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Clarksville, Maryland sits at the crossroads of several camping destinations, with options ranging from full-service RV parks to more rustic tent sites within an hour's drive. Patapsco Valley State Park, located about 15 miles northeast, offers wooded campsites along its 32-mile river corridor with both electric and non-electric sites. Little Bennett Campground in nearby Clarksburg provides tent, RV, and cabin accommodations from April through October. Cherry Hill Park in College Park stands out as one of the most amenity-rich options, featuring full hookups, yurts, and cabins for those seeking comfort while maintaining proximity to Washington DC. The region balances developed campgrounds with more secluded options, making it suitable for various camping preferences.
Most campgrounds in the area require advance reservations, particularly during the peak season from late spring through early fall. Maryland state parks prohibit alcohol consumption, a regulation enforced across public camping areas. Summer humidity can be significant, with campers at Cedarville State Forest noting that "mosquitos run wild at night flipping trash can lids on your campsite hunting for food." Height restrictions affect some campgrounds, with Hollofield Area in Patapsco Valley requiring vehicles over 11 feet to "approach only from the west" due to a low bridge. Cell coverage is generally reliable throughout the region, with most campgrounds reporting good connectivity even in more wooded areas. Many sites close seasonally between late October and early April.
Proximity to urban areas creates a unique camping experience, with some trade-offs noted by visitors. A camper at Greenbelt Park observed that "helicopters and planes fly over regularly, and you can hear sirens from neighboring College Park," but appreciated that "as soon as you leave the park you are in College Park with Metro access close by." Shaded sites are highly valued during summer months, with one visitor to Owens Creek noting, "It was a very hot weekend but the campground is mostly in full shade. We never felt uncomfortable." Water features enhance many camping experiences, with the Patapsco River offering swimming and fishing opportunities. Trails connect many campgrounds to broader recreation networks, including the C&O Canal towpath, which one reviewer described as allowing visitors to "walk or bike for miles in either direction for hours."
"Metrorail is about 6 miles from campground, near University of Maryland."
"Great camping amenities, soft cushioned sites, with power and water close by. DO NOT GET BASIC TENT SITES AS THEY ARE NEXT TO HIGHWAYS AND VERY NOISY!!! Premium tent sites would be a better choice."
from $999 / night
Check Availability"If you are really looking for somewhere to feel far away from civilization and see some beautiful scenery, this probably isn't it."
"The campsite is superb with walking trails, wildlife and the occasional overflying US Presidential Helicopter. Easily accessible from close by freeways, and charmingly peaceful"
from $20 / night
Check Availability"Camp site(Tent camping)
The camp site is what it is, just a camp site :) It's one of the bigger state parks surrounded by forest in MD.""Another negative was after the storm for the next few days we heard trees falling nearby."
from $20 - $51 / night
Check Availability"We stay at Ramblin Pines because it is close to family and a good proximity to visiting Baltimore and Frederick."
"We love this home away from home ❤️"
from $30 - $70 / night
Check Availability"It has 8 recreation areas and we stayed at the Hollofield Area in April- one of our first experiences in a Maryland State Park. Beautiful park with 70 miles of hiking/biking /multi use trails."
"This campground is pleasant, but the sites are situated quite close to one another."
from $19 - $27 / night
Check Availability"Quiet woods in Maryland about 30 or 40 miles north of DC. Tenting, and RV spots partial to full service. Just of hiway 270. pricey ($66/night) for a state park, but nice."
"PROS Very nice small Montgomery County Park
No reservation fee to make on-line reservations
Reserved 137 days prior to arriving
Entrance gate required entry code Instructed by staff via gate phone"
"They have a nice dog area for the dog to be able to run around and exercise which a lot of places we have been do not have a place for the dog to really exercise."
"The location worked for my trip but not sure it’s that convenient to DC."
from $150 - $200 / night
Check Availability"We set up our tent in the far side of the campground close to the lake ( site 27). It is slightly slant but still comfortable in the tent. Bathrooms are close by and kept clean."
"For tent camping I would suggests sites 30,33 or 35 these are tucked along the tree line. The bathroom facilities were the cleanest I have seen in a campground."
from $30 - $70 / night
Check Availability
ScoutThe staff is certainly at the office not competent. Someone ran over my house when we were away and damaged it. The WiFi didn’t work any of the day but upon assistance request no one was willing to help. It couldn’t be worse. We have no other words except never a KOA location again.
GuideIf you want to be near Annapolis, right on the Severn River...this is it. About 15 RV spots nestled in the woods...with full hook ups. A couple of primitive spots as well. Just a quick 5 min walk to the river...right across from the Academy. NEX, gas within 10 min walk, and 15 min drive to downtown Annapolis. Staff is always great here, and the park is clean....for a park on the woods.
TravelerBased 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. Campground sits inside of a much larger park with great trails, amenities and well maintained. Campground is quiet, lots of trees, forest and yet each space is very large with good spacing and privacy to adjacent sites. High tree canopy at your site so lots of room to spread out. Sites themselves are a little rustic - a mix of grass, gravel and dirt, but not muddy (it rained a good bit prior to my stay) - but in good condition. Shower/toilet block is clean and good hot water and good water pressure. Most sites are flat or near flat and the ones that aren't need minimal levelling blocks. Campground apparently is never full and there was only 1 other when I was there - really hard to believe. There is a neighborhood road up by the sites near the shower block but it is low speed and lightly travelled and I had no disturbance from it. Nice surrounding neighborhood. No signs of vagrants. Park police patrolled multiple times per day and report very little non-camper entry to ther facilities. I felt very safe.Easy access to Eashington - bus stop outside the campground to metro or just drive to the metro (free parking weekend, $6 midweek) and then train (about 8 per hour) into the sites - an hour or less total to get there. For more local people, this seems like a good escape "to the woods" without travelling forever.
GuideWhat a gem! We found this place as an alternative to staying in DC during 4th of July festivities. Nice spacious sites, cabins were super clean and smelled great! Did I mention they were air conditioned during the hotest week of the summer!
Bathrooms and showers were spotless.
Many things to see and do there. Historic property, big lake (no swimming), boating, fishing, hiking. There is an Art Center with juried displays for sale.
ScoutThe park is very well maintained, and the campsites have clean fire pits and cooking grills. The restrooms are clean, spacious, and well maintained, and my campsite was large enough to comfortably fit a 6-person tent and a canopy.
However, there were a few concerns during our stay. Despite the campground’s quiet hours policy starting at 10:00 PM, many campers continued to make noise well past that time. I did not notice any campground staff or maintenance personnel making rounds to enforce the quiet hours.
I also felt concerned about security. One of my neighboring campers, who was visiting from South Carolina, told me that his generator had been stolen during the night. He reported the theft to the police, and an official report was filed. Incidents like this made me feel unsafe while camping.
I recommend increasing staff or security patrols, especially during the evening and overnight hours, to enforce quiet hours and improve the safety and security of campers and their belongings. With better enforcement and security, Burke Lake Campground would provide an even better camping experience.
TravelerOne of our favorite places. Very well kept. No bathhouse so bring your own. A lot of shady sites. Great views of Chesapeake bay. Flat roads in the area for cycling.
ScoutStaff is friendly and everything is kept up well, newly renovated pool and pavilion area.
TravelerFor $90 per night the WiFi should work better. Didn’t connect at all. Had to use the antenna pointed East to get local Baltimore news.
ScoutThis camp ground is like a resort with 2 pools mini golf splash pad and many other amenities
Campsites near Clarksville, Maryland offer year-round options with distinct seasonal experiences. The region sits at elevations between 300-500 feet in Maryland's Piedmont region, creating a varied woodland environment with pockets of river access. Most campgrounds in the area operate on reservation systems that fill quickly during summer months when temperatures average 85-90°F with high humidity.
Water activities: Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area has swimming and fishing opportunities along its river corridors. "We found a small river and swimming hole at the bottom of the hill off to the side opposite the cabins/park," notes a visitor to the Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area. The park offers numerous access points to the water.
Hiking networks: Many campgrounds connect to extensive trail systems. At Little Bennett Campground, visitors appreciate the "very nice network of trails, most if not all were leashed dog friendly." One reviewer mentioned that "lots of good hiking trails can be accessed from the campsite as well as a nice playground for the kids."
Family recreation: Many sites offer structured activities beyond standard camping. The Washington DC/Capitol KOA features "a pool, outdoor chess set, jumping pillow and gaga ball pit. Our kids (9, 10 and 14) all had fun and made friends." Another visitor mentioned it has "mini golf, two pools, arcade, 24 hour laundry, a store and office open early and late."
Urban exploration: Campgrounds serve as budget-friendly bases for visiting nearby cities. "There are two stations very close to camp (Greenbelt and University Park). Rides vary depending on how far you are going but on average I spent about $10 per day on METRO versus $20-$40 on parking in the district area," reported one camper about transit options.
Natural surroundings: Despite proximity to urban areas, campers appreciate forested settings. At Hollofield Area Campground, one visitor noted, "Being just barely off the beaten path, I wasn't expecting all too much from the one night stay over... I was surprised at the quiet, understated beauty of the forestry around the perfectly level campsite."
Private sites: Campsite layout and spacing matters significantly to visitors. Little Bennett Campground earns praise for "quiet, spacious and heavily wooded sites" where "the sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup." This spacing creates a more natural camping experience.
Urban convenience: Greenbelt Park Campground offers a unique combination of nature and accessibility. "This is an urban oasis. Traffic can be heard but not seen. Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground," explains one reviewer. Another notes that "you can spend entire days at the always-free Smithsonian museums and still fall asleep in the woods."
Kid-friendly amenities: Families appreciate dedicated recreational areas. Ramblin' Pines offers "a pond for fishing, a pool for swimming and a little general store for all your needs, the kids loved the bounce pillow." Another visitor mentioned it has a "jump pillow, mini golf, fishing pond, barnyard with goats, and multiple playgrounds."
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds require advance planning. At Cherry Hill Park, "you get what you pay for. This campground has so much to offer," but reviewers note it can be "expensive." It offers premium amenities like "50 amp hook-up, water, sewer, playground, mini golf, swimming pool, hot tub, basketball court, snack bar on site, nightly hayride, gated, on-site camp store, on-site bus shuttle."
Bridge clearance restrictions: Vehicle height limitations affect access to some areas. At Hollofield Area, one camper warned, "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)."
Seasonal closures: Most campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Patapsco Valley State Park and Little Bennett Campground both operate from April 1 to October 30, requiring campers to plan accordingly.
Noise considerations: Urban proximity means some ambient noise. At Greenbelt Park, campers report "decent little campground! It was quiet aside from occasional air traffic noise, and while there wasn't much spacing between some camp sites everyone was respectful."
Natural playgrounds: Some parks offer unique play spaces beyond standard equipment. At Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area, a parent described "a 'natural' playground aka, large rocks and overturned trees. The kids loved it." The park also features "a huge playground, sensory trail, and small nature center."
Swimming options: Water features rank highly for family enjoyment. Cherry Hill Park provides multiple water recreation options as "this campground has so much to offer. We loved it... Swimming Pool, Hot tub." A visitor mentioned the campground is "great for camping if u want to go into Washington DC."
Educational opportunities: Lake Fairfax Campground combines outdoor recreation with learning possibilities. "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)."
Seasonal timing: Weather considerations affect family comfort significantly. According to one camper, the "best quality: totally in the woods so summer sun doesn't affect you." This shade becomes particularly valuable during humid summer months.
Hookup variations: Electric service levels vary between campgrounds. At Little Bennett, sites in "D Loop is for RVs, A, B, C& E are tents only" with some offering "50A service, water and sewer hookup." Cell service reports indicate "AT&T 5 MB/s w/o booster(1 bar), 8 MB/s with it(2 bars)."
Site leveling: Terrain varies significantly across campgrounds. At Hollofield Area, campers report that some sites are "perfectly level" while others require significant adjustment. One visitor noted, "Site#D69 level side-to-side but we were forced to greatly elevate front of trailer to level front-to-back."
Connectivity considerations: Cell service and internet access vary by location. At Little Bennett, campers report "No WIFI, 1 bar Verizon" while other campgrounds offer better connectivity options.
Height restrictions: Large RVs face specific challenges in some areas. For Hollofield Area, remember that vehicles over 11 feet must "APPROACH THIS PARK ONLY FROM THE WEST" due to a low bridge on the eastbound approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Clarksville, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Clarksville, MD is Cherry Hill Park with a 4.8-star rating from 44 reviews.
What parks are near Clarksville, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Clarksville, MD that allow camping, notably Greenbelt Park and Rock Creek Park.
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