Campsites near Clarksville, Maryland offer year-round options with distinct seasonal experiences. The region sits at elevations between 300-500 feet in Maryland's Piedmont region, creating a varied woodland environment with pockets of river access. Most campgrounds in the area operate on reservation systems that fill quickly during summer months when temperatures average 85-90°F with high humidity.
What to do
Water activities: Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area has swimming and fishing opportunities along its river corridors. "We found a small river and swimming hole at the bottom of the hill off to the side opposite the cabins/park," notes a visitor to the Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area. The park offers numerous access points to the water.
Hiking networks: Many campgrounds connect to extensive trail systems. At Little Bennett Campground, visitors appreciate the "very nice network of trails, most if not all were leashed dog friendly." One reviewer mentioned that "lots of good hiking trails can be accessed from the campsite as well as a nice playground for the kids."
Family recreation: Many sites offer structured activities beyond standard camping. The Washington DC/Capitol KOA features "a pool, outdoor chess set, jumping pillow and gaga ball pit. Our kids (9, 10 and 14) all had fun and made friends." Another visitor mentioned it has "mini golf, two pools, arcade, 24 hour laundry, a store and office open early and late."
Urban exploration: Campgrounds serve as budget-friendly bases for visiting nearby cities. "There are two stations very close to camp (Greenbelt and University Park). Rides vary depending on how far you are going but on average I spent about $10 per day on METRO versus $20-$40 on parking in the district area," reported one camper about transit options.
What campers like
Natural surroundings: Despite proximity to urban areas, campers appreciate forested settings. At Hollofield Area Campground, one visitor noted, "Being just barely off the beaten path, I wasn't expecting all too much from the one night stay over... I was surprised at the quiet, understated beauty of the forestry around the perfectly level campsite."
Private sites: Campsite layout and spacing matters significantly to visitors. Little Bennett Campground earns praise for "quiet, spacious and heavily wooded sites" where "the sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup." This spacing creates a more natural camping experience.
Urban convenience: Greenbelt Park Campground offers a unique combination of nature and accessibility. "This is an urban oasis. Traffic can be heard but not seen. Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground," explains one reviewer. Another notes that "you can spend entire days at the always-free Smithsonian museums and still fall asleep in the woods."
Kid-friendly amenities: Families appreciate dedicated recreational areas. Ramblin' Pines offers "a pond for fishing, a pool for swimming and a little general store for all your needs, the kids loved the bounce pillow." Another visitor mentioned it has a "jump pillow, mini golf, fishing pond, barnyard with goats, and multiple playgrounds."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds require advance planning. At Cherry Hill Park, "you get what you pay for. This campground has so much to offer," but reviewers note it can be "expensive." It offers premium amenities like "50 amp hook-up, water, sewer, playground, mini golf, swimming pool, hot tub, basketball court, snack bar on site, nightly hayride, gated, on-site camp store, on-site bus shuttle."
Bridge clearance restrictions: Vehicle height limitations affect access to some areas. At Hollofield Area, one camper warned, "APPROACH THIS PARK ONLY FROM THE WEST IF YOUR VEHICLE IS OVER 11 FEET HIGH. (There is a 11' bridge coming east bound into this park)."
Seasonal closures: Most campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Patapsco Valley State Park and Little Bennett Campground both operate from April 1 to October 30, requiring campers to plan accordingly.
Noise considerations: Urban proximity means some ambient noise. At Greenbelt Park, campers report "decent little campground! It was quiet aside from occasional air traffic noise, and while there wasn't much spacing between some camp sites everyone was respectful."
Tips for camping with families
Natural playgrounds: Some parks offer unique play spaces beyond standard equipment. At Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area, a parent described "a 'natural' playground aka, large rocks and overturned trees. The kids loved it." The park also features "a huge playground, sensory trail, and small nature center."
Swimming options: Water features rank highly for family enjoyment. Cherry Hill Park provides multiple water recreation options as "this campground has so much to offer. We loved it... Swimming Pool, Hot tub." A visitor mentioned the campground is "great for camping if u want to go into Washington DC."
Educational opportunities: Lake Fairfax Campground combines outdoor recreation with learning possibilities. "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)."
Seasonal timing: Weather considerations affect family comfort significantly. According to one camper, the "best quality: totally in the woods so summer sun doesn't affect you." This shade becomes particularly valuable during humid summer months.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Electric service levels vary between campgrounds. At Little Bennett, sites in "D Loop is for RVs, A, B, C& E are tents only" with some offering "50A service, water and sewer hookup." Cell service reports indicate "AT&T 5 MB/s w/o booster(1 bar), 8 MB/s with it(2 bars)."
Site leveling: Terrain varies significantly across campgrounds. At Hollofield Area, campers report that some sites are "perfectly level" while others require significant adjustment. One visitor noted, "Site#D69 level side-to-side but we were forced to greatly elevate front of trailer to level front-to-back."
Connectivity considerations: Cell service and internet access vary by location. At Little Bennett, campers report "No WIFI, 1 bar Verizon" while other campgrounds offer better connectivity options.
Height restrictions: Large RVs face specific challenges in some areas. For Hollofield Area, remember that vehicles over 11 feet must "APPROACH THIS PARK ONLY FROM THE WEST" due to a low bridge on the eastbound approach.
