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.
$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. "
$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"
"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."
$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."
$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."
$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."
$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."
"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"
"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"
$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 ❤️"
TravelerIf youre looking for fun and people, go to the south campground. But if youre looking for true quiet and have a tent, check out the dispersed campsites. Good shower and bathroom setup that i bet would fare well in a tornado, its got that solid storm shelter feel. Next to a quiet airport, plenty of free firewood to gather
GuidePrivate campground with cabins and tent sites. Tent sites are first come, first service so call ahead to ensure the space is available. The host family was very nice and easy to work with and talk to. Fire pits were at tent sites and past the office was beach access into Chesapeake Bay. There are trash bins and porta potty’s on sight that are all maintained and kept clean. Beautiful sights and plenty to do in the area with DC being roughly an 40-60 minutes away.
ScoutLess amenities than advertised. We usually camp in more rustic locations and planned this trip simply for the fun of the amenities. Their website claims that the pool is seasonal but doesn't list anything else as seasonal. There was supposed to be mini golf, a giant bounce pillow, indoor basketball, an arcade with air hockey and a pool table. Mini golf was fine. The bounce pillow was deflated and full of water. The arcade/pool table/air hockey building was locked and the maintenance guy(who locks it up) was outside smoking before leaving early for the day. The employee at the camp store said it was supposed to be open until the store closed but that he probably just closed it early.
The rules state that dogs need to be on a leash at all times and, in the two hours we actually stayed, we saw four that weren't. One was staying near us and started chasing us when we rode our bikes by. One was wandering about 4 campsites down from it's owner. We mentioned it to the person at the camp store before we were chased and she just shrugged it off.
The map is incorrect. It lists site numbers that don't exist and doesn't list some sites that supposedly do. We spent a fifteen minutes trying to find a non-existent site before going back to the camp office and getting assigned a new site. They acted like it was a new thing caused by maintenance but we just looked and saw a review from ten months ago saying the map was messed up then.
The description of the site we paid for was non electric tent with a sand tent pad. The site we got was on a hill(no actual flat spot) overgrown with weeds, no tent pad, a slanted picnic table, and no actual parking spot. You had to drive over a drainage ditch and park on the hill. If our car didn't have high clearance we wouldn't have made it. There was also a hole in the middle of the site. And the map showed that number site on the corner where another unmarked site was. Our originally assigned site was supposedly in the same group of sites, so it would've been similar. Also don't believe the claim that they're"large sites." Most of them are crammed together. There are a few that look decent sized and flat, but they want you to pay an extra$30 to pick your own site.
We didn't even look in the bathrooms.
We left after two hours. Definitely a waste of$60+ dollars.
Next time we'll go over to the Brunswick Family campground. Their owners are lovely people who care about their customers.
LegendStayed here for a week while working nearby. Easy to get to and set up. Office was closed when we arrived but arrival paperwork was posted outside office door. Even with busy road nearby, park was quiet and felt private. Sites were level and paved making setup easy. Sites had 1/2 site extra paved for vehicle with extra parking nearby. There was no litter in park, we observed a staff member daily making the rounds to keep everything clean. There was walking access into the park on wide private roads without traffic. With park access you are able to walk into national forest park from RV camp. National Forest visitor center close by, 1 exit away going south I95. Amenities in RV park included swimming pool, chess board with extra large pieces, playground and clean bath house. Firewood and ice on site.
ScoutOur family loved this campground. It was entirely wooded with plenty of shade, sites were close but separated enough to feel like you were in your own site. Our kids and others rode their bikes around the loop all weekend long. Bathrooms could have been a little cleaner and all the entrances except one were closed, but that’s what happens when you cut budgets for public lands.
ScoutThis is a lovely campground that I recommend and would stay again. We have been twice: once as a family and once with a Scout troop. The RV sites are fairly large and clean. The tent-only sites are smaller and have a metal fire ring with a grate (nice!). The RV sites have mostly brick rings without grates. The bathrooms are fairly small (two showers on the female and one on the male) which might be an issue on busy weekends. The only real water entrance is the boat ramp, but you can climb down a cliff in other places. A, D, and E are sunnier. B and C and Nottingham are mostly wooded with mature trees. We used the site as a base for a bike trip along the C&O to go to Harper’s Ferry (14mi round trip along a gravel path). The staff were friendly and there is a small camp store.
But the trains! THE TRAINS!!! Every review will mention them for a reason. The site is adjacent to a rail yard that runs all day. Not just a passing train, but clanging car and engine changes. It’s LOUD. I slept with earplugs, but could still hear the noise. The yard really starts going around 5am and goes all day. It slows down after 8/9pm, but never stops entirely. The trains are the only reason for the removed star and it’s not the campground’s fault. But almost all of the real complaints are about the noise. If you want an extra quiet campground with only birds and running water, this is not the place for you. But if you don’t mind the loud bangs and low rumbles, this place is fine!
The entrance is beyond the train yard and about a mile down a widened part of the C&O. It is possible to be trapped inside or outside if a train is stopped at the crossing (30min for us, once).
In short, it’s a great campground if you bring ear plugs!
TravelerWhen we first arrived it was late (we are either late or not coming as always!) the cut down tobacco fields and long dark woods surrounded the entrance into this campground and marina… to be honest I was scared and cried and my husband thought I was ridiculous and reminded me I will love it tomorrow… welp he knows me! All the boat storage and walking around it so fun looking at all the boat names… they are remodeling the bathhouses now they look nice so far on the inside. Everyone is working really hard a staying busy tending to the boats or landscaping or docks… Vicki is super friendly she works practically everyday… but hopefully one day she will trust someone enough to delegate her duties to…
ScoutI am writing this review because what happened to me at Bull Run Regional Park Campground was not just inconvenient—it was humiliating, unprofessional, and completely avoidable.
I camp in my Tesla. I have already stayed at this exact campground before with no issue. Their online reservation system allowed me to book again—no warnings, no restrictions, nothing to indicate a problem. So I drove all the way from North Carolina to Virginia trusting that everything was fine.
When I arrived to check in, the office staff was literally handing me the paperwork. Out of nowhere, a ranger barged in and bluntly told me: “You cannot camp in a Tesla. You need a separate rig.”
His tone was rude, dismissive, and made me feel like I was doing something dirty or cheap. There was zero respect, zero empathy—just instant judgment. I felt like I was being treated as if I was trying to sneak in or break rules, even though they allowed the booking and accepted my reservation.
If they have such a rule, why wasn’t I notified during booking? Why was I allowed to stay the first time? Why let me drive for hours only to embarrass me at the check-in counter?
The office employee even tried to defend me, but he couldn’t convince the ranger. Instead, they told me I could not stay and promised an immediate refund.
After a long drive, being spoken to like that was extremely disappointing. I’ve camped all over North Carolina and never been treated with such disrespect. Camping in a Tesla is clean, quiet, zero-emission, and safe, yet I was made to feel like I didn’t belong.
To make matters worse, it has now been seven days and not a single dollar of the refund has appeared. When I called, the office representative didn’t even ask for my reservation details and seemed completely clueless. She first said she couldn’t do anything, then suddenly changed her story and said she would “leave a note.” When I asked to speak with someone who could actually help, she put me on hold and suddenly claimed the manager had “just refunded” me and that I would see the money in two business days.
After everything that happened, it felt like another layer of indifference and incompetence.
This entire experience—from the rude ranger to the unprofessional refund handling—left me feeling disrespected and upset. For a campground that charges over $75 a night after fees and taxes, the treatment I received was unacceptable.
Guests deserve honesty, clear communication, and basic respect.
ScoutThe host was extremely accommodating, even coming in last minute and late at night. Good to find a safe spot while solo traveling. I will absolutely be back
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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