89 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Bowie, Maryland range from basic tent sites to full-service camping with RV hookups, cabin rentals, and glamping accommodations within a short drive of Washington D.C. Greenbelt Park Campground, located approximately 7 miles west of Bowie, serves as a forested retreat with tent and RV sites but no hookups. Cherry Hill Park in College Park offers more amenities including full hookups for RVs, cabin rentals, and glamping accommodations. The Washington DC/Capitol KOA in Millersville provides similar developed facilities within 10 miles of Bowie, with options ranging from primitive tent sites to cabins and yurts.
Most campgrounds in the area require reservations, particularly during summer months and weekends. Greenbelt Park Campground has transitioned to an online reservation-only system with no cash payments accepted at the entrance. "The campground rangers are friendly, knowledgeable and approachable for local information about local history and grocery stores," noted one visitor about Greenbelt Park. Sites at developed campgrounds typically include picnic tables and fire rings, though some parks prohibit hanging items from trees, including hammocks. Cell service is generally good throughout the region due to proximity to urban areas, though site selection can impact connectivity in more wooded campgrounds.
Campers consistently mention the convenient location of area campgrounds for visiting Washington D.C. attractions. Greenbelt Park receives particular attention as an affordable base camp with easy access to public transportation. "It's a great place to camp if you want to make a visit to D.C. very affordable, as it's located just 1.5 miles from the nearest Metro Station," shared one camper. Despite their proximity to urban areas, many campgrounds maintain a surprisingly natural atmosphere. Some visitors note occasional traffic noise but appreciate the forest setting that blocks visual signs of development. Wildlife sightings, particularly deer, are commonly reported even at campgrounds closest to the city. During warmer months, campers should prepare for mosquitoes and ticks, especially when using hiking trails that connect to many of the campgrounds.
"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 Availability"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 Availability"They have a nice dog area for the dog to be able to run around and exercise which a lot of places we have been do not have a place for the dog to really exercise."
"The location worked for my trip but not sure it’s that convenient to DC."
"We had a fantastic time our 1st time at #AdventureBoundCampingResort in Lothian, Maryland."
"This place is a good place to stay, the laundry room & showers are handy, the pool is large, & it's a 40 minute drive to the capital & the Smithsonian Mall or a 25 minute drive to the closest"
"My wife and I were trying to find an RV location near the Annapolis city dock for a boat show and found Pine Tree Associates."
"Camping fees include access to a large outdoor pool, an indoor pool and a hot tub. There is room for tenting and campers."
from $30 - $55 / night
Check Availability"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 Availability"Camp site(Tent camping)
The camp site is what it is, just a camp site :) It's one of the bigger state parks surrounded by forest in MD.""Another negative was after the storm for the next few days we heard trees falling nearby."
from $20 - $51 / night
Check Availability"Based on my stay 3 nights and what I read of Greenbelt Park (the other closeby to Washington campground) I would say this has to be much better and I will stay here again on a future visit."
from $12 - $45 / night
Check Availability"It has 8 recreation areas and we stayed at the Hollofield Area in April- one of our first experiences in a Maryland State Park. Beautiful park with 70 miles of hiking/biking /multi use trails."
"This campground is pleasant, but the sites are situated quite close to one another."
from $19 - $27 / night
Check Availability
GuideIf you want to be near Annapolis, right on the Severn River...this is it. About 15 RV spots nestled in the woods...with full hook ups. A couple of primitive spots as well. Just a quick 5 min walk to the river...right across from the Academy. NEX, gas within 10 min walk, and 15 min drive to downtown Annapolis. Staff is always great here, and the park is clean....for a park on the woods.
TravelerBased on my stay 3 nights and what I read of Greenbelt Park (the other closeby to Washington campground) I would say this has to be much better and I will stay here again on a future visit. Campground sits inside of a much larger park with great trails, amenities and well maintained. Campground is quiet, lots of trees, forest and yet each space is very large with good spacing and privacy to adjacent sites. High tree canopy at your site so lots of room to spread out. Sites themselves are a little rustic - a mix of grass, gravel and dirt, but not muddy (it rained a good bit prior to my stay) - but in good condition. Shower/toilet block is clean and good hot water and good water pressure. Most sites are flat or near flat and the ones that aren't need minimal levelling blocks. Campground apparently is never full and there was only 1 other when I was there - really hard to believe. There is a neighborhood road up by the sites near the shower block but it is low speed and lightly travelled and I had no disturbance from it. Nice surrounding neighborhood. No signs of vagrants. Park police patrolled multiple times per day and report very little non-camper entry to ther facilities. I felt very safe.Easy access to Eashington - bus stop outside the campground to metro or just drive to the metro (free parking weekend, $6 midweek) and then train (about 8 per hour) into the sites - an hour or less total to get there. For more local people, this seems like a good escape "to the woods" without travelling forever.
GuideWhat a gem! We found this place as an alternative to staying in DC during 4th of July festivities. Nice spacious sites, cabins were super clean and smelled great! Did I mention they were air conditioned during the hotest week of the summer!
Bathrooms and showers were spotless.
Many things to see and do there. Historic property, big lake (no swimming), boating, fishing, hiking. There is an Art Center with juried displays for sale.
ScoutThe park is very well maintained, and the campsites have clean fire pits and cooking grills. The restrooms are clean, spacious, and well maintained, and my campsite was large enough to comfortably fit a 6-person tent and a canopy.
However, there were a few concerns during our stay. Despite the campground’s quiet hours policy starting at 10:00 PM, many campers continued to make noise well past that time. I did not notice any campground staff or maintenance personnel making rounds to enforce the quiet hours.
I also felt concerned about security. One of my neighboring campers, who was visiting from South Carolina, told me that his generator had been stolen during the night. He reported the theft to the police, and an official report was filed. Incidents like this made me feel unsafe while camping.
I recommend increasing staff or security patrols, especially during the evening and overnight hours, to enforce quiet hours and improve the safety and security of campers and their belongings. With better enforcement and security, Burke Lake Campground would provide an even better camping experience.
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.
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.
GuideBASE ACCESS REQUIRED!
Electric/Water/Sewer hookup sites for $56 a night! (2 night minimum) Which is a great full hookup price, even though it's gone up $6 since last year. Weekly and monthly pricing available as well.
The sites are neat, well maintained, level, and sunny with concrete pads and paved campground roads. 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. Other base amenities include: commissary, gas station, bowling, BBQ, Dunkin', and Greek restaurants, and golf. (I'm sure I'm forgetting something.)
Note: in July it is very buggy - the biting flies are the worst. So bring bug spray or a screened in tent to eat in.
The downside: the reservation system is a major PITA. You have to download a PDF packet, fill it out, and EMAIL it in. When you get your confirmation, it doesn't include a specific site number. You get assigned one when they call you the week of your scheduled check-in for payment completion.
Don't miss out on: the water! My advice would be to reserve one of their boats at the same time you reserve your campsite. The water in this area is great - no jellyfish, low waves. You can SUP, kayak, pontoon boat. Whatever your preference. There are large flats of grasses - which you'd want to avoid with a motor but are so much fun to paddle over. Also check out the Susquehanna National Wildlife Refuge island. You can't go inland, but you can anchor off shore, jump in and wade around the shallows.
Also very driveable to an off-base movie theater, Baltimore, and Havre de Grace.
Camping near Bowie, Maryland offers access to significant watershed areas, with several campgrounds situated along the Patapsco and Potomac Rivers. The region experiences four distinct seasons, with summer temperatures averaging 85-90°F and high humidity levels, while spring and fall bring milder conditions ideal for outdoor activities. Local camping areas range from 50 to 400 feet in elevation, with most sites featuring moderate tree cover.
Disc golf at Pohick Bay: The 18-hole course at Pohick Bay Campground offers a challenging game among trees. "I'd recommend taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course," notes Rachel L., who calls this spot her "go-to weekend camping spot."
Kayaking and paddling: Waterways near campsites provide paddling opportunities with rental options available. "There is boat rental a short walk down the trail from the campgrounds," explains Ben G. from Pohick Bay, while at Cherry Hill Park, campers enjoy easy access to nearby water activities as part of their stay.
Hiking from camp: Trail networks connect directly to many campsites. "We enjoyed hiking the trails directly from our campsite that led us down to the Patapsco River," shares Travyl Couple about their stay at Hollofield Area Campground, where "70 miles of hiking/biking/multi-use trails" provide extensive outdoor options.
Urban oasis feeling: Despite proximity to cities, campers appreciate natural settings. "This is an urban oasis. Traffic can be heard but not seen," explains Becky about Greenbelt Park Campground, adding that "weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground."
Proximity to metro stations: Easy public transit access allows for car-free sightseeing. "It's a great place to camp if visiting DC," explains Laura M., noting that at Greenbelt "the green line takes you to the National Mall" with trips costing "about $2 each way on the train."
Wildlife encounters: Unexpected animal sightings enhance the experience. At Cedarville State Forest, Ben J. reports that even before reaching the gates, his group "saw a snake, alligator snapping turtle, and rabbits." Many campgrounds maintain enough forest cover to support local wildlife despite urban proximity.
Site reservations required: Most campgrounds no longer accept walk-ups. "This is a NO CASH facility which means you CANNOT pay upon arrival," Crystal C. warns about Greenbelt Park, advising visitors to "reserve online."
Noise considerations: Airport and traffic sounds affect some locations. At Adventure Bound Washington DC, Cynthia D. reports that the "nearby road was very busy with a lot of traffic noise especially early in the morning," while Hollofield campers mention airplane flyovers.
Tick and insect precautions: Wooded areas require protective measures. Joe C. describes Cedarville State Forest as "Tickville" noting that "the ticks were waaaay too plentiful" during summer months, making insect repellent essential gear for camping in this region.
Playgrounds and activities: Several campgrounds feature dedicated children's areas. At Patapsco Valley State Park, Angel G. notes it's "perfect for keeping the kids entertained" with "a huge playground, sensory trail and nature discovery center at the entrance to the park."
Scheduled programming: Check for organized activities when booking. Ben G. found that Pohick Bay staff "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."
Swimming options: Pool facilities offer relief during hot weather. Cherry Hill Park features "a pool, splash pad, RV supplies and repair parts, a snack bar and lots more," according to Scott C., making it suitable for families seeking additional recreation beyond camping.
Electric hookup locations: Limited electrical sites require advance planning. At Hollofield Area Campground, Jennifer S. explains the layout has "two concentric circles. The inner circle has electric but no water or sewer. The outer circle is primitive."
Water fill considerations: Water access varies significantly between parks. Laura M. notes that at Greenbelt Park, "the water fill was a little annoying in that there's a handle you have to hold down the whole time, but we used a rock to prop the handle down."
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require extra work for comfortable setup. At Washington DC/Capitol KOA, Guerrmo warns that the "camp site wasn't level at all. I was actually kind of worried that it would slide into the woods," suggesting RVers bring leveling blocks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Bowie, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bowie, MD is Cherry Hill Park with a 4.8-star rating from 44 reviews.
What parks are near Bowie, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Bowie, MD that allow camping, notably Greenbelt Park and Fort Dupont Park.
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