Brookeville, Maryland sits in the Piedmont region at approximately 450 feet elevation, characterized by gentle rolling hills and deciduous forests. The area experiences distinct seasons with hot, humid summers and cold winters, making spring and fall optimal for outdoor activities. Campsites within 30 miles of Brookeville typically don't offer dedicated equestrian facilities, but several campgrounds accommodate RVs, tents, and occasionally pets.
What to do
Trail riding opportunities: While dedicated equestrian camping facilities are limited near Brookeville, Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville offers connections to nearby trails. "BR park is absolutely beautiful. So much to do and centered around many historical sites. It's a gem," notes one camper at Bull Run Regional Park.
Fishing access: Several campgrounds offer fishing opportunities for anglers. "The park is nice, but if you're looking for fishing don't go here, but you can in fact kayak down the creek," mentions a visitor to Bull Run Regional Park. At Pohick Bay Campground, one camper reports, "My husband caught a fish first day in the pond behind our site."
Historical explorations: The region offers significant historical sites worth visiting. "Hiking, biking, swimming, fishing. Downfall there's a shooting range near by so can be kind of noisy or at least it was the night we were here. Lots of history near by so check out the old battle fields and buildings that housed troops during civil war," writes a camper describing their experience.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds in the region provide opportunities to observe local wildlife. "Beautiful campground located near the National Harbor. Eagles everywhere! Large clean sites. Great staff!" shares a camper about Pohick Bay Campground.
Accessible bathhouses: Campers frequently mention the quality of facilities at Cedarville State Forest. "Bathrooms don't look like much from the outside, but the inside is very nice. Clean, hot water, and good water pressure," writes one reviewer. Another camper at Bull Run notes, "I'll go again just for the showers...They're worth staying again alone. Locking doors, individual stalls. Hot dog. Best camping showers I've ever had."
Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the roominess of their campsites. "The sites are all pull-through off the roads through the campground. So your camper faces the woods and you feel like you're all alone," notes a visitor to Bull Run Regional Park.
What you should know
Insect awareness: Ticks and mosquitoes can be problematic during warm months. A Cedarville State Forest camper warns, "LOTS and LOTS of ticks. I got one, but my wife and dog got about a dozen each. Just bring tweezers." Another notes, "We tried fans, tiki torches, and many deet free or light deet products before having to buy 100% deet so we could be outside."
Noise considerations: Several campgrounds experience noise from nearby facilities or transportation routes. "The only drawback is that it is not quite [quiet]. There is a shooting range in the park. It is on a flight path for DCA. And, I66 is not that far away," shares a Bull Run camper. At Camp Meade RV Park, a visitor mentions, "Was great not to have to really worry about anything because you are securely on post. I forgot all about revielle 🤣. They reminded me."
Weather preparedness: Unexpected weather can affect camping experiences. "I took my girlfriend car camping in Cedarville State Forest. The camping trip turned more into a stay in the tent the whole trip. We set up camp and ate dinner only to be hit by a tornado watch in the area," shares a camper.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Many campgrounds offer family-oriented programming. "The campground 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," reports a visitor to Pohick Bay.
Playground considerations: Playgrounds vary considerably between campgrounds. A Bull Run camper notes, "Only draw back is that there's only one playground that's awkwardly located." At Gettysburg Campground, roughly 60 miles from Brookeville, a visitor highlights "Playground and mini golf available. Close to battlefields."
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer learning experiences for children. "We did Park Ranger tours to learn about the 1st shot and how the war started to stand in the footsteps of General Buford at Senitary Ridge in the cupola overseeing the battlefield," shares a visitor to Artillery Ridge Campground in Gettysburg.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Camp sites vary in levelness across the region. At Pohick Bay Regional Park, a camper advises, "Sites are spacious and decently level (depends on the site I'm sure)." Another notes, "The sites for tents are big enough for a 4 person tent," when describing Cedarville State Forest.
Hook-up availability: Services differ between campgrounds. "The amenities of Gettysburg Campground are quite good: full hookups with cable, all working as expected. Level sites, friendly and efficient staff, decently sized sites long enough for my 32' coach and a toad," explains an RV camper.
Accessibility considerations: Site configurations can affect larger vehicles. "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," advises a Cedarville State Forest visitor.
