RV campgrounds near Lusby, Maryland provide access to Chesapeake Bay waterways with campsites 20-65 miles from Lusby proper. The region experiences humid summers with temperatures averaging 85-90°F and mild winters, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons. Cell service can be spotty throughout the peninsula, with most campgrounds experiencing limited connectivity in certain areas.
What to do
Water activities on the Potomac River: Smallwood State Park offers water-based recreation with boat launching access included with camping. "There is a nice fishing pier and the Generals Trail which my son loved," notes a camper at Smallwood State Park Campground.
Fossil hunting: The Chesapeake region contains exposed fossil beds where visitors search for prehistoric shark teeth. "We came from Pa/De and wanted to look for sharks teeth. It was beautiful here so we decided to stay the night," reports a visitor at Westmoreland State Park Campground.
Hiking trails: Multiple parks offer wooded trails ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. A visitor at Cedarville State Forest mentions, "Forested campground with fairly lengthy but level (and thus beginner friendly) hiking just a short distance away from Washington, DC."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer good separation between camping spots. At Cedarville State Forest, campers appreciate that "The sites for tents are big enough for a 4 person tent. There are clean bathrooms and the hosts, who I have spoken to many times, are friendly and knowledgeable about the area."
Waterfront access: Direct water access ranks highly among camper preferences. "Nothing fancy here but who needs fancy when you have a beach, fishing, live entertainment and the beast sunsets going?" writes a reviewer about Roaring Point Waterfront Campground.
Clean facilities: Maintained bathhouses matter to visitors across the region. "Bathhouse was old, and quite buggy, but reasonably clean. No dish washing sink, which was a bummer for me. Showers looked ok, and the stalls were quite large," notes a camper at Smallwood State Park.
What you should know
Seasonal operation varies: Most campgrounds in the region have limited operating seasons. Cedarville State Forest operates April to October, while Smallwood State Park runs March to October. Military facilities like Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp require proper credentials: "You need military credentials. Handy to the DC Metro Transit system. Nice views of river."
Tick prevention essential: The region's wooded areas harbor ticks, especially in summer. A camper at Cedarville State Forest warns, "Bring bug and tick spray - definitely need it! We hiked the brown trail and it was a nice walk."
Uneven sites at some campgrounds: Bring leveling equipment for RVs. "Site was spacious, level and shady. The site next to ours had perfect hammock trees too!" contrasts with experiences at other camps where leveling is challenging.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with activities: Westmoreland State Park offers programs for children. "They did have great trails, a lot of scheduled events for all ages, a pool and boat rentals and competitive prices. Overall a round experience and enough to do to maintain an entire weekend."
Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds host regular events that create noise. At Smallwood State Park, one camper reported, "The campground itself was peaceful but there was a DJ playing all-day Saturday. The music echoed though out the entire park."
Playground availability: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. "There is a playground, bathhouse, and historical buildings that are accessible to campers," notes a visitor at Smallwood State Park, while Thousand Trails Harbor View offers "a playground with lots of picnic tables and a putt putt (small fee) that's is close. There is a basketball court and nice paved roads to ride bikes on."
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions vary significantly: Larger rigs require careful site selection. "Some sites are a little unlevel, front to rear, but definitely manageable. You really need a toad since supplies are not very close to the camping area," advises an RVer at Fort Belvoir.
Availability of full hookups: The region has limited full-hookup options. At Harbor View, campers report "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."
WiFi and connectivity: Remote work requires planning for adequate signals. "I work full-time remote and the Verizon service was perfect with our hotspot," shares a camper at Thousand Trails Harbor View, contrasting with connectivity challenges reported at other area campgrounds.
