Pet-friendly campgrounds near Clinton, Maryland, provide access to wooded camping within 30 miles of Washington DC. The terrain consists primarily of mixed hardwood forests with elevations ranging from 200-300 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-95°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions in the 60-75°F range.
What to do
Disc golf courses: Pohick Bay Regional Park features an 18-hole disc golf course that draws enthusiasts from throughout the region. "I'd recommend taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course," notes Rachel L., who considers Pohick Bay her "go-to weekend camping spot."
Boating opportunities: Multiple water access points allow for various boating activities at Pohick Bay. "Boating in summer from kayaks to motorboats," is available according to Anne K., who recommends visiting in autumn when the foliage adds color to the landscape.
Hiking near urban areas: Greenbelt Park offers extensive hiking networks minutes from major urban centers. "Nice camping spot close to DC with hiking nearby," writes Perry A. about Pohick Bay, highlighting the unexpected proximity of natural areas to metropolitan Washington.
Wildlife viewing: The region's forests support diverse wildlife populations including deer, eagles, and smaller mammals. "Eagles everywhere! Large clean sites," reports Kathie M. about Pohick Bay, pointing to the surprising abundance of raptors near camping areas.
What campers like
Metro access to Washington DC: Greenbelt Park's proximity to public transportation makes city exploration convenient. "This worked very well for us. You can pay for the metro with an app or get a card... The train ride from the Greenbelt station to the national mall is about 30 min," explains Laura M.
Clean bathroom facilities: Most pet-friendly campgrounds near Clinton maintain well-serviced restrooms with reliable hot water. "The bathrooms don't look like much from the outside, but the inside is very nice. Clean, hot water, and good water pressure," notes Ben J. about Cedarville State Forest.
Multiple activity options: Bull Run Regional Park offers diverse recreation beyond basic camping. "This campground was full of stuff to do... The campground had a climbing wall on one afternoon. There are miles of trails and my gkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt. You even get a prize when you finish," shares Bridget H.
Spacious campsites: Many campgrounds provide adequate spacing between sites for privacy. "Sites are spacious and decently level (depends on the site I'm sure)," writes Kristen M. about Pohick Bay Campground, mentioning the multiple playgrounds and trails nearby.
What you should know
Tick prevalence: Forest settings in the region have significant tick populations, especially during warmer months. "LOTS and LOTS of ticks. I got one, but my wife and dog got about a dozen each. Just bring tweezers," advises Ben J. about Cedarville State Forest.
Varied site levelness: Campground terrain often presents challenges for RV leveling. "Not all sites are level (half). Staff are always nice and go out of their way to help," mentions Robert P. about his experiences at Pohick Bay.
Aircraft noise: The region's proximity to military and civilian airports creates periodic noise disturbance. "It's close to a Naval base, and therefore you constantly hear airplanes, and helicopters at all times," reports Kasey M. about a campground in the area.
Water management: Some campgrounds experience drainage issues during heavy rainfall. "Couple inches, I suppose, but nothing Biblical. The mouths of the metal culverts in our loop were bent downward from campers driving over them, which obstructed the flow. Result was lots of standing water at our campsite," describes Stuart O. about Bull Run Regional Park.
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Cherry Hill Park offers multiple water features popular with children. "Playground, Mini Golf, Swimming Pool, Hot tub, Basketball court, Snack bar on site, Nightly hayride," lists Beth R., noting the gated security as another family-friendly feature.
Educational activities: Several campgrounds organize nature-focused learning opportunities. "They had a scavenger hunt for the kids going all weekend, they had an outdoor movie scheduled for Friday night, a campfire story time scheduled for Saturday night and crafts scheduled for Sunday morning," Ben G. recounts about his family's experience.
Playground proximity: Consider requesting sites near play areas when traveling with small children. "We got a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse. The site was spacious," notes a reviewer about their family camping success.
Emergency planning: Cellular coverage varies throughout the region's campgrounds. "We have AT&T and had two bars pretty consistently," mentions Nurse N. about Louise F. Cosca Regional Park, where sites include water hookups despite limited staffing.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: At Cosca Regional Park, only specific numbered sites provide electrical connections. "Only 5 sites have electric (2, 5, 18, 24, 25) but all 25 sites have water hookup," explains Tye S., adding that "6 of the 25 sites are unleveled so tent camping is probably the only option."
Dump station protocols: Cedarville State Forest's sanitation facilities present unique challenges. "They have a new dump station, but the hose has an anti-freeze up in the air with a pull cord valve. This means every time you pull to turn the water on, you get a shower," warns Ben J.
Power availability: Greenbelt Park Campground accommodates different types of camping across its multiple loops. "Loop B is for tents and RVs under 30 ft, Loop C is for tents, and Loop D is for tents and RVs under 35 ft. No hookups at any of the sites," clarifies Laura M.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the region operate on advance booking systems with limited or no on-site registration. "This is a NO CASH facility which means you CANNOT pay upon arrival so you will have to do so online," advises Crystal C. about Greenbelt Park.
