Camping near Brooklandville, Maryland primarily centers around the Patapsco River watershed, with options spread through rolling hills that range from 250-500 feet in elevation. The region experiences moderate rainfall year-round, with summer thunderstorms common during peak camping season from April through October. Winter camping isn't widely available as most facilities close after Halloween due to freezing conditions.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: 3-4 miles from campsites. At Merry Meadows Recreation Farm, campers enjoy a dedicated fishing pond right on the property. "The creek was really nice. Sites were good size and ours had a patio," notes one visitor who appreciated the combination of water access and comfortable sites.
Historic exploration: 10-15 minute drive from campgrounds. Visit the historic working grist mill at Susquehanna State Park where campers can tour preserved buildings. One visitor mentioned, "There is a historic area in the park, with a working grist mill, mansion and other little buildings to view. Not really my thing, but was pretty neat."
Mountain biking: Direct trail access. The extensive trail networks throughout regional parks offer various difficulty levels. A camper at Hollofield Area Campground noted, "We enjoyed hiking the trails directly from our campsite that led us down to the Patapsco River. There is a lot of history associated with the River and the area."
Birdwatching: Early morning recommended. Eagle watching is popular, particularly at Susquehanna State Park. "This is a state operated park with camping and primarily draws Eagle watchers and photographers," explains one visitor who specifically traveled for the wildlife viewing opportunities.
What campers like
Natural playgrounds: Free with campsite. Hollofield Area Campground features rustic play areas kids love. "There is a 'natural' playground in the loop, and then if you drive down further to the park entrance, there is a large playground for the kids. I've attached photos from the 'natural playground' aka, large rocks and overturned trees. The kids loved it," shared a family camper.
Swimming holes: Unofficial spots throughout. While official swimming areas are limited, campers find creek access spots for cooling off. "We found a small river and swimming hole at the bottom of the hill off to the side opposite the cabins/park," mentioned a camper at Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area.
Urban proximity with nature isolation: 30 minutes to Baltimore. Many campers appreciate that Cherry Hill Park offers quick city access while maintaining woodland feel. "Very short drive in to Baltimore- around 30 minutes. 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," a visitor noted.
Stargazing opportunities: Dark skies by 9pm. Several campgrounds offer good night sky viewing despite urban proximity. "There are tall trees with a little opening to see the stars," mentioned a camper at Hollofield Area.
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most close October 30. Almost all state park campgrounds in the area follow the same schedule - open April 1 to October 30. Year-round exceptions include Ramblin' Pines, where a camper noted it's "open all year" and "clean."
Firewood regulations: Must purchase on-site ($5-7 per bundle). State parks prohibit bringing outside wood due to pest concerns. One camper at Susquehanna State Park mentioned, "We bought their firewood for $5/crate and it was really wet. It was challenging to get a fire going, which was frustrating."
Bathroom facilities: Variable quality. Most campgrounds have basic but functional facilities. At Greenbelt Park Campground, a camper noted, "The bathhouses are ok, happy to have free showers with hot running water. Faucets allow you to control the temperature and there's continuous running water (no button to push)."
Check-in times: Strictly enforced 3pm at many sites. Several campgrounds won't let you set up early. A camper at Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area mentioned: "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."
Tips for camping with families
Multi-day itineraries: Plan 2-3 days minimum. Many parks connect to each other, allowing extensive exploration. At Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area, a visitor noted, "Patapsco Valley offers 6 different entrances. Each one provides several different trail heads and experiences... This definitely is a park that takes a while to explore all of it. It cannot be done in a day."
Sensory trails: Perfect for younger kids. Several parks offer special nature trails designed for interactive learning. "There is a huge playground, sensory trail and nature discovery center at the entrance to the park. The nature center was closed when we visited, but the kids still enjoyed the sensory trail and playground," shared a family at Patapsco Valley State Park.
Weather precautions: Sites collect water during rain. Select elevated sites to avoid flooding, particularly in valley areas. One camper warned, "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."
Playground access: Not all sites are equal. At most campgrounds, playgrounds aren't visible from all sites. "I had chosen this site, based on two factors: It was available and it was close to the playground. Unfortunately... you also couldn't see the playground from the site," noted a camper at Susquehanna State Park.
Tips from RVers
Navigation challenges: Height restrictions on approach routes. Some parks have low bridges nearby that restrict access. At Hollofield Area Campground, RVers are 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.)"
Electric-only hookups at state parks: Plan water usage. Most state parks offer electric but no water/sewer at individual sites. "The inner circle has electric but no water or sewer. The outer circle is primitive. There is a dump station," notes a camper at Hollofield Area Campground.
Level site selection: Request specific sites. Many campgrounds have varied terrain with some challenging spots. A camper at Elk Neck State Park advised, "In the full hook up loop pay close attention to the lengths specified. The actual pads are fairly level but some of the driveways to them are very sloped. Long rigs will have issues in a few of the sites."
Water fill-up tricks: Bring tools. Some parks have challenging water fill systems. At Greenbelt Park, a camper shared their solution: "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."
