3 campgrounds with availability next weekend
State parks and public lands surrounding Burtonsville, Maryland offer several tent-only camping options within a 30-minute drive, ranging from forested campgrounds with facilities to primitive riverside tent campsites. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area provides non-electric tent sites in a forested setting with clean facilities and hiking trails. The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring features walk-in tent sites with basic amenities just 15 minutes from Burtonsville. Along the C&O Canal, primitive tent camping can be found at locations like Swains Lock and Horsepen Branch, which provide riverside camping with minimal facilities.
Tent sites at Patapsco Valley feature crushed stone pads that require extra padding for comfort. A camper noted that "the crushed stone at the sites isn't comfortable for tents, and they won't let you pitch it on the ground, so bring extra pads and alternative ways to secure the tent." Sites in the lower portion of the campground can become waterlogged during heavy rain. The C&O Canal hiker-biker campsites require a short walk from parking areas and offer more primitive conditions with pit toilets and sometimes iodine-treated water pumps. Most sites include fire rings and picnic tables, though firewood restrictions apply at state parks where outside wood is prohibited.
Walk-in tent sites along the Potomac River provide unique experiences for tent campers seeking proximity to water. According to reviews, the Swains Lock area has "at least 6 separate campsites with their own picnic table and fire ring" but requires visitors to "pack out your own garbage." Sites at Antietam Creek require campers to "park on the road and walk about 75 feet" to reach their campsite. Early morning wildlife viewing is common, with one visitor reporting wild turkeys visible from their tent. The Appalachian Trail's Annapolis Rock Campground offers backcountry tent camping at 1,700 feet elevation with "beautiful views" for those willing to hike in. Most primitive tent sites are first-come, first-served, while established campgrounds like Patapsco Valley require reservations.
"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
from $150 - $200 / 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
"Purchasers the camp site is beautiful secluded quiet wonderful if you're looking for that extreme outdoors a no civilization it's a good hike to get to the campsite there's no parking nearby no water"
Available next weekend
from $40 / night
"There are two main beaches and there are picnic tables all over the park. There’s a popular boat launch amd small marina/bait store.
Get there early on weekends and holidays.""There are wonderful views of the water and swimming at the beach, pavilions for social gatherings, showers and bathrooms that are kept pretty very clean, and room for backpacking, hiking, picnicking,"
"Very spartan but great location. Not much to do in the campground and some long timers there. Dirt cheap"
"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
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.
GuideYou just can't beat a pennsylvania park. This one is not an exception. Nice clean restroom, plenty of room. Now, what cost a star. Yes, it rained like hell. When we broke camp and go dump. The dump station was overflowing with sewer. Go to the guard shack to tell them, and find another site. None there. Can I go to an unused full hookup to dump? No! I would have to pay for the site. Two hours later, we found a place to dump for $10.
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.
ScoutThis is are first camping adventure in are new travel trailer. Camp ground is quiet and well maintained. Bath rooms and shower facilities are fantastic.
GuidePrimitive feel with full hookups. I have a 22' trailer, and it fits fine. I hope you like trains. Plenty of them go by.
GuideThis is a great camping spot. The sites aren’t too close together and the hosts are very friendly. The only reason I gave it four stars is because we are near a highway so you can hear cars throughout the night. But the crickets make up for it by being as loud as possible. With the fees, it cost $25 for a non-electric site and with access to showers after a long trek I was happy to pay.
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.
Tent camping near Burtonsville, Maryland provides access to several state and regional parks within a 30-mile radius. The region features hardwood forests with elevations ranging from 250-500 feet above sea level, creating varied camping terrain. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall bring cooler 50-70°F temperatures with less precipitation.
Hiking trails with elevation: At Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area, visitors enjoy varied terrain for day hikes. "The hike I did was not very long but was well worth it. The trail was well marked but there was some confusion at one point on where we were supposed to go," notes a camper who recommends the experience for beginner hikers.
Water activities: Kayaking and fishing options abound near the best tent camping near Burtonsville. "Great kayaking on the Patapsco River. Tons of wildlife, facilities, and amenities for you and your family," reports one visitor who found the park clean with knowledgeable staff.
Nature programs: Several parks offer educational opportunities. "The Hilton entrance of Patapsco Valley Park is perfect for keeping the kids entertained. There is a huge playground, sensory trail and nature discovery center at the entrance to the park," shares a camper who visited with children.
Accessibility to Baltimore: Leesylvania State Park Campground offers proximity to urban areas while maintaining natural surroundings. One camper notes it's "so close to DC but so far away" and adds that "the price and location near DC cannot be beat. It is directly on Potomac River."
Wildlife viewing: Morning and evening animal sightings enhance the camping experience. At Sandy Point, a visitor mentions, "Our favorite thing to do is to fossil hunt for sharks teeth. In late spring while school is still in session" the crowds are smaller and wildlife more visible.
Clean facilities: Campground maintenance receives positive mention. "The bathhouse is nothing special, but it's well maintained and clean," reports one Patapsco Valley visitor, while another notes, "Very clean and the people we met were friendly."
Weather considerations: Low-lying areas can flood during rainstorms. "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," explains one camper at Patapsco Valley.
Seasonal crowds: Many parks become extremely busy during summer months. At Sandy Point State Park Youth Group Camping, a visitor warns, "Get there early on weekends and holidays. The line to get in can be a mile long!"
Park entrance challenges: Navigation to some camping areas requires attention. "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," shares a Patapsco Valley camper.
Playground access: The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring offers tent camping with recreational amenities. It's "very convenient for before or after your time in the largest aerial challenge course in North America," notes a visitor who recommends it for groups rather than individual campers.
Nature education: Take advantage of educational trails designed for children. "The sensory trail and playground" at Patapsco Valley "is the perfect little getaway from the city for camping, fishing and hiking. Be aware that neither the hiking trails or playground are stroller friendly," advises a family camper.
Multiple day visits: Some parks require more time to fully explore. "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," explains a repeat visitor.
Military option: Military Park United States Naval Academy/Annapolis Naval Station Annapolis FamCamp provides basic accommodations for eligible service members. A visitor describes it as "Very spartan but great location. Not much to do in the campground and some long timers there. Dirt cheap."
Water and electric access: While tent camping dominates near Burtonsville, some sites accommodate small RVs with hookups. "This campground was on the smaller side. You get a fire pit and cooking crate, and a picnic table," notes a camper who appreciated the amenities despite limitations.
Arrival timing: Plan check-in times carefully when visiting with an RV. One camper 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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Burtonsville, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Burtonsville, MD is Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area with a 4.1-star rating from 20 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Burtonsville, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 28 tent camping locations near Burtonsville, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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