Best Campgrounds near Crofton, MD

Crofton, Maryland sits at a strategic location for campers seeking diverse overnight options within reach of both Washington DC and Baltimore. State parks and private campgrounds within a 30-mile radius provide everything from basic tent sites to full-service RV hookups and cabin rentals. Cherry Hill Park in College Park offers highly-rated facilities with amenities like full hookups and a camp store, while Patapsco Valley State Park provides a more natural setting with both Hilton and Hollofield areas featuring electric sites and hiking trails. The Washington DC/Capitol KOA in nearby Millersville serves as another popular option with tent sites, RV spaces, and glamping accommodations.

Reservations are essential at most established campgrounds in the region, particularly during the April-October peak season when humidity and temperatures rise. Many campgrounds near Crofton experience weekend crowding due to their proximity to major metropolitan areas. As one camper at Greenbelt Park noted, "Helicopters and planes fly over regularly, and you can hear sirens from neighboring College Park. But it is a pretty nice campground with clean, well-maintained facilities and friendly rangers." Weather considerations include summer thunderstorms that can cause temporary flooding at some sites, particularly in low-lying areas of Patapsco Valley State Park where campers have reported that "when it rains it really flushes through the grounds."

The camping experience around Crofton balances natural settings with urban proximity. Patapsco Valley State Park receives praise for its trail system, with one visitor commenting that "this is where this campground shines. It has access to many trails and the Patapsco River." Cherry Hill Park stands out for its convenience to DC attractions, with staff providing "a lengthy orientation to Washington, tours, restaurants, Metrorail, parking, museums, and monuments." Most campgrounds maintain clean facilities with regular ranger patrols. Cell service remains reliable throughout the area, making these campgrounds suitable for travelers who need to stay connected while enjoying outdoor recreation opportunities.

Best Camping Sites Near Crofton, Maryland (80)

    1. Cherry Hill Park

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

    $282 - $999 / night

    "Metrorail is about 6 miles from campground, near University of Maryland."

    "Great camping amenities, soft cushioned sites, with power and water close by. DO NOT GET BASIC TENT SITES AS THEY ARE NEXT TO HIGHWAYS AND VERY NOISY!!! Premium tent sites would be a better choice."

    2. Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park

    32 Reviews
    Greenbelt, MD
    12 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."

    "The campsite is superb with walking trails, wildlife and the occasional overflying US Presidential Helicopter.

    Easily accessible from close by freeways, and charmingly peaceful"

    3. Washington DC / Capitol KOA

    15 Reviews
    Millersville, MD
    4 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. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area

    19 Reviews
    Catonsville, MD
    18 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."

    5. Hollofield Area Campground

    19 Reviews
    Windsor Mill, MD
    20 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."

    6. Pine Tree Associates Nudist Club

    2 Reviews
    Crownsville, MD
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 841-6033

    $30 - $55 / night

    "My wife and I were trying to find an RV location near the Annapolis city dock for a boat show and found Pine Tree Associates."

    "Camping fees include access to a large outdoor pool, an indoor pool and a hot tub. There is room for tenting and campers."

    7. Adventure Bound Washington DC

    8 Reviews
    Upper Marlboro, MD
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (443) 607-8609

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

    "This campground is conveniently located in the middle of the DC / Annapolis area and has a lot to offer! There are plenty of options, both for RV's and in general and the staff is super friendly!"

    8. Sandy Point State Park Youth Group Camping

    8 Reviews
    Gibson Island, MD
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 432-2267

    9. Camp Meade RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Odenton, MD
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 722-4237

    10. Military Park United States Naval Academy/Annapolis Naval Station Annapolis FamCamp

    1 Review
    Annapolis, MD
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 293-9200

    "Very spartan but great location. Not much to do in the campground and some long timers there. Dirt cheap"

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Recent Reviews near Crofton, MD

647 Reviews of 80 Crofton Campgrounds


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

    Elk Neck State Park Campground

    More than correct stay for a pass through or short period

    Check in at the store (without reservation), went very smooth. Only the north east loop was open because it was calm. All spots are full hook up, all fine. There was a small play area for the kids and the restrooms/ shower where clean. No complaints.

  • 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!

  • Caleb S.
    Jul. 31, 2025

    Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area

    Tabolt island state park

    We had a nice stay overlooking the marsh. The small crabs were skittering around the campsite and birds perched in the marsh. The beach was nice and clean.

  • Adam and Suzanne B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 27, 2025

    Elk Neck State Park Campground

    Nice full hook up

    Our site was a level full hook up. The road on the FHUnloop is narrow and hilly. Out site was uphill and at a difficult angle. Plenty of bigger TTs and 5th wheels were camping. The lovely camp host, Carol, kept the bathhouse spotless.

    Sadly most of the park, including the beach, was closed for major renovation while we were there and it was 99 degrees out. Very buggy.

  • Adam and Suzanne B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 27, 2025

    Tuckahoe State Park Campground

    meh

    The campground is wooded and only has electric hookups available.  The sites are well spaced. The bathhouse is dated and was clean enough to use. There isn't much to do in the park but it was an ok jumping off point to visit St. Michaels. Good dump station and potable water fill.  Spigots throughout the campground.

  • L
    Jun. 22, 2025

    Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park

    Nice Little Campground

    Decent little campground! It was quiet aside from occasional air traffic noise, and while there wasn't much spacing between some camp sites everyone was respectful. My spot was a little difficult to find because the online park map was incorrect, and the spot was basically an extended shoulder of the road. Checking in was a breeze, though!


Guide to Crofton

Camping near Crofton, Maryland, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor lovers. From serene parks to family-friendly campgrounds, there’s something for everyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the beautiful trails at Elk Neck State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, “Great trails and great staff,” making it a perfect spot for nature walks.
  • Fishing: At Tuckahoe State Park Campground, you can fish in Lake Tuckahoe. A camper shared, “There’s a small lake where many people were fishing for bass.”
  • Kayaking: Rent a kayak at Codorus State Park Campground and paddle along the calm waters. One reviewer noted, “We had our own yaks, but the park will rent them.”

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms. At Greenbrier State Park Campground, a visitor said, “The bath houses & sites are always clean.”
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds, like Cherry Hill Park, offer roomy sites. A reviewer mentioned, “The sites are all nice and level, but rather close, as expected given the proximity to DC.”
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like Pohick Bay Campground are great for families. One parent shared, “The kids kayak now older but used to walk the trails as little kids.”

What you should know:

  • Alcohol Policies: Some campgrounds, such as Bull Run Regional Park, do not allow alcohol. A camper noted, “This place is absolutely the most horrific noisy place is like sleeping on the side of the highway,” indicating that noise can be an issue.
  • Booking in Advance: Popular spots like Cherry Hill Park can fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. One visitor advised, “It stays booked because it is such a well-maintained campground.”
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Oak Ridge Campground, do not have electric hookups or showers. A camper mentioned, “Restrooms have sinks and flush toilets in all Loops.”

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Kid-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Westmoreland State Park Campground that have playgrounds. A parent said, “Great playground with plenty of other kids.”
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities. One family enjoyed hiking to Fossil Beach at Westmoreland State Park, saying, “We were only a short walk to the trail leading to fossil beach which was beautiful!”
  • Pack Snacks: Keep the kids happy with snacks. A camper at Tuckahoe State Park mentioned, “Stop at the camp store to get firewood.”

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A visitor at Harpers Ferry KOA noted, “The sites were so unlevel, close together, and the whole infrastructure in need of repair.”
  • Use Public Transport: If visiting DC, consider using public transport from campgrounds like Cherry Hill Park. One camper said, “We didn’t drive to DC at all - just used public transit.”
  • Be Prepared for Noise: Some campgrounds can be noisy, especially near highways. A reviewer at Pohick Bay Campground mentioned, “This place is so noisy with these helicopters that fly 24/7.”

Camping near Crofton, Maryland, has its perks and quirks. With the right preparation, you can enjoy a fantastic outdoor experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Crofton, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Crofton, MD is Cherry Hill Park with a 4.8-star rating from 42 reviews.

What parks are near Crofton, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Crofton, MD that allow camping, notably Greenbelt Park and Fort Dupont Park.