Best Campgrounds near College Park, MD

Campgrounds near College Park, Maryland range from urban-adjacent to more secluded options within a short drive of Washington DC. Cherry Hill Park offers full-service camping with tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping accommodations just minutes from the University of Maryland campus. Greenbelt Park Campground, located within Greenbelt National Park, provides a more natural setting with tent and RV sites but no hookups. Both locations serve as convenient bases for exploring the DC metropolitan area while still providing outdoor recreation opportunities.

Access to most campgrounds in the region remains consistent year-round, though seasonal considerations affect availability and comfort. Greenbelt Park Campground maintains year-round operations with basic amenities and no hookups, while Cherry Hill Park offers full-service camping with various accommodation types. "This is a fairly nice, bare bones NPS campground. If you are really looking for somewhere to feel far away from civilization and see some beautiful scenery, this probably isn't it," noted one camper about Greenbelt Park. Weather patterns typically feature hot, humid summers and mild winters, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons. Most campgrounds in the area require reservations, especially during peak tourist seasons when visitors flock to Washington DC.

The camping experience near College Park balances urban proximity with natural settings. Cherry Hill Park receives consistently high ratings for its amenities and convenience to DC attractions, with shuttle service to public transportation. Campers appreciate the well-maintained facilities but note the sites can be close together and road noise is sometimes noticeable. Greenbelt Park offers a more rustic experience with wooded sites and hiking trails, though reviews mention the sounds of urban life are still present. Several visitors highlighted the value of these campgrounds as affordable alternatives to expensive DC hotels. The region's mixed-use campgrounds typically feature clean bathrooms, picnic tables, and fire rings, with varying levels of privacy between sites depending on the specific campground and loop selected.

Best Camping Sites Near College Park, Maryland (87)

    1. Cherry Hill Park

    42 Reviews
    Beltsville, MD
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 937-7116

    $282 - $999 / night

    "Full hookup, huge gated property, relatively close to D.C., pool, hot tub and sauna! They also offer shuttles services to D.C."

    "We had another great stay at Cherry Hill Park in College Park, MD. "

    2. Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park

    32 Reviews
    Greenbelt, MD
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 344-3948

    $20 / night

    "If you are really looking for somewhere to feel far away from civilization and see some beautiful scenery, this probably isn't it."

    "GETTING TO DC: There’s normally a walking path from the campground to the metro station that takes you into DC (the green line takes you to the National Mall), but as of Oct 2023 the bridge is out due"

    3. Washington DC / Capitol KOA

    16 Reviews
    Millersville, MD
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 923-2771

    "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."

    "We had a site near the pool, outdoor chess set, jumping pillow and gaga ball pit. Our kids (9, 10 and 14) all had fun and made friends. The staff is exceptionally friendly and helpful."

    4. Lake Fairfax Campground

    25 Reviews
    Reston, VA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 471-5414

    $30 - $70 / night

    "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."

    5. Pohick Bay Campground

    38 Reviews
    Lorton, VA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 339-6104

    $37 - $170 / night

    "We have been camping here for nearly 20 years. Each military tour brought us back to this area so Pohick became our second home. Our kids kayak now older but used to walk the trails as little kids."

    "We enjoyed sitting around the campfire at night and walking the dogs down to the water. We were right next to a hiking trail that went down to the water and a beach area."

    6. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area

    19 Reviews
    Catonsville, MD
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 461-5005

    $20 - $51 / night

    "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."

    7. Hollofield Area Campground

    19 Reviews
    Windsor Mill, MD
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 461-5005

    $19 - $27 / night

    "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."

    8. Adventure Bound Washington DC

    9 Reviews
    Upper Marlboro, MD
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (443) 607-8609

    "We had a fantastic time our 1st time at #AdventureBoundCampingResort in Lothian, Maryland."

    "This place is a good place to stay, the laundry room & showers are handy, the pool is large, & it's a 40 minute drive to the capital & the Smithsonian Mall or a 25 minute drive to the closest"

    9. Little Bennett Campground

    23 Reviews
    Clarksburg, MD
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 528-3430

    "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"

    10. Ramblin' Pines

    17 Reviews
    Woodbine, MD
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 795-5161

    $30 - $70 / night

    "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 ❤️"

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Recent Reviews near College Park, MD

666 Reviews of 87 College Park Campgrounds


  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park

    Hot showers! But no dump station

    Campsite We stayed at M17 after staying at M26 for a night. 17 wasn’t as level and so we had to scrunch to one side of the site to get level. It was closer to the bath house. Overall cozy. Bath house It’s in need of some repairs but don’t let that scare you- these showers are hot and the shower wands are a really nice convenience after using cold push button showers. Lantern flies! Invasive Spotted Lantern Flies are everywhere. I squished as many as I could but keep an eye out and check your gear before leaving! Dump station This campsite doesn’t have a dump station so we went to the Cunningham falls site to dump after leaving and they let us dump no problem. Road noise Since you’re near the highway, there is constant road noise and it’s even worse on the trails but it’s quiet otherwise. Deducted one star for no dump station.

  • Amanda S.
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Washington DC / Capitol KOA

    Got bed bugs? They do.

    Stayed in cabin 202 for a Fri- Sun and on our last morning we found a bed bug on our clothing. While they gave a refund it does not come close to cover the time and energy of remediating all of our clothing, sheets, and blankets. We also had to throw out items that could not be cleaned properly and now have to replace them(pillows, shoes, etc). My husband has 23 bites over the course of 2 nights. They burn and itch very badly. I truly hope this was a hiccup for them and they go through correct methods of having the cabin treated properly. 

    UPDATE: A recount of the bites- my husband has 31 bites so far. The remediation of all of our items is exhausting. All the blankets, clothing, suit cases, all the other items we used in the cabin needs to be cleaned. We had to throw out our shoes because they shrunk in the dryer. Spent$$$ replacing shoes for a family for 4. Pillows are not cheap to replace either. I bought a new corset at the renfest this weekend that I'm hoping doesn't get ruined when it goes through the dryer. That too was expensive. So if you're looking to have to spend a bunch of extra money to replace items you didn't want to replace in the first place- I recommend staying here.

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park

    Great non-electric site, no dumstation

    This site is at the very top of the loop so it has a great cozy vibe and is spaced well away from other sites. The only downside is that the bathhouse is a walk downhill and then a walk back uphill. Surprised there’s no place for someone to park next to the bathhouse - only trails to it- so if you have accessibility needs, consider choosing a site that’s lower in the loop. The site is level and was raked by the hosts before we got there. Really clean and quiet except for some road noise. Showers are SO nice compared to other campsite. Hot water is hot, no push buttons, and there is a shower wand in both stalls. No dump station though!! Dump before you get here. Also if you work remote and depend on service, it’s spotty. Very wooded so Starlink can’t help much. OH- Don’t bother visiting the winery down the road. Ew. Just don’t.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Adventure Bound Washington DC

    Nice

    This place is a good place to stay, the laundry room & showers are handy, the pool is large, & it's a 40 minute drive to the capital & the Smithsonian Mall or a 25 minute drive to the closest Metro station. It's crowded but folks are quiet & respectful!

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Harpers Ferry Campground - River Riders

    Awesome views on the Potomac

    Very cool spot. Amazing sites right on the Potomac. There is a Ale House above the office that delivers for free to your site (2.5 miles away), just tip the driver

  • Werner S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Aquia Pines Campground

    Good stopover near the highway but hidden between the trees

    We where forced land-inwards because of tropical storm Erin (potential hurricane hitting the Outer Banks). So we decided to visit Washington DC and had a stopover here. It was conveniently located. Terrain is not flat but our spot was well levelled. There is a big dog (and an older gentleman) in the office to welcome you. Full hook up was oké and our spot was nicly secluded between the trees.

  • Sharon L.
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Merry Meadows Recreation Farm

    Great getaway close to home!

    We totally loved our camping trip here! I was a little apprehensive because I read so many disappointing reviews about pretty much everything. People didn’t like this or that, but most of it seemed as if they weren’t happy with rules! Neither of us found anything that was so terrible in the rules and truthfully, if more campgrounds had them and enforced them, it would be nice for all.

    We loved the peace and quiet, the restrooms were clean and tidy, the usable sites all looked nice. They had a tornado come through at the beginning of the season that messed some areas up, but they are working it. The pool area seemed like the place to be. We just went to rest though. Honestly, we liked the campground so much that we would consider parking our camper over the summer! There are occasional whiffs of McCormick spices in the air that is very soothing. Prices aren’t horrible. One of the complaints was they work on cash. Yeah, I knows it’s not popular because most of us live in a plastic dominated world. I read it in advance and I just made sure we had some with us. The activities and store weren’t outrageous. Ready to go back!

  • Erin W.
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Lake Fairfax Campground

    Nice for a quick weekend

    This campground is nice for a quick weekend and does have pretty trails next to the campground. The sites are largely in more of a meadow and not many are very wooded. Our site, 41, was level and nicely spaced from other sites but many tent sites were not level at all. Many tents were on a full slant. There is a waterpark that is an extra cost which is fun for kids. Bathrooms are well maintained and huge.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 2, 2025

    Cherry Hill Park

    Can’t beat it

    Proximity to DC and surrounding areas can’t be beat. Uber, Lyft, bus, shuttle. It takes about a half hour to get downtown to the monuments. Our uber rides ranged from 20-45$ for a family of 5. So $4-9 per person. We rode in all 4 days this way. Personalized, comfortable. Door to door. We saw tons of stuff. No one can say they saw everything. We took the train from Union station to Penn station. Saw the nationals, the orioles. So fun. The park itself has more than most. Mini golf, two pools, arcade, 24 hour laundry, a store and office open early!! And late!!! Wow! Just can’t be beat. Great sites. So many other things in the park. Splash pad, paved roads for scootering. Just awesome!


Guide to College Park

Campsites near College Park, Maryland range from wooded natural spaces to full-service campgrounds within 30 miles of Washington DC and Baltimore. The region sits at relatively low elevations (50-300 feet above sea level) in the Atlantic Coastal Plain, featuring humid subtropical climate conditions with average summer temperatures reaching 85-90°F. Most camping areas remain open from April through October, though some offer year-round accessibility with varying levels of amenities based on the season.

What to do

Hiking trails and water activities: At Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area, visitors can access multiple trail systems with varying difficulty levels. "There is a lot of easy, but beautiful hikes. It seem like this area is, possibly unintentionally, geared toward children. There is a massive playground, nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center," explains one camper who appreciated the family-friendly focus.

Water park access: Lake Fairfax Campground offers seasonal water park facilities adjacent to the camping area. "There is a waterpark that is an extra cost which is fun for kids. Bathrooms are well maintained and huge," notes a camper. The water park typically operates from Memorial Day through Labor Day with admission fees separate from camping costs.

Mountain biking: Trails around Lake Fairfax Campground accommodate various skill levels. "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). Best quality: totally in the woods so summer sun doesn't affect you," shares a reviewer who enjoyed the diverse activity options.

Disc golf: Pohick Bay Regional Park maintains an 18-hole disc golf course within the park boundaries. "I'd recommend taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course," suggests a regular visitor. The course is free to use after paying park entrance or camping fees.

Boating options: Multiple waterways provide boating opportunities around Pohick Bay. "Boating in summer from kayaks to motorboats," notes one camper, while another mentioned "Eagles everywhere!" when describing wildlife viewing opportunities from the water.

What campers like

Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the well-maintained bathrooms and showers at Washington DC / Capitol KOA. "Bathrooms and showers are always clean. Full hookups at most sites. Staff very friendly," writes one visitor. Another notes, "The staff is exceptionally friendly and helpful."

Natural settings close to urban areas: Despite proximity to major cities, many campgrounds offer woodland environments. "This is an urban oasis. Traffic can be heard but not seen. Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground," explains a camper at Greenbelt Park Campground. Another visitor appreciates that "You can barely hear the traffic from the road outside the park."

Spacious sites: Many campers value the roominess at certain campgrounds. "The sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup," notes a visitor to Little Bennett Campground. Another mentions, "Sites vary in levelness, some are fairly level and some are on a mini hill."

Proximity to DC attractions: Location remains a key advantage for most campgrounds. "Both Washington DC and many area's along the Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis, Chesapeake Beach, Solomon's Etc. The sites are very close but adequate," writes a camper at Adventure Bound Washington DC. Another visitor noted the advantage of using "Uber, Lyft, bus, shuttle" options for getting to downtown attractions.

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the area require advance booking, especially during peak spring and fall months. At Hollofield Area Campground, "The campground and park fill up on the weekends but are nearly empty during the week." Reservations typically open 6 months in advance.

Site selection matters: Campsite quality varies significantly within each campground. "The outer loop campsites are easily more level than the center loop. If leveling perfectly is a concern you may want to call ahead and ask before commiting to the inner loop," advises a visitor to Lake Fairfax.

Traffic noise: Due to urban proximity, some noise is unavoidable at most locations. "There is some traffic noise. Perhaps from the highways or just in the park," notes a camper at Greenbelt Park. Another mentions "hearing trees falling nearby" after storms, highlighting seasonal safety considerations.

Crowding on weekends: Expect busier conditions Friday through Sunday. "Driving through the masses picnicking on the weekends takes you out of it," notes a Lake Fairfax visitor. Weekday visits offer more solitude at most campgrounds.

Alcohol restrictions: Policies vary by park. At some locations, "No alcohol allowed in the park," whereas others permit responsible consumption. Check individual campground rules before arriving.

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly amenities: Ramblin' Pines offers numerous activities specifically designed for children. "It has a pool, jump pillow, mini golf, fishing pond, barnyard with goats, and multiple playgrounds. I really like all the trees," shares one parent. Another notes "Lots of free activities for children and it's close to home."

Natural playgrounds: Several parks feature non-traditional play areas. At Patapsco Valley, a camper describes "a 'natural' playground aka, large rocks and overturned trees. The kids loved it." These areas provide unique outdoor experiences compared to standard playground equipment.

Educational opportunities: Park programs enhance family visits at certain locations. "Rangers keep a close eye on things, and there are monthly programs at the campfire circle that I sometimes attend even when not camping here," explains a Greenbelt visitor. Check with rangers about scheduled activities upon arrival.

Swimming options: Water features vary by campground. Note that some have specific restrictions: "I didnt like that non potty trained kids are not allowed to swim in their pool," mentions a visitor to Washington DC / Capitol KOA, which could impact families with toddlers.

Tips from RVers

Hookup availability: For RVers requiring full hookups, options are limited but available. At Little Bennett Campground, "D Loop is for RVs, A, B, C & E are tents only. The sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup." Satellite coverage may be limited due to tree canopy.

Level site challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain. "The site was nice and level, but a bit small, with a short driveway. We actually brought 2 vehicles this time, and it was really tight," notes an RVer at Hollofield Area Campground. Some locations only offer 20/30 amp service rather than 50 amp.

After-hours arrival: Plan ahead for late check-ins. "Do not try and come in after dark. Very tight and very dark," warns a visitor to Adventure Bound Washington DC. Many campgrounds require gate codes or have specific late arrival procedures.

Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds offer sewer hookups. "There is a dump station and drinking water fill in loop C," explains a camper at Greenbelt Park. "The water fill was a little annoying in that there's a handle you have to hold down the whole time, but we used a rock to prop the handle down."

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any free or low-cost camping areas near College Park?

Greenbelt Park Campground offers one of the most affordable camping options near College Park, with basic sites at budget-friendly rates. This National Park Service campground provides a no-frills experience with no hookups, making it ideal for tent campers looking to save money. Another economical option is Swains Lock Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite, which provides primitive camping along the C&O Canal with nearby parking for approximately 8 vehicles, perfect for those seeking an inexpensive outdoor experience close to the city.

Where can I find campgrounds near College Park, MD?

The closest campground to College Park is Prince William Forest RV Campground, offering clean facilities, a pool, and convenient access to Washington DC (less than an hour away). For those interested in historical sites, Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA serves as an excellent base for exploring both Harpers Ferry and nearby Maryland attractions. If you're looking for a family-friendly option with good amenities, Cunningham Falls State Park Manor Area near Thurmont offers nice facilities and a playground for children.

What camping options are available within driving distance of College Park, Maryland?

Within driving distance of College Park, you'll find several diverse camping options. Cherry Hill Park offers a premium RV experience with full hookups, swimming pool, hot tub, and shuttle services to DC, making it ideal for those wanting amenities. Brunswick Family Campground provides a riverside camping experience that feels away from the city while still being accessible from College Park. For those willing to drive a bit further, Cedarville State Forest offers a more natural setting with family camping loops and clean facilities.