Camping sites near Crofton, Maryland occupy a transitional zone between coastal Chesapeake Bay ecosystems and inland forest habitats. Summer nighttime temperatures typically range from 65-75°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping offers milder conditions with daytime averages of 60-70°F. Most campgrounds maintain open status March through November, with limited winter availability at select locations.
What to do
Trail exploration at Patapsco Valley: Access over 70 miles of multi-use trails from the Hollofield Area Campground, suitable for hikers of all skill levels. As one camper noted, "Beautiful park with 70 miles of hiking/biking/multi use trails. There are parks on both sides of the river to explore and experience the trails. Be sure to bring/download maps."
Swimming opportunities: During summer months, several campgrounds offer swimming options. At Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area, campers can find "access to a small river and swimming hole at the bottom of the hill off to the side opposite the cabins/park," according to one visitor. For pool options, Cherry Hill Park provides both indoor and outdoor swimming.
Metro access to DC attractions: For campers wanting to visit Washington DC, the Green Line Metro provides direct access from Greenbelt. According to a camper at Greenbelt Park Campground, "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 to a storm." They recommend: "We packed up and drove to the Greenbelt station about 5 miles away, parked there for the day, and took the green line into town."
Fossil hunting: Sandy Point State Park offers beach access with unique activities. One regular visitor mentioned, "Our favorite thing to do is to fossil hunt for sharks teeth. In late spring while school is still in session, the beaches are less crowded."
What campers like
Urban camping convenience: Many campers appreciate how these campgrounds provide nature experiences despite their proximity to urban areas. A visitor at Greenbelt Campground described it as "an urban oasis. Traffic can be heard but not seen. Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground." Another noted it has "plenty of space between camp site clusters. The park itself is safe, quiet, permitting some nice treks through the woods."
Family-friendly amenities: Cherry Hill Park receives high marks for its extensive amenities. As one camper detailed: "This campground has so much to offer. 50 amp hook-up, Water, Sewer, Playground, Mini Golf, Swimming Pool, Hot tub, Basketball court, Snack bar on site, Nightly hayride, Gated, On-site camp store, On-site bus shuttle."
Nature encounters: Despite urban proximity, wildlife viewing remains possible. A camper at Greenbelt Park mentioned, "Every morning birds and squirrels" visit the sites, while another at Cherry Hill Park appreciated the "landscaping, trees and site placement" that helps with privacy and aesthetics despite relatively close sites.
Natural playgrounds: Patapsco Valley State Park offers unique play options for children. A visitor to Hollofield Area described "a 'natural' playground in the loop...large rocks and overturned trees. The kids loved it."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the area require advance reservations, particularly during peak season. At Greenbelt Park, "this is a NO CASH facility which means you CANNOT pay upon arrival so you will have to do so online."
Site characteristics: Many campgrounds feature gravel pads rather than natural ground. At Hollofield Area, "crushed stone at the sites isn't comfortable for tents, and they won't let you pitch it on the ground, so bring extra pads and alternative ways to secure the tent to the ground."
Noise considerations: The urban-adjacent nature means some ambient noise. A camper at Hollofield Area noted "the planes from the airport kept flying over, which made it hard to sleep," while at Greenbelt, campers report you can "barely hear the traffic from the road outside the park."
Tree rules: Some parks have specific rules about trees. At Greenbelt, "park service forbade tying lines or straps to the trees at the time of our visit (Autumn 2024), so if you favor hammock camping or deploying tarps/ridgelines, plan accordingly."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area offers exceptional play areas. One parent shared, "The Hilton entrance of Patapsco Valley Park is perfect for keeping the kids entertained. There is a huge playground, sensory trail and nature discovery center at the entrance to the park."
Pool restrictions: Some campgrounds have specific rules about children using pools. At Washington DC/Capitol KOA, one parent cautioned, "I didnt like that non potty trained kids are not allowed to swim in their pool. Luckily we only have a 9 month old currently that isn't potty trained so she didn't care if she was in the pool or not but I could see where it would be a problem trying to explain to a 2-3 year old."
Timing recommendations: For families visiting beach areas, timing matters significantly. For Sandy Point State Park, a regular visitor advised, "In the summer it can get pretty crowded, so we prefer to visit in late spring while school is still in session. August is the worst month to visit if you like the water. Jellyfish take over with a vengeance!"
Cabin options: For families not ready for tent camping, several campgrounds offer cabin rentals. At Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area, "the best part of this campground are the neat mini cabins. Small one room cabins that have electricity and heat. They are a nice touch for those that want to camp, but not completely 'rough it.'"
Tips from RVers
Approach directions: For larger RVs, approach directions can be critical. At Hollofield Area Campground, RVers are warned to "APPROACH THIS PARK ONLY FROM THE WEST IF YOUR VEHICLE IS OVER 11 FEET HIGH. (There is a 11' bridge coming east bound into this park.)"
Site selection: The layout at many area campgrounds affects privacy levels. At Washington DC/Capitol KOA, one RVer advised, "If you get an area to back into it'll be more secluded, but the pull through spots offer no privacy."
Leveling needs: Some campgrounds have uneven sites requiring additional equipment. One RVer at Washington DC/Capitol KOA reported, "Camp site wasn't level at all. I was actually kind of worried that it would slide into the woods."
Water access points: Unlike some camping regions, water availability can be limited at certain campgrounds. At Hollofield Area, campers noted, "There is only one bath house for the campground... I'm also amazed that there is only one bath house and a single water spigot to service both loops; normally in MD State Parks, there is a water pump every few sites."
