Glamping close to Spencerville, Maryland provides convenient access to DC-area attractions while maintaining a natural retreat atmosphere. The region sits within Maryland's Piedmont plateau at approximately 400 feet elevation with moderate seasonal temperatures and humid summers. Unlike traditional tent camping, glamping options near Spencerville feature raised platforms to avoid the region's seasonal ground moisture and typically remain available from early spring through late fall.
What to do
Wildlife observation trails: At Little Bennett Campground, campers can explore a network of hiking paths with minimal elevation change. "There is a very nice network of trails, most if not all were leashed dog friendly," notes one visitor who appreciated the accessibility of natural areas directly from their campsite.
Water activities: Pohick Bay Campground offers boating opportunities on the Potomac River tributary. "Boating in summer from kayaks to motorboats" makes this location popular for water enthusiasts, according to one reviewer. The campground provides both rental options and launch facilities for personal watercraft.
Historic site exploration: The region's Civil War heritage sites provide educational day trips. "Great location and lots of great places nearby including Harpers Ferry, Antietam, Frederick, Washington DC, Baltimore, and more," explains a visitor who used the camps as a base for historical tourism. Most historic sites feature interpretive programs on weekends during peak season.
Disc golf courses: Several campgrounds maintain professional-grade disc golf courses within walking distance of glamping accommodations. "I'd recommend taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course," suggests one Pohick Bay visitor who enjoyed the activity as a no-cost option during their stay.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Washington DC Capitol KOA receives consistent praise for maintenance standards. "The grounds were clean and well maintained. The campground store had a great variety of merchandise and camping essentials," reports one camper who appreciated the attention to detail throughout the property.
Family activities: Bull Run Regional Park offers structured programming specifically for younger visitors. "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 a grandparent who visited with family.
Proximity to attractions: The convenience of accessing major cities while staying in natural settings appeals to many visitors. "Close to DC but they didn't let us know ahead of time that the shuttle wasn't working. That was super disappointing," notes one KOA visitor, highlighting the importance of confirming transportation options before arrival.
Spacious sites: Unlike urban accommodations, glamping near Spencerville can offer generous site footprints. "The sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup," describes a visitor to Little Bennett, appreciating the balance of amenities and nature.
What you should know
Variable site quality: Even within the same campground, site conditions can differ significantly. At Ramblin' Pines, "Space between sites seems to be standard" according to one reviewer, while another called it "The most crowded uncomfortable campsites I have ever seen," showing the importance of researching specific site numbers when booking.
Seasonal limitations: Most glamping facilities operate with restricted schedules. "The park has too many amenities to list. They had a campfire complete with s'mores followed by hayrides," notes a Bull Run visitor, but many special activities only run during peak summer weekends.
Price considerations: Glamping accommodations typically command premium rates compared to standard camping. "Out-of-state campers pay higher camping fee than Maryland residents, $66/night," reports one Little Bennett visitor, highlighting the importance of checking fee structures before booking.
Reservation requirements: Popular glamping sites book completely during peak periods. "We stayed at Bull Run Regional Campground on our visit to Washington DC. It was fall and the colors were gorgeous," shares a visitor who planned ahead to secure their preferred dates during the popular autumn color season.
Tips for camping with families
Activity scheduling: Cherry Hill Park offers structured entertainment throughout the day. "We took the 20 minute drive. They have a nice looking pool area, but it was too cold. The shop was cute and staff nice," explains a family who visited during shoulder season when not all amenities were operational.
Bathroom proximity: When glamping with children, consider location relative to facilities. "Only drawback I think for us on this trip is we wished the bath houses were closer. But they seemed to be clean and well maintained," notes one Ramblin' Pines visitor who prioritized bathroom access with younger campers.
Entertainment options: Multiple recreation choices help during variable weather. "The amenities for kids were incredible, with arts/crafts, a movie theatre, an arcade, nice playground, and jumping pillow," describes a visitor to Harpers Ferry KOA, appreciating indoor alternatives during inclement conditions.
Safety features: Secure campgrounds provide peace of mind for families. "Gated" appears frequently in positive reviews of Cherry Hill Park, with parents appreciating controlled access points that allow children more freedom within the camping area.
Tips from RVers
Utility variations: Not all sites provide equal hookup configurations. "Site#D69 level side-to-side but we were forced to greatly elevate front of trailer to level front-to-back," shares a Little Bennett RVer who needed additional equipment to properly stabilize their unit.
Mobile connectivity: Signal strength affects remote work capability. "AT&T 5 MB/s w/o booster(1 bar), 8 MB/s with it(2 bars). There is no satellite coverage due to the heavy tree canopy," explains an RVer at Little Bennett, providing specific measurements for those needing to stay connected.
Navigation challenges: Access roads and site layouts present obstacles for larger units. "All roads were very narrow and winding. We did fine with the pup, but can't imagine trying to navigate a large motorhome through there," cautions a visitor to Harpers Ferry KOA, suggesting smaller rigs might fare better.
Site surface conditions: Premium glamping sites may feature improved pads. "Site#D69 gravel parking pad" notes a reviewer at Little Bennett, contrasting with sites that become muddy during wet weather.
