Easy access and well laid out sites. They have a bus stop for metro service to the city, but 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." The on-site amenities combined with proximity to museums and monuments makes it popular for families.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Prince William Forest RV Campground has sites with significant slopes. "Caution though, the back row is steep. We were unable to get our Super C level. The rain created red clay mud so the dogs were a mess - actually became sort of comical. All in all it was a beautiful and clean location. Try and reserve row E if you need full hook up," advises Cheryl D.
Site selection: Bull Run Regional Park has varied site quality depending on location. "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 commiting to the inner loop," suggests Corey B. The sites feature pull-through access with campers facing the woods for increased privacy.
Military benefits: Camp Meade RV Park offers secure camping on military property. "Was great not to have to really worry about anything because you are securely on post. I forgot all about revielle 🤣. They reminded me," shares Elvin J. The campground provides full hookups and accommodates big rigs with 50-amp electrical service, making it suitable for larger RV camping near Beltsville, Maryland.
