Yurt camping near Berwyn Heights, Maryland offers direct access to the region's extensive trail systems and varied terrain. The area maintains moderate humidity with summer temperatures averaging 87°F from June through August, making early fall the most comfortable camping season. Local campgrounds remain accessible year-round with varying seasonal closures for maintenance between November and February.
What to Do
Trail exploration: 15 miles of interconnected paths at Pohick Bay Campground provide hikers and bikers with woodland routes suitable for all skill levels. "Beautiful campground located near the National Harbor. Eagles everywhere! Large clean sites. Great staff," notes Kathie M., highlighting the regional wildlife viewing opportunities.
Disc golf course: 18-hole layout available for campers seeking recreational options. "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," shares Rachel L.
Metro access to monuments: 30-minute trip from several campgrounds makes day trips into Washington DC convenient. "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," according to Jennifer H. from Cherry Hill Park.
Water recreation: Seasonal kayak and canoe rentals provide access to local waterways. "Boating in summer from kayaks to motorboats," mentions Anne K. about the water activities available at Pohick Bay during warmer months.
What Campers Like
Premium camping surfaces: Level pads with utilities make setup hassle-free at many area sites. "Site#D69 gravel parking pad... Very quiet campground," reports Napunani about their stay at Little Bennett Campground.
Family entertainment options: Multiple recreation facilities keep children engaged throughout their stay. At Ramblin' Pines, "They have a pool for swimming and a little general store for all your needs, the kids loved the bounce pillow," shares Michelle L.
Nature immersion with city convenience: Wooded sites provide privacy while maintaining proximity to urban amenities. "We stayed at site 18, one of the ones with power. Check out your site before booking, some sites are steep but spacious. Close to town but far enough to enjoy yourself," advises ben S. about Louise F. Cosca Regional Park.
Wide selection of glamping accommodations: Varied yurt options for those seeking alternative shelters. "There are some nice tenting sites under the trees and off by themselves for the true campers, and for the rest of us glampers there are hookups and lots to do," explains Scott C.
What You Should Know
Site reservations: Book 3-5 months ahead for weekend stays between April and October. "Reserved 137 days prior to arriving," mentions one camper about securing their spot at Little Bennett Campground during peak season.
Security features: Gated entrances provide controlled access at certain locations. Jason E. notes that Cherry Hill Park is "gated" among its many positive features.
Weather considerations: Heavy rain drainage issues affect some campgrounds. At Bull Run Regional Park, "While we were here, there was a fairly heavy day of rain. Couple inches, I suppose, but nothing Biblical. The mouths of the metal culverts in our loop were bent downward from campers driving over them, which obstructed the flow. Result was lots of standing water at our campsite," reports Stuart O.
Noise levels: Nearby transportation routes can create ambient noise at certain sites. "This is a quiet campground and it's cheap for maryland residents and about $20 for non-resident," explains Tye S., though other reviewers note highway or airport noise at different locations.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Choose sites near recreation areas to minimize walking for children. At Washington DC / Capitol KOA, "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," advises Elise M.
Swimming restrictions: Check pool policies before promising children swim time. "I didnt like that non potty trained kids are not allowed to swim in their pool. Luckily we only have a 9 month old currently that isn't potty trained so she didn't care if she was in the pool or not but I could see where it would be a problem trying to explain to a 2-3 year old that they aren't allowed to go swimming," warns Stephanie H.
Evening activities: Scheduled programs keep children entertained after dinner. Liz F. recommends the DC KOA, noting "This is not a site for nature lovers but is perfect for kids. We had a site near the pool, outdoor chess set, jumping pillow and gaga ball pit. Our kids (9, 10 and 14) all had fun and made friends."
Scavenger hunts: Park-provided nature activities create educational opportunities. "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. This was music to our ears as we camp with our 3 and 1 year old," shares Ben G.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: End-of-row positioning provides more space 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," advises Scott C. about yurt camping and RV options at Cherry Hill Park.
Leveling requirements: Bring additional blocks to compensate for uneven terrain. "My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level," shares Drew M. about his experience at Bull Run Regional Park.
Campsite amenities: Premium sites include additional features worth the extra cost. "We had a premium site for seven nights. The site was perfectly level with a fire ring, grill, picnic table and table with three chairs," explains Jonathan B., though he notes, "I wish there was a little bit more room in between the campers for privacy."
Off-season advantages: Reduced crowds from November-March improve the camping experience. "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," reports Josh J.
