RV camping near Columbia, Maryland offers access to both Chesapeake Bay tributaries and the Appalachian foothills. Most campgrounds in the region sit at elevations between 200-400 feet, with moderate humidity during summer months and periodic thunderstorms from June through August. Campgrounds typically operate between April and October, though several military facilities and private parks remain open year-round.
What to do
Explore historic battlefields: Bull Run Regional Park puts you within a short drive of Civil War sites. "The park is absolutely beautiful. So much to do and centered around many historical sites," notes one Bull Run Regional Park visitor.
Go fishing from your campsite: Several waterfront locations offer direct water access. "You can fish from your chair," mentions a reviewer at Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina. "Beautiful family owned campground. Kinda small but has a lot to offer. Surrounded by water."
Take river tours: Potomac River adventures are easily accessible. "The base outdoor recreation center has equipment to rent such as kayaks and canoes to explore the Potomac river. There is a pier out into the river to fish on," reports a visitor to Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Several campgrounds offer tree cover between sites. "Our site was separated from our neighbors site with nice foliage," notes a camper at Drummer Boy Camping Resort. "Everyone whom I had contact with that had season sites were very friendly and provided some good info."
Waterfront locations: Multiple parks offer water views. "Beautiful water front sites and good location right off 95. Cute little dock, fishing from your campsite if waterfront and an area to put in small boats or kayaks," writes a visitor to Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina.
Quality washrooms: Bathroom facilities receive positive comments at several parks. "The bathhouses could definitely use some upgrading for the money that place probably takes in each season. The bathhouses were much cleaner and better than others we've been in," notes a visitor at Drummer Boy Camping Resort.
What you should know
Train noise: Some campgrounds have nearby rail traffic. "The proximity to the tracks means that if the sound doesn't wake you up, the rumbling ground will. Every hour through the night," reports a camper at Harpers Ferry Campground.
Site drainage issues: Rainfall can affect some campgrounds significantly. "There was a fairly heavy day of rain. 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," notes a Bull Run visitor.
Military credentials required: Some campgrounds restrict access. "You need military credentials," explains a Fort Belvoir visitor. "Handy to the DC Metro Transit system. Nice views of river. Eagle's nest were interesting."
Tips for camping with families
Pool amenities: Several parks offer swimming facilities. "They have a nice looking pool area, but it was too cold. The shop was cute and staff nice," shares a Cherry Hill Park visitor about their springtime stay.
Organized activities: Look for scheduled family programs. "They had a campfire complete with s'mores followed by hayrides. Great family friendly campground," notes a Bull Run Regional Park camper.
Playground access: Consider location of play areas. "Only drawback is that there's only one playground that's awkwardly located," explains a tent camper at Bull Run Regional Park who visited during a rainy Memorial Day weekend.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many campgrounds require additional equipment. "My site was pretty level, but I could see that some others were not so much, so you might want to ask about that," advises a visitor to Bull Run Regional Park.
Sewer connection issues: Some hookup placements create drainage problems. "The sewer hookup was inconveniently placed about six inches above the ground which meant that it would not drain properly (even with a slinky placed under it)," reports a camper at Round Top Campground.
Campground navigation: Internal road systems vary widely. "Roads through the park are fairly narrow with potholes. Some roads are one-way but people don't pay much attention to that and went whichever way they wanted, especially those in golf carts," notes a visitor describing their experience at Drummer Boy.
