Equestrian camping near Brentwood, Maryland offers limited dedicated horse facilities despite the area's network of multi-use trails. Located in Prince George's County at approximately 150 feet elevation, this suburban region experiences humid summers with temperatures frequently reaching 85-95°F and mild winters. The forested public lands surrounding Brentwood contain mixed hardwood ecosystems where trails often intersect, creating access points for both hikers and riders.
What to do
Disc golf excursions: Bull Run Regional Park maintains an 18-hole disc golf course popular with campers seeking recreation near their sites. One visitor notes, "I'd recommend taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course" at Pohick Bay Campground.
Water recreation: Summer visitors can enjoy multiple water activities at regional parks. "Pirate's Cove waterpark is definitely a highlight in summer. Boating in summer from kayaks to motorboats," reports a camper at Pohick Bay, where water access provides relief during hot Maryland summers.
Nature scavenger hunts: Some parks offer structured outdoor activities for younger campers. A visitor to Bull Run Regional Park shared: "My gkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt. You even get a prize when you finish."
Wildlife spotting: The wetland areas near camping loops attract diverse bird species. A visitor reported, "Eagles everywhere! Large clean sites," making this activity accessible directly from campsites at multiple parks.
What campers like
Proximity to DC: Campers appreciate locations that balance natural settings with urban accessibility. "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," notes a winter visitor to Pohick Bay.
Clean bathhouses: Multiple reviewers highlight bathroom facilities as standout amenities. At Camp Meade RV Park, a visitor noted "Nice clean restrooms and showers," while another camper at Bull Run Regional Park enthusiastically stated: "The best review I can give is of the bathrooms. They're worth staying again alone. Locking doors, individual stalls. Hot dog. Best camping showers I've ever had."
Spacious sites: Campgrounds in the region typically provide adequate separation between sites. A Cedarville State Forest camper mentioned, "very well maintained, nice sites that aren't right on top of one another. multiple loops for groups or individuals."
Security: Military base camping provides additional safety features. At Andrews AFB Military FamCamp, a visitor appreciated "not having to really worry about anything because you are securely on post."
What you should know
Tick prevalence: Cedarville State Forest receives consistent mentions of tick issues. "I've never left this park without at least one tick," warns a repeat visitor, while another notes: "Bring bug and tick spray - definitely need it!"
Noise factors: Despite natural settings, some campgrounds experience noise issues. At Bull Run, "there's a shooting range near by so can be kind of noisy." Meanwhile, at Camp Winery, visitors note it's "very beautiful" but recommend checking proximity to local attractions that may generate traffic.
Weather considerations: Summer thunderstorms can quickly impact camping conditions. One camper at Cedarville recounted: "We set up camp and ate dinner only to be hit by a tornado watch in the area. I spent most of the trip adjusting the water proofing so we stayed dry."
Drainage issues: Some campsites experience standing water after rainfall. A reviewer at Bull Run Regional Park noted: "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."
Tips for camping with families
Weekend activities: Some parks schedule family programming on weekends. A visitor to Andrews AFB Military FamCamp mentioned: "We had a great time here over a long weekend in August. 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."
Playground access: Consider site location relative to play areas. One family noted, "We got a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse. The site was spacious."
Scheduling around maintenance: Plan daily activities with facility closures in mind. A Cedarville visitor advised: "Restrooms were clean, closed daily for cleaning between 1 pm - 3 pm."
Site selection for youngsters: Request sites away from potential hazards. A reviewer cautioned, "Only drawback is that there's only one playground that's awkwardly located."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: RV sites vary in levelness across the region. A Bull Run visitor shared: "My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level."
Firewood considerations: Park-supplied wood may require preparation. At Cedarville State Forest, a camper observed: "The ranger delivers firewood to your site within about 10-15 min of calling, which was very convenient. Cost was $5 for 8 logs."
Tree clearance challenges: Some sites have limited overhead clearance. "Site 6 was good but not for larger rigs. We have a pop up and had to navigate around a tree that would have been very difficult for larger rigs. Site 5 or 7 wouldn't have that problem," noted a Cedarville visitor.
Full hookup availability: Water and electrical connections vary by location. One camper at Cedarville noted: "The site had water and electric which was nice" despite primarily tent camping.
