4 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Tent campsites near Brandywine, Maryland range from designated tent-only campgrounds to more remote walk-in sites, with options including Marsden Tract Group Campsite along the Potomac River and Lacy Oasis Campground for traditional tent camping. Other tent-friendly options include Endeavor Point and Calvert Cliffs State Park, which offers youth group camping approximately 25 miles southeast of Brandywine. Many tent campgrounds in the area maintain designated tent-only areas separate from RV zones, giving campers more privacy and quieter surroundings.
Most tent campgrounds provide basic amenities including fire rings and picnic tables, though facilities vary significantly between locations. Sites at Marsden Tract require a 3-mile hike to reach the campground, making it suitable for those seeking a more primitive tent camping experience. Vault toilets are available at most locations, but drinking water access differs considerably. Campers should verify seasonal availability before planning trips, as some locations like Patapsco Valley State Park operate only from April through October. Fire regulations are strictly enforced throughout the region, with several parks providing firewood for purchase using honor-system payment methods.
The surrounding natural landscape offers river access and forest settings for tent campers. A recent review noted that Marsden Tract offers "super simple and the best price, easy to find and very clean" tent sites. Walk-in tent sites at Caledon State Park provide direct Potomac River access, with one camper describing "a nice 3 mile hike to the campsite which is right by the Potomac River." These backcountry tent locations typically feature portable toilets and designated tent pads where campers must set up. Most primitive tent areas in the region require campers to pack in their own water, as filterable water sources may not be readily available. The region's tent campgrounds typically provide more privacy and natural surroundings than mixed-use campgrounds that also accommodate RVs.
"Whether you are an adult or a child, this place will have a positive effect on you. The owners are involved and designed this space with the visitors pleasure in mind."
from $90 - $190 / night
from $55 - $95 / night
"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
"Good for a day use, parking is full most of the time but have a lot of space to park you may have to walk but you will find one spot..."
"Close to me so theres nothing new"
from $15 - $18 / night
"7 or 8 tent pads. Wood for sale at the site for $4 honor system. Porta pottie right next to wood pile. You’re not supposed to setup anything outside of the “tent pads”."
"It was my first hike in primitive camping experience. We hiked for a few hours and finally got to our site which was right on the Potomac River."
Available this weekend
from $16 / night
"Private campground with cabins and tent sites. Tent sites are first come, first service so call ahead to ensure the space is available."
"They have a few tent camping spots as well as cabins. Just call ahead. I just showed up and got a perfect camp spot with a view of the sunrise and access to the private beach."
"We had a site on the lower end of the loop and our site was hard to set up as we arrived during a storm and it was very wet even after the rain died down."
"There is a massive playground, nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center. There are a lot of easy, but beautiful hikes. The campground is on the smaller side."
from $20 - $51 / night
"Nice and quiet, no hookups, but nice surroundings!"
"It is a very nice walk about 2 miles to the beach where you can hunt for fossils. The beach has gotten smaller over the years however the trail has gotten much better."
ScoutLovely but busy spot. Campground A has hookups but you can also fit a camper into the standard sites. All sites have nice travel pads and fire rings. Campground b is basically an open field as of Nov 2026 recommend avoiding that area.
TravelerClose to washington as we could get. Could also park our skoolie bus which was nice and had plenty of close by shower with bathrooms. Keep in mind only one shower per restroom house. We stayed at a pretty slow season so it wasn’t bad. Would recommend if visiting DC! They also have a dump station and water fill up.
ScoutWe stayed in site #133 with our 34'10" travel trailer/toy hauler. Overall, we really like the site. It's spacious, fairly level, heavily wooded, and feels surprisingly private. There's plenty of room around the camper, and although there are other campsites and cabins nearby, the trees provide a lot of separation. We had a nice large area for our chairs, fire pit, picnic table, and dogs. The biggest thing to know about #133 is the approach. We were instructed to pass the site, go around the loop, and then make a left turn into it. With our nearly 35' trailer, that would have required an extremely tight, almost 90-degree turn between the trees, and we did not feel we could safely make it. There is actually visible damage on one of the trees at the entrance, so it appears others may have had difficulty with the turn as well. Instead, we approached from the opposite direction and positioned the camper with our doors facing the main campsite area. That put the water and electric hookups on the opposite side, but our hoses and cord were long enough to run underneath the camper and reach without a problem. Once we figured that out, the site worked very well for us. I initially thought we probably wouldn't choose #133 again because of the awkward setup, but after spending the weekend here, I would. Now that we know how to approach and position our trailer, it really is a nice site. If you're bringing a longer travel trailer, just be prepared to do a little maneuvering and make sure your water hose and electrical cord have enough length if you decide to orient your camper the way we did.
ScoutSimple and friendly check in process. Clean and well-maintained site.
GuideSpent two nights while we saw the Avett Brothers play at Wolf Trap. Nice flat site with power. Campground was quiet and clean. The only negative is communication and signage. It took us a couple wrong turns to find our site and when we came back, after the concert around 11, the entrance gate was closed and we had to sneak in through the exit gate. Asked the next day and they said that is what campers do to access the park after 11pm.
RangerWe stayed at Little Bennett starting on Labor Day Monday and left before the weekend, so it is hard to say how this looks when the campground is full of life. They had quite a few activities for families and a pavilion capable of concerts and such, but there was minimal activity during our stay. My biggest complaint is that the gate code changed and we didn't get any notice--so after a long day and a dinner out near Baltimore (nearly an hour away), I had to call the police to get back to my camper. Otherwise, the campsite was relatively spacious and quiet. The bugs were a little rough. Lots of whitetail running around.
ScoutIt was a well maintained campsite. Clean bathrooms and great hikes to fossil beach.
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.
Tent campsites near Brandywine, Maryland provide varied overnight opportunities within 30 miles of the DC metro area. The region sits at elevations between 200-450 feet, with campsites typically experiencing summer highs around 87°F and winter lows near 27°F. Most camping locations in this area remain open from April through October, with limited year-round options available.
Fossil hunting: 2-mile hike required to reach the beach area at Calvert Cliffs State Park Youth Group Camping, where visitors can search for prehistoric shark teeth. "Such an amazing expieriance and brings right into the eyes of child with both adult and children searching for shark teeth. Not only is searching for shark teeth a blast, but, the views are beautiful," notes Sarah F.
Fishing and crabbing: Bring proper licenses when visiting Endeavor Point, which provides pier access for catching Chesapeake Bay species. "The pier was perfect to fish or crab off of and the beach had great views of the sunrise," reports Ally S., who camped there during Labor Day weekend. Maryland fishing licenses cost $20.50 for residents, $65 for non-residents.
Hiking trail networks: Multiple distance options available at regional parks. At Patapsco Valley State Park, "The trails we have been on are all pretty moderate to hard but offer beautiful waterfalls and river views," according to Angel G., who notes this park "cannot be done in a day" due to its size and variety of entrances.
Privacy at riverside sites: Campers at Caledon State Park Campground appreciate the secluded nature of the waterfront camping areas. Todd B. describes the setup: "7 or 8 tent pads. Wood for sale at the site for $4 honor system. Porta pottie right next to wood pile. You're not supposed to setup anything outside of the 'tent pads.'"
Group camping for youth organizations: Several parks offer dedicated youth camping areas separate from standard tent camping. "This park is ALWAYS full of family's having picnics and enjoying time together! There's playground and a beach area for kids and family to all enjoy," explains Sarah F. about Leesylvania State Park Campground.
Economical pricing: Tent campers consistently mention affordability at primitive sites. One camper, Emerson K., found camping at Marsden Tract particularly budget-friendly, noting it was "Super simple and the best price... easy to find and very clean."
Seasonal closures affect availability: Several parks maintain limited operating seasons. Patapsco Valley State Park operates from April 1 to October 30, while Calvert Cliffs State Park Youth Group Camping maintains a similar schedule from March 31 to October 29.
Trail conditions vary by weather: Heavy rainfall creates challenging camping conditions at some locations. Alexandra T. observed at Patapsco Valley: "One negative was that when it rains it really flushes through the grounds. We had a site on the lower end of the loop and our site was hard to set up as we arrived during a storm."
Entrance confusion: Some campgrounds have poorly marked access points. As Gayle B. notes about Patapsco Valley: "Getting in to the park was a little difficult. We missed the entrance and had to turn around. Friends who were camping with us had the same problem."
Camp store and supply options limited: Most primitive tent sites near Brandywine lack on-site stores. Gabrielle E. mentions Patapsco Valley "don't sell ice" and campers must arrive with all necessary supplies.
Playgrounds and nature centers: Lacy Oasis Campground provides family-friendly spaces designed specifically for children. Terrance D. shares, "If you are a nature lover, a person who loves peace, serenity, and, tranquility, or just need some respite, Lacy Oasis is the place to be. Whether you are an adult or a child, this place will have a positive effect on you."
Strict check-in times enforced: Parents should plan arrivals carefully as some campgrounds have inflexible policies. At Patapsco Valley, Gabrielle E. notes "this was also the first time we have ever had to wait till exactly 3pm to check in. So if you arrive early expect to wait until 3."
Distance considerations for children: When hiking to tent sites, consider young hikers' abilities. At Caledon State Park, the campsite requires "a nice 3 mile hike to the campsite which is right by the Potomac River," according to Shelby O., making it potentially challenging for families with very young children.
Nature discovery opportunities: Several parks offer educational programming. Sean M. observes that Patapsco Valley's Hilton area "is, possibly unintentionally, geared toward children. There is a massive playground, nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center."
Limited electrical options: Most primitive tent campgrounds near Brandywine lack hookups, but Matoaka Beach Cottages offers some electric sites. The campground primarily features tent spots and cabins along the water, with a camper noting, "We tent camped at Matoka Cabins and it was a beautiful Peaceful camping trip! Out spot was very private and you could see the bay and hear the waves."
Tent-only sections prevent RV crowding: Many local campgrounds separate tent and RV areas. Patapsco Valley State Park offers both tent sites and mini-cabins, which Sean M. describes as "neat mini cabins. Small one room cabins that have electricity and heat. They are a nice touch for those that want to camp, but not completely 'rough it.'"
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Brandywine, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Brandywine, MD is Lacy Oasis Campground with a 5.0-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Brandywine, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 24 tent camping locations near Brandywine, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
