Campgrounds near Simpsonville, Maryland offer a mix of state parks and private facilities within a 35-mile radius. Most campgrounds in this region sit at elevations between 200-400 feet, creating moderate hiking conditions suitable for various skill levels. The region experiences high humidity during summer months with temperatures regularly reaching 85-95°F from June through August, while spring and fall camping seasons provide more comfortable 60-75°F temperatures.
What to do
Trail exploration at Patapsco Valley State Park: Access over 70 miles of varied terrain trails directly from the Hilton Area campground. "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 suppose to go. Luckily I had an app that kept me on trail. There are some pretty cool Bridges, old houses, and a water fall," noted one visitor to Patapsco Valley State Park.
Urban exploration with public transportation: Stay at Greenbelt Park Campground and utilize nearby metro stations for DC access. "This is an urban oasis. Traffic can be heard but not seen. Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground... Oh, and bonus, the American Discovery Trail (ADT) passes through the park," shared a camper at Greenbelt Park Campground.
Water activities at regional parks: Several campgrounds provide water-based recreation opportunities during summer months. At Lake Fairfax Campground, one visitor commented, "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)."
What campers like
Wooded seclusion near urban areas: Many campgrounds offer surprising privacy despite proximity to cities. "We stayed at site D72 for 4 days. The sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup," explained a visitor at Little Bennett Campground.
Transit convenience to DC attractions: Campers appreciate the ability to reach major attractions without driving. A Cherry Hill Park visitor shared, "Proximity to DC and surrounding areas can't be beat. Uber, Lyft, bus, shuttle. It takes about a half hour to get downtown to the monuments. Our uber rides ranged from 20-45$ for a family of 5."
Seasonal flexibility: Some campgrounds maintain year-round operations. At Ramblin' Pines, campers can access facilities throughout winter months when most other area campgrounds close. "My brother lives about ten minutes from this campground. He failed to make a reservation so we ended up on a primitive site w no electric or water. Which actually worked out quite well in the end we made it work for us."
What you should know
Reservation requirements vary seasonally: During peak season (May-September), weekend reservations should be made 2-3 months in advance for popular campgrounds. "We picked up the camping registration outside the office at the entrance, no need to speak with anyone. Then we just drove down to our campsite in the family camping loop," reported a visitor to Cedarville State Forest.
Weather impact on camping experience: Summer thunderstorms can create drainage issues at some campgrounds. "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 and it was very wet even after the rain died down," noted a camper at Patapsco Valley State Park.
Site privacy considerations: Campground layouts differ significantly in terms of site spacing. "The inner circle has electric but no water or sewer. The outer circle is primitive. There is a dump station. There is a decent bathhouse but it does get buggy," observed a visitor at Hollofield Area Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature multiple play areas for different age groups. "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," explained one family camper.
Swimming options: Water features vary significantly between campgrounds. At Washington DC/Capitol KOA, "They have a nice area for kids (pool, playground, jumping pillow, basketball courts, giant chess, etc). If you get an area to back into it'll be more secluded, but the pull through spots offer no privacy."
Educational opportunities: Some campgrounds offer nature programming specifically for children. "This is a small gem of a state park campground, one of only two is the massive Patapsco Valley State Park. It's a bit odd getting here through a suburban neighborhood, but the Hilton area is great. It seem like this area is, possibly unintentionally, geared toward children. There is a massive playground, nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Full hookups can be limited in the region, requiring planning. "Driveways are all very narrow. Most have too much tree cover for solar or starlink, but some sites are more open and you might be able to make it work. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Cost is $20/night, must reserve on recreation.gov."
Navigational challenges: Several campgrounds have tricky entrance routes. "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.)" warns an experienced RVer about accessing Patapsco Valley State Park.
Alternative accommodations: Some of the best places to camp near Simpsonville, Maryland offer cabin options for those without RVs. "The best part of this campground are the neat mini cabins. Small one room cabins that have electricity and heat. They are a nice touch for those that want to camp, but not completely 'rough it.'"
