Located in Southern Maryland, Charlotte Hall sits near the Patuxent River and offers camping on terrain characterized by mixed hardwood forests and wetlands. The area's mild climate brings humid summers with temperatures often reaching the mid-80s and moderate winters. Campsites around Charlotte Hall typically feature wooded settings with pine and oak canopies providing natural shade.
What to do
Fossil hunting at beaches: Just 35 minutes from Charlotte Hall, Calvert Cliffs State Park offers a unique experience where visitors can search for prehistoric shark teeth. "The park staff are very friendly, and are very informative on the many fossils you may find on your visit down there," notes Anthony S., who recommends the clearly marked 1.5-mile trail through woods and marsh to reach the beach.
Kayaking nearby waterways: Smallwood State Park provides access to Mattawoman Creek for paddling enthusiasts. "Mattawoman Creek is right there and great for kayaking," explains Lorraine P. The creek's calm waters make it ideal for beginners and wildlife spotting.
Historical exploration: Visit Westmoreland State Park Campground to combine camping with history lessons. "There's a convenience store just outside of the front gate to pick up anything that you probably forgot at home," mentions Christian, who appreciates the park's proximity to historical sites like George Washington's birthplace.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Campers consistently praise Cedarville State Forest for its site spacing. "Very well maintained, nice sites that aren't right on top of one another," reports Donald G., noting the multiple loops available for both groups and individual campers.
Clean facilities: Despite being close to urban areas, Pohick Bay Campground maintains excellent standards. "Amenities and such are what you'd expect - clean but not new," shares Kristen M., who also mentions the "spacious and decently level" sites that accommodate families well.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The natural setting around Charlotte Hall provides excellent wildlife spotting. "Saw a snake, alligator snapping turtle, and rabbits, before we even reached the gates," writes Ben J. about Cedarville State Forest, adding that the park offers "moderate privacy and space, especially considering how close it is to DC."
What you should know
Bug preparation essential: Ticks and mosquitoes are prevalent in many campgrounds. "We tried fans, tiki torches, and many deet free or light deet products before having to buy 100% deet so we could be outside," warns Kasey M. about their summer stay at Cedarville, emphasizing that standing water around sites creates breeding grounds for insects.
Limited connectivity: Most campgrounds offer some cell service, but coverage varies. At Westmoreland State Park Campground, one camper notes, "I got cell service too which was nice," though signal strength fluctuates throughout the park, particularly in more wooded sections.
Seasonal considerations: Spring brings pollen concerns for allergy sufferers. "If you have allergies, avoid spring. EVERYTHING outside was covered in a light haze of pollen," advises Ariel F. from Thousand Trails Harbor View, mentioning she "had to wipe my computer off a couple times a day" when working outside.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several dog-friendly campgrounds near Charlotte Hall feature play areas for children. At Smallwood State Park Campground, one family enjoyed that their site was "right next to the bath house, which was great for the kids" and appreciated the "nearby shed with firewood for $5/crate, sold on the honor system."
Water features for summer cooling: When temperatures rise, look for campgrounds with water access. "The park has a great play ground right off the main parking lot for kids to play on as well as a few bathrooms. Also right off the parking lot is a little fishing pond," writes Anthony S. about Calvert Cliffs State Park.
Educational opportunities: Many parks offer nature programs for children. "They have a nice park for the kids by the entrance and a very well kept pond at the beginning of the hike to fish from," notes a visitor to Calvert Cliffs, where kids can learn about prehistoric fossils and marine biology.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: RVers should research specific sites before booking. At Endeavor Point, "the camping areas aren't dispersed and are pretty small" according to Ally S., though she still found it enjoyable for fishing and crabbing from the pier.
Hookup availability: Full service sites can be found at Thousand Trails Harbor View which offers "Pool, laundry, bath houses, FHU, 50 amp," according to Jason E., who adds that "sites are big enough, maybe a little tight in some places. Most are nestled under the trees, so good shade during summer."
Leveling requirements: Many sites require some leveling. "Gravel site pad could definitely use some maintenance and fresh material added. Had to put down boards to park our travel trailer because about a third of the pad had just turned into mud," reports Nick E. about his experience at Thousand Trails Harbor View.
