Camping options near Cheltenham, Maryland range from basic tent sites to full-service RV campgrounds within 30 miles of the town. This area experiences hot, humid summers with average July temperatures reaching 87°F and mild winters with January lows around 27°F. Located in the Coastal Plain region, the terrain is generally flat with several waterways including the Patuxent River offering recreational opportunities for campers.
What to do
Kayaking and water recreation: At Pohick Bay Campground, campers can enjoy various water activities on the Potomac River. "Beautiful campground located near the National Harbor. Eagles everywhere! Large clean sites. Great staff!" notes reviewer Kathie M. The park also offers disc golf for land-based recreation.
Hiking opportunities: The region offers several hiking options for various skill levels. At Cedarville State Forest, "There is a small zip line for kids and you may request games such as cornhole, horseshoes, or Yardzee to play." For more extensive trails, Greenbelt Park features the American Discovery Trail, where one camper mentions "the American Discovery Trail (ADT) passes through the park."
Urban exploration with outdoor base: Many campers use these campgrounds for DC trips. One reviewer at Cherry Hill Park explains, "We took the metro from Union station to Penn station. Saw the nationals, the orioles. So fun." The campground offers a shuttle service to the metro, making city exploration convenient without driving.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Despite the urban proximity, wildlife sightings are common. At Greenbelt Park Campground, one camper appreciates "the quiet nature of the campground, the overall feeling of the outdoor space (every morning birds and squirrels)." Pohick Bay Campground is known for eagle sightings, with one reviewer specifically noting "Eagles everywhere!"
Clean facilities: Most campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms and showers. At Louise F. Cosca Regional Park, "Bathrooms are clean, closed daily for cleaning between 1 pm - 3 pm. Two showers were included." Similarly, a Cedarville State Forest visitor mentions, "Bathrooms don't look like much from the outside, but the inside is very nice. Clean, hot water, and good water pressure."
Privacy between sites: Several campgrounds offer good separation between sites. One Cedarville visitor appreciates "very well maintained, nice sites that aren't right on top of one another. multiple loops for groups or individuals." The vegetation often helps with privacy, as noted at Greenbelt Park where "Sites were well-maintained, including lavatories. Plenty of tree cover."
What you should know
Ticks and insects: Tick prevention is essential in this region. A camper at Cedarville warns, "LOTS and LOTS of ticks. I got one, but my wife and dog got about a dozen each. Just bring tweezers." Another mentions, "We tried fans, tiki torches, and many deet free or light deet products before having to buy 100% deet so we could be outside."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking. At Final-Lee Here, which has only three sites, reservations are essential. Louise F. Cosca Regional Park has "no registration on site it's online only" through their parks website.
Urban noise: Despite natural settings, proximity to urban areas means occasional noise. "It's close to a Naval base, and therefore you constantly hear airplanes, and helicopters at all times," notes a Cedarville camper. Another reviewer adds, "There is however a great bit of light pollution at night here due to its approximation to DC."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated activities for children. Cherry Hill Park provides "Playground, Mini Golf, Swimming Pool, Hot tub, Basketball court, Snack bar on site, Nightly hayride." One visitor emphasizes, "This campground has so much to offer. We loved it."
Beginner-friendly options: Some locations are particularly good for new campers. Cedarville State Forest is described as a "Forested campground with fairly lengthy but level (and thus beginner friendly) hiking just a short distance away from Washington, DC." The reviewer adds, "If you've forgotten anything you can pop on by the Target or Costco right outside the forest."
Educational opportunities: Many families combine camping with learning experiences. A visitor to Greenbelt Park mentions "monthly programs at the campfire circle that I sometimes attend even when not camping here," providing educational content for children and adults alike.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling considerations: At Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp, one RVer advises, "Good location, tho our site wasn't fully level, so bring plenty of leveling blocks." Similarly, at Cedarville State Forest, "Each site had picnic table, fire ring, and pretty level parking spot."
Water and dump stations: Many campgrounds provide these essentials. At Louise F. Cosca Regional Park, "there is a dump station at the beginning of the campground with access to water as well. Free of charge." At Cedarville, "They have a new dump station, but the hose has an anti-freeze up in the air with a pull cord valve."
Road conditions: Internal roads vary significantly between campgrounds. Adventure Bound Washington DC has a "driveway was dirt/gravel with a lot of holes," while Cherry Hill Park offers "paved roads for scootering." RVers should check site accessibility before booking, especially at smaller campgrounds like Cedarville where "site 6 was good but not for larger rigs."
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